Novice liveaboard hopeful- SF Bay

[Cnorton]

Hi all;

I'm sure I'm the millionth person to post something along these lines, but here goes:

I am a marine ecology technician working for the USGS in Vallejo. As an already avid small boater, scuba diver, and general devotee of maritime-related things, I have long wanted to live on a boat.

Finally, I have found some cheap boats for sale in the Bay Area that I can afford and are in good condition. My plan is to purchase a boat, live on it, and learn how to maintain and eventually sail/navigate it.

I have no illusions that this will be a tremendously difficult process. Already I have become familiar with the insanely crowded/waitlisted condition of most Bay area marinas, and have done research on the many hurdles that must be jumped in order to successfully transition to this sort of lifestyle.

That being said, I humbly put before this community, the following questions;
-any advice on how to find an official liveaboard slip?
-advice for alternatives to an official slip? Such as being a "sneakaboard" or registering as a cruiser?
-what else would you tell a bright-eyed, completely naive first-time liveaboard?

I am familiar with basic boat handling and safety, but know nothing of sailboat maintenance or sailing. But I have every intention of learning! I would appreciate any/all advice that people are willing to offer, particularly on the above questions.

Thank you!

Charlie

[sailorchic34]

Most SF area marina's have a minimum size boat for liveaboard. A few are 30-32 feet. some are 35 feet and many are 40 feet as a minimum size to liveaboard.

Then there are wait lists for liveaboard for most marina's.

Generally marina's want nice looking boats for liveaboard and folks with jobs or retired. It always pays to visit the harbormaster to talk about liveaboard options.

One way to get around that is to take a temporary/guest slip for 2-4 weeks (some places allow up to two months in a temporary / guest slip and move from marina to marina. Not easy when you have a 9-5 job. Sometimes that leads to a real liveaboard slip.

Some folks do sneekaboard but generally get caught within a month or three and are asked to vacate. It can be done up to a point, though I've never done it.

[Flyingriki]

Previous threads: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ea-177301.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...sf-186973.html

You may be luckier in the Vallejo area. Check with the marinas there, Benicia and nearby. Otherwise Marina Bay in Richmond used to be my go to for living. Sneaking doesn't work any more with electronic gates....
Good luck!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Charlie.

[Oceandeep]

Hi Charlie
I've been a legal live aboard in The SF Bay Area now for about 5 years. It is difficult to find a slip. Most marinas set aside 10% of their slips for this purpose : I started off as an extended stay (3 days) per week and eventually worked myself into a full time arrangement. The only place that I know that has a few live aboard slips available is Half Moon Bay but that may be too far for you.
Please PM me if you want more details on living aboard in SF Bay.