Hello everyone… A couple of months ago I posted on the above topic trying to find out: “What would it be like to live on a sailboat?” and “Is it feasible to do so?”. I got a lot of good feedback from the members of this forum and I was excited to hear that my dream wasn’t so far fetched. I’m a new officer in the Navy and after I complete OIS (basic training for officers) in late June I will be moving out to San Diego. I am still interested in living on a sailboat, but now I’m past the “should” I do this… and moving into the “how” can I do this phase. So as such I have a few questions for anyone out there who might be willing to help me. 1) Timing is critical when I get out to San Diego. I figure I will have to find a place to stay for the first month while I begin looking into boats and getting myself sailing lessons (I suppose it would be good to know how to sail if I’m going to own a boat). What is the best and fastest (while still remaining safe) way to learn how to sail in the San Diego area? I intend on continuing learn after I get the boat but what I need first is a quick “crash course” in sailing so I can get the boat and have somewhere to live. 2) The other thing I'll have to move quickly on (or at least at a reasonable amount of speed) is finding a boat. Does anyone know what kind of time I should be giving myself to find a boat, get it financed, get it insured, and be able to close the deal? How should I go about beginning to look for a boat? Should I go through a broker or am I better off buying from a private owner. Has anyone done both and can tell me the pros and cons? If I should go through a broker are their any in the San Diego area that people on this board can recommend? 3) Do I need to get a slip before I close the deal on the boat or is getting a slip something that you do afterwards. I recall in my last series of posts someone mentioned that the Navy has their own private slips for members of the military. Is this a good place to begin looking for a slip and what do I need to think about when looking for a slip? (I recall that someone mentioned many marinas in the San Diego area don’t let people live on their boats… so I should watch out for this). Is there anything else that I need to be aware of when slip hunting? 4) Is there anything I can be doing right now that would help me prepare and streamline this process when I get to San Diego (beginning to contact brokers, reading books on sailing, etc). As I said I’m trying to move as fast through this process as I safely can without endangering myself or putting myself at risk of buying a boat that I shouldn’t. Thanks everyone for reading and for any help you can give. -Levin
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San Diego
I am retired Navy living on a 44' sailboat in San Diego. The only way you will get a slip in short order is to buy a boat that is already sitting in one, other wise you will have to get on a list that will take years. The Navy docks are full. I came here in late 80 and it took me 5 years to find a boat with a moorage for liveaboard. Good Luck
I am retired Navy living on a 44' sailboat in San Diego. The only way you will get a slip in short order is to buy a boat that is already sitting in one, other wise you will have to get on a list that will take years. The Navy docks are full. I came here in late 80 and it took me 5 years to find a boat with a moorage for liveaboard. Good Luck
You seem to be in a hurry
It seems that your in a rush to learn sailing and to buy a boat, etc. You may learn to sail in a day or two, but lo and behold when an emergency pops up, and it will. Talk to one of the pro's at a sailing school. There are a few good one's in Santa Barbara, but I am unfamiliar with San Diego. Slow down. Sailing is really not about speed or getting there fast. It's about enjoying the action of waves and wind and feeling the boat respond under you. Good luck
It seems that your in a rush to learn sailing and to buy a boat, etc. You may learn to sail in a day or two, but lo and behold when an emergency pops up, and it will. Talk to one of the pro's at a sailing school. There are a few good one's in Santa Barbara, but I am unfamiliar with San Diego. Slow down. Sailing is really not about speed or getting there fast. It's about enjoying the action of waves and wind and feeling the boat respond under you. Good luck
San Diego
Being in the Navy, you're in luck, since there are several Navy/Marine recreational sailing groups. Fiddler's Cove on Silver Strand, south of Coronado, The Point Loma Sailing Center near downtown San Diego, and MWR Camp Pendelton, 45 miles north in Oceanside, all have boats to rent (cheaply), sailing classes, and some live-aboard slips. BUT, don't get your heart set on living on a boat in Southern California, unless it has a commisioning pennant. The wait for liveabaord slips in SC is about 5 years wherever you go. The only exception has already been mentioned, buying a boat with a transferable slip. Many marinas don't have transferable slips, and still fewer have transferable liveaborad privledges. You can find out more about San Diego at the MWR link below.
