liveaboard in Dana Point harbor

[whiteworks]

I am looking into setting my cousin up on a boat in dana point harbor. He has a good job at Wind and Sea (last couple years) and just graduated highschool. He wants to live in the harbor and work at the restraunt (live the dream as he says) Anybody have info on a setup like this. Basically I was thinking I would buy the boat (fixer upper) and he covers the rest. I can seriously see this kid settleing in there for a while. There are some smoking deals on slipped boats right now but how is Dana Point for liveaboards?

 

[DILLIGAF]

BAJAMIKE can probably get you started in the right direction

 

[NdaWind]

Did that for 3 years in King Harbor (Redondo Beach). Sail boats work real nice for live aboard.

 

[Riverbound]

Worked on a boat in High school in which the woner was a liveaboard. started out in Pedro and eventually moved it to Newport Dunes. we did charters for people. was a fun gig, but I couldnt imagine full time living unless it was soemthign BIG.most the liveaboard people made the Parker locals look sophisticated ;-)

 

[NdaWind]

Definately was a spartan lifestyle, but cheap $60 a month for mooring(no slip) food was cheap happy hour at one of the 10 or so bars in and around the marina. bicycled to work, bouncer at the Poop Deck in Hermosa

 

[Cigalert]

They don't allow liveaboards in Dana anymore. A few people have been grandfathered by the harbor master to live there full time but they were there before the rules came into effect.

My buddy has a 34 cruiser there now. We've stayed the night after a long drinking binge. They allow a few random nights without question but I believe the rule is something along the lines of a certain amount of consecutive days and then you must leave for a certain amount of days. And they do cruise through to check for lights turned on at night and other signs of "living" quite often.

 

[HavaPaul]

I was first mate on a 56 foot trimaran for 2 years in Oceanside. Harbor life is awsome.
I would take local liveaboards over SoCal mainlanders anyday. Met alot of neat people.
Whiteworks, Set you kid up in a sailboat. Screw the powerboat. He'll get more respect in the harbor.
I hate SoCal but the coastal life is awsome.
Here is a pic and a link if anyone wants to check out this incredible boat.
http://www.freewebs.com/thewindchime/adayofsailing.htm

 

[LhcBrad]

I lived on a boat for 15 years and loved it. I got married and the wife did not like it as much. Cigalet said Dana point is longer allowing live aboards and trust me if this is the case do not try and be a sneak aboard you will get caught and they most likely will not be happy with you. Some allow 60 days in a row I suggest you check with the Harbor Master and get the current rules. The boat life is like this-- you either love it or hate it, there are some very good things about it and some not so good things. A few good things are its cheap and you sleep good at night with all of the harbor noises at least I did. A few bad things are its cramped quarters and things are always damp. To me its a great way to live and if you can find a way to do it legal do it. Feel free to Pm me if you want more information.

 

[HavaPaul]

Never slept better than I did on that boat. Something about the sea air.
We had ample quarters. 6 staterooms in all. Didnt envy the monohulls, sleepin communaly kinda sucks.

Brad, what did you live on and where.

 

[BajaMike]

They don't allow liveaboards in Dana anymore. A few people have been grandfathered by the harbor master to live there full time but they were there before the rules came into effect.

My buddy has a 34 cruiser there now. We've stayed the night after a long drinking binge. They allow a few random nights without question but I believe the rule is something along the lines of a certain amount of consecutive days and then you must leave for a certain amount of days. And they do cruise through to check for lights turned on at night and other signs of "living" quite often.

Yea, as said above, it is against the law to "live aboard" a boat in Dana Point harbor. That said, I know people who have done it.....for a while.

It's ok to "sleep over"....but you can't live on the boat....so you have to be pretty sneaky. The Harbor Patrol does cruise around and keep track of people who look like they might be living on a boat.

I think you need to move the boat out of the harbor, go to Newport or Oceanside one night a week, go out a couple miles and empty your tank, keep lights off at night, ect. It's probably a pain in the ass.

You can live on boats in Oceanside harbar....I don't know about Newport.

:hmm

 

[Cigalert]

Yea, as said above, it is against the law to "live aboard" a boat in Dana Point harbor. That said, I know people who have done it.....for a while.

It's ok to "sleep over"....but you can't live on the boat....so you have to be pretty sneaky. The Harbor Patrol does cruise around and keep track of people who look like they might be living on a boat.

I think you need to move the boat out of the harbor, go to Newport or Oceanside one night a week, go out a couple miles and empty your tank, keep lights off at night, ect. It's probably a pain in the ass.

You can live on boats in Oceanside harbar....I don't know about Newport.

:hmm

Areas of Newport allow liveaboards. I've been yelled at by harbor patrol for being too loud at 4 am heading out to go fishing.