Moorings are relatively rare throughout
Florida compared to
New England and, as others have said,
anchoring is free.
I spent some time anchored out the Gulfport Casino about ten years ago and I spoke at the town council meeting as they were planning a
mooring field back then. I emphasized that a successful
mooring field would require available
dinghy landing;
pump out facility and a fresh
water supply,- with a bath house for showers advisable.
While I was at Gulfport there was a dismasted wooden
trimaran with considerable damage and
rot, covered in tarps. I visited a couple that were living on this
boat. They were hanging onto a dream of cruising, but all was deteriorating,- no
pump out or
holding tank. What might have been a one time cruising dream seemed to be a raft for low
income housing.
I like mooring fields when they are with facilities and a fair
price. Most
Florida mooring fields that I've used cost $15 to $20 a night. I've seen moorings in
Nantucket for what was (I think) $75/day and no room at the
dinghy dock! I never remain long enough to have an interest in their monthly rates, but I have anchored free at Florida locations for as long as a three month period.
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