Being in the Navy, you're in luck, since there are several Navy/Marine recreational sailing groups. Fiddler's Cove on Silver Strand, south of Coronado, The Point Loma Sailing Center near downtown San Diego, and MWR Camp Pendelton, 45 miles north in Oceanside, all have boats to rent (cheaply), sailing classes, and some live-aboard slips. BUT, don't get your heart set on living on a boat in Southern California, unless it has a commisioning pennant. The wait for liveabaord slips in SC is about 5 years wherever you go. The only exception has already been mentioned, buying a boat with a transferable slip. Many marinas don't have transferable slips, and still fewer have transferable liveaborad privledges. You can find out more about San Diego at the MWR link below.
I know how you feel
I am just like you. When I get an idea in my head, I can't wait to decide what to do and then once I decide, it's time to act. Well, when it comes to boats, you got to take your time. I didn't and I hope it doesn't bite me in the end. I spent 100k on a boat thinking it was the perfect boat for me, only to find out later that most don't see this boat as a good boat to sail across oceans. I'm not doing that now, but I plan on it someday and I bought this boat thinking it was going to be the one and only boat for me. If it's just going to be a day sailer until I'm ready to cruise, then I bought too much boat. On the other hand, I too am considering living on board my boat. Back to you...take your time...even if you have to force yourself to divert your attention to something other then boats...take your time. Learn all about the different types of boats and the strenghts and weaknesses of them. Main catigories are blue water, non-blue water, racing, live-aboards, day sailers, old design, new design...lots of info to learn about before you decide which type of boat is right for you. As others said...finding a slip to live on is also going to be rough. Maybe you could find a good anchorage and get a couple of wind generators and use your dingy back and forth, but that would get old after a while I think. My advice, coming for an ex army guy, you will have enough to worry about when you get to your duty station that you don't need to be worrying about a boat then. Check www.roommates.com for a good room to rent by the month. This will give you time to get over the learning curve of the new city, new base, new unit, new lifestyle, new friends, and the hugh learning curve in knowing what you want in a boat, what the different boats are available, and how much the cost. As for how long it takes, once you make up your mind, you can get finianced in just a matter of days, including closing. It took me 3 weeks only because I kept having them fix stuff on the boat. Also, see if you can get them to do a bottom job and add that into the loan if they will not give it at no cost. Good to get that out of the way first. One last thing...takes just a day or two to learn the ropes so to speak but lots of practice to get good, however, to buy a boat and live on it, you don't need to know anything expect how to start it, the rules of the water, and how to get it docked without damaging it or your neighbor's boat. To me, docking is the hardest part of sailing, especially if your single-handling like it sounds like you will be. There is a thread a couple weeks back about docking. Read it. A great advice on how to do it without having to get off the boat. I use that techneque now (just go in stern first though) and it works wonderfully for me...even in high winds. Like I said though...don't tackle too much at once. The learning curve is hard enough with sailing, throwing in a learning curve on a new city, job, friends, unit, military life and so on will make it too much. Be patient...it will pay off.
I am just like you. When I get an idea in my head, I can't wait to decide what to do and then once I decide, it's time to act. Well, when it comes to boats, you got to take your time. I didn't and I hope it doesn't bite me in the end. I spent 100k on a boat thinking it was the perfect boat for me, only to find out later that most don't see this boat as a good boat to sail across oceans. I'm not doing that now, but I plan on it someday and I bought this boat thinking it was going to be the one and only boat for me. If it's just going to be a day sailer until I'm ready to cruise, then I bought too much boat. On the other hand, I too am considering living on board my boat. Back to you...take your time...even if you have to force yourself to divert your attention to something other then boats...take your time. Learn all about the different types of boats and the strenghts and weaknesses of them. Main catigories are blue water, non-blue water, racing, live-aboards, day sailers, old design, new design...lots of info to learn about before you decide which type of boat is right for you. As others said...finding a slip to live on is also going to be rough. Maybe you could find a good anchorage and get a couple of wind generators and use your dingy back and forth, but that would get old after a while I think. My advice, coming for an ex army guy, you will have enough to worry about when you get to your duty station that you don't need to be worrying about a boat then. Check www.roommates.com for a good room to rent by the month. This will give you time to get over the learning curve of the new city, new base, new unit, new lifestyle, new friends, and the hugh learning curve in knowing what you want in a boat, what the different boats are available, and how much the cost. As for how long it takes, once you make up your mind, you can get finianced in just a matter of days, including closing. It took me 3 weeks only because I kept having them fix stuff on the boat. Also, see if you can get them to do a bottom job and add that into the loan if they will not give it at no cost. Good to get that out of the way first. One last thing...takes just a day or two to learn the ropes so to speak but lots of practice to get good, however, to buy a boat and live on it, you don't need to know anything expect how to start it, the rules of the water, and how to get it docked without damaging it or your neighbor's boat. To me, docking is the hardest part of sailing, especially if your single-handling like it sounds like you will be. There is a thread a couple weeks back about docking. Read it. A great advice on how to do it without having to get off the boat. I use that techneque now (just go in stern first though) and it works wonderfully for me...even in high winds. Like I said though...don't tackle too much at once. The learning curve is hard enough with sailing, throwing in a learning curve on a new city, job, friends, unit, military life and so on will make it too much. Be patient...it will pay off.
