Mooring in Harbor vs Trailer Storage?

[firedan5415]

I'm hoping someone can give me some useful information on the subject. I'm looking to buy a Catalina 27, and it's a big boat to trailer. I'm unsure of what is actually involved in the mooring of the boat.

The Harbor would be Port San Luis (Avila Beach).

It gets pretty rough during the winter, and boats have washed up to shore!

What kind of upkeep is required to keep growth/mussels off?
How can I protect the boat during the winter?
What else is involved?

Can someone fill me in, I'd appreciate it!

[tager]

Judging by google maps with no knowledge of local tides, weather, currents, or swell, it looks pretty exposed. There are boats out there, but they don't look very safe.

Max width for CA is 8.5 feet but your boat is probably 8.83'. Trailering may require you to get a permit every time you trailer the boat. If you live close to the lift, you might be able to get away with trailering it without the permit. It will cost about $300 each time you trailer the boat to get her splashed and lifted.

Antifouling paint allows you to avoid marine fouling on the hull. The mooring will probably get some growth.

If you go for the mooring, use good sized gear, and maintain it.

She will last a lot longer, and be more well maintained on the trailer.

Have you considered morro bay? Might be better.

[firedan5415]

I'm also looking at a Clipper Marine with a trailer, but I have my heart set on the Catalina 27 without one. I live in Avila Beach, so it would be convenient to have my boat near me. I'm concerned about the cost of the mooring, maintenance, etc. My local harbor has a water taxi that would be relatively easy to get out to my boat.

I would consider Morro Bay, but it's really a drive and probably would turn into a hassle.

[CaptKermie]

If you are trying to be that freakin frugal get something with a trailer that you can haul out yourself every winter and launch back in every spring. You cannot have everything, life is full of compromises. You will need anti-fouling for mooring as it only takes a few weeks to get growth on the bottom. If you like the Catalina, get a trailer for it. I don't know about California but where I am it is only about$15-$20 for a permit for over width trailers. It sounds like you have financial concerns with every aspect of owning a boat, if that is the case perhaps a boat is not the best idea. Leaving your boat exposed through winter is a sure way to lose it. There is no shortage of boats lost from moorings even in summer if the winds really kick up.

[sailingdog]

If you can't comfortably afford the costs of storing and berthing a boat, then buying one is probably a really bad idea. That said, is there any particular reason you need to be in that harbor? That harbor doesn't look like it has much in the way of protection or facilities.

Morro Bay, which is only about 40 miles or so away, is probably a far better place to keep the boat, since it is very well sheltered.