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Considering - San Diego from Seattle

3K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  imagine2frolic 
#1 ·
Having being a victim in the economic freeze (which is a direct by product of the Seattle freeze if you ask me)... I am thinking of just hocking everything - keep my Airstream - my boat and move down back to San Diego. I used to live there when I was in my military youth - somehow - the fact its always above 50 degrees and well - just a different place than Seattle... any advice... I'll be sailing down and try and fool friends to drive my RV down... Looks like the only live aboards areas are in the Chula Vista area now a days...Advice from the locals?
 
#4 ·
Shelter Island area has one new marina that just opened. All the marinas in harbor island and shelter Island have quite a few live aboards. You might get a slip then in a year be able to get live aboard status. You do have a motor home. Chula Vista is less expensive.
 
#5 ·
Friends just did the PNW-Mexico jaunt - took their time and discovered many of the hideyholes along the way... if you've got the time perhaps that's the way to go.

Too bad, if you do go, I think you've been an asset to the Seattle sailing scene!
 
#7 ·
Just thinking of options. Trying to make a go of the - re-invent yourself. I think coupled with the fact that mid-life crisis thing (turn 40 here in another week) - loss of major thing I have been doing for awhile (but knew it would come to end eventually - just thought it would my decision). So, it is kinda one of those moments where you start thinking of the options.

David - the moorage fees in SD are par with what I pay here in Seattle actually. And thanks - I'll miss ya too if that is where I go.


It is not a time based rush decision, things change as quickly as the changes that cause one to change... (tongue teaser there)...Just reality gets in the way of the fanciful life thing - and probably doesn't help that I am not sailing right now (week number two of umpteen on the rigging)...I was kinda surprised my response to someone that volunteered their boat to go sailing and my reply was "I just really want to sail mine - I need to know I am in control of something". Which somewhat describes why maybe many of us do sail - as it is certainly not a hobby of definitive instant gratification (ie: usually small on space, victim of tides and currents, and certainly not a point A to point B - NOW kinda thing)...

So, I am just looking into it as I figure in three months if the tides do not change - I'll have to grapple the reality that life often is. Luckily - between the boat and the Airstream - I have options as they are paid for (as well as everything else that will never fit between the both of them)... I think as part of the mid-life crisis and grappling with the un-easiness I feel currently - maybe the change of pace is needed and the fact that if I just do - then things will be different because they are forced to.

Bolter: Shelter Island - access in and out of the cove to the Pacific is governed by bridges yes? I am doing the research of areas and with a mast height of 52' - that is a consideration...

At any rate (and thanks Faster btw)... time will tell - just mulling things and doing the required research. When I lived in San Diego I was military and always loved the culture, access to beaches, mountains, deserts, etc... but I never boated there. Done the RV thing a few times but they were always usually at Pismo (sp) or Newport Beach... Can't really sell the RV as I want back-up number two in case something ever happens to the boat... Realistically thinking - its kinda mobile real estate that at any time I can get my money back out of (which is why I own the Airstream to begin with)...

At any rate - considering things, there are maybe some options here in Seattle that'll keep me here - but as with all things you do when you do the re-invent - "It takes time" and not quite sure time will be as friendly as it has been in the past...
 
#8 ·
No bridges in San Diego Bay , except Coronado Bridge which must have 200 ft clearence. Shelter island is in san diego bay. Now, Mission Bay where sea world is , does have many bridges. There are some slips outside of the first bridge, but mission bay is officially "NO LIVE ABOARDS".
 
#9 ·
Jody,

With you teaching me the basics of sailing and all, I figure I owe you more than a few beers. If you decide to head south and need an RV driver I might be able to help. I've made the trip a few times and have driven plenty of trucks with trailers..

On another note, hopefully I'll be able to crew again soon. Have had a series of midterms and have gotten involved with the school sailing organization. Pretty busy lately.

