San Pablo Bay is a concern. Read this.

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Waynepj4

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"Because of its great size but shallow waters, San Pablo Bay frequently has difficult boating conditions. The prevailing western wind meets strong currents both at Carquinez Straits and, at the opposite end of the bay, near the Richmond Bridge, to produce large waves, with few areas of retreats for most boats." from Wikipedia.

Big waves, shallow waters, no areas for retreat. Personally, Im not concerned for myself. The boat can handle it and so can I. My concern is my wife who is a bit scary. Im going to take her on a surprise trip and I'd love to cross San Pablo bay at slack tide.

Ive crossed SP Bay on my Dad's trawler and encountered 9...yes 9 foot swells. Thoughts?
 
Just remember, if you cross it, you've gotta come back - and the conditions can be quite different.
 
On the average, winter months on the bay tend to produce little wind unless there is a storm going through. Your best bet is to have an alternate plan if the weather doesn't look like it will cooperate during the time you're out there. The last thing you want us your wife bashing you upside the head as you burrow the nose of your boat into a nine foot swell.
 
If the weather isn't perfect for this trip, have a back up plan---maybe go by car---so that your wife has an enjoyable weekend. It will be counter productive to force your wife into conditions where she is fearful. Getting used to boating and being relaxed take more time for some.

To help alleviate your wife's fears, consider enrolling her in a Skipper Saver's Program where the Admiral [wife] learns how to handle your boat. These classes are offered by US Power Squadron. Delta Squadron: http://www.usps.org/cgi-bin/locates.cgi Diablo Squadron: http://www.usps.org/cgi-bin/locates.cgi

Also see if MarineMax, Oakland, offers hands on instruction for her.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Waynepj4
My concern is my wife who is a bit scary.

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Wayne,

You better be careful calling your wife scary; next thing you know, you'll be the one who is scared. If you get up early in February, you shouldn't have any problems crossing San Pablo Bay. By early, I mean more like 8 or 9 am not leaving at 10:30. On the way home, time your departure for a flood tide so that the wind and waves align. I'm sure you'll have a great trip!
 
I usually plan my trips to San Francisco & Coyote Point/Redwood City in the late fall or early winter. The bay is calm & usually no wind. Several times I had glassy water all the way & arrive to the sights of the San Francisco city lights about mid-night. I like to anchor in Richarson Bay. Sometimes Angle Island has too many boats anchored too close together, and the bottm there is steep,current is strong and sometimes windy.
Monitor the marine weather radio, pay attention to the location of the high pressure ridge and winds off shore. And have an alternate plan. Always be thinking of your return trip back home.
 
The trip shouldn't be scary at all in your boat you just might have to slow down a bit (assuming you have normal winds). The trip home should be easier as you should be going with the wind and again if you go slow you will barely feel the waves at all going with the wind. As long as you are not in a hurry you shouldn't have any issues, just check the marine forecast before you go. You are lucky that you can just drive if the weather doesn't cooperate. You could also use the ferrys if the winds are too much for your comfort.

I am sure you will have a good time.

Kris
 
Go slow? I have had more than one person tell me to go fast in those conditions, including a skipper of a twin engine 36' CHB. "Just skim over the top" says he. I am sure the rest of the family was having a white knuckle ride! Boat is for sale now....

There are some Jack London stories on line that talk about adventures he had on San Pablo Bay. My own experience with an underpowered sail boat 25 years ago agrees with his.

If the wind kicks up, slow or fast you are going to have a rough ride, early in the day is best, be through it by noon. Use the tides to your advantage.

I second the suggestion for the Skipper Savers program. With our new to us boat we both learn together everything about this boat's handling. I bought her private lessons from a professional and her first side tie up was smooth as silk. I do the deck ape work, not the little lady.
 
The speed really depends on the boat. Some do fine at higher speeds in the waves and some pound a bit and can be really wet. If Wayne is concerned that his wife might be nervous, pounding with water splashing on the windshield the whole way might not build a lot of confidence. I have found that if you keep the bow up a bit going slower you can keep the boat pretty dry and there is no pounding into the waves. You feel a bit more of the up and down motion of the waves but is otherwise pretty comfortable. Most boats will not be that smooth flying across the top of 5 foot wind waves especially in a boat less than 30 feet.
 
When my friend made that trip, he slowed to 11 knts to cross San Pablo in his 30 ft SR w/twins. At that speed he was dry and comfortable. This was his very first trip across SP Bay in any boat.
 
Watch the weather reports and don't be reluctant to scrub the trip if the weather doesn't look promising. If you are out there and the weather deteriorates, look for a safe place to ride it out.

I have actually had worse conditions in the Suisun bay. That was a trip I wish I hadn't done.

Rod
 
Memories! I lived in the area in the '60s and 70s. Whether its San Pablo Bay, The Straits of Mackinac or ---- remember who THE ADMIRAL is. If you can imagine a scene where she steps off the boat and says, "Thats it! I'm out of boating", don't take her out unless conditions are optimal.For those who are afraid the learning curve is very long. Also a buddy in his boat with his knowledgeable wife along might relieve some fear.
Good Luck!
 
Thank you! In the brownies thread I was tempted to present the recipe we used in my '60s Berkeley years. I decided it would be inappropriate. Another Delta memory- eating steaks and teaching the tourists how to nail a dollar bill to the ceiling at Al's in Locke. Is it still there?
 
Al The Wop's is still there and people continue to stick dollars to the ceiling. Once a year, they take them all down and host a no charge liver and onions party. Not my cup of tea, but they still have passable food, good liquor and it's a fun place to hang out.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bliss

Thank you! In the brownies thread I was tempted to present the recipe we used in my '60s Berkeley years. I decided it would be inappropriate. Another Delta memory- eating steaks and teaching the tourists how to nail a dollar bill to the ceiling at Al's in Locke. Is it still there?

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I see you live in Wisconsin. That's where I'm from originally. Went to UW-Madison. I've had those brownies that you're talking about. ;)
 
Holy Moly! you're in San Mateo!? I had a boat at Coyote Point. Actually I live in Burr Ridge, Il- outside of Chicago. The boat is behind the cheddar curtain.
 
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