Trailering South

[Mikex]

Hello all,
My wife and I are discussing trailering our 26 X from BC, Canada down the west coast to somewhere warm for a month or so. (Possibly Jan.)
Our question is, is it possible to get moorage for a month in San Diego (or nearby) with washroom facilities etc.? Any suggestions or recommendations?
Or would we have to go further south to Mexico (where we could get moorage for example, in San Carlos)?

Thanks so much,
Mike & Lise

[Chinook]

If you happen to drive south on I-5 in California, be on the watch for chuckholes in the freeway. A few years we trailered down that route, and in some of the concrete paved sections of the Sacramento and San Juaquin Valleys, there were some nasty chuckholes where chunks of road surface had broken out. I hit one and the jolt broke the weld on one of the trailer fenders. If you drive down to San Carlos, the route south from the border at Nogales is actually better than I-5. 4 lane divided highway all the way, with decent road surface. Cautions involve the fact that there are no shoulders on the route, so a flat tire would pose major problems. Also, driving at night in Mexico is a major no-no, because of the risk of hitting free range livestock.

[Mikex]

Thanks Chinook for your reply & tips on travelling, especially about the roads.
Our gut feeling is that it might be difficult to find moorage in San Diego.
Someone in our club went down to San Carlos with his Corsair & really enjoyed it so we know that is possible.
We've never travelled in Mexico before but so far people have said it isn't really a problem as long as you make sure all your paperwork is done & follow some basic rules (like not travelling at night).

Cheers,
Mike

[Divecoz]

Yes !!!!!!!!!

Cautions involve the fact that there are no shoulders on the route, so a flat tire would pose major problems. Also, driving at night in Mexico is a major no-no, because of the risk of hitting free range livestock.

BTDT!!!!!

[mastreb]

There are plenty of guest slips available by the day, week, or month in San Diego, the vast majority of which come with complete facilities. The Police Docks are $1/foot/day for up to 15 days, and includes facilities. All of the Marinas have guest slips as well.

Mooring, on the other hand, is a bit sparse.

There's a Cruiser's anchorage for up to 90 days for non-residents that is the most popular option. Its by permit only, but I believe there's no charge for up to 90 days. There are a few other anchorages in San Diego for short-term anchoring of up to 72 hours as well. There are facilities a short dinghy trip away from the cruiser's anchorage which includes showers, but I'm not sure if their use is included with the anchorage--they may be reserved for the mooring balls which are on a long waiting list and intended to be more permanent. There are some moorings agains the Harbor Street quay wall that are temporary for a few months.

All of it is ultimately controlled by the San Diego Port Authority. This is their website, where you can make reservations.

http://reservations.portofsandiego.org/boating/

[Mikex]

Thanks for all the great info mastreb! We are definitely feeling more encouraged now about driving down!
Looking on the internet on the weather history for January it seems to indicate a stable 70 degrees.
Which winter month would you recommend? Or is it all pretty consistent at 70? This would suit us just fine!

[mastreb]

San Diego is 72 degrees 90% of the time. Sometimes it rains once or twice in February. In may-june we're frequently under a marine layer that hides the sun, but temps are still 70s. September is the hottest month, sometimes getting into the 80s and maybe two or three days a year in the 90s. The coast never goes below the sea temp of 64 degrees even at night in mid-winter.

Sea temps are lower in winter however, which can make your boat cold at night. Quilts do the job though, no heater necessary. Also you'll find quite a bit of condensation inside the cabin in the winter at night.

Weather is just not an issue here.

Let me know if you need any other info.

[Mikex]

That sounds great & very inviting mastreb! Thanks for confirming that info for us.
We do have an Espar heater, which is great for taking the chill out as well as drying things out...so we can use that if need be.
Heard so many great things about San Diego. The Venture Yacht Club (for trailerable boats) recommended Pier 32 for moorage and we have been in touch. They sound very accommodating.
Now for a few modifications to the trailer & boat to get it ready!

Cheers,
MacX

[mastreb]

Yep, I've got two boats at Pier 32. Great staff, fantastic facilities, and very accommodating. By far the best place to put a trailerable sailboat in as its right next to the best public launch ramp in San Diego Bay AND you can move the boat between the ramp and trailer parking mast-up.

Let me know when you're here and we'll meet up.

Matt

[BOAT]

Matt,

Your talking about the Pepper Park ramp, right?

[Mikex]

Oh great Matt! Good testimony of Pier 32! We are aiming for January right now, so will keep you posted and hopefully will meet up then!

Thanks for all your helpful input,
Mike & Lise

[BOAT]

Can I join you guys in January? I will bring 'boat' with me.

[Mikex]

We will look forward to meeting up Boat once we have the last bits of info sorted out. Will keep you posted!

[Phil M]

My brother reported a Macgregor similar to my so I am guessing it was an Travelling south of Nogales, Mexico, yesterday with BC plates on it. I thought of this post. Maybe heading to San Carlos? Anyways, very hot weather down there right now while up here it goes below freezing at night. Such a long way to go.

[BOAT]

I have sailed San Carlos before - way way back in the old days with my dad.