If this is your first time with us, we recommend that you
read our Sailing
Fundamentals and Sailing
Nomenclature handouts. They will give
you an idea of what to expect and some basic knowledge of
sailing so you can get the most out of your time on the water.
We also have a Glossary
of Sailing Terminology you may find helpful (and amusing).
Mission Creek Sailing Hints & Tips
- Where are you located?
MCST is one of the few companies offering
private yacht charters on San Francisco Bay that is actually
located in San Francisco. We're in the
South Beach/Townsend area or SoMa (South of Market), which
has some of the best restaurants and attractions in the
city, many just a short walk from the harbor. If you'd
like some recommendations on what to do after your sail,
please let us know.
'Imi Loa is berthed in South Beach
Harbor, near Pier 40 on the Embarcadero which is not,
contrary to common sense, next to Pier 39. Even numbered
piers are south of the Ferry Building (Pier 1) and odd
numbered piers are north. Actually, we're about a half-mile
south of the Bay Bridge on King St (Embarcadero) between
2nd and Townsend, right next door to AT&T Park,
home of the Giants.
Photo
map of area >>
Driving
directions >>
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- Can I get there by public transit?
Parking is a big problem in San Francisco
so public transit is actually one of the best ways to get
to us! We're close to BART, CalTrain and the Ferry and
there are two Muni light rail stops within a block either
side of the Harbor.
Public
Transit directions to South Beach Harbor.
Pan
& zoom map of the San Francsco Muni system.
There is very little public parking in the area so if
you must drive, please carpool. We can normally get one
parking pass for the harbor parking lot but if there's
a Giants game or other event, we can't promise anything.
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- What should I bring?
Dress in layers! San Francisco Bay can be
very cold in the summer & nothing will ruin a day faster
than being cold & wet. That being said, it can also be
hot & swim suit weather so you really have to be prepared
for anything. Here are some suggestions:
- Deck shoes or white, rubber-soled tennis shoes. Please,
no leather or black soles.
- Medium weight, waterproof jacket
- Windbreaker or light jacket
- Sweatshirt or sweater
- T-shirts, tank tops, swim suits
- Long pants & shorts
- Sun block
- Sun glasses with a neck leash
- Hat with chin strap or a clip thingie
- Camera w/extra batteries & film
- If you would like to help work the lines, we highly
recommend sailing gloves.
Please do not bring:
- Hard-sided coolers or those nasty styrofoam ones
- Shoes with hard, black-leather soles
- Glass containers ~ you may bring bottled wine or champagne
or canned beer and we'll provide plastic glasses
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- What's the weather like on the
Bay?
San Francisco Bay is perhaps one of the
most challenging and exhilarating places to sail in the
country, perhaps the world, and we take advantage of it
year-round. During the summer months, the combination of
the cold water off shore, the hot central valley and the
funneling effect of the Gate can cause very strong winds
in the "Slot" running from the Golden Gate Bridge
past Alcatraz to Berkeley and other spots around the Bay.
July through September bring the signature
fog and it's typically very windy, overcast and cool on
the Bay. The fog and marine layer will burn off by afternoon
except for the iconic finger of white pouring past the
bridge and rolling towards the Oakland hills. Winds build
up in the afternoon to 25+ knots with gusts over 30.
October through December is usually warm
and sunny with afternoon winds in the high teens and can
make for some incredible sailing.
January through March can bring anything
from light showers to torrential downpours with crisp and
sunny days with very light winds between storms.
April through June are mild and clear with
winds usually below 20 knots.
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- How many guests can you accommodate?
Due to insurance constraints and USCG regulations,
we can only accommodate 6 guests at this time.
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- Is it okay to bring children or
pets?
In our experience this is not a day for
young children and so reluctantly don't recommend bringing
children under 8 on the longer sails.
If your kids have sailed before and enjoy
being on the water, then by all means bring them! We have
found that older children are only too happy to take a
turn at steering or grinding a winch ~ all with appropriate
supervision of course.
If you are worried about your child falling overboard,
then the life jackets can be clipped via tether to secure
points on the boat to ensure they stay onboard.
Please be aware that conditions on San Francisco
Bay can be somwhat “brisk” at times and if
the Captain or crew feels that anyone on board, especially
a young child, is overly scared or uncomfortable, s/he
will terminate the sail and return to the dock.
Children under 12 are required to wear a
life jacket (PFD) at all times while underway and when
the kids wear them, we encourage the adults to do the same.
We have two childrens PFD's on board.
Pets are not allowed (unless it's a talking
parrot with an eye-patch or peg leg).
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- What about seasickness?
The conditions on the Bay rarely cause
seasickness but it does happen. We can not give you seasickness
medicines as it is against the law. If you want to take
seasickness medicines take BONINE not Dramamine. Dramamine
is archaic and will put you to sleep. BONINE is available
at most drugstores. We do not recommend you take it unless
you really think you will need it, just bring it with you.
Some people take it the night before the trip and that
seems to work. Again, we are not really allowed to give
medical advice.
We have found that the "accu-pressure" wristbands
do work and are in fact quite effective on some people.
We try to keep a set on board but you may want to bring
your own just to make sure.
We also try to keep a supply of candied
ginger on board. Any form of ginger works great and it's
pretty tasty too!
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- I want to surprise someone. Is
a sail a good idea?
A sail on the Bay can be a wonderful surprise
for your special someone. You just need to be absolutely
sure they're prepared and are not prone to seasickness.
Proper clothing (see #3) is essential and there are few
things that can ruin a day faster than Mal de Mer.
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- How much does it cost? What's
included?
The following prices are effective as
of August 1, 2008. Catering can be arranged for all sails.
Click
for current rates >>
Some bookings may require a non-refundable
deposit. Bookings, once confirmed, can be rescheduled if
necessary. All catering and wine (for our wine tasting
sails) must be paid for in full when ordering.
All of our sails include
complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
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- How do I pay?
We will gladly accept MasterCard, Visa,
American Express, Discover, China UnionPay, cash or your
personal check on the day of your charter. All catering
services must be paid in advance.
We have transferable, non-refundable gift certificates
available too. Just ask!
Also, if you had a good time, gratuities are encouraged
(and the polite thing to do!) for your captain and crew.
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- Anything else?
- You will be required to sign
a waiver before we leave the slip. We always do
our absolute best to look after your safety but going
out onto the Bay on a sailboat does have certain hazards
and you need to be aware that you are undertaking this
charter at your own risk. Don't worry, we haven't lost
a passenger yet! You can download
the release form here, complete it and bring it
with you to your charter. Or sign one when you arrive.
- Alcohol is allowed ~ inebriation is not. The skipper
and/or crew will terminate the sail and return to the
dock if a guest has too much to drink.
- Sailing times and/or dates are subject to change without
notice due to weather conditions.
- Schedules can be difficult to keep when it comes to
wind and currents. We can't guarantee we'll be back exactly
on time. Please plan accordingly.
- You are considered a "NO SHOW" if
you are more than 30 minutes late unless you call 30
minutes before your scheduled departure time.
- We reserve the right to reschedule your charter to
a mutually agreeable date if you are a "NO
SHOW".
- If you are redeeming a gift certificate and are a "NO
SHOW" you will be required to pay a 50% rescheduling
fee.
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