Sailing in Benicia

wyndryder · Joined: 28 Mar 1999 Posts: 36

Are there any good places to sail in Benicia?

bosie · Joined: 23 May 2004 Posts: 27

There's a nice launch at 12th St., with a big grass lawn for rigging. There are a few die-hards who still windsurf there, but it's far more popular for kiting (esp. kite foiling), wing foiling, and wind foiling. The wind's often flukey there, and unless you're on a foil or have mad upwind skills and plenty of power, you want to sail in Benicia on an ebb, not a flood.

wyndryder · Joined: 28 Mar 1999 Posts: 36

Thanks for the info. Self-assessment is slightly above average in the upwind department, but safer than sorry is always the motto.

windfind · Joined: 18 Mar 1997 Posts: 1826

I would add a couple of things to what Bosie said about Benicia.

1. The wind quality and strength are best when the overall wind is WNW in the Tomales to Marin Island sensors and on PD sensors in the Petaluma Gap area. Same for the San Pablo Bay sensor. The more WSW to SW the wind the worse the Benicia winds quality. When the winds are strong NW to WNW Benicia is a blast on a regular windsurfer. But on lighter days foils, wings and kites are preferred.

2. This is easily the most beautiful sailing area in the greater Bay Area. And Old Town Benicia on the waterfront is a delight.

3. Check out today below.

Mike Godsey

jse · Joined: 17 Apr 1995 Posts: 1435 Location: Maui