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Date: Sat, 25 May 2002 22:30:40 -0700
Hi,
The SF Bay offers some excellent sailing. All summer, there is plenty
of wind (20-35 kts) almost every day from the Golden Gate over to
Berkeley, but usually it is also pretty cold (hope you brought your
foul weather gear, you will need it!).
Two answers based on my experience:
1) sailing on your own is expensive, especially renting, which is
usually the way to go if you are here for a limited time. Having a
Swiss skippers license doesn't help you to rent boats. Most clubs and
schools want you to take THEIR on-the-water-test (which is $100 or so
plus rent of the boat). Even though there are "only" two US sailing
license systems, many schools don't recognize them either, if issued
by other schools. The usual excuse is that "the Bay Area conditions
are so though".
2) finding people to go sailing with is EASY. Check Latitude 38, a
free publication you find at boat shops like West Marine, sailing
schools or sailing clubs. They organize so called crew list parties
in spring. You go there, get a name tag that indicates if you have a
boat and are looking for people, or if you want to go sailing. They
have both racers and cruisers. Unfortunately, you just missed the
events (March and April). But there is still hope: check the crew
lists online at http://www.latitude38.com . One note of caution: you
don't need a license to OWN a boat. Hence, you can meet people with a
nice boat and very limited experience. They command you around, but
have no clue... and that might not be what you want. But that is no
problemo either, just don't go sailing with them again.
I started sailing here by going to the crew list party. Ended on a 44
foot Swan and raced the Ocean Series for a summer. By now, I am
partner in a boat.
let me know if you need some more advice,
Hansjürg
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Received on Sun May 26 2002 - 06:42:57 PDT
