| MARINE SERVICES |
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| S/V CORINE ON RACK WITH NEW BOTTOM PAINT, COLONIAL YACHT ANCHORAGE, WILMINGTON, CALIFORNIA |
| Colonial Yacht Anchorage Berth 204 Anchorage Road Wilmington, Ca. 90744 Phone (310) 830 1161 Fax (310) 830 5343 E-Mail cyaboatyd@aol.com Website www.colonialyacht.com SERVICES: Lift capability, sail and power up to 47 feet in length, 20 ton max. Expert carpenters, chandlery, full assortment of hard to find fasteners in bronze and stainless. Painting: enamel and linear polyurethane. First class gelcoat repairs. Canvass and upholstery. Dry storage for Fiber glass boats, $6.00 per foot per month. Wood boat storage now available with restrictions. Moorage: slips up to 45 feet, $9.00 per foot per month. Call for details Clients may do their own work, but no outside contractors. Restrictions apply, call for details. Authors comment: In the San Pedro-Long Beach area this boatyard is highly recommended, the work is excellent at reasonable rates, done efficiently and on time, and customer relations are very good. The author has had his boat in this boatyard once per year on an average for the past 16 years. |
| BOATYARDS |
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| Baja Naval 60 Miles South of San Diego Ensenada, Mexico Phone 011-52-646-174-0020 Fax 011-52-646-174-0028 Website: www.bajanaval.com Services: 120,000 square -foot facility and 70-ton travellift allows an average of 32 boats to be worked on simultaneously, inhouse workshops include carpentry with 6 full time carpenters, painting with fourteen full time painters, L.P. systems, enamel, gelcoat and blister repair, mechanical, navel architecture, hull extensions, stainless steel, mig & tig, and aluminum welding among others . Fiberglass, wood, steel aluminum and ferro cement pleasure craft are accommodated. Baja Naval owns and operates a 50 slip marina with docks up to 100 feet. Clients may do their own work above the water line. Author's Comment: The author has never had his boat hauled by Baja Naval, however many have and the author is not aware of any negative comments. The paint used for bottom painting is of a better grade than the paint used in California, those that are guests of the nearby Coral Marina at times will have the bottom painted prior to return to the USA. On 1/28/03 the author was given a quote of $600 to $750 for haulout, power wash the bottom, light power sanding to the surface and apply with rollers one full coat of bottom paint and a second coat to the water line and leading edges and launch, costs would depend on the type and brand of the existing paint. We were advised that a simple haulout with one coat of bottom paint and launch would cost around $400.00. |
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| Cabrillo Boat Shop 1500 Pier C Street Long Beach, California 90813 AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID These people are one of the few remaining in business who are unable to think any further than the end of their nose, they simply do not realize their cost in the long run when they hassle a customer. I refer to my 16 years as a boat owner in the area, with 16 haulouts and the countless fellow boat owners referred to other boatyards. At $1000 a pop, thats costly. The author cannot recommend this boatyard and would suggest that the boatowner go elsewhere for haul out, that is, if you lose a prop in front of their dock you may want to give them some consideration. |
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Bahia Marine Hardware & Rigging 714 Marina Drive Seal Beach, California (562) 799-7444 I have had only one occasion to use a rigger inasmuch as I have my own tension measurement tools. In this instance I removed a backstay, carried it to Bahia and had them to install two insulators in order to use the backstay for a SSB antenna. The work was done within the proposed time, and at a cost that I deemed reasonable. Further, A friend with same type boat as the author's, also had the same work done and was well satisfied. |
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Boatswain's Locker, Inc. 931 w. 18th Street Costa Mesa, CA 92627-4541 Phone (949) 642 6800 Excellent source of parts for the ubiguitous Yanmar. I have never had any work done here however, over the years have purchased many parts. They seem to always have everything in stock and if not, will order. Highly recommended. |
