Hello from Bahrain

[Navy Jim]

I have been looking over the board for the past couple of days and have found tons of great information that I hadn’t seen in any books or magazines I've read. Thanks!

I am in the U.S. Navy stationed in Bahrain. I will be moving to Hawaii in Jan 2011. I am hoping to buy a 40' cruiser and to live aboard in a marina for about 2-3 years. After that I will be out of the Navy and looking to do some cruising before finding a real job. In the Navy I was a Navigator and a deck watch officer for a little over three years on a destroyer.

I have heard some stories that all of the marinas on Oahu have long waitlists for liveaboards. If anyone can pass me any information on that I would appreciate it. Also, if anyone sees a good deal on a Sailboat over the next year in Oahu (75-100k price range), please give me a heads up.

[James S]

Welcome to the forum Jim...Thanks for doing your time so I don't have to.
It may be that the boat you buy in Hawaii will come with a slip!

[Gudgeon]

NavyJim
Yes slips are hard to get here in Hawaii. Your best best is to contact the Navy Marina (WWW.greatlifehawaii.com) Rainbow Bay Marina and get on the list. I do not know if you can do it prior to your arrival.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Definitely call the marina and put your name in the hat as soon as you can. Pearl and Hickam are combining into one large base so you'll have a good shot at a slip at Hickam as well.
Kaneohe MCABS is another area you may be able to find a slip.
They'll tell you at the civilian marinas that there is a 15 year waiting list.
Just got off the phone with Rainbow Bay Marina (Pearl Harbor). Liveaboards on active duty are allowed (not for retired). The waiting list for a slip for a 40' boat is about 3 years according to them but of course that all depends on many things.
Their number is 808-473-0284. Call them ASAP if you have questions.
Good luck in your search for a slip. They truly are hard to come by.
Do a search using the search engine beside my signature. Type in "Hawaii,"
regards,