Sailing Charters in San Francisco on USA 76
ACsailingSF launched in 2011 by Brad and Karen Webb. Their goal is to provide guests with the ultimate sailing experience. Consistent winds, mild year-round temperatures, and spectacular scenery make San Francisco Bay one of the most iconic places in the world to sail. Many of the world’s greatest sailors and several America’s Cup Teams have found their beginnings in the Bay. USA 76 was San Francisco’s 2003 entry for the 31st America’s Cup. She was patriotically named and Brad Webb sailed with ORACLE as bowman.
In 2014, the ACsailingSF Team introduced TOMCAT, a ProSail40 to their fleet. This boat strengthened our America’s Cup connection in San Francisco and added another great way to experience the Bay. TOMCAT is named to honor Tom Blackaller’s legacy and his revolutionary ideas for professional sailing. With this addition, ACsailingSF now operates USA 76 & TOMCAT for public and private sailing charters and provides the most thrilling sailing experience in the world.
Our crew is ready to show you the San Francisco Bay
Our numerous crew come from all over the world and have a plethora of on-the-water interests. Some are swimmers, some paddleboard, others kayak or windsurf. We have boaters of all levels including skippers, instructors, captains, and even newbies. They’ve sailed small boats and big boats, power boats and race boats of all classes and sizes. We are proud to have a diverse crew and support them in their endeavors on and off the water. Get to know our crew better! Click on the pictures below then read their bios.
Meet the crew in person and book a trip or an event on USA 76 or TOMCAT
Ticketets for public charters are available four days a week, year round. Navigate to our Ticketed Trips page where you can find more information about these trips and purchase your ticket. We also offer Friday night racing in the summer and weekend racing in the winter. If you have any questions about our operations, trips, and crew, please reach out by phone or email.
Do you have a birthday, anniversary or a special occasion on the horizon? We are happy to help you make the event memorable by getting your crew out on the water. Looking for an event for your coworkers, team or clients? You are in luck! Uniquely crafted excursions for team building, corporate offsite events, company outings, special occasions, and private parties are our specialty. Book your corporate event or private party by contacting Warren Allan at Warren@ACsailingSF.com or (619) 630-6383.
“I started ACsailingSF because I love the America’s Cup arena and I want to share my experiences with a wider audience. I aim to inspire people to challenge themselves to be part of the crew, while enjoying the thrill of sailing an America’s Cup yacht on San Francisco Bay” – Brad Webb
Owner and Founder of ACsailingSF
Captain Jon Buser first learned to sail in single person dinghies on Northern California lakes. By the time he reached high school he was sailing every weekend on San Francisco Bay with the Richmond Yacht Club junior program. Jon received his first indoctrination to America's Cup sailing after college when he worked as crew aboard Stars and Stripes (USA-34) and Abracadabra (USA-54), both of which are used in charter operations in San Diego. Next the U.S. Coast Guard called and Jon served as a deck officer aboard polar capable ice breaking ships. These ships directly support scientific and national interests on oceans covered with 8+ feet of solid ice and are the only place where you should expect to hear a Captain order the ship to "back up and hit it again!" During this time, Jon had the unique experience of visiting both the geographic North Pole and Antarctica. All the while, Jon has maintained his passion for sailing and since 2000, he has lead group sailing expeditions to destinations including Croatia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, California, and the Pacific Northwest.
Jon recently returned to the Bay Area to join the ACsailingSF team after completing a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University. Jon holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100 Ton Master's License with sailing endorsement.
Captain and General Manager
Years Sailing?
I’ve been sailing for 23 years. I started sailing Lasers in 1994 and I’m have a USCG 100-ton Master's.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
The SF Bay is special because of its “treasures” like The Bay Bridge Troll, Salmon Sharks, and that albino Harbor Porpoise
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
September 25th, 2013 marked the end of the 34th America’s Cup and 53 consecutive days on the water for me!
Captain and Operations Manager
Years Sailing?
I’ve been sailing since 1993. As a sales & marketing professional, I do most of my driving from the desk. However, using a 42 ft. Catalina as ‘committee boat’ while I conducted over 950 corporate sailing regatta events, I learned to ‘solo’ that baby pretty well.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
It has a reputation as a fantastic place to race yachts and USA 76 is right at home here. Those consistent conditions help us to deliver the excitement that guests expect from a big America’s Cup race yacht.
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
My favorite America’s Cup moment happened on USA 76 on March 6, 2016. We had just won a local race and continued out to the Golden Gate into an approaching ‘front’. A few minutes later we hit 19.7 knots riding a wave under the gate as we returned to the Bay - very exciting!
Sales
Years Sailing?
I've been sailing on San Francisco Bay for 5 years. I have a 6-pack Captain's License and I'm an ASA certified instructor. I'm also an avid racer and in 2016 my team won the RORC Islands in the Stream Series with a 3rd place finish in during the Miami to Havana Race.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge day in and day out never ceases to amaze me. We are surrounded by iconic sights on SF Bay and so lucky to have the opportunity to sail past them every day.
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
I was in San Francisco for the 2013 America's Cup. I had the opportunity to meet Luna Rossa’s Team and see the yachts being broken down to ship back home - the wings were enormous! It was my first introduction to the Regatta - little did I know that 5 years later I’d be crewing on an America's Cup yacht!
Crew and Marketing
Years Sailing?
I have 15 years of small boat racing experience and just completed 1st Season in SF Bay. US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat Instructor, US Sailing Judge.
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
Come on, we all know it was the 2013 comeback!
Crew
Years Sailing?
