Sailing Caprice

Is it possible to have a less than 5-​star experience with Captain Dan & Admiral Carol? I think not.
I couldn’t be happier that we went with Caprice for our recent team offsite. Dan and Carol greeted us warmly at their house, and within minutes we boarded this gorgeous boat Caprice.
The boat was clean, modern and spacious. We had 14 people on board and it didn’t feel crowded at all. Coolers and a fridge were available to store food and drinks, Dan and Carol even prepared soft drink and ice cream for us.
Highlights:
— The route: Point Richmond, Sausalito, Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, Angel Island and then back to Point Richmond. Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge against the wind and current is a very memorable experience even for people who live in SF.
— Dan showed us how to read the radar transmitter system with great patience (get information from a nearby ship, the depth of water, etc). It was great to learn how technology makes modern sailing so much more enjoyable.
— Dan and Carol are the most friendly people and a very inspiring couple. They shared a lot of stories with us and made me seriously consider learning to sail properly. How they got the boat was a fascinating story, and we found out that they used to work in the same building that we do now!
— Being the captain (temporarily, with a nice hat). Dan even taught one of us how to dock the boat.
— Cooking! We made delicious steamed clams during our trip with Carol’s help.
— Did I mention that the boat is gorgeous?
If you are considering sailing the bay with some friends, book Sailing Caprice right now and you can thank me later.

We sailed with Captain Dan & Carol last week for my husband’s birthday party, and it was hands down our favorite day in the Bay Area. A group of 12 of us went out for his birthday, and it was the best birthday a guy could ask for. The Caprice is a beautiful catamaran that is perfect for a party. It is more stable than a sail boat, which helps with motion sickness! And it allows you to roam around more freely to get all the views you want. Also, the indoor seating has 360 degree views with all the warmth! They have a kitchen to help you set up and serve food/​beverage. Dan & Carol are amazing hosts and take you on a great tour. I can’t thank them enough! I highly recommend spending a day with them on the Caprice — you won’t regret it! Best. Day. Ever.

Sailing Caprice is a total gem of a find. Captain Dan and Carol are great. Super nice, fun to be around but also know when to fade into the background so you can enjoy the people you are with. They have a beautiful boat (which comfortably fit 10 of us in total) with a nice combo of indoor and outdoor seating, all with 360 degree views. Because it’s a catamaran it’s more stable than a sail boat. They let us BYOB, and they provided sodas/​waters/​snacks. Carol even made us a homemade 7 layer dip. Which was delicious.
They’re based in Richmond but can pick you up and drop you off from SF. We boarded at Pier 1.5 which was super convenient.
Great day, great crew, great boat, great price. Can’t recommend them enough.

Captain Dan and Carol were amazing hosts. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great day of sailing in the bay.

Caprice is a beautiful boat and the captain (dan) and his wife (carol) are soooooo lovely. took my dad out today with my kids/​his grand kids to celebrate father’s day and it was incredible in every way. dan and carol even served us snacks and ice cream :-) loved it!

Amazing day on the bay! Dan and Carol made this family outing fantastic. My father who is 81 thoroughly enjoyed the day as we toured the bay — sailing out under the Golden Gate Bridge, back along the city front of S.F. and back under the Bay Bridge — Fantastic. Oh and yes we did find the «Troll» on the Bay Bridge. Thank you again Dan and Carol! Michele

I organized a high level corporate event and Carol and Captain Dan were consummate professionals and yet warm/​welcoming. The entire experience was fantastic from beginning to end. The food was delicious, the executives truly enjoyed themselves and we hope to have future team buildings with Sailing Caprice. Any family or friends who visit, I would love to share with them as well. This is my first Unilocal review but I just had to give them the highest of ratings! Thank you for everything. Melanie

Took family on a 4 hour sail around the Bay and under the GG Bridge. It was a marvelous experience and well worth the cost. Captain Dan and Carol are wonderful people who are not only very experienced sailors but also very knowledgable about the Bay and its environment. Caprice is a 38 foot cat that sails beautifully (even to windward) and very comfortably in the 25 knot winds that we had for most of the sail. I highly recommend chartering Caprice– something very different to do in this magnificent city. Ted from Florida

Went on a company outing with Sailing Caprice and they were amazing! The boat itself is beautiful. The layout allows you have to have 360 degree views even when sitting inside the cabinet.
Cpt Dan is a great captain who was able to sail us very smoothly around the bay. We got to see some amazing sites. In addition, his wife, the admirable, made us amazing hor doevres to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Would highly recommend pulling up the Spinniker as a team activity.

A warm and personal thank you to Dan and Carol for a fantastic day out on the bay during the Fleet Week Airshow. Our friends Klara and Steve invited us to join them for a few hours of fun on the bay. It turned out to be more than just a few hours and was absolutely gorgeous out the entire day. The airshow was the cherry on top of the cake!
I will forever remember Dan letting a few of us pilot the boat (in open waters of coarse.) getting the feel of how sailors feel at the helm. Thanks!!!
Also, they’re both very gracious letting us climb over most every inch of the catamaran. I can see how someone could sail around the world and still have the comforts of home.
We will be back for more and hope to see you both again very soon. Caprice and it’s owners are simply AMAZING!
Ken & Deedee Flauding

Fantastic experience. Just went out today on a corporate event and it was great.
You’ll meet Dan at his house (where you’ll be greeted by 2 cool dogs) and head out for the dock. He’s very knowledgeable and has very interesting stories. Carol prepared a feast that was far and beyond what was expected:
Appetizers (all homemade):
artichoke spread on toast
shrimp + horseradish sauce
salami & cheese wraps
Lunch (all homemade):
Tuna salad
Egg salad
Ham/​tritip + horseradish sauce
Quinoa
Feta cheese salad
Pretzel rolls, pita braed
Dessert:
Butterscotch liquer ice cream
The boat is very comfortable and more spacious than it looks on the outside. You’ll also get involved on deck with the sails and steering the boat, so it’s a helpful hands-​on sailing experience.
A great experience for all the senses.

