The thread below about Florida marinas going condo made me wonder how the snowbird lifestyle can continue. By "snowbirds" I mean those boat owners who winter in Florida at a slip they rent for only part of a year, and who move their boats north along the Atlantic coast in the summer. I understand that a lot of snowbirds live at a mooring during their summers in the north, but in Florida I have understood that they mostly seek out slips with electricity and water. If most slips are going to be controlled by condos, or are going to be rented out by the year, what will those owners do? What are they doing now?
- Status
You Have Reason To Be Concerned
If you want a lifestyle of going south for the winter then you have good reason to be concerned. The quantity of land, and shoreline is basically fixed and the population is really increasing. Put thise two things together and the desirable waterfront property, condos and marina slips can only become more sought after and more expensive. If you want to be guarenteed a place that you can go to then probably your best solution is to buy a slip before it becomes priced out of reach.
If you want a lifestyle of going south for the winter then you have good reason to be concerned. The quantity of land, and shoreline is basically fixed and the population is really increasing. Put thise two things together and the desirable waterfront property, condos and marina slips can only become more sought after and more expensive. If you want to be guarenteed a place that you can go to then probably your best solution is to buy a slip before it becomes priced out of reach.
he's correct
My last letter generated a bit too much politics so I'm hoping this one sticks more to sailing. The south, and ALL waterfront areas, are becoming sooooo expensive that there is simply too much money flowing to keep our old ways of Florida the same. Key West for instance is a place that locals really don't go to anymore. The Keys are really bad pricy IF you can find a slip in the winter (or even summer time). Along the SW coast our growth is just now exploding. I would probably recommend puchasing a piece of water front property for $500K+++ or renting a slip in someones back yard for $300-$400/month with power and water. As for the lifestyle, it is rapidly vanishing. You can see it in the boat yards and the type of boats being hauled. I've been around boats in south Florida my entire life, I used to live in Dinner Key Marina in Miami in the 70's. The atmosphere in and around boat yards and marinas has become very snobby and quite unpleasant. Give me the old days any time (having said that officially makes me old now). I plan to sell my big boat soon and stick to smaller boats and chartering. I can no longer afford the haul outs or tolerate the attitude of many cruisers I'm encountering. Its makes me sad to think of the future of sailing in Florida but I can see the spray painting on the walls.
My last letter generated a bit too much politics so I'm hoping this one sticks more to sailing. The south, and ALL waterfront areas, are becoming sooooo expensive that there is simply too much money flowing to keep our old ways of Florida the same. Key West for instance is a place that locals really don't go to anymore. The Keys are really bad pricy IF you can find a slip in the winter (or even summer time). Along the SW coast our growth is just now exploding. I would probably recommend puchasing a piece of water front property for $500K+++ or renting a slip in someones back yard for $300-$400/month with power and water. As for the lifestyle, it is rapidly vanishing. You can see it in the boat yards and the type of boats being hauled. I've been around boats in south Florida my entire life, I used to live in Dinner Key Marina in Miami in the 70's. The atmosphere in and around boat yards and marinas has become very snobby and quite unpleasant. Give me the old days any time (having said that officially makes me old now). I plan to sell my big boat soon and stick to smaller boats and chartering. I can no longer afford the haul outs or tolerate the attitude of many cruisers I'm encountering. Its makes me sad to think of the future of sailing in Florida but I can see the spray painting on the walls.
No new marinas being built - lots of new boats
a real problem is that the EPA has basically stopped all new marina construction. Manatee rules (in places where the Manatee is not native) alone can nix the project. Government out of control - not saying that it is bad through, but boating will be a rich-persons pursuit. There needs to be some middle ground.
a real problem is that the EPA has basically stopped all new marina construction. Manatee rules (in places where the Manatee is not native) alone can nix the project. Government out of control - not saying that it is bad through, but boating will be a rich-persons pursuit. There needs to be some middle ground.
RE: No new marinas, lots of new boats...
Debra hit the nail on the head, there are so many new boats being built and no where to keep them on the water, sort of like cars and freeways. Where I live, (east of Sacramento) our local lakes that have marinas are also suffering from a lack of available slips. The lake right around the corner from my house currently has over 175 people on their list, resulting in a wait of 5-6 years (minimum) to get a slip. When I asked them 'Why don't you just expand the dock area?' they told me there was no way to get the powers that be to let them do such a thing. They currently have 80 spaces but they have room for at least twice as many. It got so bad that people were buying boats that already had a slip (at outrageously inflated prices) just so they could transfer the slip to their name and put another boat they already had in its place. They would then sell the other boat a a great loss, but at least they got a slip. The harbormaster got wind of this and stopped all transfers of slips from one lessee to another, even if you wanted to keep the boat you bought with the slip and simply transfer names. That's what happened to me. And, the real bummer is that about half the boats at the harbor never seem to move! I've seen boats go in the water in spring, sit there all summer, and then be hauled back out again in the fall with no apparent use the entire season! Of the 80 boats in the harbor, I'll bet only 25-30 of them got regular use, say at least twice a month. Heck, I was down on my boat 4-5 time a week! The rest of them are held by people who know how hard a slip is to get, so they just park a boat there every year so as not to lose their slip. There were even 4 slips that sat empty all year! Yep, this is going to become a rich mans sport real soon!
