[WHOOSH]

Hi, Dave...

Latitude 38 has published all kinds of info relevant to your questions; if you''re not already an avid reader, try to dig up some back issues and begin refreshing yourself on their coverage of marinas, etc. I''d suggest you also search their back issue content at www.latitude38.com.

Essentially, you''ll find it cold to live aboard and would find it most desireable to have a vented heat source, either an Espar-type forced air type or a radiating heater like Force 10 or Dickinson makes. I''m sure many make do with electric heat (and no doubt pay for an installed heater in a year or two...). Hypervent may be something you want to consider placing under your berth(s), at least during cold stretches, to avoid condensation and mold.

There are marinas of every stripe on the Bay, including some who willingly accept liveaboards and some who outlaw them. Space is at a premium (hard to find, hard to pay for!) and especially so when you think about where you''d like to have the boat located re: weather and weekend sailing. There are many ''sneakaboards'' there, simply due to liveaboard restrictions. I would recommend you consider this a major research project, the efforts of which will pay off well. Were I you, I''d bomb up there on I-5 for a stay and buzz around all I could, talking with the obvious liveaboards in marinas of interest to see what their experience has been.

Getting around Conception can be a big task, as well as dealing with the fog when you get a break from the wind. Cojo is a common fisherman ''sheltering spot'' and your basic strategy will be to wait weather, copy every f''cast you can get your hands on, and then boogie when the going looks good. Since your boat is smaller and not optimum for the heavy windward work you could face - and your engine is small for an all-out ''engine assault'' on the coast - you''ll need to be crafty about where and when you hop. You''ve got some great stops along the way, too - don''t forget to enjoy the ride!

Good luck on the passage. Sounds like a big change is a''coming - hope it works out well for you.

Jack