I just read a rather disturbing article in the BoatUS magazine about Florida's ICW and the marina's. The writer of the article was rather caustic regarding the care and up keep of the ICW, Marina's and their price gouging, and Florida Marine Enforcement. Having the intentions to travel to FLorida, the Keys, and on to the Dry Tortugas in the near future I am making long range plans. Due to the nature of the article, I need some input from some of you out there that have been there and what if any problems that you ran into. No reflection on the writer of the article, I am just trying to determine if he had a bad run of luck or if his beef's were commonplace.
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Richie Mahoney
Get Ready to Be Raped!!!
I had my boat on FLA's West coast for a while. I will warn several counties are now out lawing liveaboards...one way or another. In Bradenton at Twin Dolphin Marina, they wanted $525/mo for my H34, In St Pete Beach, $450/mo. Downtown St. Pete runs about the same, with a catch...the dreaded waiting list for a liveaboard slip. At The Harborage downtown, look to spend around $600/mo for a transient slip (now that did include power). If you go south to Ft Meyers, the rates drop to around $300-350/mo. Miami seems to have the best deal..around $200/mo. If you go up to the panhandle, Destin/Ft Walton Beach rank around St. Pete. Pensacola, Orange Beach, and the Floribama are more like Miami. In all honesty, I found that a lot of the FLA west coast is littered with the typical "Condo Commando/Snowbird". A few examples would be like when I was in South Pasadena, I always had to deal with the Condo Assoc. President starring into my boat with binos. I even stayed out on the hook one nite in Clearwater and had someone yell at me from their condo, 500yds away 15 stories up, to move my boat because I was "blocking their view"..."dodn't you know there are laws against your kind of disturbance". But thats a story for another time. Hope these words have helped! Richie Mahoney s/v ComeMonday On the Cumberland River in Tennessee, Part of the Great Circle.
I had my boat on FLA's West coast for a while. I will warn several counties are now out lawing liveaboards...one way or another. In Bradenton at Twin Dolphin Marina, they wanted $525/mo for my H34, In St Pete Beach, $450/mo. Downtown St. Pete runs about the same, with a catch...the dreaded waiting list for a liveaboard slip. At The Harborage downtown, look to spend around $600/mo for a transient slip (now that did include power). If you go south to Ft Meyers, the rates drop to around $300-350/mo. Miami seems to have the best deal..around $200/mo. If you go up to the panhandle, Destin/Ft Walton Beach rank around St. Pete. Pensacola, Orange Beach, and the Floribama are more like Miami. In all honesty, I found that a lot of the FLA west coast is littered with the typical "Condo Commando/Snowbird". A few examples would be like when I was in South Pasadena, I always had to deal with the Condo Assoc. President starring into my boat with binos. I even stayed out on the hook one nite in Clearwater and had someone yell at me from their condo, 500yds away 15 stories up, to move my boat because I was "blocking their view"..."dodn't you know there are laws against your kind of disturbance". But thats a story for another time. Hope these words have helped! Richie Mahoney s/v ComeMonday On the Cumberland River in Tennessee, Part of the Great Circle.
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Don
Hey Richie....and others...
Where in Miami did you find $200/month? I looked around there late last year and didn't find those kind of rates. As for the main issue in this thread, I too read the BOAT/US article and was not entrely surprised by the comments. Being that I visit FL frequently and like to hang around/walk the docks to look at boats, I can confirm that there are lots of "officials" around limiting what you can do. At one marina in Lauderdale, I was walking around the basin on the dock. Some guy came over in a golf cart to tell me that I couldn't walk there, but rather had to be up on the sidwalk, approximately 2 feet away! I obliged because it's their marina, but geez. I live/dock in Annapolis and it's probably the firendliest place you can visit (although dockage is outrageously expensive, it's worth it.) Folks here know we boaters add mucho $$$ to the economy. Guess most of Florida doesn't care.
Where in Miami did you find $200/month? I looked around there late last year and didn't find those kind of rates. As for the main issue in this thread, I too read the BOAT/US article and was not entrely surprised by the comments. Being that I visit FL frequently and like to hang around/walk the docks to look at boats, I can confirm that there are lots of "officials" around limiting what you can do. At one marina in Lauderdale, I was walking around the basin on the dock. Some guy came over in a golf cart to tell me that I couldn't walk there, but rather had to be up on the sidwalk, approximately 2 feet away! I obliged because it's their marina, but geez. I live/dock in Annapolis and it's probably the firendliest place you can visit (although dockage is outrageously expensive, it's worth it.) Folks here know we boaters add mucho $$$ to the economy. Guess most of Florida doesn't care.
