Why do marinas seem to hate liveaboards?

[imagine2frolic]

When I lived in Emery Cove in Emeryville. I paid extra for the privelege of being a livaboard. In my mind that took care of the trash, and me being in the shower daily. My electric was a set fee, but larger boats had meters.

There were a couple of people that had on going projects. They could have done better at keeping the area free of parts. All in all thoughm the livaboards are like security. At times I would furl other peoples sails who left their boats unattended in storms. Every year I would put extra dockline on my neighbor's boat when storms came through.

There are those that will always take advantage of a situation, and make things worse. These just need to be asked to leave. We just had that happen in the marina I am in now. Both marinas I have lived in full time have kept the place fairly tidy, and the facilities clean. It is also nice to have neighbors whose passion is extremely close to your own.

When ever I have lived ashore although I would say hello, and wave to my neighbors. It seems I would just a grunt, and recognition in return. Eventually I just quit being friendly with them.

[Maddog]

I have 5 to 6 liva aboards on my dock. They are all great. You would not know it looking at their boats. They have the best brightwork, awnings and covers around. I'm glad to have the extra security. I belive my marina agrees. The marina does meter the elec. and charge and extra $150/mon to live aboard, but it seems to work for them. On my boat it would be around $550/mon to live aboard. Hell of a deal compared to an apartment in the same neighborhood. I do have to say that their boats never leave the slip. They are not cruisers.

[PDEVOLEJR]

In my travels I really can't say that I've come across liveaboards that were living like pigs. In search of boats to purchase I certainly came across a great many that were in total disrepair parked both in marinas and at the homes of some wealthy people. It almost made you cry.

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by PDEVOLEJR

David.

Any marina that I ever used as a liveaboard charged for power and water, garbage and etc. You were also told what you could or couldn't keep in the marina. I have even stayed in marinas that wouldn't accept houseboats or sailboats as they claimed they were the worst offenders of the things you mention.

Ditto that. Most marinas charge a special liveaboard fee. I personally know of three cases where the keen eye of a liveaboard prevented a boat from sinking at the dock. So, there are benefits as well as drawbacks.

In any case, I suspect the marinas will soon become a lot less picky. The marina where I am at has seen a precipitous decline in slips filled this summer due to the economy and high fuel prices. I am sure they are quite happy to have a few "sure things" out there right now!

[seasidesis]

Hi Folks, I'm glad you are all talking about this subject still. I want to find a liveaboard marina in the LA or Ventura area. I work in Santa Monica and do field work in the Santa Monica Mountains. I've got a good job, good credit, a nice, clean, solid, old 30 foot fiberglass sailboat, lots of insurance and a recent survey.

If I don't find a place soon, I'll need to find a job in San Diego. Its funny how the boat now takes priority in life.

[Maddog]

Originally Posted by seasidesis

Hi Folks, I'm glad you are all talking about this subject still. I want to find a liveaboard marina in the LA or Ventura area. I work in Santa Monica and do field work in the Santa Monica Mountains. I've got a good job, good credit, a nice, clean, solid, old 30 foot fiberglass sailboat, lots of insurance and a recent survey.

If I don't find a place soon, I'll need to find a job in San Diego. Its funny how the boat now takes priority in life.

Call Cabrillo Marina run by California Yacht Marina. They seem to have 2 to 3 live aboard slips available at a time. They are in San Pedro, maybe a 40 min commute to SM, maybe more.

[cmot]

Hi, I'm new too and just checking into a dream I've had a long time. I could not have hit a better forum to answer allmost all my questions. Thanks. Is there a web site or registry of free and paid harbor tie ups, bouy's, river axcess? If I buy a boat what is required by law just to operate it? Do I have to buy insurance if I don't live at a marina. The guy that was living with kids offshore sounded interesting. Allthough I don't think I could do it with kids. Can you feesibly just move up and down the Ca. coast or east coast anchoring at places and taking a dingy in to shop?