Anchoring Out

[cla6665]

Can you liveaboard just by anchoring out in Florida?
Just wondering if it can be done in order to avoid the marina fees.

[shipofools]

Originally Posted by cla6665

Can you liveaboard just by anchoring out in Florida?
Just wondering if it can be done in order to avoid the marina fees.

Yes. But typically you need a place to come ashore at, which can be tricky.

best of both worlds in my opinion are the harbors that charge a fee for showers, laundry, pumpout, internet, dinghy dockage, while you are on an anchor.

For example, Boot Key harbor is 140 a month for the above. Might be outside your $ range, but reasonable imo.

Cheers

[djmarchand]

Anchoring out will be easier in SW Florida. You can stay in Boca Grande or Cayo Costa on the hook forever. Other nice anchorages are available in Sarasota and Bradenton.

As the other poster said Boot Key Harbor in Marathon it costs a few bucks to moor but the environment is great for a live aboard.

David

[Kettlewell]

Absolutely, but you may want to have a copy of the BoatUS sheet on Florida anchoring law to show law enforcement. A lot of communities down there frown upon long-term anchoring, but if you are cruising it is no problem. The hardest part in some towns is finding a good place to anchor. St. Augustine is in the process of paving over most of the anchorages with rental moorings. Is there a specific place you are headed to? Somebody here might be able to give advice on anchoring there.

[Hudson Force]

We have anchored out as long as three months at a time without payment for associated amenities at a marina, but I agree with Shipofools that arrangements with a mooring field or marina fees associated with your nearby anchoring are best as they can offer showers, dinghy landing, bike racks, pump outs, etc. He mentioned Boot Key in Marathon, but some of the others are Fernandina, St. Augustine, Stuart, Vero Beach, Miami, Key West, Fort Myers Beach, Ft. Myers (up river) and Plans for a mooring field at Gulfport (St. Petersburg), but I don't know if they ever did it. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[cla6665]

Than you much everybody, a lot of good info. $ 140 a month is great, if I think how much I am spending here in New England to live on dirt it blows mi mind.
It doesn't really matter where, east or west Florida works for us. We are in the process of selling everything get a boat and liveaboard. A few more months and I think we'll be ready to go. I am trying to get organized and find the best options for my family. I can adapt to anything but I have to kids and an admiral, I have to make sure that it's going to be safe.