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bob
wait a minute, you're giving a distorted picture..
there's certainly a lot that's crowded and expensive in florida, but it's not all bad..obviously, if it were, noone would live and sail here...to start with, if you work at it a little, you can avoid crowded anchorages and experience the best florida has to offer...my wife and i spent 5 weeks cruising sw florida this fall, and continue to be in love with the beauty of our area... marinas on the west coast certainly are expensive, but the cost in the tampa bay area is somewhat overstated...the cost for a 40 ft boat at the st pete municipal marina is about $300/month, although the waiting list is about 18 months...the harborage is about $450...if you join a local yacht club the cost is substantially less...i pay $150/month at our club in tampa... there are over 200 miles of great sailing and gunkholing between tampa and the keys...if you avoid the most crowded spots, there's no finer cruising area in the country...
there's certainly a lot that's crowded and expensive in florida, but it's not all bad..obviously, if it were, noone would live and sail here...to start with, if you work at it a little, you can avoid crowded anchorages and experience the best florida has to offer...my wife and i spent 5 weeks cruising sw florida this fall, and continue to be in love with the beauty of our area... marinas on the west coast certainly are expensive, but the cost in the tampa bay area is somewhat overstated...the cost for a 40 ft boat at the st pete municipal marina is about $300/month, although the waiting list is about 18 months...the harborage is about $450...if you join a local yacht club the cost is substantially less...i pay $150/month at our club in tampa... there are over 200 miles of great sailing and gunkholing between tampa and the keys...if you avoid the most crowded spots, there's no finer cruising area in the country...
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J.B. Dyer
Thanks
Thanks for the input, I'll take everybody's information to heart before I firm any plans up. I really wasn't intending to spend more than a couple of days at each stop, just passing through so to speak. Based on a combination of what everyone has said, it looks like I'll be spending less time at the Marina's and more time on the hook. That is until I start getting the "look" from my wife and she starts talking about acting like civilized people. We still intend to make the trip, however, will take your comments serious when the final plan comes together. Any of you guys ever travel up or down the Tombigbee Waterway, stop by at the Aqua Yacht Marina, dock #c (sailboats)at the mouth of the Tombigbee at Pickwick Lake. Keep your mouth shut when you get there and slide into an empty berth, they really don't pay a lot of attention to anyone just passing through. Tenants are friendly, and there is a restaurant. Oh Yeah, there is a party just about every night. Thanks again: J.B.
Thanks for the input, I'll take everybody's information to heart before I firm any plans up. I really wasn't intending to spend more than a couple of days at each stop, just passing through so to speak. Based on a combination of what everyone has said, it looks like I'll be spending less time at the Marina's and more time on the hook. That is until I start getting the "look" from my wife and she starts talking about acting like civilized people. We still intend to make the trip, however, will take your comments serious when the final plan comes together. Any of you guys ever travel up or down the Tombigbee Waterway, stop by at the Aqua Yacht Marina, dock #c (sailboats)at the mouth of the Tombigbee at Pickwick Lake. Keep your mouth shut when you get there and slide into an empty berth, they really don't pay a lot of attention to anyone just passing through. Tenants are friendly, and there is a restaurant. Oh Yeah, there is a party just about every night. Thanks again: J.B.
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Rick Webb
Emerald Coast
Let me know when you are to be around Fort Walton Beach and I will try to help your search for a place to dock or hang off the hook.
Let me know when you are to be around Fort Walton Beach and I will try to help your search for a place to dock or hang off the hook.
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Brian D
East coast Fla.
I have travled the ICW 3 times in the last 2 years from Norfolk to Dry Tortugas and beyond. Marinas are about 50.00 per night in south Fla. South of Ft. Pierce, North are about 40.00 per night. Be sure to stay at the city marina in St. Augustine for at least 2 days. That is a great city to explore by tour bus. I found that the marina is not the real expense from tying up. The real expense is the seafood dinner that always follows the tie up. It seems all the restaurants near the water are seafood. Some (few) Marinas have loaner cars and these are great. Get a Waterway Guide and a good Chart Book, not one of those cheap ones with all the advertising in it. when you get to Key West go ahead and pay the 95.00 per night to tie up at the warf marina, it is worth the money for a few nights. You are in the center of the action, and the facilities are great.
