Going to California

[Herb Parsons]

I Disagree

I saw some that were like me, wished they had of THEN, instead of waiting. I'm in the process of pursuing the same dream. Not "too late", just late.

 

[Marc]

In Key West

I met a Navy Pharmacist living aboard at A&B Marina. He had a Trojan 30 or 35 footer (motor boat)He bicycled over to the Base hospital for work and lived it up well (as determined by the number of "guests" seen onboard.)Must be the uniform (just kidding)I also knew the USCG Master at Arms at Government Island, NY. He lived aboard at the base on a 34 ft. sailboat.It can be done! Thanks for your service.Marc

 

[george]

such a no brainer

This is such a no brainer, your a young guy, JUST DO IT. It's a buyers market out there for boats, buy a cheap one in Arizona,or Oregon, or Ohio, fix it up, and start living the dream. If it doesnt work out, sell it and move on.It's a great idea, wish I was in your shoes, would do it in a heartbeat.You can do this a lot cheaper then you think. You'll be living you dream, and be the hit amongst your people.Who wouldnt want to come to you HOUSE?When you get to be our age you will have wished you have done the dream, it's a no brainer!!

 

[Bill; S/V Calico Dragon]

Do It but Plan It

All of the advice has been good but it's like anything. You need to research and plan. I'm sure the Navy supports that approach. The advice to use your Navy resources is excellent. When I was in SD (left just a month ago)there were plenty of Navy sailboats on the water. Get to San Diego and use the Navy boats until you search out a boat and marina. By then you'll know your options for a marina, Navy or commercial. San Diego marinas are very expensive and pretty lonely and generally aren't accepting livs-aboards. People in San Diego seem to either let boats sit unused or use and jump off. Having said that go for it but with a plan. We'll all be anxious to hear what you do and how it works out.Bill

 

[Jim]

Things that are good to know

I got hooked on sailing 2 yrs ago when I was given a great Cal20. I knew nothing about boats. I sailed with friends who could sail a little. I met people on my dock who were experienced boatowners and were happy to sail with me and teach me. In a couple of months I was sailing alone, never even putting my outboard on. Sailing in and out of my slip. And sailing alone over to Catalina. It's not that difficult. Especially on a Cal20. I now also have a Cal34. Being around the docks sailing with different people on different boats, in about 6 months everything else came into focus, what boats had good reputations, were safe, fast, easy to sail,easy to maintain etc. My suggestions are, for a beginning sailor a clean Catalina 27, a clean Cal, Erickson or Islander 27,29 or 30. all of which are easy to sail, all of which can be bought under 10k. and are easy to sell when u are ready to get a bigger boat. There's a nice Catalina 27 4 sale in MDR with GPS, Galley, head. and has been well maintained. for under 10k. If u go thru a broker, you'll pay a LOT more for a boat. Find a marina that has nice bathrooms and showers. If they don't allow live aboards, be descreet and sneak aboard. Get an upwind slip (bow facing into the wind) thats as close to the channel as possible. Don't get one next to the sea wall. The closer you are to the channel, the easier it is to sail in and out. Also if you r sneaking aboard, it's more private. A year will go by very fast, and u don't want to be stuck with a big expensive boat if u end up stationed in timbuktu. In a few months time you'll get to know what u like and don't like about boats. That's the time to move up to a bigger boat. All the boats I mentioned you can sail everywhere you'll have time to go. 45k will buy a Cal40 a superfast blue water boator whatever, when you know what you really want.

 

[Jim]

Another suggestion

On $2000 per month you could split the rent on an apt. get a Cal20 which would cost about $45 to insure (AAA $300,000). I don't know the cost of slip fees in SD, here in MDR it's $125 to $140 a month for a 20' slip. If the Cal20 is set up for cruising not racing like mine, it will sleep 4 as comfortably as a 30' boat. Cockpit will seat 6. Porta potti for the girls, no galley. Very fast, safe even in heavy wind and big swells. Cannot be turtled. Has a 1000 lb keel. Unbelievably easy to sail and cheap to maintain. Use it to learn to sail and to sneak away in. It's actually fun to sleep in. Or just entertain the ladies on. Or a Catalina 27 w/galley, head, couches and dinette, also sleeps 4. Slip fees probably $240 or so. Maybe $85 to insure. You could have either of these boats and share an apt. too. Have the best of both worlds for under $2000 per month. My Cal34 costs $400 for slip fees. And let's not forget, all boats have to have the bottom cleaned by a diver at least once a month. Especially sailboats, or they won't sail. The Cal20 costs $15, the Cal34 costs $30. To replace sails on the 20, Mainsail is $900, on the 34 $2000. Replace the standing rigging on the 20, $400. On the 34, $2000. As the boat gets bigger so do all the costs. Sharing an apt. and having boat too might be an idea.

 

[Pete]

on board living

Levin,I like your idea and there has been lots of good advise given here.The only issue I see or have with your plan is that it is a short term stay in San Diego and with a uncertain location move in 12 months. After a month or two getting in an getting settled it leaves 10 months time. If you plan on a 90k boat the down payment is a big chunk plus monthly cost of slip,boat payment,etc. As well as what do you do after you have been transfered out to who knows where,then the storage cost and resale of the boat can eat a large part of you housing cost at you next location. My suggestion is there may be some boats that "turn over" regular with people doing exactly what you are doing.The inital cost should be lower and you can get out after a year with out losing your shirt,or look for a smaller boat that in a worst case senerio is "disposable" in that you could walk away from it with out feeling the financal burden of selling it cheaply or giving it away.Maybe the base housing will be able to help you find a boat that will suit you needs or place some want ad in the local paper.Another thought is go to some of the marinas and talk to the manager to see what they can suggest.As far as your plan to live on the boat I think it is a very realistic idea and should make for a great lifestyle.My real suggestion comes down to this-get in cheap to see if this is a way of living that you want and maybe after you get a long term assignment then get into a larger more expensive boat. Good Luck and update us on what you do ! ! !

 

[scuba01]

1 thing

i lived in the navy and my home port of jax has a marina in it you may want to check that out its alot cheeper.

 

[Levin]

Thanks

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has taken the time to give me advice. Sounds like something I'm going to try to do. Hopefully "life" (or more likely internship) won't get in the way of my plans. I may be in contact with some of you who gave your E-mail addresses in the next couple of months for more advice as the date draws nearer... hope things are going well for everyone and thanks again.-Levin