Shelter Cove Marina Offers Boat B&B Option

Byline: Ambrosia Brody

SAN DIEGO — Shelter Cove Marina offers non-boaters and boaters alike a “bed-and-boat” experience on several vessels kept at slips in the bay.

Part of the Trek Properties Family, the San Diego B&B provides a unique experience for its guests, said Shaun McMahon, marina manager.

Guests are invited to tour the available boat, bed and breakfast vessels during an open house from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Shelter Cove Marina; 2240 Shelter Island Drive. Visitors will enjoy an afternoon of perusing the bed-and-boat fleet, which consists of Slipaway, Silver Cloud, Sea Horse and Crazy Notion.

Food and wine will be provided by Firehouse Subs and Witch Creek Winery.

McMahon conceived the unique rental opportunity four years ago after the marina acquired the 45-foot classic ketch Slipaway from a marina tenant. After pouring quite a large sum of money into restoring the vessel with the intention to put it on the market, McMahon considered renting out the vessel for visitors.

“People get tired of staying in the same hotel,” she said. “I try to make it a vacation experience complete with all the amenities of staying in a Westin. It’s similar to staying in a timeshare or condo.”

McMahon, who also operates the vacation rental business Trek Properties, sought to make guests’ time aboard the vessels as pleasurable as possible.

“It became so popular,” she said.

Tourists from as far away as Canada, Mexico and Colorado have stayed on Slipaway, which is docked at the 161-slip marina. The boat is equipped with a fully functioning galley complete with pots and pans, a coffeemaker, a cooktop, a refrigerator and a microwave oven; along with fans and a head. The boat sleeps six comfortably.

Visitors wake up to a continental breakfast complete with fresh fruit, yogurt, coffee, teas and orange juice. Guests aboard the boats also have the option of making arrangements to charter the vessel with a licensed captain at the helm.

The marina’s location at the entrance to America’s Cup Harbor is another draw, since it is walking distance from shops and restaurants. It is also near Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites, which is known for its summer concert series. It is also a popular place to stay during Comic-Con.

Slipaway’s popularity has resulted in the addition of other vessels to the fleet.

Shelter Cove Marina tenant Brian Bateman has rented Slipaway on several occasions for family members looking to come down for a visit.

“They really liked it,” he said. “It’s different from a hotel room and a unique experience.”

Marina slip tenants receive a 25- to 30-percent discount off the standard night rate. Prices range from $240-$300 a night.             Shelter Cove Marina is at 80 percent capacity, with a 20 percent vacancy rate.

For information on booking Slipaway or any other boat, bed and breakfast vessel, visit boatbnb.com.