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San Francisco Bay Sailing Charters departing from Sausalito

Private San Francisco Bay Sailing Charters

San Francisco Bay is one of the best sailing locations in the world.  The variety of sailing destinations, sailing conditions, and scenery is amazing. 

There is no better way to see San Francisco Bay than aboard a sailboat with your own captain.  Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, see the San Francisco Waterfront, Sausalito, the quiet beauty of Angel Island and Alcatraz. 

Come sailing with Captain Kirk for one of the truly memorable events of a lifetime. Captain Miller has a US Coast Guard license (50-Ton Inland & OUPV Near Coastal up to 100 miles offshore). Over 25 years sailing experience with 15 years sailing experience in San Francisco Bay.  Over the past several years, Captain Miller has taken many people sailing on San Francisco Bay. Each trip is different and each trip is memorable. 

Sailing trips are available for:

• Day sailing on the Bay (the perfect way to see San Francisco Bay with family or friends)
• Gift Certificates (a special gift for a wedding, anniversary, birthday or graduation)
• Corporate Charters (spend time with your workgroup or client outside of the office)
• Sailing Lessons (beginner, intermediate or advanced)
• Offshore Cruising Experience

The Boat: Flying Tiger 

36 Foot Sailboat  Departs from Sausalito

"Flying Tiger" is a 36-foot sloop (Soverel 36 - IOR cruiser/racer) berthed in Sausalito. The boat is strong, fast, stable and a pleasure to sail. Maximum 6 passengers. Sailing on the bay provides a enjoyable, safe and memorable adventure. 3- 6 Hour Charters - Maximum 6 Passengers

Six Hour Sailing Cruise

Leave Sausalito and sail under the Golden Gate Bridge.  Turn around and head back into the bay passing Cruises Field, Aquatic Park, Pier 39 and the San Francisco skyline.  Cruise under the Bay Bridge to see Pac Bell Park.  Head back past Alcatraz Island and over to have snacks on the back side of Angel Island.  Sail past Tiburon and Belvedere and finally return to the Sausalito dock.

Four Hour Sailing Cruise

Leave Sausalito and sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. Turn around and head back into the bay passing Crissy Field, Aquatic Park, Pier 39 and the San Francisco skyline. Cruise past Alcatraz Island and Angel Island. Sail back into Sausalito and return to the Sausalito dock

Sunset Sailing Cruise

Leave Sausalito two hours before sunset, cruise out towards the main bay to see the Golden Gate Bridge. Sail back towards Sausalito as the wind dies and the day is ending. Enjoy some good food and drink to end the day.

 

The above descriptions are typical sailing itineraries.  The actual itinerary will depend upon the weather, currents, and the desires of the passengers.  Every trip is different and every trip is memorable.

Custom Sailing Package - We can arrange a wide variety of sailing options to fit your needs.  Contact us and we can discuss your sailing interest and see how to get you out and enjoy the water.

 

More Charter Details

Safety: Safety: All passengers wear comfortable life jackets at all times when we are sailing. There are no exceptions to this rule. There are lifelines with netting around the entire boat.
All passengers are briefed on safety procedures before every trip. Passengers take an active role in maintaining a safe vessel. Captain Miller appreciates and expects responsible behavior from all passengers. No one has ever fallen over or been injured on Captain Miller’s vessels and he intends to keep it that way. Captain Miller educates his passengers about safe boating procedures and the boat is operated in a safe manner at all times.

About your captain: : Captain Kirk Miller has a US Coast Guard Master Mariner license (50-ton inland & OUPV offshore). With over 25 years sailing experience and 15 years experience on San Francisco Bay, Captain Miller has taken many people sailing on San Francisco Bay. He enjoys every sailing trip and makes sure that sailing guests have a great time as well.

Captain Miller holds a Masters Degree (Civil Engineering) from Stanford University and works in the energy and water engineering field when not sailing.
Captain Miller is a certified instructor with American Sailing Association for basic keelboat, basic coastal cruising and coastal navigation. He is married with two children (ages 3 and 5) and he has taken the kids on numerous sailing trips in the Bay.