Growing up on the Great Lakes I was raised in Coast Guard City USA. I leisurely sailed on the lakes but it wasn’t until I graduated from Michigan State University that I decided to crew on super-yacht sailboats and spent the next 5 years sailing different parts of the world. I have a USCG 100 ton Masters License w/ the Sailing Endorsement. America's Cup J-Class Regatta Participant. St. Barth's Bucket 1st Place. Newport World's 3rd Place.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
The fact that almost every day the breeze turns on, which makes for consistent sailing and kiteboarding! The landscape setting is surreal and Alcatraz makes it eerie on those foggy days.
Crew
Years Sailing?
Since around 1984 Teaching Sailing Lazers and Drascome Longboats in South of France. Since 1991 I’ve been a RYA Sailing Instructor and won #40 Long Board Division 1 Race (Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz finish Berkeley).
What Makes SF Bay Special?
Just the amazing Wind and Fog for about 8-9 months a year. Every day is a great challenge to sail with tides, freighters, windsurfers, and kiteboarders.
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
I loved watching the Cup from the window in McDonald's above Presidio Park. Then following the yachts, which looked bigger than apartment blocks, fly past me in the marina.
Crew
Years Sailing?
I started sailing in sunny San Diego freshman year of high school (2006). Been sailing and racing in San Francisco since 2015.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
Where to begin! As a breed San Diegan, the consistently strong breeze is always a reminder of the power of mother nature. As an architectural designer during the week, the city skyline is always a treat.
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
2013 Super Yacht Regatta between America's Cup races. Humbling experience to have 6,000 square feet of sail area and be considered a 'small' vessel.
Crew
Years Sailing?
I started sailing in Massachusetts when I was very little, and have been sailing on the Bay for 4 years now. I have my level one US Sailing instructor certification and I have crewed in the NOODS J70 fleet regatta two years in a row.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
The wind. I have sailed in many places in America as well as the Caribbean, but nothing compares to the Bay. Looking at the city from the water always offers a stunning view.
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
I was at the 2017 and 2013 America's Cup in Bermuda and San Francisco, but I have to say my favorite moment was being in San Francisco watching Oracle sail by.
Crew
Years Sailing?
I've been sailing for 22 years, teaching for 15, and sailing SF Bay for 6 years. I’m a US Sailing Dinghy Instructor, Keelboat Instructor, Powerboat Instructor with a USCG 100 ton Masters License. I took 2nd Place during the 2014 Disabled Nationals and won 4th Place during the Blind Sailing World Championships as a sighted guide 2015.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
I love all the ways that different people use the SF Bay: for transportation, recreation, people making a living. Also, seeing this beautiful Bay from the perspective of the water is something you can't do in most cities.
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
The 2013 edition in SF was pretty special. I was teaching kids to sail from Treasure Island and we basically got a fly by anytime we went out sailing. I also crewed aboard a replica of the boat that started it all - “America” (a 139-foot yacht that won the historic, Royal Yacht Squadron’s “100 Guinea Cup” race around the Isle of Wight in 1851 - the original “America’s Cup”)!
Crew
Years Sailing?
I’ve been sailing on SF Bay since 1997. I am a certified sailing instructor for ASA, US Sailing, RPBA, and US Powerboating. I have my USCG Master License and I’ve been crew on many numerous Rolex Big Boat Series winners, Charleston Race Week Division and Overall, Pacific Cup Division and Overall, Heineken Race Week Division.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
There is always something new on the Bay. It’s an iconic wind and current venue complete with seals, sea lions, porpoises and whales!
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
During the "Summer of Sailing” in 2013 I ran VIP boats for Oracle Team USA and logged 60+ days on the water. I was in on a Protector with Gavin Newsom as Oracle Team USA won the match!
Crew
Years Sailing?
Since age 4. I won college nationals, coached junior nationals winners, taught oh so many young and old to love the wind and water and 100-ton Captain.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
Consistent strong winds, challenging currents and never-get-old views everywhere you look.
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
Watching the oracle team come back from behind from the top of yellow bluff with my kids (at the very end of captaining a spectator boat for 220 back to back sails!)
Crew
Years Sailing?
I’ve been sailing for 32 years with stints in Annapolis, Chicago, Newport, Auckland, the Jersey Shore, and the Bay Area. I’m a US Sailing Basic Keelboat Instructor, Founder of Group Experiential Learning, a sailboat-based team building company. Avid racer- past winner of Rolex BBS, Newport/Bermuda, top-masters V15NA's.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
Consistent breeze, tricky currents, amazing views and a great community of sailors.
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
I spent 6 months in Auckland working on the Race Committee for the 2002-2003 Louis Vuitton Challenger Series and then aboard the Base Club's spectator yacht during the Cup itself. Loved watching USA 76 then, love sailing her now.
Crew
Crew
Years Sailing?
I’ve been sailing for 16 years including 8 years in SoCal and 8 years here in SF. I am a US Sailing Level 1 Instructor, US Powerboating Instructor, and the Waterfront Director at the St. Francis Yacht Club.
What Makes SF Bay Special?
There is always a breathtaking view no matter what direction you face.
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
I worked on the Super Yacht Docks during the 2013 America’s Cup. I loved watching the boats fall off their foils just as they crossed the finish line then head straight towards the hospitality loading docks - where I was spectating from!
Crew
Years Sailing?
Have been sailing for over 25 years - was hooked from my first sail. I grew up sailing in Ireland and participated in 100's of races over the years on boats of all sizes and managed to win a few along the way!
What Makes SF Bay Special?
The wind, the sunsets on the evening sails and all the iconic landmarks that seem to be everywhere you look!
Favorite America’s Cup moment?
The first leg of the last race of the 2013 cup - seeing both boats screaming along so close with so much on the line was an amazing sight.
Volunteer Crew
Crew