Challenging conditions

San Francisco Bay presents some of the most varied and challenging sailing conditions anywhere. Fickle winds, strong tidal currents and busy commercial shipping traffic can make e-boating quite an adventure.

Now, I am the poster-child for bad luck and what to do wrong, but I still think electric is doable in the Bay. But...whereas before, you planned against time vs wind vs current, you have to add the 4th variable of amp-hours (range).

My boat is larger (30', 9800lb), and I designed for a 'cruise' draw of 40AH and to be able to cross the bay's widest point (~12NM) - that's why I have a large bank. I get about 4kts @40amps in calm.

So...in addition to all the other advice you might find searching the electric boating group such as prop size, etc, here's my tips for SF Bay

• Tidal current are the biggest challenge. The advice to "go slower" doesn't work if you need to make a tidal conversion to even get home. It's easy to solve when provided with the near "infinite" motoring a diesel provides - it's much more complicated when you only have an hour or 2 of motoring available. I've gotten much more familiar with the tidal maps found in the back of most tide books - these tell you how the current varies by region and also how they vary before/after slacks. Note that during spring tides, not only are the currents faster, but the conversions don't always happen when you think.
• Wind will often be "on the nose" to get home. Take advantage of wind-shadows. For example, in Brisbane, where some of the strongest winds are found, the nearby San Bruno Mountain provides a very reliable wind-shadow - allowing you to get close to the harbor (tides permitting) before having to face it.
• A GPS unit can help guide you to areas of least current by using the SOG and your knowledge of benthography to negotiate through eddy currents and the like.
• I can't see going out the Gate without adequate power under genny - that means 3-4KW and I don't have that now. Plus you can get breaking waves and no wind in the channel - bad news for a deck mounted genny...