Western Florida/Gulf Coast Marinas

[sailorboy1]

Looking for marina suggestions for the next couple of months in Western Fl/Gulf Coast to New Orleans. Looking for something reasonably price for my 41'/6.4' draft boat at around $500-750/mo including electrical. Got no car so there needs to be grocery and a few bars/restaurants within walking distance or a place with a good bus system (but not some 1 hour each way bus trip to go to just the store). Would like something with reasonable weather protection (I know I know).

I'm currently in Sarasota Fl on a mooring but with the heat ramping up the added costs of running the generator for AC start to make the cost of a slip not much more than a mooring + fuel.

[svHyLyte]

You might take a look at the Bradenton Beach Marina.


FWIW...

[Davy J]

Regatta Pointe in Palmetto may be a good option, Publix grocery store just north of the marina. Has a bar/restaurant onsite. More nightlife across the Green Bridge in downtown Bradenton.

Not sure if it will fit your budget though. Friends were paying about 1K a month for liveaboard fee. Maybe if you are just a long term transient........

[sailorboy1]

The number of marinas with no pricing info in their web page is amazing! Is it a case of “you can’t afford it if you have to ask”? Looks like pricing drops a LOT once north of Clearwater.

[Davy J]

Looks like pricing drops a LOT once north of Clearwater.

With a 6.4' draft, you can almost forget about anything north of Clearwater.

[a64pilot]

Pricing does indeed drop a LOT once you get the the Panhandle.
Call the Marina at Panama City, the city one that survived, it’s right downtown.
I’ll look up the name.
Depth is of no concern in Panama City.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Davy J

With a 6.4' draft, you can almost forget about anything north of Clearwater.

I can get into Tarpon Springs and places in the panhandle. Those are only a couple days travel away.

I know how to use Active Captain etc. it’s just there’s so many places to look into it would be nice to cut the number down. My goal is actually New Orleans it’s just that I wouldn’t mind not getting there till Fall and cooler weather.

[a64pilot]

St Andrews Marina, it’s not as downtown as the City Marina was, but it didn’t survive Michael either, there is also a good trolley bus that serves most of the City.
I had to replaced my IPad due to dead artery and have to download Active Capt. But I’m sure you can look it up and call.
There is also Carrabelle which I have heard is a very good live aboard Marina, but it’s also in a tiny, sleepy fishing kind of town, depends on what you like.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

There is also Carrabelle which I have heard is a very good live aboard Marina, but it’s also in a tiny, sleepy fishing kind of town, depends on what you like.

Yes I saw that earlier this morning and it looks interesting.

[a64pilot]

I don’t think we were paying more than $400 for the Marina in PC a few years ago, and a dock mate was moving to Carrabelle because it was cheaper, prices have of course gone up, but the panhandle is really about half of what further South costs, and get on the East side, it’s likely 1/4.

[a64pilot]

Carrabelle is not like Brunswick, it not in the “hood” or didn’t used to be, we kept a boat there for years and of course it may have changed

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Carrabelle is not like Brunswick, it not in the “hood” or didn’t used to be

Doesn’t sound like a loss

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Doesn’t sound like a loss

It’s not, I assume the difference is, because I have never been to that Marina in Carrabelle, we kept our boat at the Moorings, which I believe has run down a lot.
My data on Carrabelle is very dated, probably been 20 years.
Anyway I believe the difference is that Brunswick is or used to be a hub of full time Cruisers, for whatever reason, it was the Cruisers and Ralph that made Brunswick for me, now Ralph is gone I believe and I haven’t been to Brunswick for a coupe of years.
My impression of BLM was a great Marina, in a crappy town. Others will have a different opinion course.

Couldn’t hurt to stay a month, and if you don’t like it, move on to PC.

[rogerosborne]

Shields Marina, St. Marks, FL

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by rogerosborne

Shields Marina, St. Marks, FL

well you need to support this recommendation as it seems to be near nothing