Hi all - looking to find a marina to move our Hunter 41. Idea is leave it there and commute from Philia to the marina and use a jumping point to the Bahamas in a year or two. Would need to be "full service" to have someone to babysit. Looking for economics and quality care while we are gone Boat draws 5 1/2 feet and 64 ft air draft (ughhhh)
Marina Recommendations - Jacksonville or Key Largo/S. Florida
- Thread starter spadaforaj
- Start date
FLL has lots of such places, however, if you haven’t considered implications such as Summer weather uncertainties, insurance and taxes, you might be in for some surprises.
As just one example, snow-bird boats are almost an afterthought by marina management when the %%%%% hits the fan regarding storm prep, hauling and storage, etc… Another not well publicized issue is how unused boats are vandalized even at the most elegant (read - expensive) marinas.
As just one example, snow-bird boats are almost an afterthought by marina management when the %%%%% hits the fan regarding storm prep, hauling and storage, etc… Another not well publicized issue is how unused boats are vandalized even at the most elegant (read - expensive) marinas.
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I would think any where significantly further South than NJ that you would be a fine place for what you have described if it is a "year or two" in the future.
1. Many insurance companies require a boat they insure to be north of the Florida/Georgia line or charge an arm and a leg if you decide to keep your boat in Florida which insurance companies consider a high risk hurricane zone. I would imagine many of the transients we see moving by us here in Beaufort SC during the "great migration" periods of autumn and spring are doing so because of either a requirement to, or a desire to be out of the High Risk Hurricane Zone.
2. No place on the East Coast, including NJ, are hurricane free, but looking at the historic tracks of Hurricanes (called Spaghetti Maps) is a good place to start your search for a place to leave your boat.
3. Instead of counting on someone else who is not "paid" to take care of your boat (aka marina staff) before a possible hurricane landfall, you might want to consider finding a place where you can have a "contract" to have your boat hauled if need be. I know that some boatyards prioritize boats for hauling in a approaching hurricane based on who has a contract in advance.
4. For that matter, if you don't plan on coming down "frequently" to sail your boat while you bide your time to head off to the Bahamas, why not find a yard with space, out of the high risk Hurricane Zone, and just have your boat hauled and stored on land till you are ready for your "adventure." The monthly storage fee would probably be much much $$$ than a slip for a 41 foot boat.
5. If the boat is to be kept in the water, there is the additional cost of periodic hull cleaning, zinc replacement, etc.
6. A lot of things can go terribly wrong on an unattended boat in the water, not just hurricanes.
7. If you are going to leave your boat someplace and intend to come down frequently to go for weekend or week long sails, look for good and interesting sailing grounds with a nearby airport that has non-stop service from you departure airport of choice.
Find a good Marina or Boatyard someplace north of the Florida/Georgia Line based on Spaghetti Maps, and start your search from there. Beaufort SC to Beaufort NC are likely places to explore. I'm sure others have suggestions too. For what you have described as your intended purpose, I would not limit my search to Florida.
1. Many insurance companies require a boat they insure to be north of the Florida/Georgia line or charge an arm and a leg if you decide to keep your boat in Florida which insurance companies consider a high risk hurricane zone. I would imagine many of the transients we see moving by us here in Beaufort SC during the "great migration" periods of autumn and spring are doing so because of either a requirement to, or a desire to be out of the High Risk Hurricane Zone.
2. No place on the East Coast, including NJ, are hurricane free, but looking at the historic tracks of Hurricanes (called Spaghetti Maps) is a good place to start your search for a place to leave your boat.
3. Instead of counting on someone else who is not "paid" to take care of your boat (aka marina staff) before a possible hurricane landfall, you might want to consider finding a place where you can have a "contract" to have your boat hauled if need be. I know that some boatyards prioritize boats for hauling in a approaching hurricane based on who has a contract in advance.
4. For that matter, if you don't plan on coming down "frequently" to sail your boat while you bide your time to head off to the Bahamas, why not find a yard with space, out of the high risk Hurricane Zone, and just have your boat hauled and stored on land till you are ready for your "adventure." The monthly storage fee would probably be much much $$$ than a slip for a 41 foot boat.
5. If the boat is to be kept in the water, there is the additional cost of periodic hull cleaning, zinc replacement, etc.
6. A lot of things can go terribly wrong on an unattended boat in the water, not just hurricanes.
7. If you are going to leave your boat someplace and intend to come down frequently to go for weekend or week long sails, look for good and interesting sailing grounds with a nearby airport that has non-stop service from you departure airport of choice.
Find a good Marina or Boatyard someplace north of the Florida/Georgia Line based on Spaghetti Maps, and start your search from there. Beaufort SC to Beaufort NC are likely places to explore. I'm sure others have suggestions too. For what you have described as your intended purpose, I would not limit my search to Florida.
