What we’re about
We are the original free sailing Meetup group in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the most active. We don't operate a sailing business or promote the commercial interests of other sailors, and this NBS meetup is maintained by our dozen or so boat owners and the leadership team. You don't have to know how to sail to be part of the group. However, you do have to fulfill some basic requirements. Please be sure to do this or you may not be able to join or remain in the group.
(1) Sign-ups: RSVP only if you are confident you can make the sailing event. You can cancel up to 48 hrs prior to sailing, otherwise you may deprive others of a position and you may be removed from this group. We rely upon keeping boat owners and our members happy.
(2) Email: Once you RSVP for a sail, start checking your email for messages!
(3) Profile and Photo. Please answer the questions and upload a recognizable photo for viewing on a phone by the boat owner. Your whole body or face should almost fill the screen. Candidate profiles with non-human photos will be declined and you'll be asked to submit a new application.
Occasionally we’ll post local non-sailing marine events that may charge a small donation or fee such as sailing lectures, boat-building workshops, American Cetacean Society events, Marine Mammal Center events, Latitude 38 crew-list parties, and similar events.
We encourage you to sign up for the weekly Latitude 38 Sailing magazine email with great photos, racing and SF bay sailing activities, and more here.
There are many types of sailing with our boat owners, from racing to rafting parties and even delivery services out to the Farallon Islands. Check out the sailing video below, and this Pirate sail as typical examples: https://youtu.be/bJwXWlg9ybg
Copyright 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Upcoming events (3)
See all- San Francisco Opening Day on the Bay Parade aboard Cetacea on Sunday April 28!South Beach Yacht Club, San Francisco, CA
The annual SF Opening day on the SF Bay Parade is being held on Sunday, April 28 and Cetacea will observe the participants from a hundred feet away.
"The 106th annual Opening Day on the Bay Parade shows off over 100 historic workboats, fireboats, towboats, schooners, and classic and contemporary vessels decorated for the contest." This marks the official start of the San Francisco boating season and hosted by the PICYA organization of yacht clubs.
Strong preference for adventurous crew, as can be seen in the various photo albums of crew on more than 150 no-cost personal sailing adventures the past 10 years. This sail is for women that prefer to sail with other women; sorry guys but there is a big demand for female-only sailing that isn't being met! Sailing experience isn't necessary, but enthusiasm for a fun, safe and exhilarating daysail, is!
Weather predictions are for 64-67 and sunny with 15 kts wind, so this is a slow-speed sailing event as we fly the baby staysail for a few hours off Crissy Field and under the Gate while ogling the decorated boats!
I'll cancel the trip if my non-NBS friends are unable to attend or if too few crew interested.
Please be sure to respond asap to my email to your meetup registered email address or you'll be cast adrift in the "Not Going" landlubber zone of washed-up sailing regrets, har har :-)
- San Francisco Opening Day on the Bay annual Parade Viewing on Sunday April 28!St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco, CA
The annual SF Opening day on the SF Bay Parade viewing on Sunday, April 28!
Please note this is just a parade advisory, and not a sailing event"The 107th annual Opening Day on the Bay Parade shows off over 100 historic workboats, fireboats, towboats, schooners, and classic and contemporary vessels decorated for the contest." This marks the official start of the San Francisco boating season and hosted by the PICYA organization of yacht clubs.
The theme for this year’s parade is “Rockin’ on the Bay”, The Parade starts in Raccoon Straits, queues west of Crissy Field, and then parades down the waterfront for a few hours.
"OPENING DAY ON THE BAY APRIL 28, 2024 by PICYA
From the blessing of the fleet in Racoon Straits to the parade of decorated boats this is a great day to get out on the Bay.Dating back to 1917 and organized by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association, the parade runs just north of Anita Rock off the shore of Crissy Field in the Presidio, follows along the city front to first Fort Mason building east of the Marina Green. The Parade starts around 11:30 or noon, after some boats return from the Raccoon Straits blessing.
This Latitude 38 article indicates: "The tradition of Opening Day goes back to the 1800s, when the drawbridge at Beach Road and Main Street in Belvedere was opened to allow arks and boats back into the Bay after wintering in Belvedere Lagoon."
Please note that this is a general posting for the annual parade that can be seen from the shore, or aboard a charter boat. This is not an event for my boat, Cetacea. I've attached a few of my photos from previous year's PICYA parades and yes, it's true, Cetacea has won 4 First Place awards in this annual event!
Bring a friend and your food and hang out on Crissy Field, or around the St. Francis Yacht Club and beyond!
See it on Facebook
Attend aboard the CABERNET SAUVIGNON Judges boat here
See it from the Saint Francis Yacht Club
See the minimalist posting on the sponsors PICYA
See it on the boring government Federal Register