I have travled the ICW 3 times in the last 2 years from Norfolk to Dry Tortugas and beyond. Marinas are about 50.00 per night in south Fla. South of Ft. Pierce, North are about 40.00 per night. Be sure to stay at the city marina in St. Augustine for at least 2 days. That is a great city to explore by tour bus. I found that the marina is not the real expense from tying up. The real expense is the seafood dinner that always follows the tie up. It seems all the restaurants near the water are seafood. Some (few) Marinas have loaner cars and these are great. Get a Waterway Guide and a good Chart Book, not one of those cheap ones with all the advertising in it. when you get to Key West go ahead and pay the 95.00 per night to tie up at the warf marina, it is worth the money for a few nights. You are in the center of the action, and the facilities are great.
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scott
snow birds
I'm hearing all the complaints about Florida marinas and our waterways but you have to realize that most of the people complaining are either snowbirds or transplants from up north, both the boaters and the condo-commando's. It is the the demands from all of these kinds of people that are driving up the costs here so either stop complaining or stop coming down here, we were doing just fine before the snowbirds discovered what it was like down here. I figure I'll just head over the the Glades and hide out in the ten-thousand islands after all the snowbirds, tourists and yankee developers completely ruin this state.
I'm hearing all the complaints about Florida marinas and our waterways but you have to realize that most of the people complaining are either snowbirds or transplants from up north, both the boaters and the condo-commando's. It is the the demands from all of these kinds of people that are driving up the costs here so either stop complaining or stop coming down here, we were doing just fine before the snowbirds discovered what it was like down here. I figure I'll just head over the the Glades and hide out in the ten-thousand islands after all the snowbirds, tourists and yankee developers completely ruin this state.
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steven f.
well said
Most native Crackers think the same way but few verbalize it, I have to agree with Scott, be it harsh as it is.
Most native Crackers think the same way but few verbalize it, I have to agree with Scott, be it harsh as it is.
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R.W.Landau
East coast
J.B. I have traveled the East coast and found good places to stop. Miami is a great place to stop. for one night. I think our 45'er was about $100.00 for the night. A walk on South Beach is quit interesting. Biscayne Channel is a must to see. It is called Stiltsville to the locals. It is a channel from Key Biscayne bay to the Ocean. It is lined both sided with houses on stilts. However some super lawmaker decided that they should not be there. So no new ones can be built and once the ones that are there are gone, there will be no more. Down biscayne bay a bit is Ragged Key. It is a great stop. It is peacefull as can be. If you look to the North, You see Miami in all it's glory with it's Yellow haze that floats above it. This was a feeling that really hit home. It is why people cruise! Key Largo was a nice place to provision. The entrance is Northwest of Hawk Channel marker # 35. A nice little place just south of that was Rodriguez Key.It is a nice overnight anbchorage. If you get to Marathon, There is an anchorage there that is $55/ month. A fun little bar and provisions by taxi a mile away. Free mail slot, and garbage pickup. I think it is called Boot Key Harbor. The snorkeling on Sombrero Key (to the South)is world class! Key West is a blast. Mallory Peir is the Southern most point of US 1. You can drive no further south. People and crazies gather on the pier about an hour before sunset and enjoy the local entertainment. Side shows of all types. Then everyone enjoys the sunset then move into town. The town comes alive at dusk. Beware of eating places. Ask someone coming out if it was good before you venture in. We had a bad experience that cost about $200 for 6. The food was below average. Then again, we had some good stuff at other places in town. Their beer is cold! There is an anchorage to the West of Mallory Pier. We did not stay there but saw many boats anchored/ moored. Provision well. Once you leave Key West heading for the Dry Tortugas, There is no fuel, water, Food, BEER, just fresh fish. Drop a line as soon as you leave Key West. The spanish mackerel are a nice size and are tasty. We caught small tuna, spanish mackerel, baracuda.... Try what they call dolphin busters. Make sure they have a shiny silver skirt in the color scheme. Let it out until it skips on the surface about 75% of the time. If you anchor to the East of the Fort, make sure you test your anchor! It can kick up there quickly and once the wind is up, protection is not that good. The tour of the fort is pretty interesting. It is the largest brick structure in the United States. I was built when sailing ships delivered the bricks. That is all that is there. I would not plan a week there if you don't like heat. It is out of the way and peaceful at night. The seaplanes from the main land ,about 4 to 6 times a day, and two tour boats are all the visitors that come. That can add up to a hundred people. There were two fishing boats and two pleasure boats there when we were there. Always talk to the locals about anchoring. Some of the bottoms are not good at all. Great trip, hope you enjoy it. r.w.landau
