Florida Marinas

[weazardofinance]

We are 2 months away from our big move to a saltwater port in anticipation of the cruising season, wherein we'll spend 1-2 months prepping the boat and shaking her down in the real ocean!

Florida makes sense given our intended route through the Caribbean, but we have no clue which areas and marinas would be best for two dudes living and working aboard a 37' boat for a few months this winter. Our priorities in order are: 1) Utility - proximity to ocean access points, groceries, marine suppliers and service people, marina amenities; 2) Price, and finally 3) least of all local attractions, restaurants etc. We're pretty much homebodies and have no preference for city vs. less populated spots (though as I said we're two guys, so the most conservative places are probably best avoided).

Places already on our list: Pensacola, Ft. Walton, Boca Raton, St. Augustine. Does anyone know any marinas that might be suitable in those places? Other ideas?

Many thanks!

Kendal

[boatpoker]

St. Augustine would be my choice. The one I would avoid is West Palm's Riviera Beach City Marina ...... never, ever let those people even see your credit card !

[billknny]

Originally Posted by weazardofinance

We are 2 months away from our big move to a saltwater port in anticipation of the cruising season, wherein we'll spend 1-2 months prepping the boat and shaking her down in the real ocean!

Florida makes sense given our intended route through the Caribbean, but we have no clue which areas and marinas would be best for two dudes living and working aboard a 37' boat for a few months this winter. Our priorities in order are: 1) Utility - proximity to ocean access points, groceries, marine suppliers and service people, marina amenities; 2) Price, and finally 3) least of all local attractions, restaurants etc. We're pretty much homebodies and have no preference for city vs. less populated spots (though as I said we're two guys, so the most conservative places are probably best avoided).

Places already on our list: Pensacola, Ft. Walton, Boca Raton, St. Augustine. Does anyone know any marinas that might be suitable in those places? Other ideas?

Many thanks!

Kendal

You can get too far south, or too urban, without needing lots of dollars every month. We spent a fair amount of time in Port Canaveral. There are a number of marinas there, and all are friendly and relatively inexpensive. Easy access to the ocean, a nice local community.

[flyingfin]

Marathon or Key West, access to Atlantic or Gulf, lots of marine supply stores, and plenty of jobs since you already have housing.