Houston / Kemah

[OTIMO]

Relocating to the Houston Texas area....thinking about going "liveaboard" I have a 38' Go Fast boat that I want to keep near my liveaboard slip/marina if possible.I will be commuting to the Airport (IAH) and see its about a 45 min drive, which is fine. Is there slips available for 45+ foot boats? Slips fees? Anyone particular Marina recommendations?

[OTIMO]

--OK don't everyone shout out at once :}

I looked at Boardwalk Marina (nice but no covered slips and no lifts)

I am interested in Seabrook Marina, as they seem to have lots of Covered slips and a full service Marina for lift off the trailer and into the water...I am shipping my 45' Cruiser to Kemah so that is important.

I only draft 3' so I am not that worried about depth.

I just want some insight to people who already live there.


Please anyone????????

[Ocean Girl]

Seabrook marina is great, not sure the exact fees but about the going rate. Since Ike, many marina sheds were wiped out (watergate).

All the marinas around the lake are good except one - avoid Legend Point.

Some points on each (from closest to bay)
Boardwalk, close to the bay, but can have a lot of traffic and be noisy, reasonably priced.
Blue Dolphine, good prices, have some new piers, from what I remember marinas facilities are a little primative
Watergate, great boating community, only rent the new piers old piers (IMO) are unreliable, Haul out yard on premise, reasonably priced.
Waterford, I live there, love it, good community of boater, one of the best hurricane protection on the lake, very well maintained, more expensive .
Marian Del Sol, marina is in dire need of repairs from IKE, Haul out facilities, reasonably priced
South Shore Harbor, great community, good piers, good protection, well maintained, reasonable prices.

I am sure others will add, hope that helps,
Erika

[Jim D]

I can't improve on Ocean Girl's marina run-down. However, I will warn you for whats it worth, that you will have to have routine miracles to get from a Clear lake Marina to IAH in 45 minutes. Had you asked how long to allow for that drive, I might have suggested twice that.

Regardless, welcome to Houston and surrounding areas -
Jim

[Ocean Girl]

It might be quicker to IAH by going up 146 to 225, to 10, to 59 you then hit the airport on the back side (but that is where all the park n rides are anyways), so picking a marina near 146 instead of 45 might be faster. But it is 1 to 1-1/2 hours travel time.
Erika

[OTIMO]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

It might be quicker to IAH by going up 146 to 225, to 10, to 59 you then hit the airport on the back side (but that is where all the park n rides are anyways), so picking a marina near 146 instead of 45 might be faster. But it is 1 to 1-1/2 hours travel time.
Erika

That's the way I have done it twice, took about 59 minutes down at 3:00 in the afternoon and about 1:10 going back.

:45 was a wag--

[OTIMO]

How about Seabrook Marina?

Good bad ugly?

I noticed they also have a full service Marina with haul out.

[AnchorageGuy]

We lived aboard in Watergate for two years, enjoyed it there, they seem to have the best prices on the lake and lots of other liveaboards. Not as much hassle from the marina as there is in Waterford. There is a full service yard right there owned by the same company that has the yard at Seabrook. WG

[OTIMO]

All good intel...I mean info!

THANKS!

Capt' Randy

[OTIMO]

Does anyone know if I can get a Slip that has a lift? I floating lift would work as well.....

I am still looking for a nice covered slip at a nice Marina--several have not responded back to my filled out email contact form.

I plan in paying a visit this week....

Thanks again!

[OTIMO]

I found a slip at Seabrook--even met some forum regulars :}

I am still looking for a home on my other boat, a lift, or rack storage is a must.

[TexSail]

My friend used to live at Portofino - he liked it. I don't have any idea how it fared during Ike.

[Ocean Girl]

Welcome to Texas OTIMO!!
Erika

[OTIMO]

My follow on post....

It take me :49 minutes to commute to IAH from Seabrook. I love living on my boat and consider it the BEST decision I have ever made since leaving the Navy--and I lived on a BIG boat back then.

Anyone considering living on a boat.......GO FOR IT!

[OTIMO]

P.S. I do drive fast!