Florida Marina (Hurricane Season)

[Cool Freedom]

I am looking to keep my boat in Florida July - Oct this year. I am looking for suggestions for marinas that are well protected from hurricanes and less prone to hurricanes....I know mother nature is mother nature, but statistics say go where? I am a catamaran so a 24 foot beam.

THanks

John

[CptLawrence]

If you don't have a tall rig then Green Cove Springs is a common destination in north Florida on the St Johns River. Have not been there, but there is a bridge or two to be aware of.

[Hudson Force]

CptLawrence makes a good point. Not just for Green Cove, but other possibilities. Hurricane protection usually means getting inland a ways and if we know your vertical clearance, we can better list your choices.

[pete33458]

You might want to narrow it down a bit...Florida has 1350 miles of shoreline to choose from. pete

[Sondor]

Tampa Bay hasn't been directly hit since 1921 - Either that's a great spot to be, or it's entirely due for a strike...

The Tampa Bay area has been lucky | Tampa Bay Times

[HansSolo]

Statistically St Augustine is a safe bet as well.

[RTB]

Originally Posted by Cool Freedom

I am looking to keep my boat in Florida July - Oct this year. I am looking for suggestions for marinas that are well protected from hurricanes and less prone to hurricanes....I know mother nature is mother nature, but statistics say go where? I am a catamaran so a 24 foot beam.

THanks

John

I'm guessing you have insurance? Will there be a problem leaving the boat in Florida?

It's not Florida, but about as close as you can get....leave it in Brunswick, Georgia. Brunswick Landing Marina: A full service Georgia marina

[Group9]

One of the marinas up the Manatee River would probably be a safe bet.

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by CptLawrence

If you don't have a tall rig then Green Cove Springs is a common destination in north Florida on the St Johns River. Have not been there, but there is a bridge or two to be aware of.

Green Cove Springs has a 19ft beam limitation (called there on Monday). The OP is on a Cat with 24ft beam! Plus Green Cove has a 55ft height limit due to bridges.

I'm in a similar situation and here is what I can offer. Don't look anywhere in the Gulf coast of Florida. I was only able to fine 2 yards (Pensacola boat yard and Miller Marine) that can handle cats and offer storage. Both have a 23 ft limit on the beam.

Go on the net, get phone numbers and start calling yards along the east. The more north you go, the cheaper they seem to get. There are a couple of very reasonable yards near Jacksonville. 24ft beam is going to be pretty limiting, but be persistent!

[HansSolo]

st augustine marine center has a catamaran lifting ramp that can handle up to 30 ton and presumably nearly any beam St. Augustine Marine Center | NorthEast Florida's Complete Boat Yard. If your not looking to get hauled than any marina with a T head would do for in water storage.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by travellerw

..............................
..................... Plus Green Cove has a 55ft height limit due to bridges.
.........................

Ther rest of travellerw's information may be correct, but the lowest clearance fixed bridge from the ocean to Green Cove Springs is the Buckman Bridge at 65' MHW. There are times with the wind tide from a nor'easter when this clearance can be around 63'. Just up river from Green Cove Springs there is the 45'MHW Shands Bridge.

[Cool Freedom]

Thanks everyone...I have a 63 foot height and I did call Brunswick and they can get me in as of two days ago....I was looking Tampa/St Peete but the good marinas are full...

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

Ther rest of travellerw's information may be correct, but the lowest clearance fixed bridge from the ocean to Green Cove Springs is the Buckman Bridge at 65' MHW. There are times with the wind tide from a nor'easter when this clearance can be around 63'. Just up river from Green Cove Springs there is the 45'MHW Shands Bridge.

Opps, sorry I was confusing them with Glades boat storage. I called a ton of places! Glades is 55'

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by Cool Freedom

Thanks everyone...I have a 63 foot height and I did call Brunswick and they can get me in as of two days ago....I was looking Tampa/St Peete but the good marinas are full...

I would love to know what marinas in that area have that capability. I couldn't find one that could handle over 21ft beam. Even if they are full, I would still love to hear about them.

[Kashmir cat]

Palm Coast Marina. Very cool protected marina just off the ICW. Great staff (same people have been there for the last 15 years). Allows livaboards. Miles of beautiful landscaped bike trails. Restaurants within walking distance. Grocery store within biking distance.