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Powertron Battery Company 2218 W. Second Street Santa Ana, California 92703 Phone 714 543 4858 Fax 714 543 9211 I located this company through the internet by searching for a nearby dealer for lifeline batteries inasmuch as I wanted to replace same. Since the battery compartment was tight fitting, I did not want to do modifications due to an impending cruise to Mexico and further, the boat came equipped with GELCELLS that lasted six years being another reason I wanted lifelines. I was advised that like same AGMs were available and after review of comparisons by BLUEWATER SAILING, I purchased the AGMs, there wasn't that much difference. "So far so good." |
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Ullman Sails, Inc. 6400 Marina Drive Long Beach, California 90803 Phone 562 598 9441 Pager 310 509 6071 The author had his genoa restiched and the mainsail washed by nearby Ullman Sails and todate have no problems with their work, costs were $283.00. |
| T/A Sails 222 W. "D" Street Wilmington, California (310) 518-2841 When the author had a smaller boat with the slip in San Pedro, the sail work was taken to this company however, the then owner has since retired and the children are now operating the business. I thought the work was excellent and very reasonable priced however, have not had an occasion to take work to T/A under present management. |
Wayne Electric Company 1560 W. Anaheim Street Long Beach, California 90813 AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID On a battery check, the author noticed a low voltage reading, so the engine was started and it was ascertained that the alternator was not charging. The Alternator was removed and taken to the above company on the basis of their ad in the Marine Directory. I specifically told the employee at the front desk that I wanted the alternator to be checked and to advise me what the problem was so I could make a decision as whether to have the unit upgraded to the 75 amp model, purchase a new one or simply have that unit repaired. A few days later I called and discussed the matter with the technician "Mark" and was informed that the unit had not been checked. I advised that I would be out of town for a week and I wanted to know what the problem was before any work done. When I returned to town and contacted Mark, he advised that the unit was repaired, it was just "dirty", there was gunk on the inside so he cleaned it and it was now charging. I then asked him if he had bench checked the unit before taking it apart, there was a silence and he said no. I then knew that I had been "had" and that I just as well bend over and take it. To begin with, I can eat my morning scrambled eggs and bacon off the engine pan, there is no gunk in the engine compartment period. Sure enough, when I returned and installed the alternator, it was not charging and on advice of another boatowner, began to check all the electrical harness grounds and found a loose ground. After correction, the unit began to charge and is still charging so therefore, there was nothing wrong with the unit to begin with. If Mark has an IQ level above 10, this was probably ascertained in the beginning but he could not charge me $125.00 for a bench test so a cleaning was in order. Apparently he developed "cold feet" over the situation since the price was lowered to $85.00 without any discussion with the author. |
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| INSURANCE |
| Rowcliffe's Insurance P.O. Box 19971 San Diego, Ca. 92159-0971 Email: Kokoa@earthlink.net Ph: 619-698-1849 Fx: 619-698-1383 With few exceptions, marinas are requiring at least liability insurance and for those unburdened with a boat mortgage and somewhat secure, the above is one of the few carriers that will write liability only insurance. Included is a certificate naming the marina as an additional insured. A word about coverage is that it is provided in Mexico with some restrictions as outlined in the policy however, the policy does not comply with Mexican law which means that if the marina manager in Mexico can read and understand the policy, it probably would not be accepted, therefore, requiring the purchaser to run downtown for local insurance. In actuality, check in info is taken by the front office and the office personnel cheerfully photostat and place in the file the policy without attempting to read it. The author has an endorsement on the homeowner policy, a personal liability rider which provides public liability for a boat up to 35' and when checking into the present U.S. marina, the manager tossed the policy back to the author without an attempt to read it stating "this is just a regular policy." So inorder to keep the peace with the marina, the author now has two policies. |
| ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT |
| RIGGERS |
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| YANMAR PARTS, SALES AND SERVICE |
| BATTERIES |
| SAILMAKER |
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| Lewco 456 N. Old Newport Blvd. Newport Beach, California Phone: 949-548-8383 When the author first became aware of the charging problem with the alternator, lewco was recommended however, since the boat was moored in Long Beach, much to the author's regret, the business was taken to Wayne Electric in Long Beach, resulting in the above. Folks, learn from the author's mistakes. |
| PROPELLERS |
| Autoprop AB Marine P.O. Box 6104 Middletown, RI 62842 Phone: 1-800-801-8922 www.autoprop.com The author has an autoprop installed now for the past eight months or so. There is a most definite improvement in performance, fuel consumption and engine temperature. However, this is an expensive installation as well as being expensive to maintain. Therefore, the jury is still out as to whether the expense is worth it. To begin with, the prop zincs cost about $20.00 each, recently raised from about $14.00, free shipping is included if purchased in lots of five. It seems that every time the boat is taken from the slip, the prop zinc falls off requiring replacement. Further, the zincs do not fit the prop, the barrel has to be drilled out to prevent the end of the shaft from contacting the zinc and causing a gap between the prop body and zinc thus rendering the zinc ineffective. "Dom" at AB Marine has suggested that in order to correct this situation, "that the diver grind off the end of the prop shaft." Well, to begin with, this routine will prejudice somewhat the ability to install the stock prop and further, I doubt that there are many divers that will take an electrical grinder under water. This situation could be corrected if AB Marine could have the barrel of the zinc deepened about an eight of an inch. |
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| RADIOS AND SERVICES |
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| HF Radio on Board 1813 Clement Ave. Bldg 24 Alameda, CA. 94501 510-814-8888 Fax 510-769-1573 www.hfradio.com The unit was purchased essentially ready to install from HF Radio and installation was just about as simple as setting up a computer with monitor, printer and scanner. Antenna cables were cut and fiitted with the proper attachments however, a 90 degree PL-259 connector for the antenna cable was needed in this instance due to the limited space behind the radio. Total cost was $2,351.42 which included the AT130 auto antenna tuner, precut cables, e-mail filter, tax and shipping and complete installation instructions. Also included was Don Melcher's booklet "Understanding Marine Single Sideband Radio" with the 157 freqs listed and installed by HF Radio. All installations were done by the author, an untutored, unlettered, unlicensed and self taught technician using the trial and error procedure. Gordon West Radio School 2414 College Drive Costa Mesa, CA. 92626 714-549-5000 (Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Fax 714-434-0666 WB6NOA Normally, the class consists of three sessions, a Friday evening class beginning about 6:00 P.M., all day Saturday and Sunday. Exams for the general license are in three parts, the technician, the "very simple" morse code and the general. In this instance Gordon was the lecturer as well as the teacher and entertainer. After paying the $250.00 fee for the general, the student receives by mail a package containg a study manual, written and published by Gordon, as well as tapes for the code practice and other material which contained some useful information such as helpful websites, an array of useful frequencies and nets. Now, advice from the author, prepare! In addition of the study material from Gordon, the author purchased the general, technician and code CD from ARRL, the CD from ARRL was deemed to be more helpful. The author would suggeest that the student familiarize himself/herself with the practice exams on the internet, one example would be qrz.com. Others can be found by using the search