« Go to Adventure Cat Sailing Charters HomepageWelcome to Adventure Cat Sailing ChartersExperience the best in San Francisco Sailing on the beautiful San Francisco Bay with Adventure Cat Sailing Charters. Our legendary sunset sails and relaxing afternoon Bay cruises are the perfect way to see the breathtaking San Francisco cityscape and San Francisco's top sightseeing attractions.Consistently voted among the top five things to do in San Francisco, CA. Adventure Cat Sailing combines the romance of The City with the adventure of the sea - Sail San Francisco with Adventure Cat Sailing Charters today. Whether you're looking for romantic things to do in the Bay Area, or you're a family seeking a unique way to tour San Francisco, sailing San Francisco Bay on our 55' and 65' Catamarans is something you'll never forget. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, the circle past Alcatraz Island and Sausalito to Kirby Cove, where whales and sea lions might join us to admire the spectacular city lights. Sip California wines in the cabin, or let the San Francisco Bay winds rip through your hair at the front of the boat. Adventure Cat San Francisco Sailing Charters - join us daily for sunset sails or day cruises, or for special events like the KFOG Kaboom Fireworks Cruise. We can't wait to see you on the Bay! Bay CruisesCome share the the adventure of a 1 ½ hour sail on beautiful San Francisco Bay.Sail by Alcatraz Island, under the Golden Gate Bridge and look for sea lions, then cruise down the city skyline. ADVENTURE CAT - 55’ Catamaran for up to 48 passengers ADVENTURE CAT II - Luxury Catamaran for up to 99 passengers U.S. Coast Guard Certified Sailing Vessels Private ChartersWhether you want to “surf the outer net” on our hugh trampoline, sip a refreshing drink in our protected cabin as the sun sets, or take over and steer this sailing machine, this is an experience like no other!ADVENTURE CAT - 55’ Catamaran for up to 48 passengers ADVENTURE CAT II - Luxury Catamaran for up to 99 passengers U.S. Coast Guard Certified Sailing Vessels School Field TripsSan Francisco Bay Wildlife Discovery CruiseCapacity 48 passengers School field trips start from Pier 39, San Francisco Marina. Students discover the natural history and biological diversity of wildlife of the San Francisco Bay. Adventure Cat sails across the Bay to the Marin Headlands, under the Golden Gate Bridge and into Kirby Cove where harbor seals, sea lions, otters, dolphins and many sea birds reside. Quietly, Adventure Cat sails close to the animals without scaring them. Kids can also take a turn manning this high performance sailing vessel. Whale Watching Eco Tours - Sailing from San Francisco Bay to the Farallon IslandsMarch and April, subject to availabilitySail from San Francisco Bay to the Farallon Islands some 27 miles offshore of San Francisco in the Pacific Ocean. The islands boast the largest seabird breeding colony on the Pacific coast south of Alaska, hosting more than 300,000 birds each summer. Breeding species include western gull, Cassin's auklet, rhinoceros auklet, common murre, Brandt's cormorant, double-crested cormorant, pelagic cormorant, pigeon guillemot, ashy storm petrel, Leach's storm petrel, tufted puffin, and American black oystercatcher. Stellar sea lions and northern elephant seals breed and pup here. California sea lions, harbor seals and northern fur seals live here. The blue whale, the largest animal on earth, swims the waters. Blues migrate past the Farallons each year on their way to Baja, California where they feed and give birth. Sperm whales, minke whales, orcas, fin, gray, sei, humpback and right whales are seen. Dall's porpoises, false killer whales, Risso's dolphins and the Great White Shark inhabit the area. Corporate EventsChoose your destination for an exciting Corporate Event. Whale Watching, Alcatraz Island or Cruise the Bay. Menu and Bar Service available at additional cost. Call for more information; we’ll help you make your arrangements.Scatterings at SeaAdventure CAT offers a dignified, caring and affordable burial for those who wish to have the ashes of their loved one scattered at sea into the winds of San Francisco Bay. A beautiful ceremony for those who have chosen to be buried at sea. A respectful departure for a loved one. Call for more information; we’ll help you make your arrangements.Holiday PartiesChoose your destination for a memorable Holiday Party. Whale Watching, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island BBQ or Cruise the Bay. Menu and Bar Service available at additional cost. Call for more information; we’ll help you make your arrangements.Weddings on the BayImagine saying your vows on San Francisco Bay as you tie the knot at sea! For a sail at sunset, your wedding party, family and guests may dance the night away by the light of the silvery moon. Menu and Bar Service available at additional cost. Call for more information; we’ll help you make your arrangements.About UsJay and Pam Gardner and their partner, Hans Korfin, have a passion about sailing that burns deep.Captains Jay and Pam Gardner grew up in L.A. And they have been sailing since they were kids, buying their first boat, a 24’ sailboat, in the 1970’s. Just out of high school they sailed their little boat south to Mexico, and spent six years sailing and living on the sea. They supported themselves on odd jobs and Yacht moving. - charging $1 a mile, plus expenses, to sail yachts owned by rich Americans back to the states. They learned the art of sail making. Returning to the L. A. area, Jay and Pam opened a sail business. In 1978, they sailed north along