Talk to Several Brokers
Keep in mind though they are going to be working for themselves first the seller second and you are just a peice of meat with a wad of cash a distant fith or sixth in the number of people he is going to try to satisfy in the deal. I am not saying they are all out to screw you but as a neophyte it would be real easy. After you find a boat your intersted in find a broker to work your end of the deal he'll likely save you more than what you pay him. Put out notices that you are a new to the are and the Navy looking to continue to love and care for a boat that someone wants or needs to sell. We often become emotionally attached to our boats (or Cars) and would rather know someone is going to take care of our baby than get more cash off of it. Another option not sure it was mentioned before just find a cute girl with a boat...
Keep in mind though they are going to be working for themselves first the seller second and you are just a peice of meat with a wad of cash a distant fith or sixth in the number of people he is going to try to satisfy in the deal. I am not saying they are all out to screw you but as a neophyte it would be real easy. After you find a boat your intersted in find a broker to work your end of the deal he'll likely save you more than what you pay him. Put out notices that you are a new to the are and the Navy looking to continue to love and care for a boat that someone wants or needs to sell. We often become emotionally attached to our boats (or Cars) and would rather know someone is going to take care of our baby than get more cash off of it. Another option not sure it was mentioned before just find a cute girl with a boat...
just find a cute girl with a boat...
Right...I've never seen a single, young, cute girl owning or even sailing a boat. I've seen them sun-tanning on a boat while some guy sails it though but that doesn't help a young navy guy any.
Right...I've never seen a single, young, cute girl owning or even sailing a boat. I've seen them sun-tanning on a boat while some guy sails it though but that doesn't help a young navy guy any.
Sigh...
Well this doesn't sound good now does it... 5 years to wait for a slip in San Diego... and I'm only going to be there for 12 months. Don't know where my next duty station will be either. This could pose a problem for me. I recall in my earlier serise of posts that someone mentioned "renting" or "leasing" (or something like that) a boat for a year. I can't remember exactly what word they used but the idea that I got was that there were somewhat inexpensive boats you could get for a year and then turn over to the next person... perhaps I'm just confused but does anything like this exist? It just is sounding more and more like it isn't going to be a possiblity to liveaboard when I'm in San Diego... if anyone has any other suggestions I'm open... ...oh and might you guys have the name of that cute girl with a father who owns a boat and a liquor store... I would love to get her name. -Levin
Well this doesn't sound good now does it... 5 years to wait for a slip in San Diego... and I'm only going to be there for 12 months. Don't know where my next duty station will be either. This could pose a problem for me. I recall in my earlier serise of posts that someone mentioned "renting" or "leasing" (or something like that) a boat for a year. I can't remember exactly what word they used but the idea that I got was that there were somewhat inexpensive boats you could get for a year and then turn over to the next person... perhaps I'm just confused but does anything like this exist? It just is sounding more and more like it isn't going to be a possiblity to liveaboard when I'm in San Diego... if anyone has any other suggestions I'm open... ...oh and might you guys have the name of that cute girl with a father who owns a boat and a liquor store... I would love to get her name. -Levin
Boat Sitting
Just this weekend I was talking with a nice young guy who told me that he used be in the Coast Guard and lived in San Diego. He said he lived on a nice 40' sailboat as a caretaker and got to sail with the owners quite frequently. When he didn't sail with the owners on the weekends, he stayed in their condominium. He said he did this for 2 years and had many trips out to the Channel Islands and had a great time living on the boat. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me if you can find it. I'll ask him for a name when I see him again next weekend. Right now he works for the county parks and came around to talk when I was at my boat. I'll pick up the thread again if I talk with the guy and let you know how to reach me.
