some hints on our local weather

It is always a good idea to check the weather forecast before going (I do it to keep everyone safe and have a very low trigger point to cancel an outing when in doubt). 

The following links are for NOAA forecast:

The Spot (typically the windiest in the bay)   (and hourly Graph)

Outside the Golden gates    (and hourly Graph)

Richmond Bridge   (and hourly graph)

To get an idea of how severe or light conditions are, you can refer to the Beaufort scale. The scale is a good indication of how  you will feel on the boat. Below is a  summary that is valid for the Bay, but does not factor in the swell for voyages outside the Golden Gate.

• 0 to 5 knots of wind ; hard to get the boat moving, very tempting to fire up the engine.

• 5 to 10 knots ; the boat is smoothly moving but nothing dramatic is happening 

• 10 to 15 knots ; the boat is definitively moving fast and heeling

• 15 to 20 knots ; the boat heels more, things start being uncomfortable going windward, spray gets on deck, we start talking about reefing the sails to diminish the power and often we already have.

• More than 20 knots of wind starts to be unpleasant for someone not experienced. For some, their enjoyment of sailing stops here.

• More than 30 knots of wind this is the limit where I only sail with experienced folks (and I am most likely to stay home)

• If more than 40 knots of wind is predicted by NOAA, then I am definitely at home). If I get caught in 40 knots of wind, then I am actively trying to get out of it even if it involves a change in navigation plans.

• Mistral can withstand more but it is really not desirable and there is a difference in surviving a sail and enjoying it