The Oracle Racing USA-14, Larry Ellison's America's Cup-winning yacht, arrived in San Francisco at Pier 80 on Monday. "The device to catch the wind is called a wing, and is so efficient it can allow the boat to sail 2.5 times the wind speed," notes photographer Alan Grinberg. "It's 'wing' is so tall (223 feet) that the boat could not sail under the Golden Gate Bridge without modification. The next generation America's Cup boats is called the AC72, a somewhat smaller version of the hi-tech sailing machine, but this one will be a catamaran, using only 2 hulls instead of the 3 shown here." more ›

Firefighters are at the scene of a reported boat fire on Pier 45. The call came in a little after 6 a.m. (Speaking of boats, do any of you fine readers live on one? If so, what's it like? Do you rent? Can you throw fancy yacht parties? Do you vomit often? Is there a freaky people-who-live-on-a-boat culture we don't know about? We're dying to know more.) more ›

Suck it, Newport, Rhode Island. San Francisco has been chosen to host the next America's Cup. Our fair city was chosen much in part due to our "natural amphitheater" in which spectators can watch the 72-foot catamarans sail by for free from countless places from the Golden Gate Bridge to Treasure Island, such as parks, high-rises, and city streets, providing the first opportunity of its kind in decades. more ›

A man and a woman who were crab fishing off of Bodega Bay on Sunday morning were thrown overboard after a large wave hit their 15-foot boat. They were both wearing life jackets and made it to shore on their own. Capt. Todd Rollings of the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District told the Press Democrat that a Good Samaritan had already given the two blankets before rescue personnel made it to the scene. The couple were released unharmed, aside from being very cold and wet, of course. more ›

The contest to become the host of the 2013 America's Cup is down to two finalists. According to the sailboat-happy Chronicle Valencia, Spain has dropped out, which leaves San Francisco and an "undisclosed Italian port" still in the running. more ›

We've noted before that, amid concerns over the city plans to use "the people's money so that a billionaire can have his yacht race," Supervisor Chris Daly wasn't keen on San Francisco's plan to bring the America Cup here. Now, according to SF Appeal, Daly will take it one step further, using the California Environmental Quality Act to red-tape the entire race. more ›

"It's a billionaire's regatta. Why are we going out to raise $270 million for Larry fucking Ellison?" asked Supervisor Chris Daly at a recent press conference. What's he talking about? This: San Francisco's plan to raise $270 million so that Larry Ellison and his BMW Oracle racing team will select S.F. as the next city to host the America's Cup. And Daly is none too thrilled, saying that the city is "using the people's money so that a billionaire can have his yacht race." more ›

A U.S. Coast Guard search is underway after a woman sent out a distress call on Monday night just off the coast of Tiburon. "Minutes before 10 p.m., Coast Guard Chief Donald Newton said personnel heard the potentially distressed female over a marine radio channel," reports BCN (via SF Appeal) "There was a female saying 'Listen to me, listen to me,' followed by a pause, then 'hello,' another pause, and '10-4, I have mayday.'" Two Coast Guard vessels are still out in the waters looking for the unidentified female. more ›

Named after the last Aztec Emperor Cuauhtémoc who was captured and killed way back in 1525, the arrived in San Francisco today. Weighing a massive 1,800 tons and measuring 220 ft., the tall ship, which is used as a sail training vessel for the Mexican Navy, will be docked at Pier 27 and open for visitors through July 17. (Hours are 1 p..m - 5 p.m. for today, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. for the rest of the week.) more ›

While we're soft on retail chains opening shop on Valencia, there would be a hair-pulling match tot he death if someone dared suggest removing the houseboats that line Mission Creek. You know, right across from that Mission Bay condomegaplex? They're gorgeous. And unique. And precious. And today, Curbed has a brilliant gallery of the boats. They boats underwent a facelift over the last few years, so they're worth a second look. And we wish there were more of them along the creek. Anyway, you can check them out right over here. more ›