A Bay Full of Possibilities for Getting Out on the Water

Every sailor has springtime traditions. Here at Latitude 38 one of ours is to present you with a complete round-up of virtually every keelboat and mulithull available for rent on the Bay. So in these pages you'll find listings of both (drive-it-yourself) bareboats and fully crewed charter yachts of all sizes and descriptions. Included are at least a half dozen boats which have just been added to the fleet in recent weeks. We encourage you to peruse it now, and perhaps also save it for future reference.

(Click here for some of our local bareboat charter companies and clubs, current as of April, 2008.)

Crewed Charter Vessels

The vessels you'll find in this section are accessible to folks of all ages, with no sailing skills required whatsoever. However, there are special occasions when even diehard sailors who own arsenals of sailing craft could also use these services.

Consider a few possibilities. Suppose you have a slew of relatives coming in from out of town for a wedding or reunion, and you'd like to show them around the Bay. Do you really want to cram them all onto your beat-up old daysailer with the nonfunctional head? No. The smart move would be to charter one of these well-kept 'multi-passenger' vessels, where the pampering service of a professional crew will allow you to sit back, sip champagne and play tour guide.

Similarly, when your coworkers are scratching their heads trying to come up with an original plan for the annual office party, you'll be a hero when you introduce them to the idea of a Bay cruise on a bona fide sailing vessel. Those who care to pitch in with the sailing chores are usually welcome to help, while the rest of the group soaks in the salt air and takes in the sights.

The Bay Area's fleet of fully crewed charter vessels breaks down into two principal categories: 'Six Pack' boats, which are licensed to charter with only six passengers for hire, and 'Multi-Passenger Vessels' (technically called Inspected Vessels). In most cases these can legally carry up to 49 passengers.

On these pages we've attempted to be as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible. We regret any errors or omissions, so please let us know if we've left anyone out!

'Multi-Passenger' Vessels (7+)

(In alphabetical order.)

Argosy Venture: One of the largest and more unique yachts in Northern California, this 101-ft Nevins motorsailer does occasional charters on the Bay as well as annual expeditions beyond the Golden Gate. Built as a private luxury yacht in 1947, her gleaming brightwork and period styling make her an eye-catching sight when she roars across the Bay at 12 knots.
- Carries up to 12 passengers.
- Berthed at Brisbane Marina.
- Available for special custom charters locally (including corporate), family charters and expeditions, as well as film and dive charters.
- (650) 952-4168; www.argosyventure.com

Adventure Cat I: A familiar sight on the Bay, this 55-ft catamaran was custom-built specifically for chartering here. Definitely one of the fastest local charter boats, she's been clocked at 20 knots with a full complement of passengers aboard. Guests can choose to ride on the open-air trampoline, forward, or within the sheltered salon.
- Carries up to 48 passengers.
- Berthed at Pier 39, Dock J, in San Francisco.
- Available for scheduled sails daily (individually ticketed), private group charters and special events, including weddings, whale watching and corporate programs.
- (415) 777-1630 or (800) 498-4228; www.adventurecat.com

Adventure Cat II: Designed by cat connoisseur Kurt Hughes, Adventure Cat II was launched several years ago. Like her older sister (above), she is fast and fun, yet is much larger and, consequently, can carry twice as many passengers. For really big groups, consider chartering both boats and sail together in tandem.
- Carries up to 99 passengers.
- Berthed at Pier 39, Dock J, in San Francisco.
- Available for private group charters and special events, including weddings, whale watching and corporate programs.
- (415) 777-1630 or (800) 498-4228; www.adventurecat.com

Bay Lady: At 90 feet in length, Bay Lady is the largest Coast Guard 'certified' sailing vessel on the West Coast. Licensed to carry up to 80 passengers, she holds the second-largest capacity of any sailing charter vessel in the region. Bay Lady was built of steel in New England specifically for the charter trade. Her design combines modern strength and safety features with an old-time sail plan - she carries great clouds of sail on her traditional gaff rig.
- Certified for 80 passengers (most comfortable with about 65).
- Berthed at South Beach Harbor, San Francisco.
- Some scheduled sailings (individually ticketed), private group charters, offshore charters (such as to Monterey) and special events including corporate and baseball parties to McCovey Cove.
- (415) 543-7333; www.rendezvous-charters.com

