Adventure Cat Sailing Charter
- Good for Kids: Yes
61 reviews
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
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24 Reviews for Adventure Cat Sailing Charter
Went out on the AdventureCat 2 for Kaboom ("an outstanding fireworks display synchronized to a World Class Rock soundtrack" - KFOG website). It rocked; we departed from stinky sea lion pier, sailed around Alcatraz, and parked just on the south side of the Bay Bridge for the show.
Free drinks, great appetizers, really cool crew and captain. I'm totally jealous that these guys get to do this for a living.
A friend of mine invited me to take this ride with her,i thought it was any other bay cruise tour,well it is not...
This one is an hour and a half of fun,relaxation and enjoying sf surrounded by water. One of the employees were telling us that at times,whales are seen during the trip. Lo and behold we saw one not long after sailing on the water.
I was glad to have taken this journey,and would definitely do it again.
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Gives you some of the best views of the bay, I got some really nice photos while we were out on the sunset trip that you can't get anywhere else. A great activity for your family, or beautiful for just two of you.
If you are just dying to get out on the bay... then this will definitely suffice.
Upsides:
$30 per person for the 1 1/2 hour catamaran tour.
You're on the San Francisco Bay.
They do swing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge which was pretty neat.
Downsides:
You and 40 or 50 other people you don't know seeking space on the railing. (This was a gorgeous day, so perhaps there were more people than usual...)
This commercial vessel hardly makes you feel like you're sailing.
For the price, it was pretty good.
I grew up sailing however and this was just not the sailing / bay experience I was looking for...
If you were like me, just a paltry six weeks ago, you might have averred the prejudiced opinion that there is universe of cats, a universe of sailing and that the twain would only very improbably meet. An indubitable proposition indeed for those of us who have ever attempted to take a cat on a waterborne craft.
Hence the amazement at my initiation with cat sailing. 75 to 90 cats are released on a boat, subsequently lassoed, and hammocked gently together (despite clawing and hissing) into a large sail which is hoisted into the air and rigged for propulsion. The effect is very much the same as regular sailing but with more meowing, shedding, and contemptuous eyes of cats from above.
Once in transit, I took time to ask Captain Squigby (and his first mate Leslie) about the reasons for a sail composed of live cats in lieu of synthetic materials, such as teflon or nylon. For a tenderfoot like myself,the explanation was largely an opaque lecture in protein chemistry, save for the part about the solution being 100% organic.
None the less, an extremely pleasant afternoon and in which the cats were returned to their wealthy but thrill-seeking Nob Hill owners upon disembarking. 5 out of 5, if only for novelty.
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A love for the Sea
( For those who need a melody behind this review)
-KayJay ( Thank you for organizing!, I'm copying your youtube's groove)
Enya- Watermark
http://www.youtube.com...
OR:
Enya- Only time
http://www.youtube.com...
The Open Sea
This is where I want to be, at peace and at ease.
Feeling upon the ocean's breeze, the wind's drift, and the sun's heat.
I am incarnate.
No cars, no pedestrians, no traffic noise, just a boat and the sea.
This is the life. This is......... the open sea.
For You Again
I'm inviting you to know perfection
We smoothly go down...then from east to west...going up smoothly again...
We float in the perfect infinite...to then be perfectly aligned as always we are, we were and we will be...
-This is probably one of my best weekends I have thus far. And it gets better and better. It started on Friday. I had an incredible glass of Cabernet at the District bar. I meet an awesome girl. I went salsa dancing at Roccoaccupo. Then I went home. No hangover, YAY! On Saturday, I went golfing with some friends. Shot in the high 90's. Weather was fairly good. Did not drink while playing helped alot. Celebrated Gabriel's birthday that evening. Had some great conversations with Omar about my birthday. I know, I don't like getting old or even thinking about it. On Sunday, I was inspired by the sea. I made life long friends. I lived another day. I could not ask for a better weekend.
ps- I wanna learn to sail, who's down?
pss- Pictures coming soon!!! Look for updates! I've been having problems with my flickr account. Sorrwie.
psss- This is not a funny review....well...wait
-What is the difference between a sin and shame?
