Are the prices listed per person or for the whole boat?

The prices listed are for the whole boat. You can bring from 1-6 passengers on Flying Tiger and up to 25 passengers on Bay Wolf.   All of our trips are private charters – no need to spend your time with a bunch of strangers.

Do all of the trips provide food and drink? If so, what is the menu?

All trips with less than 6 people include include food and drink for free.  For trips over 6 people the charge is $20 person (or you may bring your own food).

We typically go to Trader Joes or Mollie Stones market and buy lots of good food and drinks. A typical trip may include: ham, turkey, salami, cheese, sourdough bread, sliced fruit, lots of good chocolates, potato chips, wine, beer, juices, water and sodas. We never run out of food! Vegetarian food can be provided. If you have any special food requests, then please let me know.

What are the pickup locations?

We have three convenient locations.

• San Francisco – Both Osprey and Bay Wolf can do pickups in San Francisco at Pier 40 (next to AT&T ballpark) or Pier 39 (next to the Sea Lions).
• Oakland - Osprey is located at Jack London Square (right next to Kincaid’s Restaurant and easy parking).
• Sausalito – Bay Wolf and Flying Tiger are based in Sausalito and both have convenient, free parking 

Are children allowed on all tours?

Yes, children are allowed on all trips. If you have children under 4 years old, then call me and we can discuss. Sailing with kids under 4 can be stressful for the parents. I have two children of my own and lots of experience with kids on the boat – call me and we can discuss.

Children 5 years old and older are fine if there is at least a 1-1 adult/kid ratio and if the kids listen well to instructions (safety instructions are important). I enjoy teaching kids and teenagers how to sail.

May food/drinks be brought onboard?

Yes, feel free to bring your own food if you wish. We have cups, plates, cutlery and napkins. So no need to bring anything else.  We have NO corkage fees.

What do passengers do besides sightsee?

I encourage people to help steer the boat and work the sails. People can do as much or as little as they like. I enjoy teaching people how to sail and I will hand you the helm for as much time as you like. Sailing San Francisco Bay is a fun adventure.

Is there any narration provided?

I have been sailing San Francisco Bay for over 20 years and know lots of the nautical information, history and interesting sights. I can talk as much or little as people like. We will often be discussing the currents, the wind, the sights on the shore, the different boats, the Golden Gate Bridge, the animals and birds we see, etc. There are a great deal of interesting sights on a Bay Area sailing trip. I enjoy talking about sailing on San Francisco Bay and the history of the Bay. Each trip we see something different.

What should I wear?

Please dress in layers (T-shirt, sweatshirt, wind jacket is the minimum of what we'd suggest, more if you get cold), long pants or wind pants are recommended.

Try to wear shoes that are non-marking (white or light soles sneakers preferred).

Bring cameras & sunscreen. Hats that can be tied on are also good.

Do you have a set itinerary or schedule for the San Francisco Sailing Trips?

Every trip is different. The route that we take is totally flexible. Sailing from San Francisco and Sausalito leaves open many routes.

There is a general counter-clockwise route that is often followed. This route often includes the following for a typical 4 hour trip:

• Leaving Sausalito and sailing along the Sausalito waterfront for an up-close view.
• Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge for an awesome view of the Pacific Ocean and the Marin headlands.
• Spending time sailing out past the Golden Gate Bridge (depends upon the weather and currents).
• Sail back under the Golden Gate Bridge, cruising along the Presidio, Crissy Field, Aquatic Park, Fort Mason, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. See the Liberty Ship Jeremiah O'Brian.
• Continue along the waterfront past the financial district and under the Bay Bridge, approaching PacBell park by water close enough to cheer with the crowd and hope for water-bound home run.
• Then sail back up under the Bay Bridge to Alcatraz Island, where we get a very close for your own Alcatraz tour.
• Sail past Angel Island, and then back to the docks in Sausalito.

Sailing San Francisco Bay can also include loops around Angel Island and picnics at Angel Island. We have dropped people off at Pac Bell Park before the Giants game, sailed up in the North Bay to see the Brothers Lighthouse, sailed the South Bay to see the ships in dry-dock, sailed out past the Bonita lighthouse or cruised the Alameda estuary to view the Port of Oakland.

Every trip is different depending upon the winds, currents, time of day, wildlife, location of other boats and the desires of the clients. Your own private yacht with a captain. You get to choose the route.

Is there an enclosed cabin where people can sit inside?

Yes, there is an enclosed cabin with a small sitting area and a head (bathroom). There is also a custom canvas dodger outside that keeps people dry and warm while in the cockpit. Most of the sailing time is spent up on deck or in the cockpit. The cockpit or the deck are the best places to see the views and experience the sailing adventure.

What if the weather is bad?

Sailing San Francisco Bay in the spring, summer and fall provides many excellent sailing days. Rain in the summer and fall is very rare. On windy days there are places with plenty of wind or places with less wind – we get to choose. On foggy days there are parts of the bay that are fog-free. Sausalito is the perfect starting place for a Bay Area sailing trip, because Sausalito has quick access to the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito is usually sunny and warm when San Francisco is totally socked in with fog.

In the Winter, if it is raining, we will simply reschedule for another time or cancel the trip and return all of your money. Some charter operations force you to sail in the rain – Yuck!

If it is raining, you do NOT have to go sailing.

Everyone who has sailed with us has had a good time and I plan to keep it that way. Sailing San Francisco Bay should be a fun experience.

What do people tend to enjoy most about these cruises?

Different people enjoy different parts of the trip. Sometimes it is the thrill of seeing dolphins jump outside the Golden Gate Bridge, or seeing the sunset, or getting to steer in high winds, or having a conversation with your family and friends.

Sailing San Francisco Bay is also a chance to unwind and recharge your internal batteries. There are no outside distractions, just you, the wind, the water and the boat.

Sailing on Flying Tiger is your own private San Francisco yacht with a captain. Your choice of destinations, your choice of food and drink, you can steer if you want or have the captain take care of everything. Sailing Flying Tiger on San Francisco Bay is something that you have always wanted to do and you will remember the experience for years.