The floating campgrounds I mentioned before were at Lake Oroville in an area called Potter Cove, which was north of the dam. I'm not sure if they're still there or not. They were run by the state and you had to reserve about 5 or 6 weeks in advance. There were four of them and they cost $26 a day. We used to split the cost between about 8 people. My wife and I slept on the M-15 tied up to the platform, while everyone else set up tents on the upper deck or spread out sleeping bags on the lower deck. The platforms were 24 by 26 feet with a full upper deck. There was a chemical toilet in an enclosed room, a lockable storage/changing room, a gas bbq grill, a picnic table, a sink with running water (which was replenished by a boat that also emptied the chemical toilet. I hope they used separate tanks). There were lockable cabinets and lots of hooks for hanging things like lanterns. We used to take plastic tarps and hang them from the upper deck to enclose the lower deck on three sides. That made it nice and cozy in the evening. Like I say, I don't know if these floating campsites are still there, but if you are interested, you could call the state reservation number and check. If they've been discontinued, it would be a shame because they were such a nice camping and boating experience. As far as boating in the San Francisco bay with an M15, I have been in just about all parts of the bay in just about all weather conditions. I never felt safer in anything on the bay, including naval destroyers. All you need is reefing and warm clothes. The boat handles waves and deflects spray better than most boats three times its size. I wouldn't go out under the Golden Gate bridge unless I had thoroughly studied the tide tables though, because those currents are higher that the hull speed and the winds can be very tricky at the gate. Some of the good sails are from the Richmond marina to Sausolito, or from San Francisco to Alameda, or from San Francisco to San Leandro. Those routes keep you away from Alcatraz and its winds and currents. All in all, the M-15 should be able to handle anything the bay can dish out. It's one of the most dry and seaworthy boats I've ever had the pleasure to sail. For the beginner, it would be a good idea to join the Potter Yachters and go with the group on some of their trips out on the bay and other nearby locations. They take trips to lakes and also do cruises around the bay. Some of their trips included launching in Vallejo and sailing to Napa and starting at the launch ramp near hwy 12 and sailing up the Petaluma river for lunch in Petaluma. Of all the weather conditions I've sailed in with the M-15 the only thing that has bothered me is cold. I've been out a few times with clothing not suited to the wind chill. Now, we always carry warm clothes and foul weather gear. When it's you and the M-15 against the world, the world cries uncle. I hope everyone can have experiences as good as I've had on our 15. It never ceases to amaze and delight me. Bill Day -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 267.3.0 - Release Date: 5/30/05