Liveaboards, Marina/Anchor/Mooring?

[LLCoolDave]

Looking to live aboard and I'm curious what most sailors do. Bite the bullet and pay for the marina, a cheap mooring, or the even cheaper anchor. lol

[CHM]

My experience is to go with a marina as you usually have power, internet, and cable included. You can also use the marina facilities for dependable hot water etc. If you are moored or on the hook, you depend on a dinghy no matter the weather etc.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[FSMike]

Depends on what you're doing. When I was working I was usually on a mooring, sometimes at a marina. Nowadays when I'm living aboard I'm cruising so I'm usually at anchor.

[Lizzy Belle]

I'm in a marina - but I'm in the Netherlands, and I think it's a LOT cheaper to stay in a marina here than in the US. I don't know where you live, LLCoolDave, but I'm assuming the US.

I'm in a 5 star marina that actually allows liveaboards and makes sure we have all we need all year 'round. For a 29 ft boat, that costs me around $1700 for 12 months in the water (all-in except for electricity but does include water, shower etc. etc.)

Moorings - we simply don't have them, so not an option.

Since I'm not in the US, I didn't vote

[LLCoolDave]

I'm looking to move to the San Diego area. For a 30 ft boat you will pay $500 for a marina slip plus a $250 liveaboard fee and electricity. Moorings cost $140 per month but there is a wait list to get one. I plan on getting solar panels. Weather isn't a big issue in SD.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by LLCoolDave

For a 30 ft boat you will pay $500 for a marina slip plus a $250 liveaboard fee and electricity.

Per year?! if so, I'll be right over (well - not right right, it's a bit of a sail )

[LLCoolDave]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Per year?! if so, I'll be right over (well - not right right, it's a bit of a sail )

Haha, unfortunately its per month.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by LLCoolDave

Haha, unfortunately its per month.

Per month?!
I wouldn't even know how to use up $250 for electricity on a 30 footer ...
My $ 1700 includes a $400 liveaboard fee, which includes showers.

During the summer, I barely use electricity (about $ 150 per quarter), during the winter about double that.

12 x 500 = $ 6,000, and I pay $ 1,700 .. I knew the price difference was substantial between our countries, but didn't know it was THAT much.

But sorry - bit off-topic. I'll be quiet now

[LLCoolDave]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Per month?!
I wouldn't even know how to use up $250 for electricity on a 30 footer ...
My $ 1700 includes a $400 liveaboard fee, which includes showers.

12 x 500 = $ 6,000, and I pay $ 1,700 .. I knew the price difference was substantial between our countries, but didn't know it was THAT much.

But sorry - bit off-topic. I'll be quiet now

They charge it because they can. The $250 is just a fee and doesn't cover electricity (I wasn't clear on that). So you are in for $750 per month plus electricity. It makes the mooring much more attractive.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by LLCoolDave

So you are in for $750 per month plus electricity.

Yeah, I understand why people would rather be on a mooring ...
I didn't even pay $750 for my 3 bedroom house before I moved onboard

Anyway, sorry for derailing your thread. In your case, I'd opt for a mooring and a dinghy

[Olorin]

When we were refitting the boat in Cocoa Florida we paid approximately $900 per month for a 40 ft. Catamaran (needed a 60 ft. slip), plus electricity (maybe $40) all per month.
Excellent marina: showers, laundry, lounge, social activities.
However, since then we have been on the hook.
I'm currently in Sydney, Australia in a very trendy neighbourhood, where a million $ buys you a fixer-upper, for $0 per month.

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by LLCoolDave

I'm looking to move to the San Diego area. For a 30 ft boat you will pay $500 for a marina slip plus a $250 liveaboard fee and electricity. Moorings cost $140 per month but there is a wait list to get one. I plan on getting solar panels. Weather isn't a big issue in SD.

Good luck finding a marina that will let you live aboard anywhere in SoCal on a 30 foot boat. No where in America's Cup Harbor. The mooring wait list is like three years long. Anchoring is kind of a PITA too. Last time I was there you needed to move from anchorage to anchorage once a week.

[LLCoolDave]

Originally Posted by unbusted67

Good luck finding a marina that will let you live aboard anywhere in SoCal on a 30 foot boat. No where in America's Cup Harbor. The mooring wait list is like three years long. Anchoring is kind of a PITA too. Last time I was there you needed to move from anchorage to anchorage once a week.

Agreed. I talked with a couple sailors while I was in SD (last week) and the wait time was 6 months to a year for a mooring. With solar panels it doesn't make sense to pay for a slip.