California Marina

[Frank P]

Hello All,
I am thinking of moving my boat to Al Larson Marina in Wilmington, CA. It's a pretty rough old place, does anyone know of any issues with keeping a boat in this area (Fish Harbor)? I am mainly concerned about theft and any fallout in the air that will damage the gelcoat and canvas.

Thanks

Frank

 

[Rick D]

Al Larson Marina

From a pollution standpoint, you are probably better than I am in Shoreline considering the prevailing winds. Most of what is west of you is San Pedro. As far as theft, I couldn't say. Best bet would be to prowl the docks some afternoon and see what the guys say.

However I would absolutely have a washdown service weekly. That will pay big dividends for you in caring for the gelcoat and canvas. It does for me. The boat gets pretty dirty and sooty in only a week. I suspect that service will be way less than in Shoreline, given the municipal requirements there for licensing of boat workers.

Good luck on your move.

 

[Frank P]

Re: Al Larson Marina

Thanks Rick,
I am currently in Shoreline as well and agree with the weekly washdowns (especially after the fires!). This marina is uniquely located in an industrial area and rust and oil dust is my main concern.

Frank

 

[Deadline]

I love San Pedro, a Damon Runyon place if there ever was one.
You can never go wrong asking the guys who dock there.
Check out the fellow who rents sailboats behind the cute shops.
He's an old salt who knows all the politics, players and thugs.

 

[Rick D]

Re: Al Larson Marina

I sure understand the concern. In 1990, I brought a nine-month old Hunter from the repo yard across from Cabrillo Boat Yard, west of the drawbridge. It had been there for four to six months. Never washed, and I don't know what it looked like before it got there either. It was just down from the metal recycling yard and downwind from the coal operations. In the time I had that boat (nine years), I worked hard to keep up the gelcoat. I think I was getting coal dust out of everything for a year and it took me several to get off those little rust spots. It didn't have any serious canvas at the time, so it was no concern. Since I have been in Shoreline, I used a nonskid cleaner and sealer and have waxed the boat yearly plus having the washdown service. It seems to be holding up well, and I think if you followed a similar routine there, you'd be fine. I do know that the coal operation has been sealed up as has the metal scrap loading process. I suspect the whole thing is much cleaner than it was in 1990. It's industrial, but most of it around you looks like container loading operations which I wouldn't think it too onerous. Good luck!