What to expect on a Blue Skies Charter
Blue Skies is a charming and affordable motor yacht for a small group of up to 6 passengers of all ages to charter on the San Francisco Bay. She is one of the most comfortable trawler boats available for hire in the San Francisco Bay Area. Beautifully maintained in bristol fashion, she has original teak decks and fully varnished brightwork and interior space as well as a fly bridge for 360 degree viewing..
The CHB 35- Trawler has decks on both the bow and stern of the boat. There is another deck on top of the cabin known as the flybridge as well as a bridge deck.
The cabin has windows one all four sides allowing for 360-degree views of the surrounding Bay waters. Guests can take a break from the elements at any time without missing a thing! She also has two restrooms, and plenty of interior and exterior space.
THE Blue Skies FEATURES:
Salon with table, bench seating and kitchenette- This means you and your guests can sit inside and enjoy the views without being exposed to the elements. The space is clean, warm, and well appointed.
Easy boarding (very minimal steps)- guests of all ages can find a spot onboard and be comfortable both inside and out
Two Restrooms
Two helm stations so your captain and crew can join your group and tell tales of sailing on the bay and the local history or your group can have privacy, even conduct a meeting if need be.
Self-catering is preferred. You can grab your favorite adult beverages (beer and wine preferred) as well as snacks. If you are from out of town, let us know and we can give suggestions or arrange catering for you. After all, being on the water just makes food taste better, kind of like camping!
A cooler full of ice upon request
STARTING PRICE:
Three hours = $1,150 including a docking fee of $100. Gratuity is not included.
Blue Skies is an ideal yacht for small birthday parties, marriage proposals, elopements, sunset cruises, picnicking, marine photography, small company outings, executive meetings and intimate ash scatterings or memorials.
The yacht is popular for holiday fireworks, Jazz by the Bay, Fleet Week (Blue Angels) and SF Giants games in McCovey Cove.
This yacht is most comfortable with up to 6 guests or fewer. Hard alcohol is not a good fit, however, wine and beer are fine. Shellfish are not allowed to protect the original teak decks. This is not a fishing boat. The one exception is crabbing! She is equipped with an interior/exterior stereo system compatible with smartphones or MP3 devices bring your sailing playlists and come enjoy the view!
We recommend self-catering from one of San Francisco’s many delicious local delis and markets, a couple of which deliver directly to the dock! Ask us for recommendations.
What does a typical charter look like? Let us give you a play by play:
“Experience the Bay in a Whole New Way.”
Ahoy! Welcome Aboard! Once you set foot on our gorgeous 35’ CHB Trawler, you will instantly feel tingles of excitement as you take in the unforgettable views of the City Skyline, the Bay Bridge and more - and we haven’t even left the dock!
As you explore our yacht and head inside to drop off your gear, you will be amazed and impressed by the 360 degree view of the “living room” with efficient, comfy seating for eating or hanging out as well as two full bathrooms.
As you head up to the flybridge deck to soak up the salty air, you may want to literally drink in all of the views up above. You are welcome to bring your own food an beverages onboard and can leisurely snack and enjoy the view.
Whether you are joining us for a Team-Building Event thru your company or a Wedding, Birthday, Ash Scattering, Family outing, or just a day of being out on the San Francisco Bay, one thing is for certain, you will love ever second of it.
Our experienced Team of Sailors will host stories of the bay if you wish as we glide past such iconic landmarks as Alcatraz - In its heyday, it was the ultimate maximum security prison. Located on a lonely island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz—aka “The Rock”—had held captives since the Civil War. But it was in 1934, the highpoint of a major war on crime, that Alcatraz was re-fortified into the world's most secure prison. Perhaps the most famous of all Alcatraz inmates is Robert Stroud, often remembered for his portrayal in the 1962 movie "Birdman of Alcatraz". He was convicted of murder in 1909 after shooting a man at point-blank range. Or what about this one, Frank Lucas Bolt. Little has been documented about Alcatraz's LGBTQ+ prisoners, but gay men did play a role in the infamous prison. In fact, it was a queer man, Frank Lucas Bolt, who served as the prison's first official inmate. Many wonder if anyone has escaped from Alcatraz and the U.S. Marshals Service has released updated age progression photos of the three infamous men who pulled off the great escape from Alcatraz more than 60 years ago. The 1962 escape is probably the most famous prison break in American history, and the three men involved have never been located, dead or alive. Other speculation is if there are sharks circling Alcatraz, Each year, this small population of around 300 adults returns in the fall to our National Marine Sanctuary during Sharktober. Several events of tagged white sharks have been documented passing through the Golden Gate swimming along the waterfront and circling past Alcatraz before leaving again.