the coast into San Francisco Bay and up the Napa River, docking at Napa Valley Marina. For the next eight years, they made sails and lived aboard their boat, which served as delivery room for their first daughter. The Gardners would eventually move to a house after Pam became pregnant with triplets. With four daughters to support, the Gardners got serious about business, opening PJ's Canvas and Sail Shop. The business prospered. So did their daughters. However, they missed the sea. To get back to salt water, they built a catamaran large enough to carry 48 paying passengers on San Francisco Bay. The Gardners, in partnership with Korfin and others, spent 10,000 man-hours and 18 months building Adventure Cat in a Carneros industrial building. It was an enormous undertaking. Everything but the aluminum mast and the backup diesel engines they built themselves. With the blessing of the Coast Guard, Adventure Cat debuted carrying passengers from Pier 40, south of the Bay Bridge. In a conventional, mono-hulled boat, sailing can be an afternoon of white-knuckle terror, with winds threatening to throw passengers overboard. They added a second hull to make the ride both faster and more stable. “It's fun without fear.” In 2003, Adventure Cat II, a new 65’ catamaran was added to the fleet to accommodate larger groups. Pam & Jay still love sailing as much as ever and are happy to offer this wonderful experience to others. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat’s the difference between a catamaran and a REAL sailboat?A catamaran has two hulls instead of one. The result is a more stable ride like a Rolls Royce compared to a Dune Buggy. Will I get seasick? Probably not. Since we are a more stable ride most people don’t have any problems. If you are very susceptible you may want to get a patch or some seasick pills. What should I wear? When I go on Adventure Cat or Adventure Cat 2, I usually wear jeans, a tee shirt or sweatshirt, tennis shoes & take a jacket. If it’s a special occasion, I might get all dressed up. What if I forget a jacket & it gets cold? We have some jackets on board that you are welcome to use. Do you have life jackets for kids and adults? Yes, we have life jackets for kids and adults. Can I bring a lunch? We prefer that you don’t bring any food. We have beer, wine and soda for purchase. If you are on a private charter, you can pay a clean up fee & bring your own food. No outside beverages are allowed. How far in advance should I book? We strongly recommend you purchase tickets in advance as cruises often sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book well in advance. Will I get wet? If you’re outside on the trampolines, there is a pretty good chance you’ll get wet. If you really don’t want to get wet, you can stay in the cabin. With a 360 degree view, you won’t miss a single thing. Is the cabin heated? Yes, the cabin is heated. Who designed Adventure Cat 2? Kurt Hughes Designs of Seattle How fast does the Adventure Cat 2 go? Under sail, the average speed is 8-12 knots. Fly Like the Wind by Kevin CourtneyThe Napa Valley RegisterSAN FRANCISCO - You plunk down your money, board a multi-decked, diesel-powered sightseeing ship and chug away. Packed shoulder to shoulder with tourists from Dubuque, the feeling is akin to being a sardine on holiday. As for the roar and vibrations of the massive engines, only a long-haul trucker would find the sensation soothing. This is the traditional way to sightsee on San Francisco Bay. The clunky way. Now there's an alternative that's simultaneously high-tech and as old as man. Strap together two fiberglass hulls, attach a swath of canvas to a 70-foot mast and away you go, skimming the white caps like a giant water insect. Exhilaration. Serenity. It's as if you are seeing The Bay for the first time. This is catamaran sailing. The engine is nature's own - breezes that start in Japan, sweep across the Pacific, then surge through the Golden Gate. The boat is a labor of love, crafted over an 18 month period in Napa's Carneros region by local sailing zealots. Jay and Pam Gardner and their partner Hans Korfin have a passion about sailing that burns deep. To appreciate how deep, consider what Jay and Pam did as teenage sweethearts at Santa Ana High School in the early '70s. All their friends were car crazy. Not Jay and Pam. They scraped together $1,750 to buy a used 24-foot sailboat. When their classmates went off to college, they went south to Mexico, spending the next six years as sailing vagabonds. "We'd dock next to 60-foot boats. It probably cost them $100,000 to get there, and we were there too," Jay said. "You could live for $70 a month. That included food, fuel and going out to dinner once a week." The Gardners survived on odd jobs. They charged $1 a mile, plus expenses, to sail yachts owned by rich Americans back to the states. They learned the art of sail making. Returning to the L. A. area, Jay and Pam opened a sail business, but soon became restless. In 1978, they sailed north along the coast into San Francisco Bay and up the Napa River, docking at Napa Valley Marina. For the next eight years, they made sails and lived aboard their boat, which served as a floating delivery room for their first daughter, Juell. The Gardners probably would still be rising and falling with the tides had not Pam's next pregnancy brought triplets. "We finally had to rent a house when Pam just could not fit through the hatchway," said Jay, a tall, lanky man with a cropped beard and an easy smile. With four daughters to support, the Gardners got serious about business, opening PJ's Canvas and Sail Shop. The