Live up north but keep my boat......where

[WarmWaters]

Hey folks,

This is a sort of 'down the road' thing, but I'm trying to plan ahead.....or at least have a general idea etc etc..

I currently live on the gulf coast of FL , but my wife is a bit of a snowbird (not in the normal sense, but the kind that LIKES snow). Since she is following me around for my career now, we will most likely end up living back in MI down that road. I'm saving up for 'the' boat for later on (I'm currently 27).

The main purpose for having it will be for crusing the islands for around 4-8 months at a time. It would obviously be impractical to sail it down and back each time (would take a few months alone), so I'm looking for thoughts on what would be a good economical, safe area to leave the boat.

Any thoughts? I'm sure I'm not the only one to do this......

I will most likely purchase the boat in the great lakes area (fresh water and convienant place for initial refit and getting to know the boat). But would then like to move it down closer to my desired stomping grounds.

Thanks!!!

-WW

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by WarmWaters

...The main purpose for having it will be for crusing the islands for around 4-8 months at a time...

Hi, WW. Which islands are you planning to cruise?

[Cheechako]

Assuming you're talking Bahamas/carribean, I would say mid/North Fl would be a good choice to keep your boat.... dry stored.

[WarmWaters]

Cheech, you are correct on the assumption.

Is it typically cheaper in the States? I saw some rates in places like Antigua that were about ~$13 a foot per month and $10 per foot for the haul-out. I think you might have had to rent the stands and straps as well. Thanks

-WW

[Hud3]

Google Jolly Harbour Marina for their boatyard price list. They're a good yard in Antigua. You'll need to decide what services you want and add up the prices based on boat length and the number of months of storage.

If you store your boat in Florida expecting to cruise the eastern Caribbean (West Indies), you'll have a helluva beat to get there. If you're sailing for 4-8 months at a time, it would be much more pleasant to pick either the Bahamas or the eastern Caribbean and spend all your time in one area for a given cruising season. You really can't do justice to both in one cruising season. I'd suggest doing the Bahamas one year and then heading out to the Leeward Islands in May or June, when the Trades have weakened, to have your boat laid up for the summer on Tortola or Antigua. Then fly back in the Fall and cruise the whole chain at your leisure.

[WarmWaters]

Thank you kindly for the advice!

-WW