Captain Dan and Carol were incredible from the first email and phone call. Their boat was even more amazing. I went through a long list of potential charters for my girlfriends birthday and the Sailing Caprice was the only one that truly stood out. They have an incredible 38 ft catamaran with a massive interior to hang out and lounge, as well as a big back deck to grill on and an exciting front end to ride the waves on. They were so accommodating — from helping to set up decorations to music to letting us try our hand at sailing and learning about the boat and how it works. Nicest people you’ll meet. They went above and beyond to make the evening special and I could not recommend them more highly — and I rarely feel strongly enough to make reviews! The Sailing Caprice is the only boat charter Id ever do again and again!

We love Dan and Carol!!! More than that, we really appreciated their attentiveness to making a special day of our friend’s 30^th birthday.
We met them on the dock and immediately saw how great the boat was going to be for our gathering of friends. The seating inside allows for 360 degree views while staying out of the elements, if one so desires. Then, when you’re feeling adventurous, you can grab a life jacket and experience the elements out in the front.
The ability to bring aboard treats to BBQ, cupcakes and beverages made for a festive event, and Dan’s openness to sharing his knowledge around sailing made it educational as well!
Note: it’s gets choppy out there, so be aware that you’re in for an adventure.

We were looking for a memorable 55^th Birthday for our Mother and we could not be happier with our decision to with Sailing Caprice. The wonderful hospitality that Captain Dan and Carol extended to us was unforgettable
Carol had prepared a light breakfast with coffee and juice for us along with a Happy Birthday Banner for our mom when we arrived and boarded they’re beautiful catamaran.
We left the dock around 10 AM and spend most of the day out on in the bay. Captain Dan navigated us under the Golden Gate, past the piers near Fisherman’s Wharf, around the Treasure Island, and back. Along the way Captain Dan pointed out several points of interest and was very knowledgeable about the bay.
We were late on arrival which was no problem for them as they had arranged the whole day for just us despite originally requesting just a 4 hour charter. There was no time where we felt like «just another paying customer».
I highly recommend booking with Sailing Caprice and will book with them if we go sailing again in the bay recommend them to all of our family and friends.
Thank You Captain Dan and Carol,
The Gray Family

Being a sailing instructor and captain, it’s a habit for me to always think about safety when I’m aboard a boat. Dan is a professional who runs a tight ship yet his down-​to-​earth charm makes it fun for everyone from old salts to novice sailors to landlubbers.
I went out aboard Caprice during the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75^th anniversary celebration. I spend a lot of time on the Bay but a nighttime cruise with the fireworks was a spectacle I’ll never forget. The wide cockpit of a catamaran is really the way to go for enjoying some time on the Bay. (Last weekend, I happened to hop aboard Caprice’s sistership — another Seawind 1160 — and she really is my favorite model catamaran.)
Even if you happen to have your own boat, I’d recommend thinking about hiring Dan. If you’re the skipper of your own boat, it’s quite challenging to safely handle the boat, keep a sharp eye out for other boats, entertain your guests, AND have fun. If you can, you’re a rare bird! I used to do that and would come home exhausted if it was a big spectator day on the Bay (Fleet Week, America’s Cup, Giants games).
Much more fun to take a break, enjoy your surroundings, enjoy your friends, and have someone else take the wheel who you trust. And, Dan (and Caprice) are about as safe as you can get. Dan sailed the boat from Oz via Alaska — and I wouldn’t be surprised if the waterline’s a half inch lower with all the safety gear he carries!

My wife and I hired the Caprice for an evening out on the bay to enjoy the spectacular 4^th of July Fireworks up close.
If you don’t read any further, you should know that the boat was great, and we had a lovely time.
I don’t know anything about boats, but this was a nice, clean, modern, safe, good sized vessel. My party of 10 had more than enough room to spread out and enjoy. The interior of the boat has a dining area with a lot of seating, it was great to have it for snacks and drinks.
The crew were all very nice and pleasant. They stayed focused on doing what they needed to do to keep us happy and safe, while my friends and I didn’t worry and just kind of hung out. They picked us up at the harbor of our choice, took us around Alcatraz (#awesome), enjoyed the fireworks, and were dropped off at the harbor of our choice.
The fireworks in the bay were AMAZING! We had the best view in the whole bay. We were right underneath them, in PRIME position. We made memories of a lifetime that night.
If you’re looking for a nice, clean, modern sailing experience around the bay area with an experienced and friendly crew — look no further than Captain Dan and the Caprice.

We had a great time on Caprice and learned so much from Captain Dan when we took the Cruising Catamaran class through Tradewinds Sailing Club. The Seawind cat is nicely appointed and a great vessel for learning or a day sail on the Bay.
Pick a warm sunny day for your cruise and you’ll (almost) feel like you’re in the Caribbean!