It's a sin to stick it in and a shame to take it out.
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How do you know when you have an online community?
When it becomes a real community! Suppose a Yelper, just any random Yelper, decides she wants to take a cruise on the Bay? OK, I confess, she's not "just any random Yelper," she's KAYJAY! Our HERO!
Look at what this lady did: She researched the boat. She started a talk thread to drum up interest. She made the reservations and handled the payments. She set up an event board so we wouldn't lose touch in the the flaggity-flag talk thread country. She negotiated and mediated and made sure we all got the message that WE, the community, had voted for beer and wine, and a potluck. And, she ACTUALLY MADE IT TO THE BOAT!
It was like renting a private bar.
New Yelper friends, long-time Yelper friends, an excellent, good-natured boat crew, fair weather and flat water conspired to make this one of the best cruises I have ever had in my LIFE! Say, did I ever tell you that Yelpers are a witty, smart, bunch of people? Like, they can prove how tight it is when you squeeze two in the head? Or something like that?
Raw pix here (no, none of the tiny head):
http://www.flickr.com/...
Sorry I didn't get a picture of the potluck banquet table. You can have the charter company do full catering and an open bar, if that's how you roll.
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While sailing aboard the Adventure Cat, I saw a sailboat capsizing. There were four people desperately clinging to the little boat as it sank into the San Francisco Bay.
That is why when I want to go for a sail on the Bay, I leave it to the experts at Adventure Cat. I don't have the knowledge about sailing to prevent such a disaster.
That, and I don't have my own private yacht.
Small detail.
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Late summer in San Francisco always throws me off just a little bit. Maybe it's because just as I think the sun's here for a spell, the fog arrives and smothers the dog days into submission. Once it's lifted, the obvious is revealed: summer's almost over. This is when my sad reality sets in: I missed summer. Having grown up in a city that almost always feels like summer, this time of year leaves me feeling unsettled. Anxious. A little blue, even.
Until yesterday.
Thanks to KayJay's brilliant idea to take Yelpers to the high seas those feeling were beaten down and forgotten.
It was one of those breathtaking days. The wind was perfect. Just enough to muss up our hair and to fill our sails. The bright sunshine wasn't too hot, but just warm enough to lie and sun on the bow of the Adventure Cat's trampolined bow! The company. Well it was wonderful... funny and friendly and incredibly entertaining. Fortunately, no one got hurt or sick or fell over board. (OK, so *what* if Grace lost her shoe to the Bay just minutes outside of the break water? Nice karate kick, though.)
Lucky for us, the crew was good humored and tolerant of the aforementioned Yelper high jinx! They were great! Friendly and professional to the end. Thanks to their mad sailing and people skills, the Adventure Cat provided a smooth ride as we glided across the Bay. We coasted past Alcatraz and Angel Island, by Tiburon and Sausalito, then under the Golden Gate to the open seas!
I have to admit that it was a little sad as we approached Pier 39 with all the waving tourists and barking sea lions. But as with many things, our day at sea had to come to an end. I mean, how much beauty and nature and fun can you take in?
All-in-all, it was a perfect day. One to chase the blues away. A day to remind us how lucky we are to live where we live, and to know all of the cool people the Bay (and Yelp) has brought together. Thanks for a great day!
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KayJay, you're the best. All that hassle of trying to collect money from us deadbeat Yelpers. Hope you're feeling good -- as Borat would say, it was "great success."
I felt like I was on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." Clear blue skies, perfect day, glacial water. Meeting new Yelpers, bonding with old Yelpers, drinking in wine and the eye candy showcased by our beautiful bay, golden bridge, and hotties to the left and right of me. Definitely one of the best afternoons I can remember for awhile.
A toast to you KayJay. Can we start planning for next year???
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30+ yrs in the Bay Area and I've only been on the Bay 2 other times...visits to Alcatraz and Angel Island. It can almost be compared to my ride on a cable car for the 1st time 3 yrs ago...sad! Sailing on the Bay on a nice summer Sunday was just what I needed.
