I sail in the summers only (currently) in the Northeast, live rest of year in Savannah GA. Love the community - golf, tennis, nature etc. But have been cold the last few months and have started to lust for warmer climes. If you had the ability to live anywhere (warm) on the eastern seaboard or gulf areas where would it be? For background my wife and I are in our early 50's although I have some major health issues. Looking for an area that would have some good outdoor activities like golf and tennis, but would also be a good spot to relocate my boat from the north (426 DS) and perhaps a university or other culture in the area. I have little if any understanding of fun areas in FL. I have seen Punta Gorda mentioned on this board, seldom see anything on the east coast which would be my preference, Vero beach or south. Unless somewhere near Jacksonville is great, I would prefer further south than north - again the warm factor!!!! Just noodling this around in the cold of GA as I write. Thanks for any pointers. Ed
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Now you've done it!
Way to go Ed, shake up the troops! Especially those of us "stuck" in the North. Good luck with your quest, I'm staying out of it. Except to say that I don't think that place exists. When I'm cold here I want to be sailing in the South. When I was stationed in Key West I wanted to be home on Lake Erie.
Way to go Ed, shake up the troops! Especially those of us "stuck" in the North. Good luck with your quest, I'm staying out of it. Except to say that I don't think that place exists. When I'm cold here I want to be sailing in the South. When I was stationed in Key West I wanted to be home on Lake Erie.
Chesapeake Bay
This is like looking for the Golden Fleece. My Wife and I made the the decision this fall to stay here in Northern Virginia close to the Chesapeake Bay. Why? We get to stay close to the grandchildren and take them sailing AND we are probably in the the best protected largest body of water on the east coast. More places to sail to that you can believe. If things suite us we can drive further south and expericence the east coast. She also told me that I can't quit my job until the boat is payed for! Can you believe this what a slave driver!!! Yes it gets cold in the winter but except for this winter it ususally only last 2 months. We normally sail into Dec and are back on the water my March 1. For me I could climb on the boat and sail off and not return. Jim S/V Java
This is like looking for the Golden Fleece. My Wife and I made the the decision this fall to stay here in Northern Virginia close to the Chesapeake Bay. Why? We get to stay close to the grandchildren and take them sailing AND we are probably in the the best protected largest body of water on the east coast. More places to sail to that you can believe. If things suite us we can drive further south and expericence the east coast. She also told me that I can't quit my job until the boat is payed for! Can you believe this what a slave driver!!! Yes it gets cold in the winter but except for this winter it ususally only last 2 months. We normally sail into Dec and are back on the water my March 1. For me I could climb on the boat and sail off and not return. Jim S/V Java
Ed, Try St. Augustine. Got a Savannah ?? for you
Ed, Try St. Augustine. I moved here in 1990 and love the old towne. (Simuliar to Savannah, but older)I keep my boat docked at the foot of the Bridge of Lions right in the old town. Theres lot a IWC sailing to do plus I can leave the dock and can be in the ocean in 15 minutes. The World Golf Village is 15 miles away. We actually stay 5-10 degrees warmer than Jacksonville in the winter. We had one day of freezes this year and had none last year. As a side note my wife and I were planning to sail to Savannah this spring for a vacation. We were going to stay at the Hyatt's dock right in the old city. Someone told me not to dock there because of the wake that is kicked up by huge container ships. Can you comment on this? Ted
Ed, Try St. Augustine. I moved here in 1990 and love the old towne. (Simuliar to Savannah, but older)I keep my boat docked at the foot of the Bridge of Lions right in the old town. Theres lot a IWC sailing to do plus I can leave the dock and can be in the ocean in 15 minutes. The World Golf Village is 15 miles away. We actually stay 5-10 degrees warmer than Jacksonville in the winter. We had one day of freezes this year and had none last year. As a side note my wife and I were planning to sail to Savannah this spring for a vacation. We were going to stay at the Hyatt's dock right in the old city. Someone told me not to dock there because of the wake that is kicked up by huge container ships. Can you comment on this? Ted
Ed, et all
Winter in Key West, Spring and Fall on the Chesapeake Bay, and Summer on Lake Erie Or... as the West Coast guys learned long ago... just stay in San Diago
Winter in Key West, Spring and Fall on the Chesapeake Bay, and Summer on Lake Erie Or... as the West Coast guys learned long ago... just stay in San Diago
Ted - St Augustine Comments
Interesting, in fact I am going to make a road trip to St Augustine in about 10 days for a couple of days to check it out and see if it is a viable spot for us. How is the sailing in the ICW? thought it was pretty skinny, but is the ocean a good spot there? As to savannah, can't comment on the dockage downtown - but be aware of the tides you might need to time your arrival and departure or fight a good ammount of tidal flow. The container ships are probably an issue. Will you stay at the hotel? or on your boat. I think that there may be some complications in staying at that dock with out getting a room. You can get a transient mooring at other locations and I can get more info for you if you want me to. Thanks for the comments, I am clearly looking for something below the Mason Dixon line. Ed
Interesting, in fact I am going to make a road trip to St Augustine in about 10 days for a couple of days to check it out and see if it is a viable spot for us. How is the sailing in the ICW? thought it was pretty skinny, but is the ocean a good spot there? As to savannah, can't comment on the dockage downtown - but be aware of the tides you might need to time your arrival and departure or fight a good ammount of tidal flow. The container ships are probably an issue. Will you stay at the hotel? or on your boat. I think that there may be some complications in staying at that dock with out getting a room. You can get a transient mooring at other locations and I can get more info for you if you want me to. Thanks for the comments, I am clearly looking for something below the Mason Dixon line. Ed
Ed, St. A is a great sailing town.