Cat Ballou: Originally a Caribbean charter yacht, this sweet-sailing Catana 42 catamaran joined the Bay Area charter fleet after owners Chuck and Ellie Longanecker upgraded her substantially during an extensive refit. As well as doing custom charters on the Bay, she occasionally voyages beyond the Golden Gate. In fact, in recent years she's offered a series of 'adventure charters' to, from and within Mexico. A management consultant by trade, one of Chuck's specialties is teambuilding charters.
- Carries up to 12 passengers.
- Berthed at Schoonmaker Marina, Sausalito.
- Available for private group charters, special events and corporate charters, including teambuilding.
- (888) 566-8894; www.sanfranciscosailing.com

Chardonnay II: This custom-built Santa Cruz 70 is one of the most popular charter vessels operating on Monterey Bay. She was custom built for fast sailing, yet with the comforts to accommodate up to 49 passengers. She offers a wide array of 'themed charters' such as wine tasting, sunset cruising and corporate teambuilding.
- Carries up to 49 passengers.
- Berthed at Santa Cruz Harbor.
- Custom 'themed charters', special events and corporate teambuilding.
- (831) 423-1213; www.chardonnay.com

Derek M. Baylis: Named after a famous Bay Area yachtsman, this distinctive 65-ft cat ketch was built specifically for conducting ocean research and marine education. Tom Wylie designed it to be an "environmentally friendly way to keep up with whales and other marine life without using an engine."
- Carries up to 49 passengers on daysails or 12 passengers for overnights.
- Berthed at Monterey; pickups in Santa Cruz and elsewhere by special arrangement.
- Scheduled sunset 'wine and cheeze' cruises Wed.-Sat. Available for custom group charters, including corporate event, in addition to her specialized marine research work and educational marine study groups (such as the Monterey Aquarium's Science Under Sail program, great white shark studies and marine debris research).
- (831) 818-6112; www.sealifeconservation.org
[For Monterey Aquarium trips call 800-756-3737.]

Gas Light: Designed by Carl Schumacher and built by master shipwright Billy Martinelli, this beautifully crafted 50-ft schooner is reminiscent of the days when hay and produce were brought down Bay Area rivers to market under sail, aboard similar scow schooners. Her main cabin is spacious and bright, while her broad decks make it easy to mingle during a party cruise, and she heels only minimally.
- Carries up to 49 passengers (ideal with 25-35).
- Berthed at Schoonmaker Marina, Sausalito.
- Available for private group charters and special events including corporate meetings and teambuilding. Kids' groups welcome.
- (415) 331-2769 or (415) 601-1957; www.gaslightcharters.com

Glory Days: This classic Morgan Out Island 51 is owned and operated by Pam Powers, one of the few professional female skippers in the local charter trade. Before going out on her own a few years ago with the purchase of Glory Days, Pam skippered many of the Bay's biggest charter vessels.
When Morgan first began producing the Out Island line in the late '60s, it quickly became a hot cruising design, and charter companies loved them - especially the 51s, like Glory Days.
- Certified for 42 passengers - probably the only O.I. 51 which is.
- Berthed Pelican Harbor, Sausalito.
- Available for corporate events, private charters, weddings, ash scatterings, teambuilding sails and Angel Island BBQ sails. Occasional scheduled sails (individually ticketed) such as Friday night sunset sails and full moon cruises (see website for schedule).
- (800) 849-9256 or (415) 336-0392; www.sailsfbay.com