I was a little leery at first. I wasn't sure how rough it might be on the Bay. Having once tried whale watching in Monterey, I did not fare well on that maiden voyage. It was no 3 hour tour, but it was long enough to cause me to be laid up below deck for the whole trip. I hoped not to repeat that experience.
Once on board, it became apparent that it might be smooth sailing after all. However, that blanket of fog that surrounded the Golden Gate, looked omnious. The boat didn't seem big enough for our group to all sit in the cabin, thus people were quick to make it out to the deck/trampolines. We talked. We laughed. We ate. We drank. We pee'd.
It was not your typical windy SF Bay weather...it was surprisingly calm with a small breeze. It was warm enough to brave the elements in just a t-shirt and jeans. The boat made it's way slowly past Alcatraz, Angel Island, Tiburon, Sausalito, and under the Golden Gate (which was an awesome sight to behold from below). As the clocked ticked down, I began to get sad. The 3.5 hour trip was long, but I didn't want it to end. The nice day, coupled with an awesome group of Yelpers, really made the trip fun. While you might not get to sail with a group like mine, it's totally worth taking any of the other expeditions for the tourists. I'm glad I made it out.
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AKA Kay Jay's adventure for Yelper's!
What a beautiful day! Ton's of new friend's, and a couple I have met once before! Good times, great company and the beautiful San Francisco Bay to sail upon!
Thank you Kristine for a well orchastrated event! Kudo's to you! We have to do this again next year! For those of you who did not make it on boad, we missed you!
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Laid back crew and staff, no hassle, smooth sailing (literally), outstanding views: up close to Alcatraz & GG Bridge and pretty cheap bar - beer and wine and snacks. And that boat is fast!
I would definitely choose Adventure Cat again!
Did the sunset sail last night and had a great time albeit we couldn't see the sun set b/c of the crazy fog but they did take us over to Sausalito where we found some sun and chilled out- it was fabulous. I'd recommend the weekday evening ride, the mood is mellow, the drinks are large and they have snacks for you.
The staff are very welcoming and like to have a good time with you. The captain looked like a REAL captain should, almost like the Gorton's Fisherman, rugged, scratchy voice, big unwiedly mustache and wisecracking attitude.
Check it out, the experience is all good. Also since its a catamaran it is double-hulled making the ride extremely smooth even on a rough night like last night!
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Ok, so I was blasted after the first 10 minutes. Fine. and my experience is more representative of the care and attention "KayJay" took in organizing our event, then it is of the actual operators.
However, the length, and course taken were conducive to some great photo opps. The crew was friendly, and the sail went smoothly.
4 stars well-deserved. Now how exactly, did I manage to get home afterwards? No, really...
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We went out on the Adventure Cat during Fleet Week. It couldn't have been a better vantage point to watch the airshow. The captain did an excellent job positioning us in the best spots to watch everything. The staff was friendly and accomodating. The ride was smooth as well - great beers on board (IPA, etc.) and comfortable.
Definitely worth our $45 (the day cruises are cheaper at $25) for the sunset cruise. The 1.5 hour boat ride is great! We sailed past Alcatraz, Sausalito/Tiburon, and best of all, underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. The ride itself was very smooth - only the expected up and down rocking motion of any boat. The views were great no matter where on the boat you chose to be. Plus, they have this specialized net seating/standing area for you so you can be "closer" to the water, which is scary at first, but pretty cool once you get used to it.
The sunset cruise includes 2 complimentary drinks - though be careful for your clothes when drinking the red wine on the boat =) - and buffet-style appetizers. Our boat had very nice people; I believe simply because everyone was relaxed and enjoying the great views. The crew and staff are also very nice. I called them up multiple times in a day for various changes (which I do apologize for), and they were always understanding!!
Overall great experience and something I would suggest to tourists and locals alike. One suggestions is to bring thick jackets. It'll get windy out there so layer it up! =)
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(For those who need a beat behind their groove: http://www.youtube.com...)
[Intro]
Are you ready?
