I'm looking to buy my first boat soon and join the liveaboard lifestyle. I would like to travel/explore the coastline starting from the Gulf Coast all the way up to Canada. What I'm curious about is the availability of public docking at various cities of interest along the way. Just how difficult is it to find a place to dock/anchor for a few days at a time without paying marina fees? What do you do if you need to duck out of the way of bad weather for awhile? In other words, is it possible to travel the East Coast without paying marina fees at every stop or every night?
Question about traveling.
- Thread starter St8kout
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Living On The Hook
Or as others call it anchoring. Marinas sadly do not provide slips free of charge (darn). There are however many good anchoring spots along the way. Suggest you purchase a good guide of the ICW & Chesapeake Bay (sorry, these aren't free either).
Or as others call it anchoring. Marinas sadly do not provide slips free of charge (darn). There are however many good anchoring spots along the way. Suggest you purchase a good guide of the ICW & Chesapeake Bay (sorry, these aren't free either).
Thanks
Yes, that's what I mean. I realize there's 'no free lunch' in this life, but if I had to pay docking fees at every single overnight stop, I'll have to settle for a much smaller boat
Yes, that's what I mean. I realize there's 'no free lunch' in this life, but if I had to pay docking fees at every single overnight stop, I'll have to settle for a much smaller boat
some thoughts
I was under the impression you could go into any port in a storm and claim refuge till the storm passes, without charge. I've run into several marina's that don't honor it, or don't know about it, but it is my understanding it is maritime law. We tell the non-believers to call the Coast Guard, cause we are not paying. They tell us, you are tied up, therefore on land, so...funny, they never call the police. There are plenty of areas to anchor, and tie up, if you get creative. Sometimes, you just have to ask. And ask someone else. Thats how I found out about Wal-Mart. Did you know you could "camp out" in their parking lot for the night? No charge? But don't try to sneak into a place for the night, then leave early. At every marina my partner tried it with, he got caught. That's far different than storm refuge.
I was under the impression you could go into any port in a storm and claim refuge till the storm passes, without charge. I've run into several marina's that don't honor it, or don't know about it, but it is my understanding it is maritime law. We tell the non-believers to call the Coast Guard, cause we are not paying. They tell us, you are tied up, therefore on land, so...funny, they never call the police. There are plenty of areas to anchor, and tie up, if you get creative. Sometimes, you just have to ask. And ask someone else. Thats how I found out about Wal-Mart. Did you know you could "camp out" in their parking lot for the night? No charge? But don't try to sneak into a place for the night, then leave early. At every marina my partner tried it with, he got caught. That's far different than storm refuge.
travel guides
are a wonderful thing. They tell you where the marinas and anchorages are. What the depths are. What they provide. Phone numbers so you can make reservations. They also tell you about the bridges and locks too. All kinds of great details that one would never try to remember...just look it up in the book when you get there. When planning a leg or a trip, I break out the guide and read it and look at the places on the charts and also the google satelitte pictures of the area. gotta love that internet thing Gore made
are a wonderful thing. They tell you where the marinas and anchorages are. What the depths are. What they provide. Phone numbers so you can make reservations. They also tell you about the bridges and locks too. All kinds of great details that one would never try to remember...just look it up in the book when you get there. When planning a leg or a trip, I break out the guide and read it and look at the places on the charts and also the google satelitte pictures of the area. gotta love that internet thing Gore made
Not to be contrary Letterman
as I enjoyed your input on the sail trim thread I started but we have been able to arrive after 6PM and leave at or before 6AM at a certain marina in NY Harbor that is right next to the Statue of Liberty (LLM). It is a big marina and the dock staff go home around 6 and do not come back on duty until 12 hours later. I am sure that this is not the case with all marinas and I prefer to honest where possible. The first time I had my boat at this same marina on a busy holiday weekend I made a phone reservation before arriving and paid nearly $120 for the privelege of being kept up all night by the bar across the creek. I figure that now it only has cost me about $60 for each night there. Other transients told us about the 6 to 6 free overnight program and it worked! The free town dock overnight tie up is a rare bird indeed. Mattituck Inlet has a one of these. That is the only one I have found in my limited experience. Transient moorings in LI Sound usually cost around $35/night.
as I enjoyed your input on the sail trim thread I started but we have been able to arrive after 6PM and leave at or before 6AM at a certain marina in NY Harbor that is right next to the Statue of Liberty (LLM). It is a big marina and the dock staff go home around 6 and do not come back on duty until 12 hours later. I am sure that this is not the case with all marinas and I prefer to honest where possible. The first time I had my boat at this same marina on a busy holiday weekend I made a phone reservation before arriving and paid nearly $120 for the privelege of being kept up all night by the bar across the creek. I figure that now it only has cost me about $60 for each night there. Other transients told us about the 6 to 6 free overnight program and it worked! The free town dock overnight tie up is a rare bird indeed. Mattituck Inlet has a one of these. That is the only one I have found in my limited experience. Transient moorings in LI Sound usually cost around $35/night.
