Drydocking in Florida - Recommendations?

[GalleyWenchTale]

It's time to replenish our cruising kitty.

We're considering a potential contract job in WA State for ~6 months and if so, would like to dry dock our boat in Florida in the interim. Our intent would be to return to it in October this year (2013), and spend a month fixing it up before setting sail in the Caribbean until June 2014.

We're in Ft Lauderdale at the moment and suspect it's a pretty spendy place to dry dock.

We've heard Cape Canaveral would be great, as there's lots of good haulout / marine facilities there. FYI - our boat is a 36.5' sailboat with a 4 1/2' draft.

Any recommendations, warnings, advice, estimates of cost?

Thanks!

[CHM]

My boat is at Harbortown Marina, which is very well protected on Merritt Island and has a decent yard for repairs, long-term storage,etc. The haul-out rates are very reasonable and I think the storage fee is around $6.75/ft/month. I could be wrong, but the rates are posted on website. I've also heard good reports from Cape Marina on Cape Canaveral. This area is a lot cheaper than Fort Lauderdale. Good Luck.

[kmaz]

Just came through the Okeechobee and met a number of folks who were pulling out for the summer. There seemed to be several on either side of the lake that were popular due to price and great protection. Have a look on activecaptain.com.

[Vasco]

Titusville has a good storage and diy yard. Same with Indiantown. If you're looking at the best price that would be Green Cove Springs.

[model 10]

Green Cove Springs, $450 per quarter for a 36'

[Tingum]

Indiantown,Titusville,Canaveral,Green Cove Springs

[hellosailor]

You'll find that hauling the boat for dry storage is way cheaper than drydocking. Which means sailing it in, having the gate closed behind it, and having the water pumped out from under the boat. Usually reserved for working on ships too large to haul.

[Sumner]

It is on the other side of the state but we love Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage (been there about 3 months this time) ....

Charlotte Habor Boat Storage - Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage - Boat Storage For Sail & Power

You are inland some on a fresh water canal system. They have great rates and you can live on the boat while working on it. The yard is quiet and locked at night (you have a key). You can pay for elect. all of the time $20 a month or just when you are there, what we do.

Quite a few people have boats there that are from the northwest, west and Canada (Utah for us). Most cruise during the winter months and leave their boats there during Hurricane season. If you pay year around they will put you in and out up to 3 times a year at no additional cost.

You can bottom paint or do any other work you want to do in the yard. Home Depot and groceriery store about 5 minutes and lots more withing 20-30 minutes and a rural setting without a lot of traffic. You can get in and out to the yard with 5 1/2 feet or less,

Sum