Just this weekend I was talking with a nice young guy who told me that he used be in the Coast Guard and lived in San Diego. He said he lived on a nice 40' sailboat as a caretaker and got to sail with the owners quite frequently. When he didn't sail with the owners on the weekends, he stayed in their condominium. He said he did this for 2 years and had many trips out to the Channel Islands and had a great time living on the boat. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me if you can find it. I'll ask him for a name when I see him again next weekend. Right now he works for the county parks and came around to talk when I was at my boat. I'll pick up the thread again if I talk with the guy and let you know how to reach me.
A different prospective
A different prospective might be to live for a few months on the base in the BOQ and take your time at finding exactly what you want while you are saving money by staying at the Q (assuming that you are not shipping out on deployment). Your first few months at your new assignment will be taking quite a lot of your time getting to know your new job. A large boat could become a liability of sorts. Best wishes on your new career, from an Old Salt. Chuck St.Denis USNR-R ret.
A different prospective might be to live for a few months on the base in the BOQ and take your time at finding exactly what you want while you are saving money by staying at the Q (assuming that you are not shipping out on deployment). Your first few months at your new assignment will be taking quite a lot of your time getting to know your new job. A large boat could become a liability of sorts. Best wishes on your new career, from an Old Salt. Chuck St.Denis USNR-R ret.
charter fleet
My email is awayocean@yahoo.com I work for charter fleet in San Diego,we have sailing boat that you can sleep on it from the beginning.I know some of the best boat brokers here and i work for some of them sometimes-deliveries,sea trial........I am captain,sailing instructor,marine machanic.......with 20+ years experiance and I can show you some stuff.
My email is awayocean@yahoo.com I work for charter fleet in San Diego,we have sailing boat that you can sleep on it from the beginning.I know some of the best boat brokers here and i work for some of them sometimes-deliveries,sea trial........I am captain,sailing instructor,marine machanic.......with 20+ years experiance and I can show you some stuff.
Great deal
You don't have to buy a boat and become tied to it. If in 12 months when you get relocated, maybe to someplace over seas, you will not have to sell it. Still got a cool pad to impress the chicks with, and to top it all of, get some good instruction. Can't beat that.
You don't have to buy a boat and become tied to it. If in 12 months when you get relocated, maybe to someplace over seas, you will not have to sell it. Still got a cool pad to impress the chicks with, and to top it all of, get some good instruction. Can't beat that.
Yeah that's it
Charter... that was the word I was looking for in my earlier post. Does anyone know anything about this idea of chartering a boat that "Awayocean" is talking about? Is this like renting a boat for a year or is it something different altogether? Has anyone out there ever done anything like this? Again thanks to everyone for all the ideas and thoughts... I can't tell you all how much I have appreciated your advice -Levin
Charter... that was the word I was looking for in my earlier post. Does anyone know anything about this idea of chartering a boat that "Awayocean" is talking about? Is this like renting a boat for a year or is it something different altogether? Has anyone out there ever done anything like this? Again thanks to everyone for all the ideas and thoughts... I can't tell you all how much I have appreciated your advice -Levin
San Diego
I first started sailing in the San Diego area, when I was in the Navy. First, there's a military marina, Fiddler's Cove, on Silver Strand, just south of the Coronado Amphib base. The rates there are the lowest anywhere. I don't know if there's a waiting list, probably, but smaller boats have a shorter to non-existant wait. Also for boats around 25' or so, up to 27', there's usually no waiting list at the other marinas. I just splashed my O'Day 26 in Mission Bay at Marina Village marina, and there was no waiting list there. Chula Vista's California Yacht Marina also had slips available for 25' boats, but they wanted a recent survey report. I had one, but it burned up when my house burned down in the fires of 2003, and I haven't gotten it replaced yet. My boat had been on a trailer for 6 months for a refit. There is a free, long term anchorage just north of Chula Vista, you need to get a permit, also free, from the Harbor Police, the permit needs to be renewed every 6 months. There are mooring balls just about everywhere, you need to apply for a mooring, last I checked, about two years ago, they were about $150 per month, most of them have a waiting list, but the Shelter Island roadstead the waiting list is usually only a couple of months. I'm including a link to the San Diego Waterfront web site, lots of valuable information there, including marinas, mooring balls, and anchorages.
