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Sail out of Santa Cruz ?

K2MSmith

Sustaining Member
Are there any Ericson members that sail out of Santa Cruz ? I live in San Jose during the school year and have some choices regarding slip locations (oakland/alameda in the bay vs santa cruz). Would be interested in hearing your opinions.
 

Mark F

Contributing Partner
Blogs Author
Hi K2MSmith,

I sail out of Santa Cruz Harbor.

If you are looking for a slip for a 32'-38' keel stepped boat you will need to find a sublet in the Lower Harbor. I think a 30' slip in the Lower Harbor is about a 12 year wait. You can put a 35' boat in a 30' slip. It's easier to get a slip in the Upper Harbor but you will need to tabernacle your mast to get in and out because of a bridge. Monthly Slip fees in Santa Cruz are expensive - $11+ per foot.

Sailing is fun with lots of variation in conditions at the same time. It's typical to have light wind (2-8 knots) inside near the Wharf and 30+ knots 3/4 mile off shore. There is a wind eddy (Santa Cruz Eddy) that sets up on many spring, summer and fall days in the Monterey Bay. The wind will switch from WNW to ESE and the result is sailing hard on the wind while surfing waves. It's a blast!
 

K2MSmith

Sustaining Member
Thanks Mark - so I take it that slips > 30 ft are available ? Also is the yacht club pretty active ?
11/ft doesn’t sound expensive given that Ventura/ Channel Islands is around 15 but have not checked recently. Newport is around 30-40 but that harbor is in its own bubble as far as prices.
 

frosero7744

Member II
The availability doesn't look good. I think that helps make a decision...
Might be a bit late here but i would check out alameda if you're still on the fence. i live in san jose also and find it takes no longer to get to alameda than santa cruz. the bay has a lot more to offer than i realized also. Jack London Square, South beach marina, Berkeley, Tiburon, pier 39, clipper cove, Angel Island to name a few. On the cheap check out Fortmans/Grand Marina. Marina Village is really nice but pricier. Ballena Bay is not on the estuary side but still has a lot to offer. Oakland and Encinal yacht clubs are sweet spots to join or visit and host several beer can races and regattas. Not to mention fleet week and my favorite race the Great Vallejo Race.
 

K2MSmith

Sustaining Member
Might be a bit late here but i would check out alameda if you're still on the fence. i live in san jose also and find it takes no longer to get to alameda than santa cruz. the bay has a lot more to offer than i realized also. Jack London Square, South beach marina, Berkeley, Tiburon, pier 39, clipper cove, Angel Island to name a few. On the cheap check out Fortmans/Grand Marina. Marina Village is really nice but pricier. Ballena Bay is not on the estuary side but still has a lot to offer. Oakland and Encinal yacht clubs are sweet spots to join or visit and host several beer can races and regattas. Not to mention fleet week and my favorite race the Great Vallejo Race.
Since my last post on the topic, I ended up purchasing an Ericson 33RH in Sausalito in May, took over the PO's slip downtown and it has remained there ever since. It's a great location with just a few minutes access to the bay. It is a bit of a commute (about 1:10) from where I live in San Jose) and that is pretty amazing given what it normally took in the pre-Covid era. I do occasionally sleep on the boat if I don't feel like driving back. Once covid is over and if the traffic increases, it's possible I may grow tired of the commute and look for other options. I know I am probably paying more for the Sausalito slip than one in Alameda or Oakland (?) I know there are many more amenities in Alameda for sailors in terms of yards, repair, diesel mechanics etc. We are kind of limited in Sausalito and marine industry seems kind of "uppity" here right now. That may change in the winter.
 

Milagros

Member II
I have an E27 at Richardson Bay Marina! Agree on the "uppity" feeling, but there are still salty folks around. Hope to see you around!
 

racushman

O34 - Los Angeles
I bought my Olson 34 in Sausalito and also found everything to be pretentious and very expensive. Especially the KKMI yard. It cost more to haul the boat and unstep the mast than it did to truck it so LA.

I keep a different boat at Coyote Point... I think it's one of the last bargains in the bay area. Very nice staff.
 
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