Vacations
BVI - Pictures from Paradise
Sailing to windward in the Sir Francis Drake Channel in ideal conditions.
This 55' yacht was 1 out of 8 in our most recent
December 2016 BVI sailing vacation flotilla.
left: The crew on their 1st day's voyage from
Tortola to Cooper Island.
right: Bob Diamond riding the bow in a Titanic moment.
next BVI trip is in December 2017
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Local Knowledge
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It's often said about sailing in San Francisco Bay, "If you can sail in San Francisco Bay, you can sail anywhere." Although an exaggeration, our bay is a challenging place to sail not only because of its strong wind and choppy water but also because of the actions of tides and currents. At Redwood City, we can see a tidal range greater than 10 feet on a regular basis. Straying outside of the channel at high water on one of these days can leave a boat and crew high and dry for many uncomfortable hours. It's easier to go aground during low tides but at least you won't get stuck for as long as when grounding at higher tides.
Tidal current is a different issue. The flow of the water has a great effect on a boat's speed, especially sailboats that don't go very fast to begin with.
This knowledge is taught in
Coastal Navigation.
The "current sailing" portion of the Coastal Navigation class uses a charting technique that enables navigators to calculate the precise headings needed to sail in a straight line to a destination despite current coming in any direction. Speed of advance can also be calculated despite any amount of current coming in any direction. Spinnaker Sailing offers Coastal Navigation three times a year. The class meets once a week on Thursday evenings for six weeks.
Next Coastal Navigation starts:
February 2nd
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Sailing Vacations 2017
(St. Martin, St. Barth, Anguilla)
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Click the pic for more info
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The Boats
We have chartered a 4 cabin 4 head, 44 foot Catamarans (Moorings 444) and 48 foot 4 cabin 4 head Beneteau (48.4 monohull)
Sold Out
PER CABIN: (for 1 or 2 persons)
444 - $3600/cabin
due February 15, 2017 3 cabins still available!
CROATIA
September 8th-17th
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Click the pic for more info
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The Boats
2 Sunsail 444 catamarans and 1 Sunsail 454 catamaran.
Both have 4 double cabins, each with it's own private head.
PER CABIN: (for 1 or 2 persons)
444 - $3600/cabin
454 - $3800/cabin
British Virgin Islands
November 30th - December 10th
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Click the pic for more info
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The Boats
Late model Moorings and Sunsail monohulls and catamarans. These yachts are equipped with 4 double staterooms.
PER CABIN: (for 1 or 2 persons)
$3600/cabin
Call if interested in any adventure vacation trips and we'll email you the full itinerary.
CERTIFICATIONS AVAILABLE
Basic Coastal Cruising graduates who wish to earn higher certifications may do so on these cruises. Each certification is $400. ($300 Club Members) Bareboat Cruising candidates must have at least three experiences as skipper on
a 27 ft. boat or greater before attempting Bareboat certification. Cruising Catamaran candidates who do not already have Bareboat certification must also take Bareboat in order to get Cruising Cat certification.
CHARTER YOUR OWN BOAT AND JOIN US!
If you have the experience and/or certification you can charter a boat on your own and join our flotilla. You can choose the right size boat for your experience and group size. Put together your own group of friends or family members and sail with us. You'll enjoy the support and comraderie of being apart of the flotilla and the freedom to do as you please. As a club member you'll get 5% off the cost of the charter.
Call us for more details at (650)363-1390.
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Our boats
The Merit 25:
Practical fun for training, day sailing and racing
by Patrick Twohy
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| View our Merit 25s |
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The Holy Grail for sailing clubs like Spinnaker Sailing is a boat that is fun to sail, fast, responsive, durable and relatively simple to operate. It needs to be roomy and comfortable enough for a beginning sailing class but also sophisticated enough to be attractive to experienced sailors. And it doesn't hurt if the boat is nice looking. The Merit 25 meets all
those criteria, which is why it forms the heart of Spinnaker's fleet.
The Merit 25 is a solidly built 25-foot sloop that seats five comfortably in a self-draining cockpit. Despite relatively simple control systems, the Merit has the durability and flexibility for comfortable, all-season sailing in the Bay Area, where typical wind speeds can range from near zero to above 25 knots.
