A bay that works
The Port of San Diego is a seaport on San Diego Bay. It was established in 1962 by an act of the California State Legislature, operates as a self-supporting special district, and administers the bay and its waterfront under the state's Tidelands Trust. The city's economy is also influenced by its deepwater port, which includes the only major submarine and shipbuilding yards on the West Coast, and by a long association with the United States Navy.
Around that working waterfront live smaller marine businesses: boatyards, marine mechanics, canvas and upholstery shops, detailers, brokers, charter and tour operators, and dockside suppliers. The city has 1,386,932 residents (2020 census), a large number of whom enjoy beaches and the water.
Four marine cash pictures
The boatyard
Lift, yard space and skilled labor are the assets. Cash goes out for materials and wages while boats sit waiting on parts or approvals.
The mechanic
Parts and tools are bought on credit or cash, and customers pay when the boat is back in the water.
The charter operator
Fuel, insurance, crew and maintenance run all year; bookings cluster in warm months and holidays.
The broker or dealer
Inventory, marketing and slip fees have to be carried until a sale closes.
A pre-season checklist
| Task | Cash timing |
|---|---|
| Service the fleet or lift | Spend first, earn later |
| Restock parts and supplies | Bulk purchase before the rush |
| Re-hire seasonal crew | Payroll before the first booking |
| Marketing and listings | Paid in advance |
For illustration only: a charter operator spending $28,000 before the season starts will not see revenue for weeks.
Slow-season arithmetic
Open your last twelve months of deposits and highlight the three thinnest. Then list the costs that did not stop in those months: slip or yard fees, insurance, utilities and your core technician's pay. The difference is the cushion you are really buying when you take working capital in the off-season. For a boatyard that might be a few weeks of payroll; for a charter operator it might be insurance and maintenance in the winter months. Naming the number makes the request smaller and more precise, and it shows a funder exactly what the money is for.
The same exercise shows whether a one-time bridge is enough or whether the business needs a more durable change, such as winter repair work, storage services or off-season bookings.
Applying
We fund $25,000 to $5,000,000, with funding in as little as 24 hours after a complete file. FICO 500+ is considered, about three months of business bank statements are requested, and no tax returns are required. The application takes about five minutes with a soft credit pull. Sole proprietors, including independent captains and mechanics, can apply.
Equipment such as lifts and pressure systems may suit equipment financing, and operating gaps fit working capital. See also our trucking page for hauling-side costs. Apply here.