engine google.com and typing "ham exams," several choices will appear for the general as well as the technician. There are 35 questions on each exam taken randomly from a pool of 350 questions, these are the actual questions and are on the practice tests as well as the actual exams. Consistantly passing the practice exams will insure that the class will be a "snap". All this preparation is not really necessary, it just helps the class to be more pleasant or in essence, you don't have to "sweat the exams." However, there were two Guys sitting near the author that walked in "cold" and after listening attentively to the lectures walked out Sunday afternoon with a general license, they however, did not "ace" the exams. KG6NKY Standing by. |
| WATER HEATERS AND LPG STOVES |
| Seaward Products 3721 Capitol Avenue Whittier, Calif. 90601-1732 Tel 562-699-7997 Fax 562-699-0908 www.seawardproducts.com This company provides the LPG stove and 6 gallon water heater for the author's boat, the author has no problem with the stove however the water heater has a propensity to leak. It should be noted that Seaward has an advertisement in the latest issue of the ISLAND PACKET NEWSLETTER touting their customer support and "We will handle you call with the best customer service the industry has to offer." This is contrary to the author's experience with this company, there was no response at all to the author's request for help with a leaky water heater, request was simply ignored. Fortunately, the author was able to work out the problem without their help. Unfortunately, we are stuck with this company since the unit fits in a very tight area and a replacement that will install in this area has not been found. |
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| MARINAS |
| Marina Mazatlan Telephone/Fax 011-52-69-16314 Local phone 16799 E-mail marimaz@sin1.telmex.net.mx Website http://www.sidek.com.mx/dev/mzt_marina_i.html The last e-mail correspondence we had from the marina was that the new name is Desarrollo Marina Mazatlan however, the website as listed above will link to the marina, we could find no website or e-mail for the new name. Contact should be on channel 16 and then you will be directed to channel 18 for slip assignment. The marina has 197 slips from 25 to 120 feet in length with water, power, check in and out with the authorities, fuel, laundry, telephone, haulout, pumpout, fax and dock boxes. Rates change from time to time, rate for the author's 35' boat was about $315.00, rates for slips without power are somewhat less. This marina is well managed and is highly recommended, cruisers are most welcomed. The marina sponsors social activities for various USA holidays as well as cocktail parties and other social activities from time to time. Forget El Cid Marina. However, for those that keep the dinghy launched, there is a small but well stocked mercado near the office of El Cid Marina, a short dinghy ride away. Marina El Cid Circuito Campeadora No. 1 Altos Fracc. El Cid Mazatlan, Mx. Telephone 13-33-33 ext. 411 As indicated in the start page, El Cid is for the most part a hotel and time share complex, the marina is an adjunct and is operated accordingly. In the google.com search engine, page after page describes the hotel but few if any give information on the marina. However, there are some nice photos depicting the marina and Marina Mazatlan in the background. Cruisers as a group, tend to avoid this marina if possible, if Marina Mazatlan is full or closed, as in the case a year or so ago, then it should be given some consideration. The author was not particularly impressed with this marina, after about a three week trip home, the author returned to find that his boat was rubbing and banging against another boat that had been squeezed into the double slip by marina personnel, each time a power boat went by in the nearby channel there was an impact and collision between the two boats. When the author returned the occupant of the other boat complained that the author's boat was rubbing against his boat. Front office personnel tend to regard slip tenants as a nuisance and as a matter of fact, when the author checked out of this marina on January 6, 2002, he carefully arrived at the time of office opening but was informed by the lady at the front desk to come back in about an hour since she had to do her nails. The marina does have some redeeming features, there is a nice restaurant and bar, it is close proximity