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Dixon rented dock space for several years, but when the rent doubled, he cast off and became a guest boater in Newport Harbor where he could stay 15 days at a mooring and another five days at anchor. For the remaining 10 days, he anchors in the ocean off Corona del Mar -- unprotected from inclement weather. During one strong winter storm, his anchor dragged along the ocean floor until his boat crashed into another yacht.
There are other hardships to Dixon's minimalist life.
Having no permanent mooring means he needs to move three times a month. Recently, Harbor Patrol deputies padlocked his boat because he didn't pay his rent on time. The problem has been cleared up.
Onboard, he's got a limited amount of water, electricity and waste storage. The salt water ensures that the boat's hardware and wood need constant repair. And every trip off his yacht requires a short voyage in a rubber dingy.
Dixon said he can't afford health insurance, instead relying on God's healing powers, a physician friend and, once, government help for the indigent when kidney stones put him in the hospital.
But life on the water can be magical, with its views, fresh sea air and brown pelicans gliding by. A natural host, Dixon often invites friends and strangers aboard his yacht, serving meals, entertaining with music and occasionally converting someone to Christianity.
A fellow boater, Mike "Pegleg" Juneau, 51, said that one morning Dixon asked if he wanted breakfast: scrambled eggs and crab. A friendship was struck, and Juneau, who says he lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, soon converted to Christianity.
"His heart is so big," Juneau said. "A boat life is kind of a hard life, and Dave gives me spiritual relief and peace of mind."
Dixon also has fans at the Regatta Cafe, where he and the wait staff sing for a few hours on Friday and Saturday nights. Vicky and Ed Berg are among the regulars who come to hear Dixon sing -- and join in on some songs.
Vicky Berg, 54, of Irvine has hired Dixon for private parties and, like other customers, has been invited on the singer's boat.
"Everybody loves him, and he's doing what he loves," Berg said. "He's living the dream."
Dixon's next major project is restoring the exterior of his yacht, which has fallen into disrepair after six years on the water.
When finished, he plans to christen the boat Ambassador.
On the stern, underneath the name, where the yacht's home port usually is listed, Dixon says he'll write "Kingdom of Heaven" to reflect another quixotic dream: that heaven can be experienced on Earth if everyone learns to share.
"We will have access to all the toys," Dixon said, "if we don't need to own them all."
william.lobdell@
latimes.com
There are other hardships to Dixon's minimalist life.
Having no permanent mooring means he needs to move three times a month. Recently, Harbor Patrol deputies padlocked his boat because he didn't pay his rent on time. The problem has been cleared up.
Onboard, he's got a limited amount of water, electricity and waste storage. The salt water ensures that the boat's hardware and wood need constant repair. And every trip off his yacht requires a short voyage in a rubber dingy.
Dixon said he can't afford health insurance, instead relying on God's healing powers, a physician friend and, once, government help for the indigent when kidney stones put him in the hospital.
But life on the water can be magical, with its views, fresh sea air and brown pelicans gliding by. A natural host, Dixon often invites friends and strangers aboard his yacht, serving meals, entertaining with music and occasionally converting someone to Christianity.
A fellow boater, Mike "Pegleg" Juneau, 51, said that one morning Dixon asked if he wanted breakfast: scrambled eggs and crab. A friendship was struck, and Juneau, who says he lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, soon converted to Christianity.
"His heart is so big," Juneau said. "A boat life is kind of a hard life, and Dave gives me spiritual relief and peace of mind."
Dixon also has fans at the Regatta Cafe, where he and the wait staff sing for a few hours on Friday and Saturday nights. Vicky and Ed Berg are among the regulars who come to hear Dixon sing -- and join in on some songs.
Vicky Berg, 54, of Irvine has hired Dixon for private parties and, like other customers, has been invited on the singer's boat.
"Everybody loves him, and he's doing what he loves," Berg said. "He's living the dream."
Dixon's next major project is restoring the exterior of his yacht, which has fallen into disrepair after six years on the water.
When finished, he plans to christen the boat Ambassador.
On the stern, underneath the name, where the yacht's home port usually is listed, Dixon says he'll write "Kingdom of Heaven" to reflect another quixotic dream: that heaven can be experienced on Earth if everyone learns to share.
"We will have access to all the toys," Dixon said, "if we don't need to own them all."
william.lobdell@
latimes.com
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