I first started sailing in the San Diego area, when I was in the Navy. First, there's a military marina, Fiddler's Cove, on Silver Strand, just south of the Coronado Amphib base. The rates there are the lowest anywhere. I don't know if there's a waiting list, probably, but smaller boats have a shorter to non-existant wait. Also for boats around 25' or so, up to 27', there's usually no waiting list at the other marinas. I just splashed my O'Day 26 in Mission Bay at Marina Village marina, and there was no waiting list there. Chula Vista's California Yacht Marina also had slips available for 25' boats, but they wanted a recent survey report. I had one, but it burned up when my house burned down in the fires of 2003, and I haven't gotten it replaced yet. My boat had been on a trailer for 6 months for a refit. There is a free, long term anchorage just north of Chula Vista, you need to get a permit, also free, from the Harbor Police, the permit needs to be renewed every 6 months. There are mooring balls just about everywhere, you need to apply for a mooring, last I checked, about two years ago, they were about $150 per month, most of them have a waiting list, but the Shelter Island roadstead the waiting list is usually only a couple of months. I'm including a link to the San Diego Waterfront web site, lots of valuable information there, including marinas, mooring balls, and anchorages.
Two choices now...
So it sounds like I have two real choices if I want do be a liveaboard in San Diego over this next year. 1) Do the charter thing (which I still don't know much about but it sounds similar to leasing a car) 2) Get a smaller boat (27 foot or shorter) because there isn't much of a wait for slips that these boats would dock in. So I suppose my question then becomes (for anyone who would indulgue me) what are the benfits and drawbacks of each? Can I confortably liveaboard a 27 foot boat for a year? Or is this simply not big enough? Am I going to throw away a ton of money if I charter (or whatever it's called) for a year? Or is this a realistic option? Thanks again for all the help -Levin
So it sounds like I have two real choices if I want do be a liveaboard in San Diego over this next year. 1) Do the charter thing (which I still don't know much about but it sounds similar to leasing a car) 2) Get a smaller boat (27 foot or shorter) because there isn't much of a wait for slips that these boats would dock in. So I suppose my question then becomes (for anyone who would indulgue me) what are the benfits and drawbacks of each? Can I confortably liveaboard a 27 foot boat for a year? Or is this simply not big enough? Am I going to throw away a ton of money if I charter (or whatever it's called) for a year? Or is this a realistic option? Thanks again for all the help -Levin
San Diego Marinas
http://www.sandiegoataglance.com/list_marinas.htm Try to find slip first if you want to buy boat.
http://www.sandiegoataglance.com/list_marinas.htm Try to find slip first if you want to buy boat.
good info here
http://www.socalsail.com/nav/San_Diego_Bay/ http://www.thebigbay.com/about/map.asp http://yachtfindersbrokerage.com/yachtfinders/yachtfinders_12.html
http://www.socalsail.com/nav/San_Diego_Bay/ http://www.thebigbay.com/about/map.asp http://yachtfindersbrokerage.com/yachtfinders/yachtfinders_12.html
I know a guy on Harbor Island . . .
I know a guy on Harbor Island with a Catalina 27 who's become ill (cancer) and got behind on his slip rent. He mentioned letting the boat and the slip go for just the back rent. I don't know how much he owes, but I'd guess it may be almost a year's worth. I liveaboard in the same marina and my rent is $300 a month . . . Email me if you are interested at base194@aol.com
I know a guy on Harbor Island with a Catalina 27 who's become ill (cancer) and got behind on his slip rent. He mentioned letting the boat and the slip go for just the back rent. I don't know how much he owes, but I'd guess it may be almost a year's worth. I liveaboard in the same marina and my rent is $300 a month . . . Email me if you are interested at base194@aol.com
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