to bus service to town, a laundry and well stocked mercado are nearby, fuel dock and shower are nearby and the marina is well maintained and in good order with 24 hour security. So therefor, if a cruiser can stomach the front office people, and do not mind rubbing elbows with tourist, time share buyers and such nerds as well as sky high prices, he can give the marina some consideration. In regards to prices, the author was charged $425.00 U.S. for his 35' boat plus $50 for electricity, even for the time he was absent from the marina with the power off. Marina personnel confided that when the marina received their electric bill, it was divided by the number of slips and the answer was doubled thus being the electric bill. Marina Cabo San Lucas Lote a-18 De La Darcena Cabo San Lucas, BCS Mexico Phone 011-52-114-31251 Fax 011-52-114-31253 Website www.almar.com Contact on CH 88a This marina is part of the Almar Marinas chain, an American owned chain, for specific information, the website as listed above has links to the Marina Cabo San Lucas site which is quite informative. Both management and staff do an excellent job, the author has no problems with either. The problem that everyone has with this marina is the cost, but this is due to the lack of competition, as the old adage states, "business is business." Sooner or later there will be other slips available for some relief. Viva Escalara Nautica. Hotel Coral and Marina Marina Office: 011 52 (646) 175 0050 Fax: 011 52 (646) 175 0058 Website: www.hotelcoral.com CHECK MARINA AVAILABILITY SHORT TERM SLIP RATES Slip Size Rate Ft. Daily Weekly 15 Days Monthly 30' $ 1.00 $ 30.00 $ 178.50 $ 337.50 $ 540.00 35' $ 1.00 $ 35.00 $ 208.25 $ 393.75 $ 630.00 40' $ 1.00 $ 40.00 $ 238.00 $ 450.00 $ 720.00 45' $ 1.00 $ 45.00 $ 267.75 $ 506.25 $ 810.00 50' $ 1.00 $ 50.00 $ 297.50 $ 562.50 $ 900.00 55' $ 1.00 $ 55.00 $ 327.25 $ 618.75 $ 990.00 65' $ 1.00 $ 65.00 $ 386.75 $ 731.25 $ 1,170.00 end ties $ 1.00 by quotation by quotation * Plus 12% Sales Tax All slips are subject to availability. Rates are calculated on the length of slip or the length of the vessel, whichever is greater. Rates include electricity (110-220), cable TV and use of the Hotel's amenities. Advance payment for the length of the stay is required at the time reservations are confirmed. No refunds for early departures. Check out time is 1 p.m. Launch ramp is $ 30.00 per day, $ 15.00 if guest of Hotel with minimum 2 nights stay. Guests of Marina Tenants using the Hotel facilities are $ 20.00 per person per day. LONG TERM SLIP RATES Slip Size Rate Ft. Monthly 12% TAX Electricity-Phone Deposit Total Fee Tax Included (2 Months) 30' $ 8.75 262.50 $31.50 100.00 $688.00 35' $ 10.25 358.75 $43.05 100.00 $903.60 40' $ 10.25 410.00 $49.20 100.00 $1,018.40 45' $ 10.25 461.25 $55.35 100.00 $1,133.20 50' $ 10.25 512.50 $61.50 100.00 $1,248.00 55' $ 10.25 563.50 $67.62 100.00 $1,362.24 65' $ 10.25 666.25 $79.95 100.00 $1,592.40 end ties $ 13.00 by quotation -- -- Long term rates are based upon a minimum of four months paid in advance. Guests departing early will be assessed the prevailing short-term rate based on the actual length of the stay, and the deposit will not be refunded. Monthly rates are calculated on the length of the slip or the length of the vessel, whichever is greater. Live aboard is $ 100.00 month for up to 2 people. Additional guests are $ 50.00 per person. Electricity is $ 0.15 per kw. Sport Fishing is available Home of the renowned Ninety Day Yacht Club. The author has very little knowledge of this entity, something to do with the California franchise tax board and the legal avoidance of sales taxes on recently purchased boats. Regardless, and the "eye popping" slip rates as listed above not withstanding, this marina is well managed, customer contact and service excellent, all presided over by the officious Fito, manager. He can be contacted as listed above. Fito, Surveying His Realm. Long Beach Shoreline Marina 450 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802. Slips: 2,000. Liveaboard slips: yes. Guest slips: 152. Length: 30-106 ft. Rates: call. Guest slip rates: $.60/ft./night. Waiting list. Restrooms, electricity, dock carts, water, laundry, phones, launch ramp, ice, fuel dock, dock boxes, storage lockers, showers, pumpout, groceries, security, parking, picnic area, snack bar, mail/message. Office: Sun.-Thurs. 7:30- 5:30; Fri.