J.B. I have traveled the East coast and found good places to stop. Miami is a great place to stop. for one night. I think our 45'er was about $100.00 for the night. A walk on South Beach is quit interesting. Biscayne Channel is a must to see. It is called Stiltsville to the locals. It is a channel from Key Biscayne bay to the Ocean. It is lined both sided with houses on stilts. However some super lawmaker decided that they should not be there. So no new ones can be built and once the ones that are there are gone, there will be no more. Down biscayne bay a bit is Ragged Key. It is a great stop. It is peacefull as can be. If you look to the North, You see Miami in all it's glory with it's Yellow haze that floats above it. This was a feeling that really hit home. It is why people cruise! Key Largo was a nice place to provision. The entrance is Northwest of Hawk Channel marker # 35. A nice little place just south of that was Rodriguez Key.It is a nice overnight anbchorage. If you get to Marathon, There is an anchorage there that is $55/ month. A fun little bar and provisions by taxi a mile away. Free mail slot, and garbage pickup. I think it is called Boot Key Harbor. The snorkeling on Sombrero Key (to the South)is world class! Key West is a blast. Mallory Peir is the Southern most point of US 1. You can drive no further south. People and crazies gather on the pier about an hour before sunset and enjoy the local entertainment. Side shows of all types. Then everyone enjoys the sunset then move into town. The town comes alive at dusk. Beware of eating places. Ask someone coming out if it was good before you venture in. We had a bad experience that cost about $200 for 6. The food was below average. Then again, we had some good stuff at other places in town. Their beer is cold! There is an anchorage to the West of Mallory Pier. We did not stay there but saw many boats anchored/ moored. Provision well. Once you leave Key West heading for the Dry Tortugas, There is no fuel, water, Food, BEER, just fresh fish. Drop a line as soon as you leave Key West. The spanish mackerel are a nice size and are tasty. We caught small tuna, spanish mackerel, baracuda.... Try what they call dolphin busters. Make sure they have a shiny silver skirt in the color scheme. Let it out until it skips on the surface about 75% of the time. If you anchor to the East of the Fort, make sure you test your anchor! It can kick up there quickly and once the wind is up, protection is not that good. The tour of the fort is pretty interesting. It is the largest brick structure in the United States. I was built when sailing ships delivered the bricks. That is all that is there. I would not plan a week there if you don't like heat. It is out of the way and peaceful at night. The seaplanes from the main land ,about 4 to 6 times a day, and two tour boats are all the visitors that come. That can add up to a hundred people. There were two fishing boats and two pleasure boats there when we were there. Always talk to the locals about anchoring. Some of the bottoms are not good at all. Great trip, hope you enjoy it. r.w.landau
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Rick Webb
It is Awful Down Here, Spread the Word Stay Away
It is hot, buggy, crowded, full of old people who can't drive, the natives are inbred cross eyed freaks who all live in trailers and must get six of them together to have a whole head of teeth. The only break from the heat comes when the whole sky opens up and rains like you would think you are Noah for six and a half minutes and only serves to raise the humidity from 98% to 160%. Then there are the snake and alligators lizards and all sorts of other critters running around that bite sting or will eat you. Tell everyone to go somwhere else it is not worth the trip.
It is hot, buggy, crowded, full of old people who can't drive, the natives are inbred cross eyed freaks who all live in trailers and must get six of them together to have a whole head of teeth. The only break from the heat comes when the whole sky opens up and rains like you would think you are Noah for six and a half minutes and only serves to raise the humidity from 98% to 160%. Then there are the snake and alligators lizards and all sorts of other critters running around that bite sting or will eat you. Tell everyone to go somwhere else it is not worth the trip.
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Scott
You poor guys don't know "expensive"
A rate of $450/mo in Door county would be a steal. You want to know what a deal you have in FL? In Sturgeon Bay, the least expensive, southern-most port in Door County, WI, 3 months of slip space for my H34 is just under $3,000. That's about double the highest rate I see you guys complaining about in FLA. If you head up into the tourist havens of Door County, wait about 40 years, buy some property, you may get the priviledge of renting a slip for about $6K for the summer. FL still seem like a ripoff?
A rate of $450/mo in Door county would be a steal. You want to know what a deal you have in FL? In Sturgeon Bay, the least expensive, southern-most port in Door County, WI, 3 months of slip space for my H34 is just under $3,000. That's about double the highest rate I see you guys complaining about in FLA. If you head up into the tourist havens of Door County, wait about 40 years, buy some property, you may get the priviledge of renting a slip for about $6K for the summer. FL still seem like a ripoff?
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