Florida Hurricane Safe Marinas

[Bon Temps]

I am moving my Seawind 1160 from the Caribbean to Florida to sell it. Anyone have any recommendations on a relatively safe marina to store my boat in Florida while I sell it? I am leaning toward something in Tampa.

[smj]

Got a friend looking for an 1160. Is it advertised anywhere?

[Cheechako]

Probably anything with a full surround of land, no open water water to the marina, no big bay at the marina entrance adjacent is a good bet. Unitil you are hit by a major Cat lll or bigger I suppose. Once a storm gets too big the wind force alone tears things apart. But usually it's water waves etc that tear all the boats and marina apart. Harbortown Merritt Island near Canaveral is very enclosed, only accessible from the waterway. Indiantown way inland would be good. I dont know Tampa but that side seems to get less hurricanes.

[Bon Temps]

Thanks for the info. I will look at these. As for selling the boat, I have not listed it. I was demasted last year and am putting on a new mast and new 3D Northsails (which I always wanted) so I do not have it listed.

[gonesail]

are you talking about putting your boat on the hard and having work done? or a regular marina?

[Bon Temps]

We wiped up a web site. You can see the boat at www.bontempscatamaran.com

[Bon Temps]

I think I will put her on the hard. It depends on how safe the slip

[Nicholson58]

If you are in Florida between November and June there is no worry. End of hurricane season is near.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Bon Temps

I think I will put her on the hard. It depends on how safe the slip

As we live in Florida, the consensus is that your ability to move is the best defense against hurricane damage; leaving the boat on the hard is the LAST thing you should do.

Hurricanes are generally very local events in terms of damaging winds/water being that most severe weather is centered within 100 miles and often less. It’s relatively easy to move out of the target. If you pull the boat, it’s just ‘dumb luck’ if you escape the center which could have been avoided by a one day sail.

Furthermore, most marinas in Florida are within the typical flood plain obviating any safety by pulling the boat. And that’s assuming marinas have anyplace to store it which many do not.

[Sand crab]

I see the stuff you are doing to bring it to 2019 specs but what year is the boat?

[Bon Temps]

2006 but when I get done it will be 2019. I have even over hauled the generator and fully serviced the engines. I know I screwed up since we have decided to sell but we will at least sail it for a year.

[endlesspursuit]

Hurricane Safe in Florida. hahahahahahahahaha Think 2004. I agree with above. Be able to move out of the way. Irma's eye went right over Little Torch key but my boat was safely moved to Melbourne.

[Davidhoy]

There's really no such thing as a hurricane safe marina anywhere, far too many factors play into it. But, as someone else mentioned, try to find one that is surrounded by land to minimize wave action. Any open stretch of water, or fetch, will allow the storm force winds to pile up big waves, and it's the waves that do the majority of the damage.

That said, the marina where I live on my boat meets my personal criteria for a hurricane "safer" marina, as it has only a narrow inlet off the intracoastal, no open stretches of water, and is also far enough from major inlets to reduce the effects of storm surge. No guarantees, but short of a major cat 4-5 storm, it should help reduce the likelihood of damage. The marina is Suntex Hollywood (about to be renamed back to Loggerhead Marina). I like it, both for the relative safety, and the amenities and people.

-David

[Scaramanga F25]

My boats from 1976 to being boatless last year have weathered the hurricanes that hit Florida and/or the Bahamas.
Best bet I would say is on a short and narrow canal off the Intracoastal waterway away from an inlet in Florida. Perhaps better surrounded by taller buildings.

[KadeyKrogen38]

Indiantown marina, center of state.