Eric
 
#11 ·
Two years ago the Harbor Island and Shelter Island marinas were full. It's different now - for example, there are now ten empty 32 foot slips on my dock in Harbor Island. Larger slips are in shorter supply, however there is a new marina on Shelter Island that has just opened with 40 foot plus slips. Chula Vista marinas are less expensive than Harbor or Shelter Islands, but it's about a three hour sail to get out from the bay into the ocean from there. San Diego weather is tough to beat for year-round sailing!
 
#13 ·
Hey Jody,

Sounds like we are on the same path...we are just waiting for the house to sell and I think we are good to go...but who knows how long that will take. :(

We sold our boat in the PNW and are gonna buy down in the SD area. Went down for the boat show and to check our marinas...I think Chula Vista works best for us..yes a little further away but quiet and relaxing...prices werent all that out of line. I was paying $450 month on Vancouver Island for a 36ft and it looks like $602 for a 43ft in Chula Vista (liveaboard fee $250)

Great town and I cant think of a better place to keep the boat....good luck
 
#15 · (Edited)
Eric said:
With you teaching me the basics of sailing and all, I figure I owe you more than a few beers. If you decide to head south and need an RV driver I might be able to help.
Eric - I hear ya, will be delighted to see you back in action on HG... good luck with finishing up. And, I'll keep that in mind (still have to sort all those things out a establish a timeline). BTW - glad you got something out of the experience - you'll never owe me anything, simply when you get your own boat and start doing - do the same and pay forward - that is what sailing is all about IMHO.

Sab said:
Sounds like we are on the same path...we are just waiting for the house to sell and I think we are good to go...but who knows how long that will take. :(
Sab- thanks, you know that was what I came out with as well on the cost analysis. Chula Vista - I am glad has remained like it has for the years. One of the nicer things about the whole San Diego area is that it has drastically improved since I was last living there in the 80's. I was down there last year when I had to do a tech conference and drove the Airstream down (during the big wildfire at that) - I was simply amazed at the renovations SD had done with the waterfront and the city in general. Didn't experience the smog that was present back in the 80's even with the wildfires going. I think SD is one of the less known "activity filled" waterfronts and beautifully landscaped (well they do not get the credit they deserve I think - beats Seattle by a mile or so I think). All things considered - definitely can get that free tanning done down there.

How is the new boat purchase coming along - btw? Consider renting in the meantime and hire a property manager. It is going to to be tough selling right now but rent market is still strong. My view on that is - if you have been sitting on property for the last 6 months on the market - it is easier to to sell to an investor (which are the only real folks purchasing currently) if there is an active tenant and therefore a source of income).

The housing market in Seattle will hit even lower in the next 6-8 months with all the lay-offs occurring in the area(s). If you can swing the renting - at least you can hold onto the assett until the economy in the area (I give it 1.5 yrs before it first starts a liberally moderate but not as much of one as wanted - uptick).

david said:
Jody.. I hate to say it, but your boat is worth a lot more up here than down there....
David - not quite sure that would be true. Having only one of two of this model in the US - as long as I keep her maintained the price should still be the same, and when and if I sell her (not any time soon) - it being a unique boat will target those (like me) that do not want to own a typical brand of boat that every other pier has one sitting. Especially with all the upgrades and the likes...

CharlieCobra said:
I hear ya on the freeze Jody. My gig I've been on for almost 5 yrs ends on March 30th. I'm looking out there too.
Dude - I heard the news and so sorry - at least they gave you some advance warning of sorts. I know that that however is not even part of the picture considering all the recent stuff you have been through as of late. Seems like everyone I talk with lately the same fate. Hopefully your arrangement with the barn for "Oh Joy" will not be effected to much. I'll give you a buzz perhaps this weekend if I get out of my funk a bit. At any rate - we need to hook up and get you out on "HG" here in the next few months before (or if) I make the move to an area with non-fake palm trees (if that happens - palm trees may have been removed due to some new lumber shortage and discovery that palm fibre makes better composites than balsa).