New: 'Imi Loa: A well-kept Catalina 34, 'Imi Loa is one of the most popular cruiser/racers in its size rage on the Bay. A stiff and comfortable boat with many amenities, it comfortably accommodates six guests, and with her spacious cockpit and table, 'Imi Loa has plenty of room for enjoying cocktails and a snack during quiet evening sails or while cruising through Richardson Bay after a fast reach across the slot.
Captain Gregory Sherwood is a USCG licensed Master and ASA certified sailing instructor who's been sailing 'Imi Loa in the Bay Area since 1996. He is an accomplished off-shore racer and cruiser.
- Carries up to 6 passengers
- Berthed at South Beach Harbor, Pier 40, San Francisco
- Private charters, corporate team-building, wine tasting and sunset sails. Check the web site for monthly specials. Passenger participation encouraged.
- (408) 910-0095; www.sfsailtours.com

Nehemiah: Among the things that make this classic wooden ketch unique in the Bay's charter fleet is the fact that she has circumnavigated - twice - under previous owners.
Her current use is also unique, however. Capt. Rod Phillips and his wife, Admiral Joni, enjoy doing Bay charters for the general public, which finance their true passion, youth sail training - particularly for 'at-risk' youth. Solidly built and traditionally rigged, she is an ideal platform for hands-on training, as well as pleasure sailing. A lifelong mariner, Rod also captains S.F. Bay ferries.
- Carries up to 32 passengers.
- Berthed Richmond's Marina Bay.
- Available for youth sail training, scheduled sails (individually ticketed) and private charters.
- (510) 234-5054; www.sailingacross.com

Ruby: At 64 feet in length, this double-ended steel sloop has been a familiar site on the Bay for as long as we can remember. In fact, Ruby has been chartering longer than any other boat on the Bay - 26 consecutive years. She's also become a landmark at her San Francisco Boat Works homeport, adjacent to The Ramp restaurant. Owner/skipper Josh Pryor designed and built her himself back in the '70s with thoughts of long-distance cruising, but once he started chartering her, he discovered that both he and she were well suited to the business. In addition to scheduled sailings, she does a variety of special charters - one of the most memorable was when The Playboy Channel brought a dozen bunnies aboard for an Opening Day photo shoot in the waters off what is now AT&T Park.
- Carries up to 31 passengers.
- Berthed at The Ramp restaurant, foot of Mariposa St., San Francisco.
- Available for lunch and evening sails daily (individually ticketed), private group charters, and special events including corporate functions and ash scatterings.
- (415) 861-2165; www.rubysailing.com

Sea Raven: This comfortable 65-ft catamaran specializes in elegant dining cruises under sail, accommodating up to 30 guests for 'sit-down' dinners in her customized salon. For this purpose, she is completely unique within the Bay Area fleet, which, naturally, brings her plenty of corporate business and special-occasion charters.
- Carries up to 48 passengers.
- Berthed at South Beach Harbor, San Francisco.
- Available for private charters only: dinner cruises, private group charters, special events including corporate functions and baseball tailgate parties.
- (415) 543-7333; www.rendezvous-charters.com

Seaward: This 82-ft staysail schooner was a new addition to the Bay Area charter fleet last season, having arrived here from Boston last summer. Rather than doing typical daysails, during the spring, summer and fall her primary function is running hands-on sail training for youngsters in, or near, the Bay. When winter approaches, she heads for the sunny latitudes of Mexico, where she offers a series of programs which combine education in traditional seamanship, study of the marine environment and fun in the sun. She is owned and operated by the nonprofit Call of the Sea organization.
- Carries up to 45 passengers on day trips; 15 for overnights.
- Berthed at Sausalito.
- Available for youth sail training, overnight coastal trips, scheduled (individually ticketed) Friday night and Saturday sails, overnights to Drake's Bay and the Farallones, private group charters and corporate events, plus 'adventure sailing' in Mexico during the winter.
- (415) 331-3214; www.callofthesea.org and for Mexico: www.seawardadventures.org

Team O'Neill: As her operators like to say, "For an Extraordinary Santa Cruz Adventure, just add water!"
Promising a unique and specialized sailing adventure on the Monterey Bay, this 65-footer gives you a true appreciation for big catamaran sailing. Her length and 28-ft beam provide an exceptionally smooth and stable ride, with plenty of deck space to move around freely. Her full galley can accommodate catered sails, or guests may choose to bring along a picnic style meals.
Ideally suited for both family and friends of corporate groups.
- Carries up to 49 passengers.
- Berthed at Santa Cruz YH.
- Available for private group charters, whale watching and special events including corporate.
- (831) 475-1561; www.oneillyachtcharters.com

