Relocating to SoCal to liveaboard - have a catch 22...

[windward54]

Zeehag has it right, especially regarding Long Beach. Long Beach will allow you to transfer a slip, but only for six months. You get to go on a waiting list and you have to hope your name comes up within that six month window. If it doesn't, you are expected to move your vessel out. During that time you can't do a liveaboard either. With Long Beach, you have to be in the slip, and then you can go on the liveaboard waiting list.

[chriscross80]

Originally Posted by waterandwine

Here is the catch-22 I am having so far - you need to apply for a slip and LAB much in advance of getting said slip, but you need a boat (pics and insurance, etc.) before you can apply, which I obviously don't have.

It could take years to get a liveaboard slip. Wait lists are long in SoCal!

[sww914]

Most of you won't believe this, but Ensenada feels a LOT safer than most of socal.

[sww914]

Has anybody ever tried bribing a marina manager? I wonder if $500.00 or so might make him accidentally drop the stack of applications and accidentally pile yours on top accidentally...

[Wcoast sailor]

There are lots of slips available in San Diego for over 34'. I have a 30' Catalina and it is in a 34' slip as there a lot of 34 and over available. Live aboard ones aren't as plentiful. Like others are advising call the marinas and get on a list. I don't have the web sit available in front of me but there is one that lists ALL the marinas in the San Diego area, including Mission Bay. Good luck in your endeavor.

[tomperanteau]

Originally Posted by mikel1

Speaking of Wilmington . . . San Pedro ...look up a marina called Newmarks . . . not 4 stars but more of a "liberal" attitude . . .

Mike,

You know of Newmark's? That's where we have our slip, and I agree that they tend to tolerate more than others might. We've been there for over a year now, and we really enjoy the rustic atmosphere. If I were a betting man, I would bet that there are at least a few down there that keep a low profile because they might stay a bit more than the three days a week they are allotted. I'll never tell. What I can tell, is that we have not met anyone that is not really nice. Most everyone watches out for you and your boat. If you're working on something, someone will always stop by for a chat and to offer help/advice.

This is our third marina. We started at Dana Point and liked it there, but when they did not have a slip for our latest boat, we had to look elsewhere. We're glad we did and would not go back to marinas where the people frown on a sailor working on his own boat.

[Brewgyver]

You mentioned that your range included Ventura. Check Ventura West Marina, it's pretty fair sized (~250 slips) and has a 50% liveaboard cap. I have no idea if they currently have slips big enough. The drive time from their to Chapman wouldn't be any worse than the San Diego option (depending on traffic, as ALWAYS in SoCal). I've been in VWM for 6 months, it's VERY nice!

[larrybme]

Quite possibly a slip for a boat over 40ft does have a bit of a waiting list. I am looking for a boat in the 36ft range. With the exception of Shoreline Marina in Long Beach, Dana Point and Oceanside, there are seems to be slips readily available everywhere with no waiting for liveaboard status. Plenty in the Wilmington/San Pedro area. Let us know how your search for a slip in the over 40' range is working out for you.

[xymotic]

My only advice is that if you are looking for a slip in California avoid any marina run by Almar. They are genuinely horrible people.

[chriscross80]

Originally Posted by Wcoast sailor

I don't have the web sit available in front of me but there is one that lists ALL the marinas in the San Diego area, including Mission Bay.

Try Marinas.com