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San Francsico Bay and Beyond

Club Events / San Francsico Bay and Beyond

Join Limelight for the Autumn 2026 Coastal Residency

From Sep 5 through mid Oct 2026, Windworks Sailing brings the modern Bavaria C-38 Limelight to Northern and Southern California for an exclusive series of San Francisco Bay day sails, coastal passage training, and offshore adventures. Based out of Sausalito, this residency offers sailors of all skill levels the opportunity to experience high-performance sailing across iconic coastal waters.

Interested?

Space aboard the Bavaria C-38 Limelight is strictly limited to ensure an immersive, hands-on experience. 

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Weekend Full-Day Skill & Destination Sails

Focus: Advanced seamanship, open-water experience, heavy air handling, and iconic landmarks. Requirements: BK1 & Basic Cruising.

1. Ocean Boundary & Golden Gate Challenge

Experience open-water handling and advanced sail trim as you navigate heavy currents, fog, and ocean swells from the Golden Gate Bridge out to the Pacific demarcation line.

2. High-Wind Central Bay & Alcatraz Circuit

Hone your heavy-wind tactics and close-quarters maneuvering through dynamic sail control, fast-tacking, and emergency drills across the Central Bay, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco Waterfront.

3. Angel Island Exploration & Mooring Clinic

Master mooring techniques, tight-cove docking, and navigating wind shadows as you sail through Raccoon Strait to Angel Island's Ayala Cove, complete with time to explore the island onshore.

Mid-Week Two-Day Destination Sails

Focus: Relaxed multi-day cruising, marina navigation, historical landmarks, and dock-and-dine experiences.

1. The Historical Benicia & Carquinez Strait Expedition

Practice long-distance passage planning, tidal calculations, and shallow-water navigation on a two-day voyage from Sausalito to Benicia, complete with an overnight marina stay and historic downtown exploration.

2. Jack London Square & Alameda Estuary Getaway

Develop your narrow-channel navigation, bridge clearance, and dock-and-dine slip handling skills on a two-day Sausalito to Oakland Estuary trip featuring historic waterfront sights, local dining, and an overnight stay at Jack London Square Marina.

3. Berkeley Marina & San Francisco South Beach Cruise

Refine your cross-bay wind-and-current strategies and urban harbor docking on a two-day voyage from Sausalito to the San Francisco and East Bay waterfronts, complete with iconic city views, waterfront dining, and a well-protected overnight marina stay.

Limelight

Sailing Yacht ‘Limelight’

The Bavaria C38 Limelight combines excellent sailing performance and easy handling with maximized living space. Its signature V-shaped bow and stern chines enhance stability, speed, and steering precision while significantly expanding room both on deck and below. This innovative hull design easily accommodates eight people for dinner in the salon and allows for larger, more comfortable stern cabins.

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Schedule

Sails depart from and return to Sausalito Clipper Marina. Daysails are 9am-5pm.

Dates Trip Type Destination / Itinerary Details
Sat, Sep 12 Full-Day Sail
Ocean Boundary & Golden Gate Challenge

Destination: Golden Gate Bridge to the Demarcation Line (Mile Buoy / Bonita Channel approach).

Skill Training: Open-water handling, ocean swells, reefing strategies in "The Slot," and navigating fog and heavy ebb currents.

Highlights:

  • Master sail trim and reefing as you pass under the Golden Gate Bridge into the Pacific swell.
  • Practice navigation and crew communication while approaching the official ocean demarcation line.
  • Learn local fog management and vessel traffic separation rules around Point Bonita.
Sun, Sep 13 Full-Day Sail
High-Wind Central Bay & Alcatraz Circuit

Destination: Central Bay, Alcatraz Island, and the San Francisco Waterfront.

Skill Training: Heavy wind tactics, dynamic sail controls, fast-tacking in tight channels, and maneuvering in commercial shipping traffic.

Highlights:

  • Tackle the summer breeze in the heart of "The Slot" with hands-on practice in heeling management and heavy-air sail flattening.
  • Practice precise close-quarters maneuvering around Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge.
  • Practice emergency procedures (MOB drills, depowering quickly in sudden gusts).
Wed, Sep 16 – Thu, Sep 17 2-Day Mid-Week
Jack London Square & Alameda Estuary Getaway

Itinerary:

  • Day 1: Sausalito → South Bay / Alameda Estuary → Jack London Square Marina.
  • Day 2: Oakland Estuary → Treasure Island Transit → Return to Sausalito Clipper Marina.