Ed, We always have wind here. Ocean sailing is great! I know many people who live in Jax but keep their boat in St. Aug. just to take advantage of the ocean sailing. Yes the ICW is skinny but has lots of character. Many lttle beaches and places to stop for lunch and beverages. Also 12 miles south on the IWC is another spanish fort. It is off the IWC on a arm of water that goes out to the ocean. Its our favorite overnight stop. Theres a state park on one side so there is no developement there. Down past the fort where it turns out to the ocean the sand is sugar white. Nice for beach combing and fishing is great too. Ted
Ed, We always have wind here. Ocean sailing is great! I know many people who live in Jax but keep their boat in St. Aug. just to take advantage of the ocean sailing. Yes the ICW is skinny but has lots of character. Many lttle beaches and places to stop for lunch and beverages. Also 12 miles south on the IWC is another spanish fort. It is off the IWC on a arm of water that goes out to the ocean. Its our favorite overnight stop. Theres a state park on one side so there is no developement there. Down past the fort where it turns out to the ocean the sand is sugar white. Nice for beach combing and fishing is great too. Ted
Consider Sarasota
We have activities in arts, crafts, sports and we enjoy an active sailing community. Moderate climate near the water and a reasonable cost of living if you choose carefully. The Tampa Bay area attracts many people, yet we still have space. Medical facilities/personnel are tops. The area caters to and supports winter residents, retiries, and full-timers equally. Cold here is 45 at night. Cheers,
We have activities in arts, crafts, sports and we enjoy an active sailing community. Moderate climate near the water and a reasonable cost of living if you choose carefully. The Tampa Bay area attracts many people, yet we still have space. Medical facilities/personnel are tops. The area caters to and supports winter residents, retiries, and full-timers equally. Cold here is 45 at night. Cheers,
Stuart, Fort Pierce, Jupiter
I really like Stuart and that whole area. It has even better sailing than St Augustine and it is even warmer.
I really like Stuart and that whole area. It has even better sailing than St Augustine and it is even warmer.
Anywhere south of Daytona
Melbourne, Ft. Pierce, Stuart,etc. Or, if I could have it my way (my wife says NO WAY!), I'd park myself at Miami's city marina in Coconut Grove (Dinner Key).
Melbourne, Ft. Pierce, Stuart,etc. Or, if I could have it my way (my wife says NO WAY!), I'd park myself at Miami's city marina in Coconut Grove (Dinner Key).
West Palm Beach Sailing
My ideal sailing area is just out my back door, the Lake Worth Inlet in West Palm Beach, FL. I sail 3 to 4 times a week from a mooring, just 10 minutes from deep ocean or in the Lake Worth Lagoon if it's too rough outside. I have bee sailing there the past 7 years, use to sail in Biscayne Bay in Miami, and I have explored the St. Lucie Inlet at Stuart and Jupiter Inlet too. One of the nicest things I like about the Lake Worth Inlet is the crystal clear waters that ebb and flood the area around Peanut Island just inside the inlet. It's proximity to the Gulf Stream, just 1/2 mile off the beach provides the clearest (Bahamas comparision) waters of any inlet in the United States. If you are interested in seeing where we are located, take a look at our website at: http://www.elenalua.homestead.com
My ideal sailing area is just out my back door, the Lake Worth Inlet in West Palm Beach, FL. I sail 3 to 4 times a week from a mooring, just 10 minutes from deep ocean or in the Lake Worth Lagoon if it's too rough outside. I have bee sailing there the past 7 years, use to sail in Biscayne Bay in Miami, and I have explored the St. Lucie Inlet at Stuart and Jupiter Inlet too. One of the nicest things I like about the Lake Worth Inlet is the crystal clear waters that ebb and flood the area around Peanut Island just inside the inlet. It's proximity to the Gulf Stream, just 1/2 mile off the beach provides the clearest (Bahamas comparision) waters of any inlet in the United States. If you are interested in seeing where we are located, take a look at our website at: http://www.elenalua.homestead.com
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