Lowest Cost Place in Florida to do a Refit

[Chotu]

I’m looking for the best deal on a place in Florida to do a refit. Lots of interior work to do on my catamaran. The more money you waste on the storage, the less you have for the project, so looking for creative ideas.

Could be:
*on the hard
*in water
*private land, Marina or anywhere
*hauled out by travelift or crane or boat ramp

The only requirements are:

*power
*parking spot
*maybe access to a hose/spigot.

I need this spot from fall to spring 2020-2021. Could continue longer if it seems a good fit and I’m able to run air conditioning from the power.

Boat is 50’ x 25’ with 3ft draft when boards and rudders are up.

Any ideas?

[tkeithlu]

I nominate Carrabelle. Travel hoist, DIY friendly yard, pros in just about all areas of boat overhaul near at hand, low cost of living, etc.

Check out MS Dockside Marina (it's more yard than marina):

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Let me know if you want more information on Carrabelle or working with Dockside.

[tkeithlu]

There actually is a link there - I don't know why it is just a little blue mark in the post. Here it is again:
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[flyingfin]

Green Cove Springs on St Johns River, or Titusville at north end Indian River Lagoo n

[Chotu]

Carrabelle does look good. It’s really, really far for an east coat person who still has to commute to major Florida cities and NYC occasionally for business trips though.

Green Cove Springs is very expensive due to all the thieves living there that strip boats of everything not tied down.

Indian River Lagoon and Titusville are conveniently located and have good people living there. I’ve been in the area before. Any specific marinas/boat yards? I’ve only been through staying at anchor and getting a dock at Titusville Municipal Marina.

Also open to anyone with a private deal. Unused dock or land anywhere from Tampa to Jacksonville, all the way around the entire state and even on the Okeechobee waterway. Anything.

[BobLoucks]

Try the Glades Boat yard in Moorehaven
On the Okeechobee / Calloosahatchi waterway. Very accommodating and reasonably priced. Better yet a safe hurricane hole.

[dennismenace111]

You didnt mention your mast height...but if you step the mast first, I would suggest you look at the INDIAN TOWN MARINA in Palm Beach County. Its inexpensive, safe, its hurricane surge protected behind a LOCK on the St. Lucie waterway.

Only downside is the fixed bridges over I-95 and the Florida Turnpike. Most people who store their boats there or go there to refit, step their masts at Cracker Boys Marina in Riviera Beach before heading up the St. Lucie to Indiantown marina.

I know that there are tons of Canadian visitors who keep their boats on the hard in Indian Town Marina during summer hurricane months and launch them again in November to cruise the Bahamas. Stepping the masts at Cracker Boys in Riviera Beach, FL.

Indiantown Marina - Home

https://crackerboyboatworks.com/

[Gypsyjon]

You might want to check out Apalachicola Marine Service and Sales. They have a travel lift and a secured yard.

Mike Thrasher 850-559-2718

[dakno]

Check out Playboy Boatyard in Ft Lauderdale. Diy yard.

[caffel]

The ideal choice depends greatly on whether you will have a car.

[captlloyd]

You might do a Craigslist search under “Boat” or “ Boat Parts” In every coastal city. Type in “ Docks” in the search bar. I have seen a number of docks advertised in the past.

[Dooglas]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Carrabelle does look good. It’s really, really far for an east coast person who still has to commute to major Florida cities and NYC occasionally for business trips though.

Tallahassee International Airport is well served by both American and Delta Airlines.

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by Dooglas

Tallahassee International Airport is well served by both American and Delta Airlines.

As someone who lives in Tallahassee I have to point out conventional wisdom around here is 'if you are going to hell the connection is through the Atlanta airport'. Not saying Tallahassee is hell as I have lived here some time; just that once I was flying from Tampa to Tallahassee (job related and a secretary booked the flight) with the connection through Atlanta.

[Chotu]

I’ve actually had a fair amount of trouble breathing around the panhandle area. I guess that’s a factor too. With Covid getting rid of air pollution, I nearly forgot about that issue.

Vertical clearance required is about 12ft. No rig yet.

Yes, I have a vehicle for getting around and driving to South Florida, Orlando and Tampa meetings. Would just fly up to nyc when required. Best airports for that are Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

Hope those extra details help. And thank you!!! Keep any ideas coming. Looking into all the possibilities.

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by Chotu

I’ve actually had a fair amount of trouble breathing around the panhandle area. I guess that’s a factor too. With Covid getting rid of air pollution, I nearly forgot about that issue.


SNIP

This does not conform to govt numbers about air pollution. The panhandle has the cleanest air, largely due to lowest population density, of any place in the state, except the Keys but they are not really part of Florida, or even the US. South Florida in general and Miami in particular is the worst.