In my experience long cruises of, say, 10 to 20 days, where you are “relocating” every two or three days can demand much planning and preparation if using fixed moorings (i.e., slips or mooring cans). Namely, I refer to the common policy of “First Come, First Serve” in picking up moorings/slips. A recent cruise to Port San Luis and Morro Bay illustrates. Moorings were FC,FS. Morro Bay is a rather isolated spot with rugged coastline 20 n.mi. in either direction (N or S) w/o shelter. Dock space in Morro Bay had the same limitation—FC,FS. Suffice to say, if the policy is FC,FS then reservations are not accepted. IMHO, one should not naively expect to overnight at a remote harbor or marina where moorings are FC,FS unless there is a place to anchor within it. For more than one night you need anchoring that is not unreasonably restricted temporally. Boats on a FC,FS municipal mooring may remain several nights. There might be a limit, but that could be several days to even one month. Moreover, you should be prepared to anchor bow/stern in case that area is constricted or crowded.
The municipal marinas at Long Beach will accept reservations only if the first night is paid in advance, and it is not refundable if you do not show. The municipal marina at Santa Barbara Harbor is FC,FS, and the only place to anchor is outside the breakwater. Yacht clubs have similar variances. Some YC reciprocal dock space is FC,FS; whereas at others, reservations are accepted. Then there is the possibility that no reservations, even if accepted, are available the nights you wish to stay. So calling ahead while enroute may not get you mooring. Thus, the need to carefully plan your destinations and arrival times, etc., making advance reservations when possible.
Something that has worked well for us in Southern California is to travel during off season—late fall and winter. Go when others aren’t!
The municipal marinas at Long Beach will accept reservations only if the first night is paid in advance, and it is not refundable if you do not show. The municipal marina at Santa Barbara Harbor is FC,FS, and the only place to anchor is outside the breakwater. Yacht clubs have similar variances. Some YC reciprocal dock space is FC,FS; whereas at others, reservations are accepted. Then there is the possibility that no reservations, even if accepted, are available the nights you wish to stay. So calling ahead while enroute may not get you mooring. Thus, the need to carefully plan your destinations and arrival times, etc., making advance reservations when possible.
Something that has worked well for us in Southern California is to travel during off season—late fall and winter. Go when others aren’t!
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