Captain Kirk Miller hopes that you will reserve a sailing charter and enjoy the beauty of San Francisco Bay.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

• Is there a child discount policy?
  Yes, Captain Kirk likes teaching kids to sail. If people bring kids along he will discount $25 - $50 depending on the length of the trip.
• Do you provide hotel pick up or do passengers meet at the dock? If they meet at the site, I’All need driving directions please.
  Usually we meet at the boat in Sausalito. There is plenty of easy, free parking next to the dock. I can arrange to pick up small groups (1-4 people) at hotels be special arrangement. The directions to the boat will be included in your confirmation.
• Are children allowed on all tours?
  Generally yes. Infants are not, but 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).
• Do any of your cruises provide a meal? If so, what is the menu?
  All trips include basic snacks (sodas, water, chips, biscotti). I can provide food upon request. Yesterday’s trip for the Blue Angels included: ham, turkey, salami, cheddar cheese, crackers, sourdough bread, yummy chocolates, wine, beer, juices, biscotti, sliced fruit, chips and dip, and fresh strawberries & cream. I have a stove on board and can purchase or prepare any type of food from sushi to sandwiches to quiche.
• Are drinks available? Soda, bottled water, etc? Are they included?
  Yes they are available and they are included.
• Is alcohol available?
  Captain Miller can provide wine or beer upon request or guests can bring their own.
• May food/drinks be brought onboard?
  Yes, feel free to bring your own food and drink.
• What do passengers do besides sightsee?
  Captain Miller encourages people to help steer the boat and work the sails and help with navigation and lookout (Captain Miller is a skilled and patient sailing instructor). People can do as much or as little as they like.
• Is there any narration provided?
  Captain Miller has sailed on the bay for 15 years and knows lots of the nautical information, local history and interesting sights. Captain Miller can talk as much or little as people like. If you want to hear narration, stay in the cockpit - if you want peace and quiet, sit on the foredeck.
• Do you have an itinerary or schedule?
  A typical itinerary for a 4-6 hour trip is the following:
  Sailing out from Sausalito seeing the Sausalito waterfront up close,
  then under the Golden Gate Bridge for an awesome view of the Marin headlands.
  Back under the Golden Gate Bridge, cruising along the Presidio and Crissy Field to Fort Mason and Fisherman’s Wharf. Then around the waterfront of the financial district and under the Bay Bridge, approaching SBC 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 close view,
  past Angel Island, (the six hour trip often includes a trip around Angel Island) and then back to the docks in Sausalito
• 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 that keeps people dry and warm while on deck.
• What do people tend to enjoy most about these cruises?
  The most enjoyable is that sailing with Captain Kirk is just like having your own private yacht. Your own Captain, your own boat, your choice of destinations, your choice of food and drink, you can steer if you want or have the Captain take care of everything. This is something that you have always wanted to do and you will remember for years.

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What our Customers say:

We really appreciate hearing how people have enjoyed their sailing experience. The experiences range from the exciting (going through big waves outside the Golden Gate Bridge) to the comfortable (coasting into Sausalito at the end of the day, or visiting Angel Island). Some of the passenger comments are listed below:

"A truly wonderful experience. The sailing gift certificate was one of our best wedding presents." K.W. & L.W. Mountain View, CA September, 2002

"On our flight home, we pondered our 4-day stay in San Francisco and both agreed that sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge on 'Flying Tiger' was the best experience. We appreciate your passion to share sailing with others." K. A., Portland, OR July 2002

"My husband proposed to me while we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. The trip was wonderful." J. C. Palo Alto, June 1999

"I never dreamed that I would get to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. Captain Kirk allowed me to steer as we passed back under the bridge. Totally cool!" D. D. Los Angeles, October 1998

"The most fun I ever had on the water! The view of San Francisco from the Bay is not to be missed." A. H. Los Altos, April 1995

 

More Activity Information: What will I be able to see and do ?

Nautical Activities – (fun for kids of all ages from 5-95)

• Take the helm and steer the boat.
• Help with hoisting and trimming the sails.
• Read the nautical chart, use the GPS navigation system, or help with charting a course and navigation.

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Other sights – (not all sights can be seen in one day – the itinerary depends on passengers wishes & tides)

