Place to Leave a Boat for a Month - Florida

[Jackp]

I was planning on heading down to Florida then the Bahammas. I was planning on crossing the stream from south of Miaimi, but was going to try to get the boat down to Florida in late November and early December. I figured leaving the boat south of Miami would be difficult and expensive so I planned on maybe Ft Pierce till i came back down in mid January then head south to Miami, provision, and wait for a weather window.

Given the 4 to 6 weeks layover which seems better than trying to get the boat south from the Chesapeake in January, does anyone have comments on my logic or a place to leave the boat somewhere on the East Florida coast.
Thank all!

JackP

[SV Liberty]

Consider a mooring at the Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove, just south of Miami. We've stayed there a couple of times, including once waiting for a window to the Bahamas (only had to wait 3 days, and then had one of the best crossings/passages of our cruising, 36 hours Miami to Nassau with no motoring once we cleared out of Biscayne Bay). Others have left boats moored there unattended.

[Vasco]

Do you want to leave it in a marina or on a mooring? I would not leave my boat unattended on a mooring that long in FL. Many spots don't allow you to leave a boat unattended on a mooring for more than a few days. One place that might do for a mooring is Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. It's quieter there and maybe not as much theft. As far as marinas go, it gets a bit pricey south of Ft. Pierce.

[Jackp]

Plan was to leave it at a marina till we headed the rest of the way south to Miami.

Jackp

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Jackp

Plan was to leave it at a marina till we headed the rest of the way south to Miami.

Jackp

Then Ft. Pierce is a good choice. Anything further south the price goes up. Fly out of West Palm.

[Multitalent]

you will find jacksonville area specifically Green Cove Springs to be the cheapest in water storage east coast of FL...150 miles North of Ft Pierce. otherwise its the Okechobi (SP ha!)

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Multitalent

you will find jacksonville area specifically Green Cove Springs to be the cheapest in water storage east coast of FL...150 miles North of Ft Pierce. otherwise its the Okechobi (SP ha!)

Green Cove Springs only has moorings now. The dock was condemned.

[Jackp]

Any other thoughts on in water storage? I have a cat which makes T heads a necessary evil.

[Charlie]

YOu also need to think about the amount of time that you are going to be in Florida. If it is more then XX days (I think it is 90 ) your boat will become subject to a Florida Tax of XX%. There are legal ways to avoid becoming liable for the tax. I think that it is called a Sojurner's Permit. I haven't had time to read thru this link but it is a good starting point Cruiser's Net » Archive » Questions and Confusion Concerning Florida “Sojourners Permit” For Cruising Vessels

[JusDreaming]

It sounds like a good plan, leaving from south of Miami assures you some kick from the stream to clear at Bimini, or hit the banks and keep going.
We stay at Sunset Bay Marina,(use to be the southpoint anchorage), you have the choice of mooring or a slip. New marina well maitained, and behind locked gates with a guard at night. And a lot of folks leave boats unattended to go home for CHristmas etc.
Then we go from here to Lake Worth, then south to Ft. Lauderdale, or Miami.
I think 350. per month for mooring ball, or 13.00 per ft for slip.
www.sunsetbaymarinaandanchorage.com
Then it is about a half hour to West Palm Airport

[speciald@ocens.]

Try local newspapers in Fort Lauderdale area. Many people with homes on the canals suppliment their income by renting their docks.

[FSMike]

Jackp -

Boot key harbor in Marathon in the Keys also has a mooring field. You would have to check as to how long they will let an unattended vessel stay on their moorings.

[Dick Pluta]

If you don't mind being a bit north I'd suggest Seafarers Marina in Jacksonville (904-765-8152. It's nicely sheltered off the main channel and run by some really nice people. I left my boat there for a month a couple of years ago and they looked after her nicely. It's a little basic but the dock committee was friendly and the rates were reasonable. I just looked it up on Google Earth and they had a cat in a slip.

Dick Pluta
AEGEA

[osirissail]

Further south is the city marina at Titusville and Cocoa Marina in Cocoa Village, Cocoa. They are both reasonably priced and very convenient to Orlando International Airport. And even a little more economical is HarborTown at Cape Canaveral on the barge canal.

[capngeo]

Indiantown Marina on the Okee waterway.... cheap, well inland and behind locks for hurricanes.... and FRESHWATER!