Buy charts of what ever age that you can find for
the entire coast. There is much that changes but much more that doesn't. Rivers and creeks are pretty much going to be in the same place that they were thirty years ago. About once a week you might want to touch civilization to re- provision. Otherwise you can travel from anchorage to anchorage anonymously. You will need the charts anyway, the cruising guides are great, some resturants will let you tie up for an evening but would like you to park else- where when you leave.
the entire coast. There is much that changes but much more that doesn't. Rivers and creeks are pretty much going to be in the same place that they were thirty years ago. About once a week you might want to touch civilization to re- provision. Otherwise you can travel from anchorage to anchorage anonymously. You will need the charts anyway, the cruising guides are great, some resturants will let you tie up for an evening but would like you to park else- where when you leave.
It's possible if all you want to see
in your travels is water and shoreline. Unfortunately the times when communities would entice sailors to visit their towns by offering free dockage and other ammenities is long gone in our country. I gather part of the purpose of your trip is to visit certain cities and towns along the way. In order to do that you will need a budget for transient slips. The slip fees will likely vary with ammenities (or lack off), location and the size of the boat. A dingui dock fee is usually much less than a slip fee so if there is a nice anchorage near a marina that offers dingui dockage it may do quite nicely. Marinas with a mooring field and water taxi service are another alternative. Another would be to dock the boat at a town adjacent to that large city you want to visit and use ground transportation to get there. Some large cities do have first come, first serve dockage available for a few hours; You can anchor out and come in, tie up and go sighseeing for a few hours and then return to your anchorage. We found such a facility in the inner harbor of the city of Baltimore. Marinas in Long Island, NY can be found at reasonable rates and then you can ride the train into Manhattan. Like others have said the best investment you can make is a cruising guide. It will save you money by pointing out anchorages and a list of marinas for each location. A hot shower, recharging batteries, clean laundry, supplies and a restaurant meal is something we all need every few days so marinas are unavoidable. Go with a smaller boat if you have to.
in your travels is water and shoreline. Unfortunately the times when communities would entice sailors to visit their towns by offering free dockage and other ammenities is long gone in our country. I gather part of the purpose of your trip is to visit certain cities and towns along the way. In order to do that you will need a budget for transient slips. The slip fees will likely vary with ammenities (or lack off), location and the size of the boat. A dingui dock fee is usually much less than a slip fee so if there is a nice anchorage near a marina that offers dingui dockage it may do quite nicely. Marinas with a mooring field and water taxi service are another alternative. Another would be to dock the boat at a town adjacent to that large city you want to visit and use ground transportation to get there. Some large cities do have first come, first serve dockage available for a few hours; You can anchor out and come in, tie up and go sighseeing for a few hours and then return to your anchorage. We found such a facility in the inner harbor of the city of Baltimore. Marinas in Long Island, NY can be found at reasonable rates and then you can ride the train into Manhattan. Like others have said the best investment you can make is a cruising guide. It will save you money by pointing out anchorages and a list of marinas for each location. A hot shower, recharging batteries, clean laundry, supplies and a restaurant meal is something we all need every few days so marinas are unavoidable. Go with a smaller boat if you have to.
Practice your anchoring.
I see why you are concerned. I've always taken our fees at Marina Del Rey for granted. You prompted me to do a quick search of So. Calif. and some of the fees are outrageous. Catalina is also fairly resonable at $21/night under 39 ft. in off season Oct - April. Pay for two nights and stay for a week. Spent the day at two harbors last November $2 taxi and no charge for the mooring. There are always cruisers anchored off shore. With a good dinghy and small motor you should have no problems. The water taxi at Avalon will kill you at $5 each way, the ride is only 50 yards. Got me to blow up my raft and row to the pier. You are welcome to stay at MDR for 50 cents a foot, first come first serve.
I see why you are concerned. I've always taken our fees at Marina Del Rey for granted. You prompted me to do a quick search of So. Calif. and some of the fees are outrageous. Catalina is also fairly resonable at $21/night under 39 ft. in off season Oct - April. Pay for two nights and stay for a week. Spent the day at two harbors last November $2 taxi and no charge for the mooring. There are always cruisers anchored off shore. With a good dinghy and small motor you should have no problems. The water taxi at Avalon will kill you at $5 each way, the ride is only 50 yards. Got me to blow up my raft and row to the pier. You are welcome to stay at MDR for 50 cents a foot, first come first serve.
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