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Golden_Gears · 14-10-2020, 10:11

Newbie question. I’ll start by saying, I don’t own a boat yet and I’m still researching my options and prospects. The cost of slip rental in So Cal is outrageously expensive. I understand why, and it is what it is. Since my son’s college expenses are also outrageously expensive and are the priority, so I’m looking into mooring instead of slip rental. How do non-live- aboard people manage this? Do people bring a dinghy to the marina every time they want to get out to their boat, or do they have a spot for storing the dinghy there? How safe is it really? By safe I mean security AND the danger of breaking lose in foul weather, etc. How does one go about finding sublets from cruisers who are away for months at a time and like to keep their slip occupied while they area cruising? is that even a thing people still do? Any other thoughts from experienced boaters?

Shrew · 14-10-2020, 11:06

Some marinas have a tender to get you out to your mooring, though this typically has some time limitations (no tender at 1:00am).

Many places have a dinghy dock or dinghy racks to store your dinghy.

I was at a marina that had a few courtesy rowing dinghy's both on the dinghy racks and tied to the dinghy dock. You would borrow one, row out to your mooring where youre dinghy and motor were stored, lower it, then tow the rowing dink back with your dinghy. When you leave, do the reverse. Go grab a rowing dinghy, haul your dinghy and row back to the dinghy dock.

Montanan · 14-10-2020, 11:18

I believe that you will find very few moorings available in SoCal and fewer which are available for long term use. Most of the moorings are short stay, reserved on a first come first use basis with a maximum stay rental of about 15 days.

Each location is unique. Good luck.

Group9 · 14-10-2020, 11:19

I kept two boats on moorings for several years when I was in Annapolis, Maryland, and earlier in Mississippi. If you close off all of the seacocks, and you have inspected your mooring tackle, it's a pretty safe place to leave your boat.

Finding a place to leave your dinghy, so you don't have to haul it there every time, is a big plus.

Steve Bean · 14-10-2020, 11:26

My boat is on a mooring. I use a canoe that I carry on my car. My neighbor uses an inflatable dinghy that he folds up and carries in his car. Others rent space at the city's dinghy docks for their dinghies or kayaks.