It's huge!

I keep my Hobie SX 18 at a the same boat yard in Alameda, CA where Steve Fossett, the late-famed-adventurer's, 125-foot world record setting catamaran Cheyenne is docked for repairs. The photo does scant justice to the size of the boat, but it is a sight to see.

Local newspaper article

Latitude 38 blurb (scroll to the bottom)

I am interested in going out in the Alameda Estuary area. Where do you launch from? What area do you sail in? Any tips about the area?

Thanks!

Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda is the place to launch; $9 fee for a vehicle and trailer. No waves, tidal current is weak, wind is milder than Coyote Point in San Mateo, summer water temp is mid-60's and I get away with wearing trunks and life vest but lots of people still wear a wet suit.

Be sure to check check a tide chart before making the trip because the water is very shallow and you'll be rolling the boat across mud flats if you time it wrongly. Low tide or high tide you will need beach wheels to access the water. Let me know if you're coming out and I'll do what I can to join you if you need wheels.

This year's Round Treasure Island regatta is August 16-17, which would be a great time to come out, even if you're not racing.

Great info about the Alameda area....Thanks!

Where do you unload boats? I am looking at google maps and can see the turnaround area but no "launching area". Do I just pull over and take the boat off the trailer on to the beach?

Another spot to launch near Crown is the top secret Encinal launch ramp. It's down an alley right next to the highschool. It's where we launch the chase boats for all of the bay events. You've got to watch the depth, and last time I was there the dock was broken. Funky but free.

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The beach is the launching area, hence the need for wheels to get the boat from the parking lot to the beach. Last year the rangers didn't say anything when I pulled the truck and trailer up on the dead-weed area between the lot and the beach, but this year they put a stop to that, but they said you may take the boat and mast off the trailer and rig it on the dead-weed area.

Go here and herefor great photos of the launch area.

The Encinal launch ramp is another option, and it's free, but as Jeremy said, the dock is in poor repair.

Encinal boat ramp is my normal launching site, at low tide it can be very interesting.

I don't use the beach as I don't have wheels for the Getaway.

Not sure how I would get the boat from the trailer to the wheels single handed anyway.

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2007 Getaway

Hey Nerf, How's the dock at Encinal these days?

They took it out in October.

Half has been put back. Not great but works for me.

Have used it previous two weekends and will be going out again on Sunday.

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2007 Getaway

When are you going to launch? I may stop by.

The wind and tide are not cooperating

I normally arrive around 11:00 to start rigging but low tide is around noon which makes the launching difficult.

I am considering getting an earlier (09:00) start and hoping the wind starts to fill early.

I will let you know what I decide.

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2007 Getaway

I did not figure it would be easy, with low tide at noon. Just let me know.
No worries
Paul

I am go for 09:00 - FAB

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2007 Getaway

See you in the AM. Doughnuts, bagels?