Sailing in the SF bay without a motor..

[jollyroger47]

So I am a new owner of a Macgregor 25 ft sailboat, I am new to sailing, and new to the bay area. I am fairly confident in my sailing abilities having grown up around the ocean, and after solo sailing for the first time on my 'new to me' boat about two months ago. That's not to say I don't have a lot to learn about seafaring in general.

The vessel that I recently purchased is in overall good condition with the exception of the motor. It is a 1988 Johnson Evinrude 9.9 horsepower that worked really well for me once, but since my first solo sailing session, hasn't worked at all. I ordered a service manual and have taken it to a local outboard mechanic, and now know the water pump needs some TLC and probably a list of other things for it to work at 100%. I knew when purchasing the boat that older outboards can be notoriously fickle, and now have the joy of figuring out how to get it running.

All motor problems aside my question is about sailing in the bay without a motor. I have been told about the tidal bottleneck that exists at the gate, and was briefly told about how the currents can be very strong throughout the bay on an incoming or outgoing tide depending on timing.. but I am wondering what I specifically need to look out for? I have to move my boat from the Berkeley, CA area to the Delta and was wondering if there is anything I need to be especially careful of when doing so without a motor? Any advice from fellow sailors with prior SF bay sailing experience would be appreciated.. Thanks for reading this, I am looking forward to any helpful responses.

Jollyroger47

[Lee Ward]

This does not sound advisable based on your level of experience as described. I grew up sailing the north bay and delta and would not try it myself. The currents through the Carquinez Straight right now will be even stronger with the spring runoff. It would be more than a 1 day trip, which would mean finding anchorage or a guest dock, the latter would require motoring. The delta winds blow nuclear in the summer and trying to sail into a marina and slip would be a handful for a pro with crew. For a novice singlehanding it would be extremely difficult. You risk crashing into other boats or grounding. The channels up there can be tricky too. You would be tacking against a headwind in a lot of places, and risk running aground unless you are constantly vigilant for the slightest hint of shoaling and mudflats. The ebb tide can leave you high and dry for a long time if you make a mistake. Your best bet, if you are intent on doing it without power, is to find an experienced person with local knowledge to go with you.

[Bilgemaster]

Could you not perhaps borrow a motor from the mechanic working on yours to tide you over? I may be no proper judge of the matter, being a bit of a newbie myself, but my "spidey sense" is tingling nevertheless.

[Catigale]

I sail the Bay in Sabre, Cat, Bennie, and others. A mac belongs nowhere near the Gate until you are way beyond the skill level of this Forum.

There are huge tidal currents, container ships, Naval ships, $50,000 fine for touching bridge abutments....and thats just the starters.

You definitely need a motor, and to build your resume up to the Bay over many sessions.

The OCSC out of Berkeley Marina has an excellent program for skippered, self-charters and a nice fleet of boats to take out with a group and conquer the Bay