40’ sailboat affordable mooring/slippage in southeast Florida

[The Good Life]

We are looking to buy about a 40’ sailboat to Bahamas hop and keep in southeast Florida.we will be flying in from Oklahoma. Does anyone know of any affordable safe places to keep the boat? Any input would be appreciated.

[ohdrinkboy]

You should probably better define your budget for affordable. What is affordable to me is different than to Thurston Howell III.

[Cheechako]

There are plenty of places to dry store the boat if you are going to Fl just once a year etc. Harbortown at Merritt Island or Ft Pierce for storage, etc if that's your plan... The monthly marina rate for long term was pretty good at Merrit Island if you want to leave it in the water.
Figure several days to clean up and ready the boat each year.
Take precautions and ask here about things to do to prep the boat for storage in Florida.
Buy a fairly shallow draft boat and no need for a heavy world cruiser for the Bahamas.

[The Good Life]

Originally Posted by ohdrinkboy

You should probably better define your budget for affordable. What is affordable to me is different than to Thurston Howell III.

My budget for affordable is what the group thinks is affordable. I can determine from there the best options to fit my needs.

[Cheechako]

Prices are going to be what they are. So yeah. make a call to Harbortown Pierce and ask how much storage is.
Another option if you leave it in the water is many homes on the ICW and side canals rent non live aboard slips behind the home... cheaper than marinas. I've done it 3 times, but not recently. The trouble is the bottom is going to get a ton of growth sitting in the water. You can do this Palm Beach, Lauderdale and places around that SE Fl area. Lauderdale harder and more expensive.
You might think twice about whether you need 40 ft for this type of thing. 32-38 is fine for many. Fast shallow boat with a swim step would be perfect for the B'mas.

[The Good Life]

Great points. The more I look into it the better a 38 with shallow draft looks. I would be interested in someone renting out their private slip but not sure how to go about finding one.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by The Good Life

Great points. The more I look into it the better a 38 with shallow draft looks. I would be interested in someone renting out their private slip but not sure how to go about finding one.

Brokers know people and places. I have had them find one twice down there. Especially if you are buying a boat, they ought to be tripping over themselves to help you. I would focus on the boat and then work this near the buying time. Worst case scenario is you dry store it the first year.

[patrickbarbary]

I have a nice slip in Melbourne FL. Let me know if interested. Patrick Barbary. My name in one word at Google mail.

[The Good Life]

Originally Posted by patrickbarbary

I have a nice slip in Melbourne FL. Let me know if interested. Patrick Barbary. My name in one word at Google mail.

Messaging you now.

[endlesspursuit]

Dry dock at Indian Town. Its safer for hurricanes. We tend to get a few on occasion.

[Stmurray62]

Ft Pierce is an easy access to ocean and ICW, Rates are reasonable. Lots to do in town, many restaurants, etc. check it out...

[PuttingDoctor]

I would second the idea of Harbortown. But I would also suggest comparing rates elsewhere. I’m at Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach. Floating docks and a recognized hurricane hole by most insurance companies make it attractive.
We’re also very close to DAB and service by Delta, American and United make getting to the boat about 10 minutes.
http://halifaxharbormarina.com

[Sailing August]

Indian Town Marina - Stuart
Green Cove Springs - Jacksonville

[kalaharisands]

I am looking to buy an Island Packet in the region of 38 -45 feet.

As there are several models around this size I would like to get information from a knowledgeable owner or past owner to the characteristics and sailing abilities of the various models. Any input would be much appreciated.
My contact is sailorian@yahoo .com

[JOHNMARDALL]

I live in Palm Beach County and agree with everything offered so far. If you are planning to leave the boat for months then come here to collect it up and go sailing for months, dry storage such as Indiantown Marina will be less expensive than a marina, and you won't be worrying as much about securing the boat during a hurricane. If you expect to go over to the Bahamas frequently, for short cruises, bear in mind that the further north you go up the coast, the longer you'll be slogging through the Gulf-stream.
Good luck
John Mardall
for Vetus Maxwell Boat Equipment