Reading recommendations for off shore cruising knowledge

Charlie's Charts.
Really, I get what you are saying and I would put myself in a similar experience level.
I really think you have the skills needed.
Provision, plan for weather, plan for tide, plan B and like you are planning, take baby steps. Trouble is there are no baby steps out of the Gate as far as I can imagine. Our boats, Navigator and Carver need all the skill and seamanship we can muster whilst offshore, ask Capt Ralph

One of the concerns for your area is that you are going from relatively calm, protected waters into some of the rougher bodies of water there are. Unfortunately you don't really have an option for something in between to get used to. I would encourage you to try to fully understand the capabilities of your boat and do lots of weather checking before venturing out. I think others are trying to send you some not so subtle hints that Carver's are not known to be the best seakeeping hulls. So do your research and please be safe. I think going with a group is a great idea. Also, if you have no big water experience, you might consider hiring a more experienced Captain to help you gain some experience. Even if for just a day trip or two.

We've heard a lot of the west coast trepidation. Many who boat in the Puget Sound area and even go inside as far as SE Alaska, never venture down the coast. Our first day boating in the PNW was coming out of Gray's Harbor and the waves were over 10'. However, they were swells, not wind waves and long periods. Still different than our norm. Out of curiosity, I just looked at what you'd face if you exited the bay right now. 4' at 9 seconds, but the wind portion of that is only 1' at 3 seconds. There's a 3' at 8 seconds swell from the West and a 2' at 15 seconds from the South. I would consider the conditions to be relatively mild for an experienced west coast cruiser and a bit frightening for a bay cruiser.

So, a couple of ideas. The experienced captain Dockmaster suggested is a great idea. I'd even suggest it on a day like today as it would be a great time to learn the difference in wave behaviors and how your boat handles them.

Second, recognize boat limitations. A 51' Carver is not a great seakeeping boat, not a cruise the world type boat. On the other hand, there are a lot of good weather days off the west coast it could handle. If you want to cruise regularly from Alaska to Mexico, it's not the boat to have. However, for the good weather cruise up or down the coast with short runs it is capable.

That brings to the next point. Start following the conditions off the coast. Regularly look at sites like windy. Look at advisories. See the good and the bad. Think about your boat and the conditions.

Then plan a short trip north or south, preferably with a captain the first time. Maybe north to Bodega Bay or south to Santa Cruz. All short runs and easily within very predictable weather windows. Pick ideal conditions and if conditions aren't there, postpone. Same on return trip. Be prepared to wait weather out. Those trips will introduce you to coastal cruising. That's all it is, just many of those. You can cruise the entire coast on easy one day trips. The challenge is finding weather windows that fit your boat and cruising style. You can cruise from San Francisco to Portland Oregon without every making a run over 115 nm. You just can encounter rough bar crossings but the CG is very good with information at each and the key is don't go out on a day that will present a round entry later. Same going South but not the same difficult bars or inlets.

In a large capable boat we might run straight from San Francisco to San Diego. However, it can be a series of short runs and is for most boats. Even when doing it as one long run though we always know the short runs as we always have escape plans. We run outside on the east coast, often long distances, but we know everywhere in between that we could enter safely. Running outside on the west coast for you will never be 600 mile runs but always 50-100 mile runs, just can be an infinite number of them strung together.

I'd suggest you start by identifying every port on the west coast within 300 or 400 miles of you. Then start following conditions. Read what you can about those areas. Then decide how adventurous you want to be. If you then try it and like it, your next boat may be more seaworthy. If you try it and don't like it, enjoy boating inside in the bay, in the delta.

All of the above advice is right on point. Weather/sea conditions are critical. This has been an unusually windy season along the entire coast. There have been some decent weather windows depending if your heading North or South, but long periods of excessive wind with the associated wind wave activity. The are several popular weather apps often mentioned such as Windy, Windfinder, SailFlow, etc. If you are not comfortable with these, there are commercial sites offering weather services such as Commanders Weather.

Another consideration when venturing out the Golden Gate is tide. You will generally find conditions the calmest at slack tide following a flood or incoming tide. I know that is pretty basic stuff, but when crossing the bar, conditions can change dramatically depending on tidal flow and wind conditions.

A good first cruise would be Half Moon Bay (Pilar Point Marina). Only about a 20 nm run, but it will give you a taste of coastal cruising. You will find decent restaurants within walking distance. I would also suggest contacting some local Bay Area yacht clubs. I'm sure some organize group cruises to places you would find interesting.

Or take a week or two and go to Half Moon and then on to Santa Cruz Harbor. Not far from home, easy cruises, but you could experience ocean cruising. Turn the 20 nm to 30 or more if conditions are good just by running a little further off shore than necessary or taking time offshore near San Francisco just to get that view.

Do you have stabilizers? I ask because they are a huge difference maker for ocean cruising while not as needed inside. It's often the difference in seasickness and in the willingness of some to go again.

Hi Rusty , I have a similar boat, older 42' Ocean Yachts Sunliner (not the Sportfish but aft cabin model) I to have to pick my weather windows as she is not the best sea boat. Keep in mind you maybe able to get to your chosen destination with sunny skies and light winds but you have to also keep in mind the return trip back home. like the old adage '' What a difference a day makes'' can and will come into play sometimes.
You may get there, but it could blow a day or two and keep you from leaving to get home.
This happened to me last year. Took and nice 16 mile ride across the mouth of Delaware bay where it meets the ocean to a nice spot on the Delaware side for lunch, music and beverages. Perfect weather over. Original plan was just a day trip. But a few drinks , nice weather , etc. we decided to stay over for the night. I really didn't check the weather for the following day, kind of took a glance at it. Though to myself it wont be too bad tomorrow forecast was cloudy with a chance of showers winds 10-20 mph.
Well next day we tried to cross back over to New Jersey . Bay was ugly . Opposing wind blowing more like 30 + and strong current= short tall chop. We tried but the bottom(water) was dropping out from under the boat even at idle RPM. Slam,slam,and shake. Not good.
My thin boat can not take that abuse.
So we stayed another day and went home on Monday, work day for most of us. So missing work was kind of a drag for some of us.

Just keep in mind the return trip home. You can do it. Enjoy.

It is a challenging area to boat. When we first ventured out we were fairly disappointed in the towns / marinas that were close by. I remember beating our way to bodgea bay in 5-6’ swells ( technically not a bad day) only to be disappointed by the town.

Eventually we moved the boat to San Diego were the weather was 5x better. Most swells were 2-4’ or flat. And easy cruising to Mission Bay, Catalina, Newport Beach, etc. The wife and kids loved this location.

Cannot stop laughing............