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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Newbie-friendliest spot 4 practice in SF bay are

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Aceguy
1st Mate

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USA
77 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/08/2007 : 01:09:32

Now that my wife talked me out of selling our boat, we need to get her in the water more! So far I've only sailed in lakes. When I have a couple of days off, I'd like to go out to the bay area and launch, sail (practice), stay in a guest slip somewhere, wake up, sail some more, and go home. Any suggestions? I live in Sacramento and I'd be driving out to the SF bay area, so any part of the bay(s) works for me (the more newbie-mistake friendly the better).

Eric Freedman
1984 SR/WK #4671
Folsom, CA

Edited by - on

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2007 : 10:04:21

Hey Ace,

There are a couple of good places that we know that are like what you are looking for.

One would be out of Redwood City. The Redwood City marina has a ramp I believe.
Do you have a fin or swing keel? If you have a fin and need a sling launch the only place I personally know is in Alameda, I don't remember if RWC has a sling.

Redwood city has a large turning basin for ships near to it that you can practice in. It's a long channel out to the South bay area South of the HWY 92 bridge, takes about 20-30 mins to get out of the channel (and do stay in the channel). That area South of 92 is pretty tame. Going North past the bridge can be pretty scarey for a Newbie sometimes as the wind picks up quickly and tidal swells can get pretty bad there and it's all close hauled up the bay. Don't know if you could get a slip in the marina.

Another possible place is near us at Oyster Point in South San Francisco or at Brisbane where we are. No launching facilities at Brisbane, but a ramp at SSF. Don't know about the depth for launch, but it is well used by the fishermen in small boats. Sometimes pretty windy coming into the Marina (either one). Either marina probably could get you a slip, but Brisbane may be a bit more pricy as you would have to pay for at least a 30ft slip. A little tamer sailing from there to the Bay Bridge than what you would see in the main bay out by Alcatraz, except for a few spots where the wind funnels through like Candlestick point. Ship anchorage is in the middle there betweem SF and Alameda/Oakland and that can be a bit intimidating at times.

If you launch at Alameda you go down the Estuary to the bay (lots of traffic). Going basically downwind to Oyster Point and the South Bay at RWC shouldn't be too bad for a first run. You might even be able to stay at one of the Estuary marinas. I don't know the area/facilties there very well.

Some guys up around San Pablo Bay may check in on this...That area might be closer for what you want to do.

Edited by - on

Aceguy
1st Mate

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USA
77 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2007 : 11:53:42

Thanks for the ideas! I do have a swing keel and my trailer tongue extends, so if there's a ramp I should be able to launch on it.

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farrison
Navigator

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USA
166 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2007 : 12:02:44

Ace;

You may also want to check out a marina in Richmond (I don't know the name). I have a friend that keeps his Cal 27 there and seems to like it. He can sail up the delta, or down to the SF Bay. I don't know anything about the fees they charge but it may be another option. Richmond is an industrial town, but he claims there is a great chinese reasturant there.

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Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2007 : 14:33:15

The is a launch ramp at the Berkeley Marina and they may have a lift, in fact there is a travel lift there as there is also a boat yard. I've never put a boat in the water there, but I have taken sailing lessons in the bay outside the Marina and it would be a good place to get right out on the bay and be sailing...You can check with OCSC (they have a web site) and they might be able to give you more information. Dan

Edited by - on

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
843 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2007 : 15:17:29

Aceguy,

There are a couple of marinas in Richmond.
I use Marina Bay Yacht Harbor --> [url="http://www.marinabayyachtharbor.com"]website[/url]

I recommend buying charts to see where the harbors are and where you want to sail.

Richmond has protected waters because it's behind Angel Island.
To practice, sail from Richmond south to Berkeley and back.
Once you're comfortable, sail south to Treasure Island.
It's a beam reach and moderate sailing.
Sailing West past Angel Island to Sausalito, Golden Gate bridge,
Alcatraz, SF waterfront is not newbie friendly.
There are shipping lanes, changing tides, strong winds, and world-class sailors that think you know the right-of-way rules.

I rent a slip at Marina Bay for a week a couple times every summer.

They have a boat ramp and the guest slips are $12.50 per day.
If you have a Boat-US membership it's $9.50 per day.
You can get a 25' or 30' slip for the same price.
I like the 30' slips on Dock-G because it's close to the ramp and on the leeward side.
The 25' slips are on the windward side and I always get blown into the dock.