If you ain't up on sailing take yo punk ass home
I say, if you ain't up on sailing take yo punk ass home
A-D-V-E-N-T-U-R-E
Yea
A-D-V-E-N-T-U-R-E
[Chorus]
I'm sailin' first class
Clear blue sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' the life
From the fast lane
And I won't change
By the Glamorous, ooooo the flossy flossy
The Glamorous,
The Glamorous, Glamorous
By the Glamorous, oooo the flossy flossy
The Glamorous,
The Glamorous, Glamorous
By the Glamorous, oooo the flossy flossy
[Verse]
Wear them Elite U/F/C's
Yelping all expensive things
All that stuff don't mean a thing
Ya'll know what the hell I mean
I'll be on the movie screens
Papers, books and magazines
I'm Kristine, I'm pristine
I'm a queen, know what I mean
I be on Adventure Cat
Sippin booze and kickin' back
Listen up, I'm the sh*t
F*ck the funny votes I get
After the bar, during the day
I like to cool out sailin' the bay
Peacefully reminiscing while Adventure Cat's drifting
[chorus:]
I'm sailin' first class
Clear blue sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' the life
From the fast lane
And I won't change
By the Glamorous, ooooo the flossy flossy
(Note: Both Adventure Cat vessels - 45 and 99 passenger - are available for private charter. I see a summertime Yelp event people!)
(Note #2: There is no Champagne on the Adventure Cat. Wine and beer are available. I just thought champagne sounded classier cuz, you know, I'm a classy bitch.)
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WOW - this is a great ride - the sunset cruise is $45 and includes hors duerves and two drinks. You get up close to Alcatraz, wind surfers and sail under the Golden Gate. I would do this all over again.
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Get your smart sailing kit on, and get ready to escape on the bay for a bit. Be warned, sitting anywhere near the open trampolines on the front means you might be drenched by frigid waters...
Stay dry in the back and watch the kite surfers kick up into the air 15 ft, yards away from the boat. Be amazed by the underside of the Golden Gate. And see the city skyline from the water, the best possible view.
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$25 gets you a 1.5 hour, picture perfect, exhilarating ride around the bay. We were at capacity and it didn't feel full on the boat at all.
You can stand at the front and get splashed, see seals riding along side you, watch the coast guard helicopter zoom underneath the GG Bridge and clap as kite boarders sail through the air.
Drinks are expensive and if you get stuck with some really annoying people, there's not much you can do. But it's well worth the money.
Tip: Dress Warmly!!
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Relatives were visiting from out of town and we wanted to take them for a cruise on the bay. We looked into the cruises with the ferry's and then I remembered taking a cruise on the Adventure Cat with a group about a year ago. I looked into their public cruises and decided that for a few dollars more than the ferries, the Adventure Cat would be worth it. We not only were right, but I'd underestimated how much better the Adventure Cat is than the ferries. While we could see the ferry packed with at least 100 people taking a cruise, we were enjoying the relaxing cruise on the Adventure Cat with only 5 other people and the 3 crew members. So, to sum it up, if you're looking for a relaxing and enjoyable cruise around the bay, take the Adventure Cat cruise. If you're cheap and are looking to save a few dollars, enjoy being packed in like sardines on the ferry. In my opinion however, the Adventure Cat is the ONLY way to cruise the bay.
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A great way to do the touristy thing with your visitors from out of town while still maintaining some dignity. You get see the bay bridge, alcatraz, the golden gate and the san francisco skyline with no engine noise! They only fire up the engine when docking or to cheat when they tack. We were out for about 1.5 hours. Make sure to have a lunch before you board - no outside food or beverages are allowed and the selection of snacks is not great. I made reservations the morning of and it wasn't a problem. I can't see why anyone would choose a big, diesel-powered tourist boat over this.
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This is a must for everyone in the area! A fabulous cruise on a big beautiful catamaran, Adventure Cat takes you around Alcatraz, by Tiburon and Sausalito, under the Golden Gate... all the while you can enjoy some libations (open bar) and yummy snacks, and a fun afternoon with friends. An amazing way to see the bay area, from the very heart of the bay. Be careful running around the boat, those fun trampolines can leave some nasty bruises!
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