SDJohn said:
Two years ago the Harbor Island and Shelter Island marinas were full. It's different now - for example, there are now ten empty 32 foot slips on my dock in Harbor Island.
Thanks for the intel - I had read about the new facilities and checked into it, but they are way more pricier than the other areas and probably rightly so. However, with the new CA tax hikes, things might change but then again maybe not. Mission Bay does have live-aboard as if you go with the hotel chain marinas (and can handle the sticker shock), in their favor they offer "to the boat butler/ room service...". I think there is a 3 month wait list, a credit check extraordinaire, and a minimum 2K a month rental agreement...but it can be found...

Adam said:
You know you could always come back north for the summers. Just sayin.
Yes, that is always a possibility. One thing that does entice me about it the journey (and scares the bee-jesus out of me) is one finally making that decision and doing it (moving is always hard when you finally feel you are established), and the whole transitting the the Pacific Ocean. I am actually more intimidated by the latter as I do not have even remotely that experience although with both of my boats - the one thing I always concentrated with gear and upgrades to focus on.

Simon made it look a bit easy and I am sure considering my anal tendacies to check list through what should be required - that I am equipment-wise ready (now that my radar is mounted etc)... but the being outside the sight of land, I have yet not experienced on my own (naval experience doesn't count there sadly nor does fog)... It can be done and I have great confidence in my boat - especially with the lessons I gleaned from racing in really rough weather (and note to people reading and being self taught - if you are not racing in non-fair weather scenarios, you learn nothing more than fair sailing). That is the biggest hurdle I face when it comes down to the "Can I do it"....

If I missed anyone - my apologies...

At any rate - one of the advantages the SD area does offer if you are going to live aboard, is a fairly moderate climate and the cruising grounds can be a bit more varied. Between having a passport and all the South American countries - equally you have the transiting North (back to Seattle etc). Besides if going to go - with selling all out (literally)- not many places to do on the West Coast that are as moderate in weather and within easy reach out to travel to other places south of the border. Don't get me wrong - there are wonderful places in the PNW, but I would rather be complaining about sweating my butt off than the frost biting chill that comes most of the year (less the summer) up here.

Of course I have to talk out loud to kinda help make the decision. But, I always believe that it is the people that make the places and not the other way around. Being typically a "solo" sailor, The San Jauns etc as pretty as they are are not destinations for someone that seek sharing that experience with someone. It is easy to cruise the surrounding areas (around Seattle) because they are all weekend deals - not so much for going up further north. When I did Desolation Sound the past summer - what rocked was the excitement I had from people with me - it wasn't so much my taking in things as much as I was managing the wheel and only glimpsed at maybe 1/20 of what I could seen. But the experience was worthwhile because of the company that was kept... Not saying SD would be different - just saying... [debate if you must]..

I am not sure what is going to happen, as the moment occurs I turn 40 this weekend, feel like I lost all control. My boat is being held hostage by the boatyard upon their suddenly deciding to milk the cow dry instead of keeping to a strict budget and verbal agreement. The fact that I have to make the decision to sell now what I have and make the decision of what, why, where, and how to go / get to that next point in life next... It is the real world after-all... things happen, how you decide to navigate through are unique to every one of us....
 
#16 ·
Jody, you know the capabilities of you and your boat better than anybody. When the time comes to cast off the docklines, I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

When I suggested you could sail north in the summers, I'm just reminding you of one of my favorite things about cruising: freedom. If you decide to go to SD you don't have to feel like the change is forever; you're always free to go someplace else. Like you said, it's moving is hard when you feel established, because you kinda have to admit that you weren't as established as you thought! You don't owe anything to the places you've lived so far; where you go in the future is always up to you. I'm struggling with the same thing right now, as I've lived the last nine years in the Vancouver area, and I'm starting to think it's time for a change. It's a scary thought!

Best of luck but I know in the end you'll decide what's best. And, best of luck with the boatyard...
 
#17 ·
Going when you are young, and strong has a benefit. I lost most everything in 91. Left for Mexico in 93. Started life all over in 95. Sailed away again in 03, and I am just now 58. Life is meant to live, and not to live with regrets!......i2f
 
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