Going to California

[patrick]

There are other alternatives

If you are assigned someplace where you do not get a housing allowance or it is reduced, you could put the boat in charter and it might very well pay for itself. There are potential problems and pitfalls with chartering companies but it is at least a theoretical option. Someone here may know of a good one in SD. You could probably reserve the boat for yourself at times when you could use it.It sounds to me like your assignment would likely be at a major population center so the chartering idea might work out even if you have to get an apartment in Nevada. There must be military flights to SD from just about anywhere you might end up and you could catch a "hop".As to trucking, you can transport a boat considerably over 40 feet. I know of a 45 footer that was trucked here from Floida. It was about $5k as I recall. That is a whole nuther subject though. I think it was $3.5k from here to SD for a 34 footer.Doesn't the government pay a relocation allowance? I do not know but that might cover moving it. Probably a good idea to ask your CO.

 

[Herb Parsons]

Just My Opinion

Levin, this is just my opinion, but I'd say shop around for a place to keep one (the Navy marina was a good suggestion), then buy yourself a boat. Be prepared for some cramped quarters, but you should do it.If you do it, and don't like the lifestyle, after 2-3 years, you'll sell the boat for something of a loss (it'll be less of a loss if you buy used, and take care of it), and you will then KNOW that it wasn't for you.If you DON'T do it, you'll still be wondering 20-30 years from now what things would have been like had you done so.I experimented around with ideas similar to yours when I was in my early 20's. Then "life" intervened. 25 years down the road, I finally got into sailing seriously. Just finished my Coast Guard captain's license (OUPV) and am working on a master mariner's. I started about 25 years later than I should have, but 3-5 years I hope to be doing what I probably SHOULD have been doing all along.

 

[Dan McGuire]

RVing

When I retired in 1996, we decided to travel with a fifth wheel for a year. I enjoyed that year thoroughly. I would have been perfectly content to continue RVing for the rest of my life. However, since life is full of compromises, we bought a house and travel a few months a year. There are lots of full time RVers. If you haven't tried it, don't knock it.I am not knocking living in a boat. I could do that to.

 

[kris merit 23]

Have to get live aboard status

I was sailing in San Deigo last fall and I heard that you have to apply and there is like a waiting list or something. Not sure on all the details but sounded like it would take years to be allowed. Maybe it was just the marina. Welcome to California!

 

[Joe]

Take advantage of your Navy connections

To my knowledge there are no marinas with open live aboard slots in San Diego. Each marina has its own waiting list. Many, such as mine, are no longer allowing live aboards at all. POLITICS/GREED! Join the Navy yacht club when you get there and get some help from the locals. The officer's club will be a great source of leads as will the local yacht clubs.If I wanted to move the boat around with me, I'd get a boat that was easy to move. Which translates to something under 29 feet and trailor legal.

 

[Herb Parsons]

One and Two

I should have answered about questions one and two in my original post.One - Definitely possible to do in the price range you're talking about. My Coronado 35 is HUGE inside. Coronado 35's can be had, in excellent shape, for under 35k. There are similar stories about many good, older boats. Make sure you get one in good shape though. Pay for a survey. You should be able to find a great liveaboard in the 30-50k range.Two - Only you can really decide whether or not you can handle living in a smaller environment; however, I'd say a couple of things on that issue - 1) Anyone that can handle the sleep/living style of a medical internship can probably handle living on a decent sized boat. 2) Look around your living area now, not the entire apartment or house, but the areas that you actually USE. I believe you'll find it relatively small. While you'd have to get used to giving up a few things, you'd be suprised at how much "room" you have staying on a boat. No, you don't get up and walk into the den. Instead, you visit a neighboring boat whose owner you've become acquainted with. No, you don't walk around a traditional neighborhood, instead you go "dock crawling" and look at neighboring boats. No, you don't go working in your back yard garden, instead, you take your home out into the pacific for a day.Again, I say go for it.

