Any Info About Ventura Live Aboard Slips ?

[Scottyincosta]

Hi, I just joined this forum and am excited to be joining the world of sailing full time. I am looking to buy a CAL 27' and want to live on it and get her ready for a trip to Central America and possibly even through the canal. All the marinas I've contatcted so far have a 30' LOA minimum. Any thoughts? I appreciate any and all advice, leads etc. I hope to create a website of my travels that I update from port to prt as I go.
Again, thanks for helping if you can

[Vyndance]

Ventura is a great place. What info are you looking for?

[Scottyincosta]

Live aboard with a dog. 27' cal q

[Vyndance]

I am not sure about the 27 ft minimum. The dog is no problem.

[sabray]

They are probably charging by the foot. They want to maximize revenue. You could maybe stick a broom handle off your bow about 3' and say your a modified cal 27 with a loa of 30. Course you'll be paying what $30 bucks a month to have a broom handle at a marina.

[Vyndance]

Ventura West has some real small around 20 ft slips. Live aboard minimums may be different. Call 805-664-8266 and ask.

[Scottyincosta]

you really think I could get away with that? Cause I'll do it.

[sabray]

They probably want the money and yes. I have never been measured in a yard. Maybe a long bow roller with your anchor and some dinghy davits. If you put a 3' bowsprit on the boat your 30' You might ask if they would just let you pay as though your 30'

[Scottyincosta]

Thanks. I'll give it a go!! Thanks again for all your advice

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Scottyincosta

you really think I could get away with that? Cause I'll do it.

Most marinas down in that area have a wait list, and they tend to be selective about who they allow in as liveaboards since they will usually limit their liveaboards to about 10% of the slips. For business reasons they would much rather rent a liveaboard slip to someone on a $100,000 boat than someone in a $1,000 boat. Your chances of getting away with the sort of deception that has been suggested here are somewhat slim.

Unless you're talking about an outboard-powered Cal 27, you can pick up a Cal 30 with a gas inboard almost as cheaply as you can buy a gas-inboard Cal 27. And you'll end up with a boat that might be better attuned to your plans, as well as being legal to live on in those marinas.

Why not do it right? A Cal 27 is an awfully small boat in which to be headed toward the Panama Canal.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
A windvane steering system will add a couple feet to your stern and a long anchor roller will add another foot. Your bow pulpit probably adds a few inches already.
kind regards,

[sarafina]

I would at least step it up to a Cal28. The 27's (all 3 models) seem to be more of a lighter weight racing bay sailing boat.

The Cal 28 isn't much bigger, but it has healthy chops for its class and has pretty much done it all. It's a scaled down model of the Cal40, a world class boat.

http://pages.sssnet.com/go2erie/cal27all.htm
http://www.stirlinglaw.com/cal28/

If your heart is set on a 27;
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/2580005665.html

[kolbywhite28]

Ventura is a nice place and if you are excited to be joining the world of sailing full time you must research in the internet to know the details that you are looking for.

[Scottyincosta]

I want to thank everyone who has given their insights and advice. I have decided on a Columbia 34' and am very excited! Boat needs some cosmetic sweat equity but over all a sound vessel in what matters. I will post pics when I have her cleaned up a little. Thanks again, Scottyincosta

[Scottyincosta]

So,
other than Ventura west, any other options for liveaboard in Ventura? Internet is not really forthcoming with info.