• Sail past the WW II Liberty ship “SS Jeremiah O’Brien” close enough to get a very good view.
• Sail past the WWII submarine “USS Pampanito (SS-383)” and the tall ships at the San Francisco Maritime Museum.
• Howl as we pass under the Golden Gate Bridge (you can hear an echo if you really yell)
• See sailboats racing in the bay (Big Boat series, Master Mariners Race, Moet Cup, or the many exciting yacht club races).
• Sail to Angel Island for a picnic or barbeque (Part-day or full-day trip). Hiking, biking, or playing in the water at the beach.
• Sail around Angel Island and see Hospital Cove, Ayala Cove, and the West Garrison. Learn about the history of this beautiful island.
• Sail around Alcatraz and see all the buildings up close.
• Sail around Treasure Island
• Sail over to Sam’s Restaurant in Tiburon for some food and cocktails.
• Get dropped off at the Sausalito waterfront at the end of the sail to have dinner at one of the many fine restaurants.
• Sail the bay and then get dropped off one block from AT&T Park to see a Giants game.
• Cruise along the Sausalito waterfront – wave at the diners in the waterside restaurants.
• Sail past the mansions on Belvedere Island and the Tiburon waterfront
• Sail into the Oakland-Alameda estuary and see the Oakland shipping terminals.
• Sail out past the Point Bonita Lighthouse (out into the Pacific Ocean) and see the Marin Headlands, Cliff House, Lands , Mile Rock, Seal Rocks and the San Francisco beaches from the ocean view.
• Enjoy fine food and drink as we slowly cruise along the San Francisco waterfront – have some crab dip near Crissy Field, some chocolate and wine as we sail past Ghirardelli Square, some hot turkey sandwiches near the Ferry Building, some sliced fruit, cheese and sourdough bread as we go under the Bay Bridge, some fluffy pastries as we view Pac Bell Park. Any type of food can be provided.

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Wildlife

• We always see many harbor seals and sea lions (at the docks in Sausalito, as we pass Pier 39, and out in the water swimming around the Bay)
• See flocks of pelicans flying just above the water – graceful giants.
• Sometimes see dolphins outside the Golden Gate Bridge or, if we are lucky, see dolphins inside the bay.
  

Departure Dates & Times:

Please advise what date and time you would like to depart.

Hotel Pickup:
Hotel Pick up available for small groups less than 4 with advance request. fee will be quoted.

Boat Location: Directions to “Flying Tiger”

Flying Tiger is located in slip #907 in Basin #4 of Clipper Harbor Marina, Sausalito.

From the South:
Go over the Golden Gate Bridge and take 101 N to the Sausalito-Marin City exit.
There is one light at the end of the exit, go through this light.
This exit will dump you directly onto Bridgeway Avenue (which is the main drag that goes the full length of Sausalito).

From the North:
Take 101 S to the Sausalito-Marin City exit.
Go left at the first light at the end of the exit ramp, (it doesn't matter which lane you use to go under the freeway).
After you pass under the freeway make a right at the next light onto Bridgeway Avenue (which is the main drag that goes the full length of Sausalito).

In Sausalito
Go for three more lights on Bridgeway to (Harbor Drive) and go left onto Harbor Drive.
Go past the Mollie Stones Market, Post Office, West Marine etc. to the stop sign
which will ramp up because of a lot of fill (If there's a big puddle about 100 feet past the stop sign- do not drive through it, it may be seawater).

If the security gate is down, then call us on the cell phone and we will come and let you through the gate.

Starting bearing left (north) through the parking lots after the stop sign and security gate.
At the next stop sign, you should see a blue building to your left marked Anderson's Boatyard and some Travellifts to the right.
After the stop, go straight through and park in the next (last) parking lot. There will be a hut marked "Basin 4" call us at (650) 492-0681 (cell phone) and we'll come let you onto the docks.

If for some reason you can get through gate, go to the second set of docks that extend toward the right, We'll be down on the left hand side, Berth #907 (numbers are on the dock boxes), the boat's name is Flying Tiger and she's between a power boat and a sailboat.

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Return Details:
Charters concludes at the original departure point in Sausalito.

Children and Seniors:
Children can be accommodated.

Payment: You can pay by major credit card; Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover Card.

Confirmation & Travel Voucher
For every confirmed charter you will receive an e-mail E-Ticket Voucher - when your booking is confirmed.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be placed 72 Hours prior to charter, after 72 hours charter fee is non-refundable. We charge for No Shows. Special Events are non-refundable. Weather permitting. If seasonal fog or inclement weather is present , route may be altered or cancelled at Captain’s discretion. If trip is cancelled due to weather, a full refund will be provided.

For our full terms, conditions and F.A.Q. please follow this link

Additional Information:

Charter must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date.

Confirmation for this activity will be received within 12- 24 hours, subject to availability

Weather permitting. If seasonal fog or inclement weather is present , route may be altered.

Gratuities and Souvenirs are not included unless listed on specific tour.

Captain Kirks Charters assume no responsibility for delays caused by accidents, breakdown, bad weather and other conditions beyond control, in addition to insufficient numbers of passengers. Not responsible for loss or damage to property.

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