Read More: Merit 25
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Meeting the Merit 25:
Stephanie's Basic Keelboat Experience
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| Stephanie w/ instructor Bob Diamond |
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Climbing aboard a sailboat for the 1st time in years, I thought, "It's just like getting back up on a horse," as I swung one leg over the lifeline, then the other. "But which of these ropes are the reins?" My eyes followed the jib sheets and the main sheets to see where they lead.
The Merit 25 felt sturdier than I expected, not giving way much to my weight. Plopping into the cockpit, I was surprised it was roomy enough despite the other 3 students and our instructor on board. Although, if you have a big personal space bubble, that will be popped quickly. As we were going through the operational checklist, I tried to find a graceful entrance through the somewhat small companion way to the cabin. My awkwardness quickly became emphasized, as there wasn't a step down into the cabin. I felt like a square peg trying to get into a round hole, or rather the opposite, a round peg trying to fit through a square hole.
After that, I figured I had left my femininity at the dock (that, and my bladder, as there is no bathroom aboard the Merit). However, my lack of being able to man-handle the sheets in comparison to the rest of the male crew aboard (Noted: Sailing gloves are handy!)
We didn't have much wind that particular day, but when we did catch a gust, we heeled quite a bit and soon it felt like we were off to the races. The rush of sailing overwhelmed me, with the water misting my face and my body feeling so close to the water. It's shocking to me how much you can heel in the Merit and not have to worry a bit about keeling over. However, I still had the Crew Overboard lesson we learned running through my head.
As we sailed on, I continued to ponder the similarities and differences of sailing versus horseback riding. Amidst Bob asks me, "Have you ever ridden a horse before?" "Well of course," I answer. "Well do you let the horse do what it wants to do?" he responded. I quickly bring the tiller back to course. Right, I'm not just along for the ride.
Stephanie is a new addition to the Spinnaker Sailing Team and we are excited to get a new sailor's perspective!
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Teambuilding
SPINNAKER SAILING TEAMBUILDING
A great way to bring people together for a fun, exciting and rewarding day.
Today, America's top corporations are stressing the
importance of the Team Concept as critical to improving efficiency and productivity.
Many companies are striving to reinforce teamwork among their personnel by providing fun "team building" exercises within their off site meetings and special events.
Spinnaker Sailing's Team Challenge Regatta is a totally unique group program that vividly demonstrates the value of the team with an e
xhilarating day of sailing on the San Fran
cis
co Bay!
The
program
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| View website for more details details |
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combines a learn to sail component with a sailing regatt
a. Even though 90% of participants have
never
sailed before, they do great and love it.
Half
and full day programs
Available for any size group up to 50
Options include :
Food & Beverage, meeting rooms @
Conference Center, post race mixer & more.
Call and let Spinnaker help you create a great team experience:
Rich @ 650 363-1390
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Training Videos
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW i
S INTERESTED IN JOINING
SPINNAKER SAILING'S INSTRUCTOR TEAM PLEASE CONTACT US TO LEARN HOW!
Flexible hours and other benefits.
Share your knowledge, experience and love of sailing!
No previous teaching experience required. On-going training is provided.
JOIN THE SPINNAKER SAILING TEAM!
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"SWELL DANCER"
Current owner is moving to Hawaii.
Boat has been in charter in Redwood City and we'd love it to stay in charter. Charter revenues offset operating expenses. You can own the boat and the charter income pays the costs of owning it.
Less than 700 hours on Yanmar Diesel, in mast furling main (fairly new). Newer furling jib, propane stove, wind point , wind speed instruments, knot meter, depth sounder, cockpit cushions, stereo, TV. and more. Recent haul out with 2 coats bottom paint October 2016. Boat is very clean and in excellent condition.
For more info contact Rich at,
additional pictures on craigslist...
asking price $67,000.00
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IN THIS ISSUE:
FEATURED ARTICLES
*
BCC- Feb 4,18(weekend)/6,20 (weekday)
*
Coastal Navigation- starts Feb 2
CLUB
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Club News
Welcome New and Renewing Club Members:
PETER CLAUDE
JAMES WILSON
PAT REZZA
LEIGHANNA MURPHY
RYAN BOYD
NORBERT MEDE
CRAIG STRUBLE
KAROLYN BACHELOR
DAVE JEVANS
KAROLYN BACHELOR
JIM SWEENEY
Welcome Mates, Skippers, and Captains!