 

[Levin]

So it's agreed

So it seems like most people are saying go for it, and that I can afford it, assuming I can find a slip (which currently sounds like the most challenging part of all of this... who would have thought?) Now the question becomes what kind of a boat should I be looking at, and of course the length. The more layouts I look at the more I like 35-40 foot boat, but I had a friend warn me that there is most likely no way I would ever be able to singlehand sail something of that size. So I suppose I have a few more question:1) How do boat loans work? Can I get a 20-30 year loan on a boat or is it more like a car loan with a maxium term of 60 or so months. This makes a big difference on what boat I can afford... with a 20-30 year loan I can afford most likely up to 150K but with a 5 year loan I wouldn't even get close to that.2) How about older boats vs newer boats. Do older boats always mean high maintiance? Or can you find one in good shape that you don't have to constantly be doing things to. I will be working around 50 or so hours a week so although I will have a little time on the weekends I won't have a ton of time (or even energy I figure) to do a lot of maintance. I'm expecting some but trying to minimize how much would be my goal.3) How about galley's. Are the refrigirator big enough on 35-40 foot boats for living on and keeping more than just a gallon of milk in? Can you cook in one of these or should I plan on doing a lot of carry-out?4) How about basic living things like showers and doing laundry... I know boats have showers but one individual stated that I wouldn't want to shower on a boat... and do boats even come with washer and dryers?Thanks again for eveyone's imput I feel I know so much more than just a few days ago...-Levin

 

[Andy]

Some more ideas

Some for fodder for you DocMy boat loan works like a mortgage for tax purposes and is over 30 yrs. Easy to do this. Recommend a MArine broker over USAA - same with the boat ins.Old or new, doesn't matter as long as it is what you want. Check out a boat show and find a reputaable dealer (I can recommend a dealer if you want).Most important here -be realistic and if you think you want it then get it (whatever option that is).Find a good marina. I am not happy with Fiddlers Cove, like Chula Vista Marina, they even have a pool, showers, laundry, and PRETTY waitresses at the local bar (Galley).Final note (already said once) be wary of deploying. We all do it. Happy to talk more, answer questions, or show you my boat as a reference (newer H33).Just let me know and I will send you my email.

 

[Rick D]

Ditto Joe

The Navy YC Marina is a good if rolly place. Try it first, and then see what connections they have to get you into someplace else if no vacancy. My Dad had his boat there for about ten years. RD

 

[Andy]

Moving the boat

Forgot to mention, you wanted to know prices to move a boat....Just moved from Newport, RI to Coronado, CABoat is a 33 footerCost $7500Bids were as low as $6500 for a broker but I wanted to work with an owner/operator that had a proven reputation.R, AR

 

[Isabelle]

Charter first?

We belonged to this organization before we purchsed our own boat. http://www.marinasailing.com/There is an initiation fee and monthly dues. They have six locations, one in San Diego. They will not allow you to take out a boat before giving you a sailing test. I think they may have lessons but am not sure. I know there is a similar type club in Dana Point called Aventura that does give lessons. If you don't know how to sail, you could offer to crew on someone's boat. Good luck and thanks for serving our country.

 

[patrick]

I like Isabelles suggestion

If you choose to buy, get some really good advice on what to choose. The charter companies choices would probably be good ones since they depend on the boats for income. A broker could tell you about brands and models and resale values. There are lots of boat shows too.I would still say to get some sailing experience before you buy.For what it is worth, I like our 37.5 Hunter. The only change I would make would be to get a later model with an arch but that is fodder for another discussion.P.S. If you want a real "chick magnet", get a Bengal cat (that is a breed of cat - not a tiger) and take him for a walk with you in the park (on a leash). A Bengal cat is a cross between an American shorthair and an Asian leopard. I am a 55 year old married guy and I am astonished at the reactions I get with mine. He likes to sit on my shoulder. It makes my wife jealous.