Maybe your goal is to get up close and personal, to the Golden Gate Bridge, Acclaimed as one of the world's most beautiful bridges, there are many different elements to the Golden Gate Bridge that make it unique. With its tremendous towers, sweeping cables, and great span, the Bridge is a sensory beauty and engineering wonder featuring color, sound and light. Here are some fun facts about the bridge:
The bridge is actually not golden at all! It's a bright red-orange.
It was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
It took four years to build.
There are approximately 600,000 rivets in each of the bridge's towers.
It's the most photographed bridge in the world.
Its signature color was created specifically for the Golden Gate Bridge. ...
More than 2 billion cars have crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. ...
So many people attended its 50th anniversary, the Golden Gate Bridge flattened.
Angel Island is also a big attraction on San Francisco Bay! Angel Island is an island in San Francisco Bay. The entire island is included within Angel Island State Park, administered by California State Parks.
Did you know?...
Spanish Founding
Ayala Cove, the main visitor cove on Angel Island, is named after Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala, a Spanish naval officer, spent a month mapping out the bay from the island in 1775. He named the island for the Catholic feast day closest to his discovery, which was later shortened to Isla de Los Angeles, or Angel Island.
Ellis Island of the West
In 1905 the Angel Island Immigration Station was built, and Angel Island became known as the Ellis Island of the West. Between 1910 and 1940, the island welcomed a half million immigrants from eighty countries, including many people from China and Japan.
World War II
During World War II, Fort McDowell was used as a port of embarkation for more than 300,000 soldiers, and the old immigration barracks housed prisoners of war before they were sent to inland camps. Fort McDowell was closed in August 1946.
Mt. Livermore Gets a Boost
Mt. Livermore is the tallest point on the island. In the 1950s, dirt from Mount Livermore’s summit was removed—actually not fully removed, just pushed aside—to make way for a missile site. In 2002 the dirt was pushed (approximately) back into place and the summit was repaired—making Mount Livermore 788 feet tall, a full 16 feet taller than before!
Next time you book a Sunset Sail under the bridge, don’t overlook this amazing part of history patiently waiting on the other side of the Bay. Quick shoutout - Much of the detail information here was provided by our good friend, and author, Alex Kenin. Alex runs a great company Urban Hiker SF, and she wrote a book where you can learn even more about this great city, check it out here!
While Crusing to the north of the Golden Gate Bridge, you will see views of Marin, mostly Sausalito, Mill Valley, and Tiburon and Mt. Tam in the distance and of course, You can meet Blue Skies in Sausalito right by Cavallo Point Resort or Travis marina other wise known as horseshoe cove.
Honestly the majestic views can be of the skyline of San Francisco with Salesforce tower, The iconic Transamerica building, The neon Ghirardelli sign along with many other memorable sights.. This view is especially magic at night when the skyline lights up.
Your cruise of the Bay can also take you by the Ferry Building, Coit Tower and Pier 39 , Aquatice Park just to name a few.
McCovey Cove for a giants game just to name is one of our most favorite trips! The cove is bounded along the north by Oracle Park, with a ferry landing and a breakwater at the northeast end. Did you know, No right-handed hitter has ever hit a home run into McCovey Cove, and only two American League players have ever reached the water—Boston's David Ortiz, and Texas' Mitch Moreland. Finally, there have only been two postseason water balls, one by Bonds, in '02, and one by Rick Ankiel (then of the Braves), in 2010.
As you mingle with other Guests, Friends, Family or Colleagues, you will all agree that THIS is how you enjoy a day on the Bay and you can now say, that YOU have experienced the Bay in a whole new way.
You will know you feel amazing after a day on the SF Bay but did you know there is scientific reason for this? The saltiness of sea air contains charged ions which help the body absorb oxygen which help to balance serotonin levels and makes us feel more relaxed. Being actively engaged, focussing on and enjoying sailing is good for us as it gives our minds a break from the usual stress in our heads. The sensory stimulation of boating is especially helpful. Feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin are more likely to increase around water while the stress hormones like cortisol decrease. Simply having fun on the water and enjoying that sense of play is great for the mind and body on multiple levels.
As if you need more reasons to call us, here is our last one… we care! We truly love to take people out on the bay, give them a day that will play over and over in their minds. I think our mission statement says it best.. “We do what we LOVE, with people we LOVE, for people who LOVE what we do!
So come onboard, grab a Captain’s Hat for a photo op with your friends or family and don’t forget to share it with your friends on Social Media - and please tag us so we see it and share it too! #baylightscharters #bestsailever
Here are some testimonials from past clients:
“This company is the best. Very professional. They are great sailors, and really know their stuff. Had fun, and loved the boat ride .The captain and crew were so wonderful at their jobs and keeping us safe and happy. Had the best time. Can’t wait to get back in that boat.” - Amelia Arapoff