Mooring and Boating Services

Background

There are approximately 170 privately owned moorings in the harbor. Patrons own their hardware and lease the mooring space on a quarterly basis. New moorings are placed on the outside edge of the existing mooring area. Location of moorings is based on seniority (the date the mooring permit is issued). The District does not sell used moorings and encourages anyone considering buying a used mooring from a private party to check the moorings history with the Harbor before making the purchase. Private party purchased moorings must complete a mooring application/permit form; provide a current DMV vessel registration or USCG Certificate of Documentation, a bill of sale for the mooring, a valid driver’s license or state ID, and an $97.00 transfer fee. Be Advised: Purchasing mooring hardware by itself does not guarantee a space in the water.  It is recommended you contact the Harbor Office before finalizing any purchase through a private party.

Ownership

Mooring owners own their mooring hardware and lease the mooring space on a quarterly basis. The approximate cost to build and set a new mooring is as follows: 

For a vessel up to 25 feet = $2,000 to $2,500
For a vessel up to 35 feet = $3,000 to $3,500
For a vessel up to 45 feet = $4,000 to $4,500
For a vessel up to 55 feet = $5,000 to $5,500

Vessels over 55 feet may require the owner to submit plans and specifications approved by a licensed marine engineer or naval architect.

The District requires a fully-completed mooring permit application, current DMV vessel registration or USCG Certificate of Documentation and a valid driver’s license or state ID prior to construction of mooring and issuance of permit.

The space is billed quarterly as follows:
Moorings built for vessels up to 35 feet = $ 108.00 quarter - ($36/mo.)
Moorings built for vessels 36 feet to 55 feet = $ 138.00 quarter – ($46/mo.)
Moorings built for vessels 56 feet to 75 feet = $ 153.00 quarter – ($51/mo.)

Construction

Mooring hardware consists of bottom weight (steel or anchor to specifications), and chain, shackles, and swivels to provide a five-to-one scope with the water depth. Concrete weights are not allowed. Moorings are placed according to vessel type (commercial, sail, or power), size, and seniority (date permit approved). New moorings are placed on the outside edge of the mooring area and are gradually moved in, as turnover occurs. Depending on where the mooring is located in the harbor, water depth is approximately 20 to 40 feet. Once a mooring permit is issued, the District will build and set the mooring within 30 days. Our specifications are minimum standards and you may request additional weight and/or special rigging. Special requests regarding rigging may be discussed in advance, with the Mooring Master by appointment (805) 595-5449. Port San Luis Harbor is an open harbor and fully exposed to southerly storms, which are often severe. It is important that vessel owners have the ability to check their vessels often and make sure it is sea worthy at all times.

Maintenance

Annual mooring inspections are mandatory. The District will perform an inspection once a year at a rate of $354 per hour (1/2 hour minimum) for the work boat and crew. If any repairs are deemed necessary by the Mooring Master the patron will be charged accordingly for any additional materials and labor. The charges will be for material used in repairing the mooring (such as replacing worn chain), tax, and labor. The mooring owner will not be notified of what these charges will be ahead of time, because each mooring is different and the extent of any repair is unknown until the mooring is pulled. We encourage owners to be present during such inspections by scheduling an appointment in advance.

Terminating your Permit

Moorings at Port San Luis are not commodities that increase in value. The market for used mooring equipment is very limited, and without a permit for a space in the water, the hardware has no value as an option to secure a vessel in the harbor. The District is not in the business of selling used moorings. Patrons are required to submit a 30 day written notification to cancel their permit, when they choose to give up their space. The District offers to buy back “standard” District built and maintained moorings at the following price:
                               
                                Moorings built for up to 25’ vessels $250.00
                                Moorings built for up to 35’ vessels $450.00
                                Moorings built for up to 45’ vessels $650.00
                                Moorings built for up to 55’ vessels $850.00

Click here for the Permit Termination Form.

Guest Moorings

All guest moorings are available on a first come first serve basis. Moorings for vessels up to 35’ are located near shore and are the first two rows of moorings with white buoys directly east of the boat launch area. These near shore moorings are available April through October. Moorings for vessels up to 55’ are available year-round and are the outer most moorings/white buoys on the west side behind the break wall and moorings up to 85’ are outer most moorings/white buoys on the east side of the channel entrance. All daily rental moorings are $19.00 per day (14-day limit).

The Harbor Patrol may be contacted on VHF radio, channel 12 for assistance. Patrons are requested to prepay and fill out a vessel registration card with the water taxi host or at the main office. If unable to come to shore, please call (805) 595-5400 during normal business hours to make a credit card payment.  

Seasonal Monthly Moorings (April-October)

Upon approval of a completed seasonal mooring application, this program is for vessels up to 45’ in length, on a monthly basis from April through October. Owners must provide photo of vessel, a driver’s license, marine insurance, have a credit card on file and pay 3 months in advance. Rental fee is $328.00 per month (3 month minimum of $984 paid up front), no pro-rations and the vessel must vacate the mooring no later than October 31. If the vessel does not vacate by October 31, commencing November 1, a daily charge of $65 per day will incur until vessel is removed.

Anchoring

April through October, vessels may anchor for seven days without charge between the Avila Pier and the Cal Poly Pier. After seven days, the anchor fee is $11.00 per day for vessels less than 85 ft. Anchor fees are $21.00 per day from November 1 through March 31. It is not recommended to anchor during inclement weather. Anchoring within the mooring area is restricted. If in question about anchoring or mooring, please contact the Harbor Patrol for assistance on VHF Radio, Channel 12.  

Mooring Documents

Drydock

Contact Port San Luis Boatyard at (805) 595-7895 for haul out or drydock information.

Fuel

For diesel fuel: Diesel facility hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Contact Harbor Patrol for diesel fuel on Marine Channel 12 or call (805) 235-9491. 

Credit Card, Check, or Cash Payments Accepted

 

Please note that all credit card, debit card, and prepaid debit card transactions will have a 2.25% service fee charge, effective March 1, 2021.  


For gasoline: Contact the Sport Launch operator at (805) 595-7895.

Ice

For bulk, flake ice, call (805) 595-5400 ext. 0 M-F.

The floating work dock is reserved for boaters to perform boat maintenance and repairs. Day use (5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) is free. Overnight use of the work dock is billed as follows:

  • For the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd consecutive nights = $26.00/night
  • For the 4th, 5th, and 6th consecutive nights = $31.00/night
  • After the 6th consecutive night = $46.00/night

Boaters must register for overnight use of the work dock. To register for overnight use, contact the Harbor Office at (805) 595-5400 or Water Taxi Operator at (805) 305-4796. 

Water Taxi

The Port San Luis water taxi provides free rides to and from boats moored in the harbor between the Cal Poly Pier and the Port San Luis breakwater, 7 days a week (weather permitting), with scheduled runs at:
   
          7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:30 pm
 
Extended Seasonal Service - Beginning Memorial Day Weekend and continuing through Labor Day Weekend, an additional 6:00 p.m. Water Taxi run is available on Saturdays & Sundays by Reservation Only, made no later than 4:30 p.m.  

For water taxi service, contact the Port San Luis Water Taxi Operator at (805) 305-4796 or VHF Radio channel 12. The District reserves the right to limit the number of rides per day.