Grand Marina — Attraction in Alameda

Beware beware BEWARE! My partner and I purchased a vessel that was moored at Grand Marina in October 2019 and was operating as an Airbnb. We were informed by the original owner of the business, as well as the harbormaster that everything was kosher regarding the business. The harbormaster even charged us an additional $1200 per month surtax for the privilege of operating the Airbnb business in his marina, and we signed a contract with him. THEY LIED!

Fast forward to December 2019 when a United States Coast Guard investigator boarded our vessel and informed us that we were not allowed to operate such a business. When we informed him that the harbormaster had assured us that we were in compliance with federal law and showed him our contract, he told us that the former owner, as well as the harbormaster had already been warned that such a business was “not legal“ months before. False representation from the partners Locker and Anderson.

And furthermore, when we discovered that the former owner had provided fraudulent insurance documentation to us upon purchase of the vessel, we immediately notified the harbormaster, who told us that we should “get insurance ASAP” because if his insurance carrier found out, he’d be in “a lot of trouble,” because our’s wasn’t the only uninsured vessel at the Grand Marina. (Traveler’s Insurance has been notified and an audit is forthcoming)

An accident on the uninsured Matthew McKinley vessel, where a woman fell into the bilge, suffering serious injuries on Thanksgiving Day and subsequently paid cash to not report the accident, was our first clue that something was rotten here. Check your paperwork and get everything in writing from these people.

There is also an uninsured, 100 year old vessel currently operating as an Airbnb at Grand Marina, which regularly leaks oil and is a haz-mat situation waiting to happen, but the Grand Marina looks the other way because it’s profit first at Grand Marina, and people (and the environment)...

Grand Marina is a fairly large marina and very well kept. Ray is the dock manager and he runs a friendly tight ship. The docks are concrete and in a good state of repair. The bathrooms are large and very well kept, and this is true for the showers as well. As you enter the harbor near the Harbor Masters office there is a pump out station and room for temporary berthing. Just around the corner and upstairs is a small but very nice outdoor cafe overlooking the seaway. Chris Anderson heads up the marina operation and he is very professional and also a part owner - with a pride of ownership that shines throughout. The marina also features work docks for those that have boats in the slips - for an extra fee and with permission they can move to a work dock and do work themselves or hire someone. Adjoining the marina is Grand Marina Boat Works - a full service boatyard with some excellent craftsmen! The Blue Pelican - a marine consignment store - also adjoins the marina with a great selection of used gear for you to consign to or purchase from - with Alex and Matt the owners making it fun and offering up years of experience (and fair deals...

Marina is beautiful. Been here for 14 years. However, the personality of the woman (grand Master I guess is her title) who runs this place, stinks and she is horrible. How can you give people who's boat is 35' a 30' slip and charge 35' ? The boat doesn't even fit in the dock and sticks out! Aren't you supposed to say, "I'm sorry we don't have the slip available at this time" instead of giving me a shorter slip but charge me for longer slip?? What happens if a boat clips my boat in passing bc it's sticking out? Who's fault is it??? Be ware of this place. It's not what it used to be since the old grand Master retired...