I was Right and I was Wrong

[Roger Long]

Georgia is my favorite place between Norfolk and Florida despite the fact that I will be in violation of the law if I spend as much time here as I would like at this point.

I was right about the liveaboard law:

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=136893&#post880049

 

[Jimm]

I can see why - beautiful pix!

 

[Bill1565]

.500 is not a bad average.

 

[Benny17441]

One thing you got to understand about Southern laws. The only apply to those for which they were enacted. If you look and act as a responsible cruiser your 30 days will probably start anew each day at a new location. Same applies here in Florida where clean topsides and orderly deck will provide you a harrasment free anchorage for at least one night. Cannot guarantee the Tax man will not not track your stay with the hopes of collecting registration fees if you overstay the 90 days grace period but the wheels work real slow specially if you keep moving around.

 

[Roger Long]

here in Florida where clean topsides and orderly deck will provide you a harrasment free anchorage for at least one night.

That's exactly my beef with what I understand is going on in Florida. After nearly 3.5 thousand miles, my topsides are not clean and aren't likely to be until I next haul out. My decks are orderly to a seaman but obviously old and those of a long distance traveler (wind vane etc.).

Do I have to be in a newish Hunter or Beneatau in order to enjoy my rights as a citizen? Do I have to be white?

 

[Kermit]

Just work on your Southern drawl. You'll be fine. But DON'T copy the Southern drawls you hear on TV. We have no idea where they come up with those.

 

[Tom J]

As far as the laws and enforcement go, sometimes the less said, the better. We asked a lock-keeper on the ICW if it was OK to tie up to the dolphins overnight, and he said officially, it's not allowed. Personally, he said, he didn't have a problem with it. Most of lock-keepers feel the same way, he explained, but if asked for permission, they feel they must enforce the law, and will say no. He advised us in the future to go ahead and tie up and if the lock-keeper doesn't like it, he'll let you know. As far as anchoring restrictions go, we've been in areas where the constables won't bother you if you obviously aren't derelict. There are other areas where the law is right there, all the time, usually in front of those multi-million dollar houses you'll see in parts of Florida.