Yukon Jack: Although a remarkable amount of 'big boat' racing takes place on the Bay each year, only a minuscule portion of the sailing community ever gets to ride on those sleek, go-fast machines. But if you'd like to check out the adrenal thrill of blasting across the Bay on an ultralight, this proven Santa Cruz 50 is the boat for you. A former ocean racer, she actually holds the San Francisco-to-Tahiti record from her '95 crossing: 19 days, 4 hours and 51 minutes, if anyone's counting.
- Carries up to 25 passengers.
- Berthed at South Beach Harbor, San Francisco.
- Race charters (including offshore), private group charters, and special events including corporate.
- (415) 543-7333; www.rendezvous-charters.com

Six-Passenger Crewed Yachts

We need to preface this section by saying that in addition to the six-passenger vessels which follow - many of which are operated by their owners - virtually every sailing school (aka 'club') listed on the 'bareboats' page also has boats which are available for 'six-pack' charters with captain and crew.

Some of the larger boats in those fleets are very nicely fitted out for both comfortable daysails and overnight charters. Call them for details and pricing.

Angelique: One of three new additions to the local charter fleet, Angelique is a sweet-sailing Columbia 57, built for comfort inshore or offshore. Her roomy, nicely appointed interior and stable racer-cruiser design makes her a good choice for extended cruises.
- Carries up to 6 passengers.
- Available for 'captain-only' charters at very reasonable rates, as well as full-service crewed group charters, as well as multi-day trips on the Bay and along the Coast.
- (707) 953-0434; www.sailingbiz.com

Apparition: Sleek and speedy, Apparition was custom-built in Sausalito with small-group chartering in mind. Captain Stan Schilz loves to introduce guests to the ease and comfort of multihull sailing by letting them take the helm. One of the few crewed charter yachts that does overnights, this 38-footer has two double cabins and a full galley. If you're planning to bareboat a cat soon, spending some time aboard Apparition would be good preparation.
- Carries up to 6 passengers for private charters. Can also be bareboated by special arrangement with up to 12 passengers.
- Berthed at Schoonmaker Marina, Sausalito.
- Available for private group charters, special events, multihull sailing instruction and trips up the Delta or the Petaluma or Napa Rivers.
- (415) 331-8730; www.apparition.com or www.boatsboatsboats.net

Bay Wolf: A very recent addition to the Bay fleet, this pedigreed Santa Cruz 50 ocean racer is a veteran of many Hawaii and Mexico races. With her brand new mast, rigging and other upgrades, she promises fast, exhilarating Bay sailing.
- Carries up to six passengers. (Note: This boat may soon be certified for 25 passengers.)
- Berthed in Sausalito.
- Available for private group charters, corporate charters and special events. Passenger participation is welcomed.
- (650) 858-1640 or cell (650) 492-0681; www.sfbaysail.com

Carrera: At the smaller end of the spectrum is Gene Maly's well-kept Capo 32 racer/cruiser. Based at Monterey, Carrera balances her increasingly busy schedule between intimate group daysails and instructional sails that feature plenty of one-on-one attention.
- Carries up to six passengers.
- Berthed at Fisherman's Wharf, in Monterey.
- Available for scheduled daysails including whale watching and Marine Sanctuary tours, private charters, accredited instruction, and teambuilding challenges for corporations.
- (831) 375-0648; www.sailmontereybay.com

Flying Tiger: This sleek former racing yacht is one of the newest additions to the Bay's charter fleet. Originally designed to race in the SORC, she was later fitted out for comfortable cruising and explored both Mexico and Alaska. Kirk Miller (a.k.a. Capt. Kirk) gave up a successful career in the energy business to pursue his dream of chartering on the Bay aboard Flying Tiger.
She is ideally suited to charters with those who enjoy high-performance sailing - it doesn't take much to convince Kirk to put up the chute on the downwind run past the Cityfront. She has recently undergone an extensive refit.
- Carries up to six passengers.
- Based at Sausalito.
- Available for private group charters, corporate charters and special events. Passenger participation is welcomed.
- (650) 858-1640 or cell (650) 492-0681; www.sfbaysail.com

