When ever
buying a boat it's extremely important to have a slip to put it in before closing on the boat. Liveaboards are getting longer wait lists. Plus some counties (Contra Costa) are trying to run out liveaboards.
Way around that is to take a transient slip for a month at a time. Some marina's allow 2 months for transient slip
lease. Added bonus is in many cases a transient slip costs about the same as a
liveaboard slip. Makes for an interesting experience if you're commuting.
This oddly does several things, it give the harbor master time to know you and the boat. Which is important. This may make it easier for you to get a
liveaboard slip or get approval for liveaboard.
Also note that different marina's have different requirements for liveaboard. Some require a minimum
LOA of 40 feet others 35', others 32'.
The other issue is most marina's near silicon valley don't allow liveaboards or have really long wait lists. Farther away, It might get easier.
in any case you will have to travel to each marina and talk to the harbor master in person, before they will even offer a liveaboard slip. Marina's in the
SF bay area generally will not say they allow liveaboards or have openings over the
phone.