While visiting my daughter I had a chance to winsurf yesterday on the Bay. BoardSports has opened a shop on the water with rental gear. BoardSports has 2 locations, Coyote Point and Alameda.
I rented a new 6 meter rig & short board at Coyote Poont Park for a half day for $55. You can take a hot shower for
25 cents. Very nice after being in 64F salt water! Coyote Point Park is a couple miles south of the SFO airport. When sailing out on the Bay you have a great view of San Fran downtown & the bridges. Plus on the way out you pass under the landing path of the airport with jets passing a couple hundred feet overhead - great fun!
—
Barrett
Barrett,
Are you still in SanFran? I have been sailing there all summer long. Cal Sailing club at Berkley Marina can't be beat for rental. $70 for 3 months or $200 for all year. Rent any of their equipment, including sailboats and keel boats.
Patrick
It is a very good deal if you live in SF, or visit often. However, you can't just show up and join. You have to go through a testing process which sounded like it would take quite a while to get qualified to use their gear. (Nothing any decent sailor couldn't do, but from what I learned when I went their, it could take a day or more. Before you pass the tests, etc you can't sail very far from thier launch.)
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Randy, I don't know if I agree since I just showed up and joined. I did have to show my competency to a volunteer senior member and get my skill level rated to make sure I was checking out equipment that matched my skill level. But no matter where you go to rent you either get asked about you skill level or have to demonstrate it.
However, Cal sail is a co-op so you have to give time in to the club to advance to the next rating level which some may find a little humbling. I personally enjoyed giving the time since they are badly in need of instructors to help the beginner windsurfers.
There are many members who have sponsors so the equipment has drastically improved over the years. I guess it isn't for everybody but I don't think there is anything better out there for the amount of time I spent on the water.
Patrick
Patrick, thanks for telling me about the CA Sailing Club at Berkeley Marina. I did sail there a few years ago on old gear, but from your description the equipment has been upgraded. It sounds like a great place to go on the north side of the Bay, however, my daughter lives near Coyote Point Park, close to the airport. With traffic, it can take a few hours to drive to Berkeley. I'll keep it in mind for a future visit.
Barrett