 

[Assen]

Ideas

We can help you with the boat,slip,lessons,boat delivery,storage.......http://www.shelterislandsailing.com/If you need help for something my email is awayocean@yahoo.com

 

[George]

Just Do It

Levin, your a young guy, just do it. Live with your buddies for a couple of months and save that 2000,00 a month and pay cash for a slightly smaller boat. You'll figure out all the rest, and in the mean while you'll be living the dream!!!Rick, from Niceville, you say some of the dumbist things. Sounds like the squirels are eating up your pantlegs

 

[Rick Webb]

Hey, There's Another Great Reason for the Boat

No problem with sqirrels. The Little Bastards had done $500 worth of damage to the house and chewed up about $150 worth of pool equipment. Their numbers have dropped significantly here I only see one a week or so now.I really like Levin's idea and would endorse it whole heartedly but for it only being a year, probably not even that most fellow programs are nine or ten months. If the first assignment were to be in SD also I would say absoluty do it. My concern is just that he gets into a big note on the boat then ends up somwhere like Kingsville, Texas with a BAH rate half of SD, aboard a ship or at Rota or Sigonella where he can't live on the boat and still has the payment.There used to be places available in TJ cheap and fully (if you get my drift) equipped. Guess those sorts of arrangements are no longer viable nor acceptable.

 

[Levin]

A good point

Rick's point is the only major concern I have at this point about getting a boat to live on. As I figure it I will get to San Diego July 18th (that when my postion starts) and then perhaps live in the BOQ for a few weeks, maybe a month. In that time I will work to take sailing lessons and begin searching out a boat. Realistically I figure it could take up to two months from the time I get there to get a boat and a slip, and then ten months later I will be moving on (and this is not a maybe, everyone in my program gets shipped somewhere other than San Diego at the end of one year... they have to make room for the next year's class). I really want to do this, but at this point it's a matter of legistics... It's no longer "if" I want to do it, it's "if" I can do it... I think you all sold me on the former now I got to figure out if I can do the latter...-Levin

 

[Sanders]

just do it - part 2

a great thread... I agree, now is the time to try this. wish I had.Given your short term assignment, you might consider picking up a smaller less expensive boat to live aboard. That keeps everything simpler: costs, repairs, sailing etc.The disadvantage is whether or not you can like living in a smaller boat. When you get there take a look at used boats 32 to 36 feet, before you look at the bigger ones. I think an old Islander, Hunter, Catalina or ODay would be liveable, and a good first step for learning to sail a crusing boat.There are lots of brokers around on Shelter island. We used Frank Buch at Pacific He's a former Navy pilot btw. link attached...and our boat was listed by a broker across the street that specializes in slightly older boats. Both are within a block of thje Red Sails restraunt.Beware so-called "repo" boats and watch out for boats with a coat of paint covering problems. Insist on a survey before buying.I think you can find a very liveable boat under $50k. We did.You'll love living in ther Shelter Island area if that works out. IMHO there are few bad places on the water in San Diego, so it's hard to go wrong.Just do it.And good luck,Sanders

 

[Andy]

One more for the "do it:" side

When I finished my first ship tour I was about to bbuy and move-into a 1965 Chris Craft. Biggest mistake I ever made was to think too hard.I have a 33 now and love it.Bottom line is that there are hundreds of things to "nuke" out. It is a fun lifestyle and you will not believe the support you will get at the marina from people like yourself and the rest of us.IMHO, I would check into Fiddler's Cove (mentioned earlier) and Chula Vista Marina.Finally, stop worrying, ... and just do it!

 

[Rick Webb]

Interesting Who We are Hearing From

A bunch of folks who wish they had tried what Levin is proposing. Not much from anyone who ever did.

 

[John]

Levin

Levin,Due to my marrige, I was forced well not really I could have gotten an apartment but wanted to try what living aboard was like to live on my 356 Hunter. I did this for about 8 months had no prob at all and think you will like it, also I sail alone alot and have had no prob at all singlehandling this size boat so that should not be much of a worry, so good luck hope this helps, BTW you need at least this size boat single guy in calif with sailboat will prob find wife quickly or at least lots of girlfriendsJohn