Incognito: This custom-built C&C 48 is the 'dream boat' of 30-year charter skipper Mark Sange. He had been looking for a stiff, high-performance boat that was well balanced and responsive. And to hear him tell it, Incognito filled the bill perfectly. Having skippered big luxury charter yachts in the Med for a decade, Mark knows a thing or two about putting excitement back in his client's lives. "I like to introduce them to the therapeutic effect of bashing to windward in 20 knots of breeze with the lee rail buried."
• Carries up to six passengers.
• Berthed at Sausalito Yacht Harbor.
• Available for all types of private charters, including corporate and special events; specializes in instructional 'performance sailing' charters.
• (415) 868-2940; (415) 987-1942; www.captainmarco.com or www.sailingsf.com

Leibling: This sleek Amel Super Maramu 53 is also operated by Executive Charters. Her elegant 'gold-plater' appointments are ideally suited to those high-end clients in search of a truly luxurious sailing yacht. Owners Lisa and Garrett Caldwell focus on the high-end, small-group market. Their charters include limo pick-ups, first-class service and fine cuisine catered by a fine San Francisco hotel.
- Carries up to six passengers.
- Berthed at Alameda, with pick-ups at South Beach Harbor, Pier 38 and at Jack London Square.
- Focused on high-end service and accommodations; available for whale watching, private day charters including corporate and offshore voyage legs.
- (916) 826-5653; www.executiveyachtsystems.com

Magnum: The design of his sleek Nordic 44 combines sailing performance with a luxuriously appointed interior. She serves as a comfortable daysailer or comfy overnighter. (Company also books large group charter on a variety of Bay vessels.)
- Carries up to six passengers.
- Berthed in Sausalito.
- Available for private group charters, sunset sails, and corporate events.
- (415) 332-0800; www.yachtcharter.com

Ocean Aire: This beautiful Tayana 47 sloop is new this year to the Bay Area fleet. She recently underwent a thorough $175,000 refit which left her in better-than-new condition, with luxurious amenities below decks. As with charters on the owner's other yacht, Leibling, Ocean Aire charters include limo pick-ups, first-class service and fine cuisine catered by a San Francisco hotel.
• Carries up to six passengers.
• Pickups at South Beach Harbor, Pier 38 and at Jack London Square.
• Focused on high-end service and accommodations; available for private day charters including corporate, special events, whale watching, skills assessment and scattering of ashes.
- (916) 826-5653; www.executiveyachtsystems.com

Pegasus: For the past 15 years this beautiful 1953 John Alden 51-ft ketch has specialized in taking school groups and at-risk youth out on the Bay. In order to subsidize those programs, they've recently made this Philippine mahogany beauty available for private charters.
- Carries up to six passengers.
- Based at Berkeley Marina.
- Available for private group charters, corporate charters and special events in addition to special youth sails. Passenger participation is welcomed.
- (510) 621-8130; www.pegasusvoyages.org

Perseverance: Captain Jeffrey Berman has been a mariner his entire life. An accomplished racer, cruiser and commercial captain, he enjoys sharing the experience aboard this Catalina 36 MKII through a wide variety of charter offerings, including lessons.
- Carries up to six passengers.
- Berthed at Oakland.
- Available for private group charters, sailing lessons, teambuilding, memorial services and overnights to Drake's Bay or Half Moon Bay.
- (415) 302-0101; www.charterperseverance.com

Ta Mana: "When it's time for a break from the ordinary," says Cap'n Bernard, "experience the Bay under sail!" he invites both experienced sailors and landlubbers to take a turn at the helm of this 36-ft cutter.
- Carries up to six passengers.
- Berthed at Sausalito.
- Available for private group charters and special events. Passenger participation encouraged.
- (415) 272-5789; www.getawayonthebay.com

Please note: After a couple of years, the actual issue may no longer be available, but we will still be able to make photocopies or PDFs of it.