-Sat. 7:30-6. VHF ch. 16. Phone: (562) 570-4950; fax: (562) 570-1799. Website: www.webmaster@ci.long-beach.ca.us Slips in this marina are "indifferent" for th lack of a suitable description, they are all of wooden construction, some are in very good condition while some appear to be ready to float out to sea. The front office is reminiscent of the DMV some years back until the public became so outraged the top management was changed and the situation was corrected. Since tenants in this marina are not residents of the city of Long Beach for the most part, they have little political pull with the Long Beach City Council, so the situation continues. The above notwithstanding, the marina has some strong points, downtown Long Beach is a nice area and in particular, Alamitos Bay located a few miles east. Further, the marina is slated to be rebuilt which will make it even nicer despite a rent increase slated as well. All in all, you can do worse if you can hold your nose long enough around the front office. For the "welcoming packet" go into the website as listed above and download in pdf format this document, it is breathtaking. It is all self explanatory however, the reader should take note the $75.00 administrative fee which is non-refundable nor does it apply to the slip rent but only applicable if there is a waiting list for your size boat. There is a waiting list for 35' boats and above the last time the author checked. There are some redeeming feautures other than listed above, slip fees are more economical than other marinas in the area, $328.00 for the author's 35' boat with a 3 ft. overhang. Cabrillo Marina 224 Whalers Walk, San Pedro, CA 90731. Slips: 885. Liveaboard and guest slips. Length: 25-80 ft. Rates: $8.50-$12.40/ft. Guest slip rates: $15-$20 ft. Restrooms, electricity, dock carts, water, laundry, phones, launch ramp, ice, fuel dock, dock boxes, storage lockers, showers, pumpout, security, parking, picnic area, restaurant. Reciprocal privileges with other California Yacht marinas. Pets OK. Office: 8-5. Dockmaster: Daryl Landrum. (310) 732-2252; fax: (310) 732-2260. VHF ch. 68. slips@cymcabrillo.com; www.cymcabrillo. com. Progress has caught and passed this marina, they have considerably more 30' slips that they can rent, very few 30' and below boats are being built. As a consequence, the marina has rows of empty 30' slips so if a thoughtful sailor can convince management that his boat is 30' or less he could obtain a slip. Otherwise, he gets on the waiting list. Cabrillo Way Marina 2800 Miner St., San Pedro, CA 90731. Slips: 530. Length: 20-50 ft. End ties: available. Rates: $6.75-$7.75/ft. Restrooms, electricity, storage lockers, dock carts, picnic area, ice, water, phones, showers, security, guest facilities, parking. Office: 9-5, seven days. Dockmaster: Valerie Gerkey, a nice cleancut USC Girl. Phones (310) 514-4985; (310) 514-4987. For the pass five to six years or so, this marina was supposed to be rebuilt, considering the slip situation now in Southern California, they should very well get on with it. Since the marnas are full or near full and interest rates are low, they could not wish for a better time to rebuild. Further, they are in a prime area with space for a lot of slips. One cannot complain of the rates, the author for his 35' boat is being charged an "eye popping" $245.00 but there are problems. Maintenance is kept to a minimum due to the rebuilding plans, there is not enough electricity to power the microwave or heater but the transistor radio can be powered. Otherwise $245.00 is a bargain if you are not a liveboard. |
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| CruisePort Village Marina, Office In Background |
| This marina is relatively new, is well managed with tight 24 hour security to the point of a fault. The Author has seen security personnel give the office employees the 3rd degree as well as visitors. Regardless, the marina is highly recommended, all of the amenities are available to include hot showers, water, electricity and no surge and further, the marina is located in downtown Ensenada. Slip fee for the Author's 35 ft. boat is $327.00 and change. For the fee schedule and reservations refer to the phone listing, e-mail and website below. tel: 011-52(646) 173-4141 fax 011-52(646) 173-4151 U.S. 1-877-219-5822 E-Mail reservations@ecpvmarina.com WebSite www.ecpvmarina.com This is a first class marina, slips are getting scarce so reservations should be made early. |
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