business prospered. So did their four intensely blonde daughters. The Gardners built a house. But something fundamental was lacking in their lives: they weren't sailing. To get back to salt water, they concocted a grand scheme - they would build a catamaran large enough to carry 48 paying passengers on San Francisco Bay. "We decided if we couldn't afford to buy a boat, we'd find a way to make it pay for itself," Jay said. Banks wouldn't loan on such a venture, so the Gardners, in partnership with Korfin and others, spent 10,000 man-hours and 18 months building Adventure Cat in a Carneros industrial building. It was an enormous undertaking. Everything but the aluminum mast and the backup diesel engines they built themselves. With the blessing of the Coast Guard, Adventure Cat debuted carrying passengers on weekends from Pier 40, south of the Bay Bridge. For the first time, landlubbers can sample the thrill of sailing, but in a controlled way, guaranteed not to scare them silly, Pam said. In a conventional, mono-hulled boat, sailing can be an afternoon of white-knuckle terror, with winds threatening to throw passengers overboard, she said. Add a second hull and an amazing thing happens. The ride becomes both faster and more stable. “It's fun without fear, “Pam said. On a recent weekday afternoon, Adventure Cat departed from South Beach Harbor with several paying passengers, a half dozen guests and the triplets who were a bit done in by a morning of kindergarten. Skies were cloudy, winds were brisk. Adventure Cat was prepared to fly. In this watery world, the only sounds were the rush of wind through the rigging and the slosh of water against the hulls. This was tranquility, but with an edge of excitement. Pam, who has compact Scandinavian features, looked every inch a proud Viking as she took the wheel. In the span of one and a half hours, Adventure Cat would zigzag its way out to the Golden Gate Bridge, dip its hulls into the Pacific Ocean, then race the sea breeze back to port. Saying she was "going to weather," Pam watched with a grin as the winds propelled the boat faster and faster, till the speed gauge peaked at 13.5 knots. In highway terms, 13.5 knots - a little more than 15 miles per hour - is nothing to write home about. But on water, 13.5 is flying...like zooming down the highway with your head out the car window. "This wind is headed for the Central Valley. It's maximum wind. We're approaching "the slot', " said Pam as the boat reached Coit Tower and drew a bead on Alcatraz. Riders quickly learn Rule One about sailing: wind is everything. To sail directly into the wind is impossible, so sailors must tack their sails and weave a zigzag course. Right to Alcatraz, left to the Marina, right to Sausalito, left to the Presidio. With each tacking maneuver, Pam and Hans yelled for the people on the bow to watch their heads. The sails turned with a loud "whack". That's the way it went all afternoon. Adventure Cat went forward by sliding sideways. Hans and Pam divide boaters into two categories: power boat fanatics for whom voyages are speed contests, Point A to Point B, and true sailors, a laid-back group, for whom dalliance between Point A and Point B is the essential pleasure. "The tacking turns a lot of people off," Pam said. "You go a lot of extra miles. But that's what sailing is all about. You sail around. It doesn't have to have a purpose." The Bay was almost empty of other vessels this weekday. But for an occasional freighter or ferry, Adventure Cat prowled at will. "It's like a big playground, a watery playground," said Pam about the uncluttered expanse of water. The triplets spent the voyage either napping or entertaining themselves in the protected passenger compartment made out of....what else, canvas. "They're pretty comfortable," said Pam. "For them, it's like a long car ride." This compartment offered a snug refuge from the wind. Passengers could soak up the scenery and partake of liquid refreshment while listening to Beatles songs. One of the best parts of riding on Adventure Cat almost got scratched in the design stage. The owners wrestled with whether or not to permit passengers onto the bow, fearing it would be too wet and wild. At the last minute, they decided to make wet and wild an option. Are they ever glad they did. "The majority of people come out here and hang out. We thought it would be too cold and wet. It turned out it's not," Jay said. Riders sometimes lie on their bellies, heads over the edge, attempting to catch the spray. Or - and this is the totally unexpected part - they can lie on large, bouncy nets suspended between hulls, just a few feet above the rushing water. "I call it a trampoline," Jay said. "Everybody calls it a trampoline. We've tried calling it 'netting' so people won't do backflips on it, but what it really is a trampoline. It's a lot of fun." During this voyage, there were no backflips, but one of the triplets fell asleep on the netting and several passengers reported out-of-body experiences. Lying first on the stomachs, they watched bug-eyed as the water surged past, just a few feet below their noses. Flipping onto their backs, they swayed as if on a waterbed as the sun warmed their faces. No one ever did this on a Red and White Fleet behemoth. On the homeward leg, a passenger feels altogether gloomy about the prospect of being dumped back onto cacophonous city streets. The weather gods have been good this day. Steady winds. Pockets of sunlight. Knock-'em-dead vistas of a jewel of a city. And no seasickness, said Hans, knocking on fiberglass. « Go to Adventure Cat Sailing Charters Homepage |