Florida marinas

[Billh5565]

Hi
I have sailed on lake eire for many years and I am now retired. I have decided to ship my boat to florida so I can fly down once or twice a year and sail to the bahamas. Does anyone have any advice where i can dock my boat for a reasonable price. My plan is to keep it on the hard and put it in just for my trips?

Thanks

Bill H

[skipmac]

Florida is a pretty big state. About 2000 miles of coastline. Maybe some more details to narrow it down?

Short answer, anywhere close to Miami - Ft Lauderdale - Palm Beach will be the most expensive. Other large cities on the coast a little less that that.

Get away from town and/or go further north for the cheapest.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Bill.

[Vasco]

Is it a trailer boat? What is the height of the mast? Any draft restrictions? Just a few factors that could affect where you keep the boat in FL. Lots of marinas in Fl. but it would help if we knew a bit about your boat. And how long will your "trips" to the Bahamas be? If you only have weeks you'd be better off in S. Florida and the cost will be greater. If you have lots of time you can keep the boat in north FL. and it'll take a bit longer to get to the Bahamas.

[Billh5565]

Hi
My boat is an Aloha 28, it draws 4'.4". The boat will have to be trucked down with its cradle. As for time, I hope to fly or drive down and sail for 3 to 4 weeks at a time. I would like to keep it on the hard with the mast up and drop it in the water when I arrive.

Thanks

Bill H

[Vasco]

For a boat this size and the time you've got for your trips I'd keep it in Indiantown in S. FL (St. Lucie Inlet). The cost there is about average for FL east coast. The cheapest place is Green Cove Springs up past Jacksonville but the trip to the Bahamas from GCS will take much more time.
Indiantown Marina - Home

[jeremiason]

The West Coast is fun and nice sailing... Your draft will posse no problems with the shallow water.

I live on Charlotte Harbor, about a 100 mile run to the Keys or the Dry Tortugas.

Charlotte Harbor itself, is 22 miles long is a nice sheltered bay along the ICW and exits to the Gulf of Mexico. It is the second largest bay in Florida.

There are two dry storage facilities near Gasparilla Marina and of course the marina itself has a boatyard, but I think they only store motor boats.

Also Burnt Store Marina or Fisherman's Village Marina have in water facilities for sailboats.

[skipmac]

If you're main plan is to cruise the Bahamas then with 3-4 week time limit I would recommend keeping the boat as far south as possible, maybe even in the northern Keys. That is unless you enjoy the actual sailing part more than the hanging out part.

If you're goal is to spend the max time hanging out in the Bahamas then further north you will spend up to half your 3-4 weeks just preparing and getting to your destination.

If you keep the boat in south FL it will take a min of three days to arrive and load food, fuel and water, sail to Freeport or Bimini and clear customs. This assumes you splash the boat and have absolutely nothing to repair or maintain, no fuse or light bulbs to replace, batteries all charged, etc,

Then once you clear in to the Bahamas, from either spot you have about 100 miles more dead upwind to reach the first good cruising grounds, either Abacos in the north or Berrys in the south.

So I would figure a week from the day you arrive until you reach cruising grounds and plan a week to get back and get the boat back on the hard. If you have a three week trip then that leaves about a week for the hanging out part.

This is all if you are based in south Florida. If you are in central or north Florida then add another day or three to the travel time. Plus all this assumes you will have no weather delays which in the winter can keep you holed up in Florida for days or even weeks.

Not trying to discourage your plan, just want to make sure you understand what's involved.

[Billh5565]

Thank you for all the good advice

Bill H

[OutOfControl]

"The West Coast is fun and nice sailing... Your draft will posse no problems with the shallow water."

Bill, I would seriously consider the advice from "jeremiason" above. You would have more time to enjoy the boat and in a few years you could move her to the east coast if you want to extend your cruising grounds. As far as cruising the Bahamas, sometimes in the winter you can spend a week or more waiting for a weather window and nearly a week in transit(combined) depending on your choice of home ports. Plus factor in the cost of fees in the Bahamas, the price of food and lack of necessities.
The west coast of Florida is a no-brainer.

[hikersailor]

You might check out Green Cove Springs Marina. It is about 25 miles inland on the St.Johns River inland from Jacksonville area. A do it yourself marina that caters to sailors and has very reasonable rates for storage and is also a full service yard too. Visit their website at Green Cove Springs Marina - The Cruiser's Homeport