| There is much confusion about marinas and yacht slips | | | | regulated by the marina's agreement with the port are |
| in the San Diego area, so this article is an attempt to | | | | the number and type of slips as well as the number |
| shed some light on the topic and inform readers | | | | and type of commercial operations operating out of |
| regarding what they may expect. Understanding what | | | | each marina. If your intention is to offer charters, you |
| is available for your boat, how much it costs, how long | | | | should mention this before you get a slip. The type of |
| you may need to wait to get it and what you may do | | | | commercial operation you wish to engage in may not |
| with the slip when you do acquire one - all of these | | | | be allowed. |
| questions are addressed. | | | | Simply getting a slip for your boat may not be as easy |
| There are over 20 marinas in the greater San Diego | | | | as you think. Generally, the larger the boat you have, |
| area representing roughly 8,000 slips. Each marina, | | | | the longer the wait to acquire a slip. This means that |
| most owned by large corporations, set their own | | | | for a 25-foot boat you may only have to wait a |
| policies governing the rental of slips dealing with issues | | | | month, but for a 50-foot boat the wait may be a year |
| such as fees, tenant desirability, security deposit, tenant | | | | or more. Obviously, the duration of the wait depends |
| responsibilities, insurance, yacht title, etc. You, as well as | | | | on several factors such as:o The demand at the |
| your boat, must meet the marina's criteria before they | | | | particular marina you are applying to, as some marinas |
| will rent to you. For example, some marinas will not | | | | are in higher demand than otherso The state of the |
| allow wooden boats in their facilities. Also, you are not | | | | local economy, as the demand for slip space as well |
| able purchase slips as personal property in San Diego, | | | | boats often follows economic trends |
| as is possible in some other cities. All slips in town are | | | | If you are hoping to live aboard your boat, this is going |
| rented. | | | | to be a hurdle as well. Each marina only allows a |
| The marinas do not own the land they are on, but | | | | certain number of live aboard type slips. Thus, even if |
| lease it. On San Diego Bay all water access land is | | | | a slip is available for your boat, it may not be |
| controlled by the San Diego Port Authority. The | | | | designated as a live aboard type. |
| businesses/marinas leasing from the port are | | | | Hopefully this article has drawn your attention to the |
| expected to keep up or improve their facilities on the | | | | fact that you must plan ahead. Being in the position of |
| land they lease. If they do not, lease renegotiation at | | | | having a boat and no place to put it would not be wise. |
| renewal time may be difficult. Among the many things | | | | |