SW wind wave sailing options...

jordanwd · Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 158

looks like SW wind w/ big surf this weekend...SW winds look like side on shore conditions...
would Wadell or DPort work or are there better locations? Any other considerations to keep in mind (ie shore pound/tides/ Safety) with 15-20 foot onshore conditions?

rstroud · Joined: 11 May 2000 Posts: 1

Reply to Jordanwd, The harbor at Princeton, at the North end of half moon bay is very nice in the SW conditions, - also sheltered from the mamoth swells.. Enjoy the weekend sailing!
all the best!

jse · Joined: 17 Apr 1995 Posts: 1460 Location: Maui

Altho I've never done it, I hear Doran Beach near Bodega Bay is great for surf sailing on a SW.

Steve

jordanwd · Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 158

Thanks guys,

Rstroud...it looks like Princton harbour looks nicely protected from the west swell...does some waves make it through though or is it mostly flat water sailing?

jse, do you know how Doran beach sets up on a SW day?
On shore waves don't realy bother me so much if its managable...I just don't want bone crunching, mast snapping shore break or take a chance of getting washed into cliff bases / rocks with the onshore winds, especially w/ an incoming tide...

jse · Joined: 17 Apr 1995 Posts: 1460 Location: Maui

Doran is accessible from the road by driving all the way to the end of the park and launching inside the protective jetty. Sail out on starboard into the swell. It's a gently curving beach and you launch from the upper corner. So to get to the waves you need to go downwind. The beach is mostly sandy.

jse · Joined: 17 Apr 1995 Posts: 1460 Location: Maui

No waves ever make it into HMB harbor, the jetty's make that impossible. Inside the harbor is flat water. Notice how it sets up in the satellite image. Look inside the harbor, there is a pier. That's where most people launch. I've sailed upwind and out into the swell from there. Notice once out, you are still upwind of the jetty. Most people surf in the apex of the triangle formed by the jetty and the beach. I think you would get trapped if you tried to sail there. If it's high tide, the waves break on the rocks, leaving no place to pull out. Also, the surfers complain that there is a reflection in that situation. I suppose you could sail way over to the right and look for waves there. Also, notice to the left is Sail Rock. Just to the left of Sail Rock is Mavericks. Unless i'm mistaken, you don't want to end up there unless you want to be the first to windsurf Mav's.

Steve

shitan · Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 271

Ocean Beach is not bad on S direction. It could be side off if the wind direction SE, witch is very common in pre-storm wind. It will turn to side on on SW. If you ever gone to ocean beach you would notice the loooong sandy beach w/no rock or cliffs. On a good S wind you may see 4 or 5 die hard sailors down at Rivera St.

jordanwd · Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 158

Those are awesome pics & great info jse, Thanks!

I've heard the location Ocean beach brought up before but not sure where it is exactly shitan, up towards sf bay inlet somewhere?

shitan · Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 271

Ocean Beach is located @ the west side of SF. If you're good at google maps just go "Great america Hwy san francisco, CA" and get Direction from wherever you are to that destination. Once on Great america Hwy look for Rivera St( as a cross ST) witch is about 10 blocs south of Lincoln Way (a street that you shouldn't miss).

It looks like tomorrow is the day and Friday is just too wet.

s.

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

Just follow Geary St. until you hit the ocean.

Coachg