Live Aboard location Florida

[SofaKingFishy]

Hola~ I’m currently a full time live aboard on the Chesapeake Bay & while the sailing is sublime & my home Marina is excellent, I’m hankering to move south where one may actually swim/snorkel, and punch out to the Islands from time to time. Any recommendations a to location? I work as a rigger, so plan is to relocate, and pick up a gig at a yacht yard for a bit. Ive got a bit saved up, own the boat & am debt free, so I really don’t need to go where the jobs are. Any advice?

[carlosproa]

It depends, are you planning to live on the hook and free? Or at a mooring field, or at a slip, or on a canal?

[SofaKingFishy]

Slip in a Marina for now.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, 'Fishy.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by SofaKingFishy

Slip in a Marina for now.

Okay here’s the first option: Port Canaveral Yacht Club or Cape Marina. Two boatyards with one allowing diy as well.

[mvmojo]

There's a condominium marina in Marathon, Coco Plum Beach Yacht Club. Fancy name for 50 slips that are individually owned. Water, electric & pump-out at every slip plus a bath house & assigned parking. Not sure what the selling prices are today but many of the owners also rent their slips. The web site isn't very well maintained but there is a contact form. See http://www.cpbyc.com

[skipmac]

Rule of thumb for docking in Florida, the farther south you go the more it costs. There are of course some exceptions but generally in the wrong direction, meaning you will find some fancy marinas farther north that have south Florida prices.

On the other hand, the farther south you go the easier and faster it is to punch out to the islands.

Finally as a rigger you can find work anywhere on the FL east coast where there are boats.

[Stewie12]

FT. Lauderdale area would be my choice for a berth and work.

[flightlead404]

Just fyi I spent some time calling marinas from Key West to Marathon looking for a slip Jan - April. There is zero availability except for transients and a week or two here or there.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Stewie12

FT. Lauderdale area would be my choice for a berth and work.

Agree. For location Ft Lauderdale is the best but availability of live aboard slips is really limited and prices through the roof.

[wheelerwbrian]

Check out Hollywood Marina, just south of Fort Lauderdale. https://www.hollywoodfl.org/420/Hollywood-Marina

[Wind Stalker]

Try Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart, Fl. They have both mooring balls and slips, but may be a little hard to get either this late in the season. What is length and draft of your boat?

[SofaKingFishy]

Thanks all!!! Terrific insight & sincerely appreciated! I skipper a Catalina 42, Mk2 with a 5’ 6” draft (a tad less, actually, but I’m fully loaded with gear). Taking off next season, so I’ve got some time to visit & nail things down. Marathon sounds like a great fit. I lived in Vero Beach a long time ago, and definitely want to be south of there.

[carlosproa]

Originally Posted by SofaKingFishy

Thanks all!!! Terrific insight & sincerely appreciated! I skipper a Catalina 42, Mk2 with a 5’ 6” draft (a tad less, actually, but I’m fully loaded with gear). Taking off next season, so I’ve got some time to visit & nail things down. Marathon sounds like a great fit. I lived in Vero Beach a long time ago, and definitely want to be south of there.

Check coco plum drive just before Marathon, I had my CAL39 there a while ago. It was a quick exit.
Ft Lauderdale you might find dock space behind a house, but it could take hours to get out of the maze into the Atlantic. The closer to the FLL airport the cheaper but can be a rough neighborhood.
Miami is almost imposible for liveaboards, dinner key marina in coconut grove allows them in the mooring but is exposed.

[TATYANNA]

That is what I am doing as well