We laid the charts on the table and he started rattling off information, much of which would be difficult or impossible to find in charts, weather maps or guidebooks. He suggested we leave early, because the winds blow up in the afternoon, and pointed out a few places where we could expect strong gusts. Watch the sailboats to see who is reefed, he said. He also pointed out some rocks that, though charted, were not always visible on the water. And he warned me off a few harbors with tricky entrance channels, which he said were not worth the effort. He also gave me a few words–these I had heard before–about having some real respect for fog and to take it seriously in shipping lanes and everywhere else.

As expected, the fog came late, covering the hills and the Golden Gate (left). But we were already headed home.

Not only was I listening, I took notes. High school would have gone much more smoothly had this been our routine.

Armed with some good information, I also recruited a crew. Had it just been the two of us out for a day sail, this might have been unnecessary. But with children, more hands help a great deal. Thankfully, finding a crew was easy, because my brother-in-law and his girlfriend live in the Bay area and they love to get on the water.

But I will say this: choose the people you go to sea with very carefully. Boats are small and you will be spending a lot of time together. Make sure that their idea of fun–and seamanship–at least somewhat resemble your own. I was once stuck in the Virgin Islands for a week with a family who relentlessly played Trivial Pursuit. The first game was fun, but as the games continued, I started to twitch. On that same trip, one of the guys decided he would go for a swim just as we began the anchor drill and jumped over the side without telling anyone his intentions. I jolted up, ready to do my man overboard routine before realizing what had happened.

One good way to test potential crewmates is to take them on your boat for a casual outing or two. If you find you are compatible, the odd are that your charter will go smoothly.

THE SHAKEDOWN

The most important preparation is generally something you cannot do in advance: the shakedown that takes place when you board the boat. The company we used was very accommodating as I went over safety gear and electronics, engine and panels. I fired everything up, shut it down and then brought it back up again. I learned the location of the batteries and thru-hulls, made sure the water tanks were full and the waste tank was empty and made sure I knew where the gear was stored. I also tested the bow thruster.

It is tempting to arrange to be alone on the boat for the shakedown, because it can be difficult to go over everything with a boat full of people. But it is imperative that the crew know everything too, and so we plowed through it, filling out the company's checklist to ensure the boat had the proper gear aboard.

Soon enough we were underway, and not long after that I was heading into those large rollers. I went past the Gate for a bit, and safely turned around. As I expected, the boat began to yaw with the waves behind her, and I throttled and steered until I found a groove that worked. It wasn't long before we were back through the Golden Gate and into the waters of the Bay which, at that moment, were far calmer. Ahead of us was Alcatraz, and a day that included a stop on Angel Island before heading in to beat the wind, darkness and fog.

I reached for the cell phone and called my dad.