living aboard in PDX

[MercyfulBait]

Originally Posted by Lepke

I have a private dock on the lower Columbia that solves many problems. But in the past I also found private dock owners in many places (not just the Columbia) willing to rent. When I was young, marine dockage was about 50¢ a foot. I can't get over what they charge now. My boat would be a grand. And for what?
When I was a commercial fisherman I paid about 1/4 to 1/2 the marina rate. Sometimes that included free power. It's worth looking. A lot of rural property owners like to have a "caretaker" on the dock they never use. Also there are no longer used grain docks and others. Where farmers irrigate, pump installations are big enough for a sailboat. But no internet, water. I make water on the Columbia that tests amazingly better than Portland water. I also have Incinolet heads that don't put sewage out. Flow thru type II marine sanitation devices are legal anywhere there isn't a no discharge zone. People do anchor out in the river and don't seem to be bothered.

I never thought about private docks, that's a good idea. I'm going to look at a boat at Tomahawk Bay Marina next week that, if everything checks out, I'm going to buy. It's a 1977 Ranger '28, and it's in a transferable slip at a marina that allows liveaboards. So in theory, I can just hop right in with no wait and I get a free month for buying from a current tenant!

I do have one question, up here in Alaska nobody uses the head while underway or on the hook. It's always the bucket. If one were to live on the hook on the Columbia, what are the laws about the bucket?

[MercyfulBait]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Mercyfulbait is there a specific reason for pdx ? There are lots of great cheap vessels in the puget sound. And many marinas don't have liveaboards slips but they don't care if you stay full time on your boat. Just call yourself full time cruiser. (Makes them happy)

I've got a few reasons for choosing Portland; all my friends and family are there, I'm applying for union apprenticeships there, and I really miss home after 6 years away. I'm just getting out of a ten year relationship and not having a great go of it, and really want to be around my support group instead of being in a town of 2,000 on an island with my ex.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by MercyfulBait

I've got a few reasons for choosing Portland; all my friends and family are there, I'm applying for union apprenticeships there, and I really miss home after 6 years away. I'm just getting out of a ten year relationship and not having a great go of it, and really want to be around my support group instead of being in a town of 2,000 on an island with my ex.

fully understand the desire for family. Just wonders if it was a specific reason and you have several.
As far as the ex could always go to Chichester and go bear hunting