The slip rental includes a key for the dock gate and restroom/shower.
Here's the trick, park across the street before you rent the slip.
The parking lot gate is $10 but when you rent the slip it's free.
When you rent the slip you must ask for a parking lot gate key.
There's a $25 deposit for the Dock key and deposit for the Parking key.
Both deposits are refundable.

Russ (C250-WB #793)

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2007 : 16:15:49

The end of Grand Street in Alameda has a free public ramp. For your first time in the Bay, I would recommend the protected waters of the estuary. You can sail in the estuary, raft up to restaurants, and if you go out into the Bay, you're south of the Bay Bridge and the winds are lighter than the main Bay. You can motor from the ramp to Clipper Cove on Treasure Island and anchor out (less than an hour). You can go out into the main Bay or not, your choice. A guest slip at Grand Marina would be a good idea. (We're there, it's a great place.) Grand Marina is right next to the ramp, so if you get a guest slip there they may do a deal with storing your trailer. Alameda Marina is just down the estuary and have a huge parking lot that would be good for your trailer. They have a lift, but it'd be easier to put in at the free ramp a block away. Marina Village, a bit further up the estuary to the bay, is also a nice place to stay, and there's a small shopping center with a Longs and an Albertsons that's great for provisioning only a block away. Lots to see and do.

Richmond is also good, since the sailing is also out of the eye of the Bay and the Slot.

Suggest you buy Kimball Livingston's "Sailing the Bay" book - almost required reading for your adventure. Since he wrote the book, I don't have to copy it all here.

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 02/08/2007 16:22:04

ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2007 : 17:15:04

Ace-
Have you considered putting your boat in a marina?
Slips are relatively inexpensive in the Delta and the drive a lot shorter. You wouldn't have to step the mast every time so you'd sail alot more and on a long weekend you could sail to the Bay. Our yacht club has reciprocal priveleges with several others in the Bay and Delta.
If you'd like to check out our marina or need a hand launching let me know.

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2007 : 23:16:04

I used to live in Citrus Heights and I left my C250 WK at Balenna Marina in Alameda for 8 months and Tahoe for 4 months.
Look up the price on the internet or call Ballena Marina.
I think I paid $172 a month.
That's pretty hard to beat and for small boats there is not a waiting list.
You could spend up to 10 days at a time living on board....

paulj C250WK #719

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2007 : 23:46:19

I would second the previous recomendations for Richmond and Alameda, in that order. I used to charter out of Richmond and could appreciate is as a beginner learning area. At step one in the charter program you are resticted to sailing the area of the bay South of the Richmond San Rafael bridge and North of South Hampton. Once your skills have grown you can get over to Angel Island's East and North sides, Hospital Cove and Ayala Cove are then accessible. Not until you are at their third level do they let you venture into the slot. I would say it is good advice.
We have launched at Grand street and stayed at Grand Marina for a few nights and then headed off to South Beach, Angel Island, and Vallejo and Napa. We left the car and trailer at the parking lot the whole time. Before the trip I contacted the police department but never got a response. The Marina would not let us park the trailer in their lot.
Angel Island was very popular with everyone in the family. We also anchored off China Camp and explored ashore for a few hours. Lots of good places to eat in Alameda and Oakland.
When sailing the bay you MUST know what the tides and currents are doing, even if you are sailing a fast Hobie. Don't ask me how I learned this valuable lesson.

If you stay overnight at Angel Island you will need to learn how to pick up a mooring and tie fore and aft. It requires a fair bit of line. It took us three tries to pull it off. One trick we used to make it easier was we side tied the dinghy to the boat. This kept the dinghy which we had been towing from China Camp out of the way as we manuvered about. My wife got down into the dinghy to snag the mooring ball. It was right at her level then instead of reaching down from the bow of the big boat.

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Aceguy
1st Mate

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USA
77 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2007 : 00:31:49

Wow, that's a bunch of great advice, thanks! I'll read the book. I have considered putting her in a marina, but I'm not sure I can justify the cost just yet. Maybe in a year or two. Thanks again!

Edited by - on

budd
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2007 : 23:00:01

When I first started sailing I would dive to Richmond with my 22 catalina and launch at the ramp and spend the weekend on a guest slip, in and out of the Marina and across to Angle Island and back, good Sailing and not a lot of area to get into trouble; my Wife loved it and had a great time.

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