Cocoa Beach Boatyard/Marina and Recommendations?

[SailingAbility]

We are looking for a boatyard/marina near Cocoa Beach that can handle a 46' catamaran. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[John_Trusty]

This is the thread with the latest catamaran haulout spreadsheet. https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...s-60680-3.html

The critical factor is beam, so 46 foot is not as interesting as 22, 23, 24, or 25 feet beam.

It is based on work done originally by Cotemar, with additions by Hodgdon87 (thanks). If you have additions you find, post it on this thread and someone will get it in there. Pro tip - save a copy of the spreadsheet (it is global) in case you need an emergency haul somewhere.

[catalystcat]

For beams up to around 28' - 30' Scorpion Marine in Canaveral can do this. They are just a few miles from Cocoa Beach along A1A.

Nothing else very close to there can haul a cat over about 20'.

Fort Pierce is about 60 nm South. They can do it as well. Note that they are undergoing a bunch of construction, including their "cat dock." So call ahead if you are considering that.

[SailingAbility]

Originally Posted by catalystcat

For beams up to around 28' - 30' Scorpion Marine in Canaveral can do this. They are just a few miles from Cocoa Beach along A1A.

Nothing else very close to there can haul a cat over about 20'.

Fort Pierce is about 60 nm South. They can do it as well. Note that they are undergoing a bunch of construction, including their "cat dock." So call ahead if you are considering that.

Hi Catalystcat,
Thanks for the info. That is very helpful!!

[Chrisatlantic]

I was out at Scorpion recently (i’m 28’3” x 55’) and can give them a big thumbs up. The foreman/lift operator is excellent and pricing is not abusive. They don’t really have dock space and are not a full service yard/marina tho so keep that in mind.

[dougweibel]

If you just need slip space and don't need a haul-out I think Titusville marina can accommodate you.

[catalystcat]

A couple of things. I think your mast height is over 70'. So, that won't let you get to Titusville marina. I could be wrong on this. But, you should check. This is an ongoing consideration for many places on the ICW.

You'll really need to learn what your mast height does to your options for travel, dockage, haulout, mooring, etc.

Scorpion does have some arrangements to let you stay at a dock for a few days as part of a haul out. But, it's a bit ad hoc and dependent on just how busy it is. And, not a long or even intermediate solution.

There is a nice place to anchor just past the locks in Cape Canaveral. There is dirt road access and a sandy/grassy beach with very shallow water. I am not sure how your special circumstances would deal with a shallow beach. But, if (big if) you have a way to transport your son to the beach, that could work. Alternatively, sometimes people take their dinghy from the anchorage through the locks to the floating dock at the marina to do loading and unloading. It seems strange to see a dinghy in the locks. But, it's been done many times.

Alternatively, there is catamaran dockage at the Ocean Club and at Port Canaveral Yacht club. They have some kind of dock ownership program and some kind of membership program, respectively. (I only have a limited understanding from visiting them a while ago.) But, they may be able to set you up with some kind of arrangements for your special circumstances.

There are a variety of other dock arrangements you can get in places like Ft Pierce and Stuart/Manatee Pocket, if you ask around a LOT. They come and go, sometimes quickly. Some are actually quite nice. BTW - Each of these is actually surprisingly easy from Orlando via the Turnpike. Not quite as easy as the Beachline. But, not bad.

You might also consider the Daytona Beach area, if you learn the ins and outs of Ponce Inlet.

One additional observation - floating docks would be your friend, assuming you don't want to design a wheelchair/person lift for a large range of dock to boat heights. Some places have few or no floating docks. Always good to ask and confirm you get a floating location.

[SailingAbility]

Thanks catalystcat for your suggestions and feedback. I appreciate it.

We just had the survey and sea trial which was outstanding!! We're working out the logistics for after closing, etc. so not quite sure which direction we'll be headed (dockage, adaptations, etc.) but it's good to have all the information and options I can get.

Thank you all for your help!