Skill Focus: Navigating narrow channels, bridge clearance checks, smooth motor-sailing in protected waters, and dock-and-dine slip handling.

Highlights:

  • History: Visit the USS Potomac (FDR's "Floating White House") and Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon.
  • Dining: Waterfront dining at Scott’s Seafood or Plank at Jack London Square.
  • Overnight: Marina dockage right in the heart of Oakland’s historic waterfront.
Sat, Sep 19 Full-Day Sail
Angel Island Exploration & Mooring Clinic

Destination: Ayala Cove, Angel Island State Park.

Skill Training: Mooring buoy pickup/bridle techniques, docking strategies in tight coves, and navigating wind shadows.

Highlights:

  • Sail through Raccoon Strait to Ayala Cove.
  • Hands-on instruction for securing a mooring buoy or public dock tiedown.
  • Onshore break to explore the historic immigration station or hike to Mount Livermore.
Sun, Sep 20 Full-Day Sail
Ocean Boundary & Golden Gate Challenge

Destination: Golden Gate Bridge to the Demarcation Line (Mile Buoy / Bonita Channel approach).

Skill Training: Open-water handling, ocean swells, reefing strategies in "The Slot," and navigating fog and heavy ebb currents.

Highlights:

  • Master sail trim and reefing as you pass under the Golden Gate Bridge into the Pacific swell.
  • Practice navigation and crew communication while approaching the official ocean demarcation line.
  • Learn local fog management and vessel traffic separation rules around Point Bonita.
Wed, Sep 23 – Thu, Sep 24 2-Day Mid-Week
Berkeley Marina & San Francisco South Beach Cruise

Itinerary:

  • Day 1: Sausalito → East Bay Crossing → Berkeley Marina / South Beach Harbor.
  • Day 2: SF Waterfront → Crissy Field / Presidio Shoreline → Return to Sausalito Clipper Marina.

Skill Focus: Cross-bay wind-vs-current strategies, urban harbor docking, and night/evening mooring protocols.

Highlights:

  • History: Views of the historic Embarcadero, Ferry Building, and Fort Point.
  • Dining: Dock and dine near South Beach Harbor (AT&T Park/Waterbar area) or Skates on the Bay at Berkeley Marina.
  • Overnight: Enjoy city views and well-protected marina berths before a morning return sail under the Golden Gate skyline.
Sat, Sep 26 Full-Day Sail
High-Wind Central Bay & Alcatraz Circuit

Destination: Central Bay, Alcatraz Island, and the San Francisco Waterfront.

Skill Training: Heavy wind tactics, dynamic sail controls, fast-tacking in tight channels, and maneuvering in commercial shipping traffic.

Highlights:

  • Tackle the summer breeze in the heart of "The Slot" with hands-on practice in heeling management and heavy-air sail flattening.
  • Practice precise close-quarters maneuvering around Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge.
  • Practice emergency procedures (MOB drills, depowering quickly in sudden gusts).
Sun, Sep 27 Full-Day Sail
Angel Island Exploration & Mooring Clinic

Destination: Ayala Cove, Angel Island State Park.

Skill Training: Mooring buoy pickup/bridle techniques, docking strategies in tight coves, and navigating wind shadows.

Highlights:

  • Sail through Raccoon Strait to Ayala Cove.
  • Hands-on instruction for securing a mooring buoy or public dock tiedown.
  • Onshore break to explore the historic immigration station or hike to Mount Livermore.
Wed, Sep 30 – Thu, Oct 1 2-Day Mid-Week
The Historical Benicia & Carquinez Strait Expedition

Itinerary:

  • Day 1: Sausalito → San Pablo Bay → Benicia Marina.
  • Day 2: Benicia → Straits Transit → Return to Sausalito Clipper Marina.

Skill Focus: Tidal current calculations for Carquinez Strait, shallow-water navigation, and long-distance passage planning.

Highlights:

  • History: Explore downtown Benicia’s historic 1850s Capitol building and military arsenal.
  • Dining: Walkable downtown dining options along First Street (e.g., Lucca Bar & Grill or Sailor Jack's).
  • Overnight: Secure slip stay at Benicia Marina.