Moorings around San Francisco??

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kinera's picture
kinera
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Joined: 10/28/08
Posts: 46
Moorings around San Francisco??

I might take a transfer to San Francisco and am wondering if anyone knows about moorings in the area? We are exploring the Sausalito area and prefer to have the boat near us.... That said, is it easy to find a ball? If so, how much do they run? Are there areas to explore via the boat? Really looking for anchorages, gunk-holing, etc... Any info and/or insight is greatly appreciated. Trying to decide if it is worth shipping the boat cross country or selling her (which I would rather not do...).

Thank you.

Jack Bahen
Kinera - 1985 C36 Mk I Tall Rig
Hull # 422
Annapolis, MD

chs1517's picture
chs1517
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Posts: 113

Jack,

SF Bay has numerous marinas to park you boat. There are locations that have mooring balls but only in very select area such as Sausalito, north across SF Bay from San Francisco, and even there you may find the mooring balls belong to neighboring Yacht Clubs for use by members and guests.

Otherwise you can look just about anywhere and find a marina to your liking and budget costs. It would be nice to know if you have a certain area that you will be working. From there it would be easier to direct you to marinas in that area. Also you might want to consider how much access you want to the bay.

As far a anchoring... Again there area areas such as Sausalito that allow anchoring however those areas are beginning to dry up due to too many derelict boat being left to the elements ending up as an eyesore and a liability to the local governments...

Chris

Chris Stewart
S/V "24~7"
1984 Catalina 36 Tall
Hull #251 M25
(SF Bay) Alameda, CA

stu jackson c34's picture
stu jackson c34
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Posts: 1270

Unlike other parts of the country, mooring balls are not used here, marinas, mostly all of them with floating double finger docks are the norm. South Beach Harbor, right in downtown SF near the ballpark, has single finger docks, but a waiting list 10+ years long. Chris mentioned the mooring balls in Sausalito. There are a few, but YC or privately owned. The derelicts are anchored out in Richardson Bay - Google Earth it if you choose to do so.

If you want to find out more about the area, invest in a book like the Mahaffey's SF Bay Cruising Guide, or Kimball Livingston's Sailing the Bay.

If you move here and sell your boat, you'll have two issues to deal with: kicking yourself for selling it and coming here without it; having to go buy another one.

Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)

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baysailor2000
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Posts: 218

There are many marinas with docks available for monthly rent. They run from about $7.5 per foot to $ 8.5 per foot. The length is the length of the dock - not the length of your boat but it approximately is the same. The closer you are to San Francisco the more expensive they are and less available. I can send you a list of phone numbers of the popular marinas that you can choose from with no waiting list. Currently at Coyote Point Marina they are planning to add about 29 new docs up to 65 feet. Yes that is my home port. As far selling your C36 - it depends how much you have invested in it and are you willing to separate from her. The fact is that we get strong 20+ Knots of wind and more than likely you will have to replace your sails as heavier sails are needed. If you buy a new sailboat in San Francisco Bay it will already be equipped with heavy sails. Hope to see you in our backyard.

Haro Bayandorian, 1999 C36 MKII, Sail La Vie #1787, M35B,
Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA.

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Steve Frost
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Posts: 788

Jack,

If you have a good boat that you are happy with by all means I would move it. The aquisition and sorting out of a new boat can be a chore. Your boat with the tall rig will be overpowered during our typicle summer weather. You will do fine in the winter and the boat will not be layed up in a yard over the winter months, you will be sailing.

As for berth oportunities, I suggest you first plant your anchor near your job, let us know where that is and we can then suggest a convenient marina for your boat. There are tons of options but, it makes more sense to locate the boat near you. You mention Sausalito, if that is where you work it may be a good place for your boat, there are also marinas on the east side of Tiburon peninsula in the north bay at Pardise island or even up the river in Petaluma. Both of these are a quick drive from Sausalito, berths there are more available and less expensive. As stated earlier the per foot cost of the berth will be directly related to the distance from the main bay. Some of the marinas outside the main bay also offer far more protection in winter storm. My boat is way down the Oakland Estuary and the only surge we get in the winter is from passing power boats. Some of the docks in the main bay you will need to take your Dramamine before you walk down the dock.

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

kinera's picture
kinera
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Posts: 46

Thank you all for the info! We are not 100% sure when the move will take place. My wife is due to have our second child April 1 and we will most likely stay put till after the baby is born. As we get closer I will definitely be in touch. Also, I did order the cruising SF bay book and look forward to reading it! Again, thank you for taking the time to respond.

Jack Bahen
Kinera - 1985 C36 Mk I Tall Rig
Hull # 422
Annapolis, MD

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