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RainDog · 13-01-2016, 14:19

Anyone living aboard in Grand Cayman? Are there marinas that allow long term liveaboards? Considering relocating, wondering what the options are for living on the boat.

travellerw · 13-01-2016, 14:47

Good question..

Not sure I would want to live on a boat there in Hurricane season. Cayman is particularly exposed. I had a friend living there during the last big hurricane and the island literally disappeared under the swell.

Ocean Girl · 13-01-2016, 15:09

Interesting, I'd researched the hurricane problem, you are right about that, but I'm curious about the land being swallowed up... Can you elaborate? It seems like the harbor would provide good wind protection..?

travellerw · 13-01-2016, 17:39

I wasn't there, but going by his story and pictures. It definitely scared the hell out of him. He said much of the island was under water and in many places you couldn't see the road. He showed me pictures after of the end loaders moving the beach back from the road.

Google Hurricane Ivan, there are tons of pictures of the devastation.

Ocean Girl · 13-01-2016, 18:26

thanks for the input :-)

Boatguy30 · 13-01-2016, 18:39

I was there 7 years ago. At that time there sere no rules regarding liveaboard. There are only 2 marina and one decent place to anchor in near the old YC. Maybe its been rebuild by now.

Anyhow, the anchorage are I stayed in for 2 weeks was close to some big canal homes and there were 2 other long term liveaboards on their own moorings.

Dinghy access was not great and I can see the folks in the big houses not being keen on liveaboards.

One of those liveaboards said he rode out a Cat5 aboard on his mooring. I think that's the one that destroyed the YC.

travellerw · 13-01-2016, 18:47

Have you ever thought about Bermuda. It has similar tax rules to Cayman. Up here in Canada people either go to Cayman or Bermuda.

I think Bermuda has better liveaboard options. Although I'm not sure its much better with regards to hurricanes!

Ocean Girl · 14-01-2016, 09:11

Yes, we are considering Bermuda, but the water is warmer in cayman :-)

**a64pilot** · 14-01-2016, 09:31

I have a friend there that lives aboard, but he works for the Mosquito Control Unit and has "status", meaning that he is allowed to live and work in the Cayman's.
I don't know if that matters or not.

Ocean Girl · 15-01-2016, 19:37

For follow up: offically there is a no live aboard rule, but doesn't t seem to be enforced. Same for duty from what I can tell. Couple good marinas and good mangrove hurricane holes.

sailorboy1 · 16-01-2016, 05:39

I find it cute that RD and OG post on each other threads

Ocean Girl · 16-01-2016, 08:45

He is my favorite poster :-)

caradow · 17-01-2016, 08:57

Would not worry about Hurricanes...most miss the island historically. Also Ivan as a Cat 5 hit the island years ago and only caused one death which I heard was preventable. It is fairly hurricane safe. Of course we all know you only need one. It is interesting that my insurance was more expensive to keep my boat in Key West than it was in the Caymans. Marinas are expensive, the cheapest one is called the Yacht Club which is not really a Yacht Club in the true sense. There is a very active sailing club at a different location. Then are all off the North Sound that you enter through a few channels along the barrier reef. These channels do get breaking waves in the winter months with the Christmas winds but are manageable. During those times going around to the west side of the island provides an idyllic anchorage with swimming pool like water. Also there are moorings in Georgetown that are well maintained and free. Mostly avoided that area because of the boat traffic and have personally counted as many as 6 cruise ships anchored at one time !
The problem I found is the 12% duty on your boat if you stay there over a year. Initially they give you a few months necessitating continued paper work for extensions then for around $1000 you can be granted a prolonged stay up to a year then you would have to pay the duty. I did keep my boat there for a year and then left however thought about just going and returning from time to time which may have worked by resetting the clock. There are two boatyards that can haul your boat if the need arises and I suspect they would allow you to do your own work. As opposed to keeping your boat at a marina you may want to check into renting a private dock from one of the many bulkheaded canal homes and lots available. It worked for me and was much cheaper than a marina. The people are wonderful, great diving and fish are plentiful just no spearguns!!!! Oh yes and Cuba is just an overnight sail! Let me know if there are any other questions.....have fun.