[C320-list] Sailing in the SFO Bay and Pacific
Chef Adam Weiner
esquirecatering at rcn.com
Tue Oct 14 17:25:29 PDT 2008
Call me off line, at 650-465-5858 cell.
1. Plenty of good marinas. Coyote Point on the Peninsula is about as
far south as you want to be. I am at Sierra Point (Map Quest at 500 Sierra
Point Parkway, Brisbane) between Candlestick Park and Airport. The
location--about 30 minutes to Sunnyvale non-commute time--and parking are
great. The yacht club is unique. Two to three hours sail to San Francisco.
Usually great wind (sometimes too great of wind.)
2. Look up Latitude 38 on line and start subscribing to their free Lectronic
Latitude. They are the best sailing magazine in California and they are
based in San Francisco Bay area.
3. I have done ocean treks as far south as Half Moon Bay. No wind. I
have headed out the Gate several times to turn around to find wind in the
Gate with none outside. The heat in the Central Valley and the coldness of
the ocean create a Venturi affect making the Bay windy for about 9 months a
year. Going out the Gate is best in Spring and Fall. Summer very foggy and
not much wind usually and winter can get wild and is generally not
recommended unless you have to go out there. Please note that there are
many offshore races including the TransPac every other year. Whatever you
do, stay in the shipping channel to at least Buoy number one. There are
some very nasty shoals on either side of the channel including the world
famous Potato Patch shoal.
5. Latitude 38 and all yacht clubs will have ideas on racing. I have a
good racing contact whom is very high in demand in J105 fleet who can advise
you more.
6. If you are here, let's see what we can set up for either this Friday
night or possibly Sunday. Saturday is a family day.
7. You can try to reactivate the fleet. There are a large number of
320's in the Bay. It is kind of like driving down the road and saying, "Hey
look another Ford Taurus." There are at least four in my marina alone.
Adam
-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Andrew
Santangelo
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 5:04 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Sailing in the SFO Bay and Pacific
Adam,
Thank-you for the quick response! Some more quick questions and then
I will give you a call off line sometime:
> 1. Salt water is relatively cold in San Francisco so there isn't a lot
> of marine growth. Keep the boat clean. (I strongly recommend
> against Pier
> 39 unless you want to be part of a circus and don't want to go to
> your boat
> during the summer. Let's put it this way, it is like having a dock
> off of
> Disneyland without parking.)
I am struggling with location. I will be consulting in the Sunnyvale-
Mountain View area, but the best sailing looks near SFO.
I checked Redwood City, but I was not impressed.
My thought on Pier 39 et. al - close to the action in the City,
terrible commute. And then there is parking, though they claim at
Pier 39 they do hold spots for us sailers. This may be the same for
all the city Marinas (yes?). I did check St. Francis, but all the
slips are full. Ugh. Where are you at? Any other good Marinas?
>
>
> 2. I have had my boat 9 years. It is hull 218. Never painted prop
> nor
> shaft.
Good...saves me some extra work!
>
>
> 3. The ocean here is interesting. There are generally two types of
> conditions: no wind out there or "OMG we are going to get killed."
> Many
> boats do safely sail to the areas you mention, it is a function of
> time.
...and it looks like getting a good read on the weather. Have you
done the ocean treks?
>
>
> 4. I have owned two boats in the Bay and have sailed here extensively
> since 1979.
>
> 5. Racing options are unlimited. Join any yacht club (some are only a
> few hundred a year like mine, some are many thousands like the St.
> Francis)
> and you have unlimited possibilities. Personally I don't race but I
> can put
> you in touch with people who can.
That would be good. I am not a heavy, heavy racer, but I have won or
placed in up to 5 races per season since 1999. 1996 - 1998 were only
for fun, trial and error and the years of all the racing upgrades.
This year was more fun/practice runs since all my crew moved from the
area. I do have a J22 also now and I will soon race it in New
Mexico. This is more for fun though and the get togethers so I am not
expecting much from this.
The rest of the time I am looking at cruising and exploring around the
area.
>
>
> 6. If you are visiting before the move I will take you sailing with
> notice.
I am here one week per month. Visiting in the area right now and will
be back in November. I would like to get a feel for the area and the
sailing environment here.
>
>
> 7. Fleet One is not active.
Wow, that is too bad. If I recall years ago this area was the MAIN
hub for the C320 association. I take it there are plenty of C320's
here.
>
>
> 8. For more information contact me off list at 650-465-5858.
Will do!
>
>
> 9. You will need a double reef or furler main and a 100% or smaller
> jib
> for summer and large jib for winter. Sailing is wonderful all
> year. I have
> been out around 40 times so far this year sailing well over 1,000 nm
> this
> year all within SF Bay.
Interesting point. Currently I sail with a double reef main, but I
have never used the second reef. I have a light air Genoa and a 155%
furling genoa - these were used 95% of the time. I do have a non-
furling UK Racing Jib and a storm jib, but no 135% sail. It sounds
like I will need to add the leech/sun protector to the Jib, and use it
on the furler.
I take it light air is not a problem most of the time in the Bay.
>
>
> 10. I have had boat in 50 knots of wind inside the Bay. Boat is fully
> ocean certified. It can handle more then you can. By the way,
> there is
> already a non-320 with your boat's name in my marina.
How do you like your marina? How are the facilities?
Good to know the boat has been proven for the Ocean. I have been in
wild rides on Lake Michigan, so I did find it odd for a Marina
operator here in SFO to tell me the C320 can never go on the ocean.
The boat has done very well in all conditions, and I can attest to the
fact that it will handle more than the crew.
Thank-you for the information. I will be in touch later.
Best Regards,
Andrew Santangelo
#333 C320 Dawn Treader
>
>
> Adam
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Andrew
> Santangelo
> Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 4:13 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Sailing in the SFO Bay and Pacific
>
> Hello All,
>
> Here is a question for this group. "Dawn Treader" is likely moving
> from sailing in Lake Michigan to SFO Bay and the Pacific. It will
> hopefully be on a truck heading West by Mid-November. We will
> probably keep the boat at Pier 39. Now for the questions:
>
> * Salt Water - how much damage can expect over time. Note: I promise
> to keep the boat hosed down all the time.
> * Zincs - how often does one change this item?
> * Is it necessary to paint the shaft and/or prop?
> * Can one sail the C320 into the Pacific? Destinations we are
> considering - Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and Monterey. I was told
> this boat cannot handle the ocean, but I have been in 20' seas and
> seen winds up to 80 kts (not fun btw). The boat has sailed in steady
> 40 kt winds and did well (not the crew). Is it plausible to sail
> these jaunts around the peninsula? Not in the winter of course...
> * What is the story on the property tax in California.
> * I will want to race in SFO bay. Opportunities for us Non-Americas
> Cup type boats?
> * Fleet info?
> * General comments and perspectives sailing in the SFO area...
>
> Best Regards,
> Andrew Santangelo
> #333 C320 Dawn Treader
>
>
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