Did this once (2012). Showed up at the ferry dock at CA for the 8:45am ferry only to be told it was cancelled. Got a later ferry, and so didn't get to the marina until around 11:30am. Fortunately, this being our first time, we had booked a checkout skipper for the first couple of days - he was waiting on the boat for us, had accepted the provisioning order, done inventory, and was ready to do briefing on the water, so, after a quick lunch, we were away just after 1pm. However, had we not had him we'd have been on the dock until at least 3pm. For this reason, I wouldn't do it again.

Just one anecdote ....