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Winter discounts
off Charter Rates
During winter season, all charter rates are discounted 20%.
Take advantage and enjoy some great days and weekends on the Bay!
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Classes
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COASTAL NAVIGATION CLASS
STARTS February 2nd!
Coastal Navigation class (ASA 105) will be starting
Thursday, February 2nd!
This class is available only 3 times a year.
Description:
This course teaches you the basics of navigation. Learn how to read charts, plot courses, do danger bearings, running fixes, time, speed and distance calculations, set and drift and more. This class is taught on six consecutive Thursday evenings from 7pm to 10pm. All classes are held entirely in the classroom.
Included are: Book, charts, parallel rulers, dividers a chart of San Francisco Bay and exam.
To RSVP either call the office (650) 363-1390 or email
Cost: Regular $425.00
Club Members - $318.75
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New!
Catalina
Saturday,February 11,10am-4pm
This one day class is designed for Basic Coastal Cruising graduates or equivalent experience to get familiar with the Catalina 27. Includes: orientation to ships system, inboard head, electrical panel, thru hull fittings, use of diesel motor, wheel steering, docking and more. A must have prior to chartering the Catalina 27.
Cost
:$
295/
221.25
(Club)
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NIGHT SAIL
Saturday, February 18, 6-11pm
Experience sailing conditions at night while heading up the Bay towards San Francisco using navigation aides, landmarks, and proper use of running lights to safely navigate.
Cost
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$195/
146.25
(Club)
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ASA 118 DOCKING CLASS
Saturday, February 4th/18th
9:30am - 4:30pm
Learn basic docking skills for boats with single inboard engines. Discover the basic theory and hands-on techniques needed to dock and undock boats in an efficient manner and without damage or injury.
This is also a prerequisite to the Bareboat charter class and a great class to get familiar with handling the Catalina 27's under motor.
Cost
:$
325/
243.75
(Club)
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BAREBOAT CRUISING COURSE
ASA 104
Saturday and Sunday,
February 18/19th and 25/26th
Learn to sail boats in the 35 to 45 foot range during classes held entirely on the boat. Upon comp
letion you'll be ASA certified for Bareboat Cruising.
*Includes 2 overnights onboard!
1st Weekend: 9:30am-4:30pm
2nd Weekend: 5:30pm Friday-4:30pm
Cost: $
1195/
896.25
(Club)
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BEGINNING SPINNAKER
February 18th
Join us for the Beginning Spinnaker course. If you want to race, this is for you! Learn to use the grand daddy of them all, the Spinnaker sail, which adds to performance and speed. It's 4 days, two consecutive weekends from 10am to 2pm. Learn the equipment, types of spinn
akers, packing, hoisting, setting, gybing, trimming, and taking down (dousing) the spinnaker.
Prerequisite: ASA 103 /equivalent
experience.
Cost: $
425/
318.75
(Club)
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Review Courses:
Basic Keelboat- Feb 4
12:30-4:30pm
Basic Coastal Cr
uising
- Feb 11
12:30-4:30pm
Beginning Spinnaker- Feb 11
10am-2pm
Need to brush up on your skills from a particular course? In this 4 hour entirely on the water course, you'll gain more practice from your previous lessons.
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PRIVATE LESSONS
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Skippered Cruises
Afternoon Sails
12:30pm - 4:30pm
Our
4 hour afternoon sails
get you out
on the Bay in the best conditions of the day. You'll have a chance to help sail
the boat and/or relax and enjoy an afternoon sail on
the San Francisco Bay. This is also a great way to get extra sailing time to
brush up on skills. Open to all ages.
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Full Day Sail
Sunday, February 12th
9:30am - 4:30pm
We'll catch the ebb out of Redwood City and try and make it to San Francisco before turning around and catching the flood back. Great way to learn the Bay, practice and enjoy a great day of sailing.
With enough sign ups we'll plan to sail either the
J 105 or the Catalina 34.
No sailing experience required.
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