Boat slip information

[TeqP]

A friend of mine had a 39' boat donated to his non-profit organization, http://www.oceandefenders.org/ .
He needs a reasonably priced slip to store the boat. He is looking in the Orange, LA and Ventura Counties to store the boat.

Does anyone know of a place where he can store the boat? He has tried quite a few places in the San Pedro and Ventura areas, but they have long waiting lists. If anyone knows of any, your help is appreciated.

Thanks.
Phil

 

[Frank O]

Hey Phil, I faced the same problem when I bought a 21' whaler this spring that I wanted to keep in the water. It's definitely not a buyer's market out there for boat slips. However, I did manage to get one in Redondo after only a few weeks of looking.

I'd recommend getting on the waiting lists for as many marinas as possible. One thing I didn't fully realize before I started looking is that several different marinas often operate in a given harbor -- there are 3 or 4 at Redondo, for example, and quite a few in the San Pedro area. In a pinch, one of the easier places to get a slip is probably Wilmington, meaning the more inner parts of Los Angeles Harbor. It's not the most upscale neighborhood, and the running time from berth to ocean at 5 mph can be *long*, but if he's up against the wall ...

 

[Roughwaterjohn]

Hi Phil,

I had the same type of problem placing my 42' Roughwater in a slip in San Diego. After my own trials, and discussing this with other boaters over the past year or so, here's what I found out. "Don't" call asking about slip availability, you're going to get the 'waiting list' story just about every time.

Your friend will need to go to each marina he's interested in, and talk with the Dockmaster onsite. The marinas are inundated with calls for slips, and almost always state there is a long waiting list, because they have plenty of walk-ins asking for the same thing. They are more than able to fill all their slips on walk-ins alone. The Dockmasters prefer to see the people in person and see a picture of the boat. Since there are a lot of prospects for not many slips, they like to pick boats and people who they feel won't cause problems and have boats that won't sink to the bottom of the slip or be an eyesore.

It doesn't hurt to get a rapport going with the Dockmaster either. Often, if he doesn't have something available right away, but you made an impression on him as someone he wants in his marina, you could get a call within a week or so when something opens up. Right now, the biggest demand is for boats in the 35' to 45' range, so that could make it more difficult, but persistence pays off.

John A.

 

[TrojanCatMan]

Have you tried asking any of the Coastal Conservancy groups how they get their slips? Maybe one of these other groups might have a tip or somebody that they know will help with the donations.

 

[Frank O]

"Don't" call asking about slip availability, you're going to get the 'waiting list' story just about every time. ... Your friend will need to go to each marina he's interested in, and talk with the Dockmaster onsite. The marinas are inundated with calls for slips, and almost always state there is a long waiting list, because they have plenty of walk-ins asking for the same thing. They are more than able to fill all their slips on walk-ins alone. The Dockmasters prefer to see the people in person and see a picture of the boat. Since there are a lot of prospects for not many slips, they like to pick boats and people who they feel won't cause problems and have boats that won't sink to the bottom of the slip or be an eyesore.

Good point. Although I talked to my marina on the phone for several weeks about possible slip openings, I didn't clinch the deal with a firm offer from them until I got in the car and visited in person.

 

[Rickster]

Hi Phil,

Try calling Capt. Hook's sportfishing at Channel Island Harbor in Oxnard. The dock just changed hands. Talk to Jeff, and tell him Rick from the Sunfish sent you.

I will talk to him today, as well.

Rick

 

[TeqP]

Thanks for all the advice. My buddy is taking the advice given to see if he can get sonething.

Rick - I will let Kurt know.

Again, thanks everyone. Have a great weekend.

Phil