Debra hit the nail on the head, there are so many new boats being built and no where to keep them on the water, sort of like cars and freeways. Where I live, (east of Sacramento) our local lakes that have marinas are also suffering from a lack of available slips. The lake right around the corner from my house currently has over 175 people on their list, resulting in a wait of 5-6 years (minimum) to get a slip. When I asked them 'Why don't you just expand the dock area?' they told me there was no way to get the powers that be to let them do such a thing. They currently have 80 spaces but they have room for at least twice as many. It got so bad that people were buying boats that already had a slip (at outrageously inflated prices) just so they could transfer the slip to their name and put another boat they already had in its place. They would then sell the other boat a a great loss, but at least they got a slip. The harbormaster got wind of this and stopped all transfers of slips from one lessee to another, even if you wanted to keep the boat you bought with the slip and simply transfer names. That's what happened to me. And, the real bummer is that about half the boats at the harbor never seem to move! I've seen boats go in the water in spring, sit there all summer, and then be hauled back out again in the fall with no apparent use the entire season! Of the 80 boats in the harbor, I'll bet only 25-30 of them got regular use, say at least twice a month. Heck, I was down on my boat 4-5 time a week! The rest of them are held by people who know how hard a slip is to get, so they just park a boat there every year so as not to lose their slip. There were even 4 slips that sat empty all year! Yep, this is going to become a rich mans sport real soon!
OK let's think back to what the old timers were
saying about our sport when we were newbies. I really got into this stuff in the early '70s. The old timers then, were saying things have gone to hell. One word; perspective. Jeff, we had one new marina built on Puget Sound since I started sailing. It's the Elliot Bay Marina. There might be a hole in the wall on the waterfront of Seattle too. Anyhow, the developers spent over 10 years on just the regulatory process. After final approval was granted, a group of 'Native Americans' suddenly surfaced, claiming that the marina was being built over their historical fishing grounds. They couldn't prove it and no tribes were known to have ever fished there but the courts ruled in there favor. Result? Huge settlement. Several million. Plaintiffs? Lawyers grabbed a bunch. The group of 'Natives' grabbed their cash and disappeared, presumably waiting to pull the scam again the next time someone wants to build a marina. Another problem we have are the group of bureaucrats we affectionately call the Fisheries Department. They have to sign off on any marina work including dredging. On a TV interview I saw, they said "We routinely deny dredging and construction permits, it's bad for the (ell)grass." They claim that the food chain is dependent on the grass that grows in the mud here. A dock would cause a shadow and the grass would die. Result, no docks. Did those bureaucrats ever look at the stuff growing on docks? Seems more conducive to the food chain than some grass without a tan-line.
saying about our sport when we were newbies. I really got into this stuff in the early '70s. The old timers then, were saying things have gone to hell. One word; perspective. Jeff, we had one new marina built on Puget Sound since I started sailing. It's the Elliot Bay Marina. There might be a hole in the wall on the waterfront of Seattle too. Anyhow, the developers spent over 10 years on just the regulatory process. After final approval was granted, a group of 'Native Americans' suddenly surfaced, claiming that the marina was being built over their historical fishing grounds. They couldn't prove it and no tribes were known to have ever fished there but the courts ruled in there favor. Result? Huge settlement. Several million. Plaintiffs? Lawyers grabbed a bunch. The group of 'Natives' grabbed their cash and disappeared, presumably waiting to pull the scam again the next time someone wants to build a marina. Another problem we have are the group of bureaucrats we affectionately call the Fisheries Department. They have to sign off on any marina work including dredging. On a TV interview I saw, they said "We routinely deny dredging and construction permits, it's bad for the (ell)grass." They claim that the food chain is dependent on the grass that grows in the mud here. A dock would cause a shadow and the grass would die. Result, no docks. Did those bureaucrats ever look at the stuff growing on docks? Seems more conducive to the food chain than some grass without a tan-line.
Free market
Commentator Thomas Sowell, an economist, has written some interesting stuff in the last few years about this kind of problem. If the free market were allowed to work in this field, two things would happen: more marinas would be built, and each slip would be priced at what the market could bear. There would be no waiting lines. Supply of slips would increase, and prices would increase, as necessary to bring supply into line with demand. As it is, those who have slips don't pay the market rate for them, hence they can afford to under-use their boats. Sowell has commented many times that the claims of environmentalists take too much land out of the market, and drive up the prices for the land that remains. I am not a cruiser right now, but my long-term hope had been to be a permanent cruiser in my early retirement years. That may not be possible the way things are going.
Commentator Thomas Sowell, an economist, has written some interesting stuff in the last few years about this kind of problem. If the free market were allowed to work in this field, two things would happen: more marinas would be built, and each slip would be priced at what the market could bear. There would be no waiting lines. Supply of slips would increase, and prices would increase, as necessary to bring supply into line with demand. As it is, those who have slips don't pay the market rate for them, hence they can afford to under-use their boats. Sowell has commented many times that the claims of environmentalists take too much land out of the market, and drive up the prices for the land that remains. I am not a cruiser right now, but my long-term hope had been to be a permanent cruiser in my early retirement years. That may not be possible the way things are going.
many dreams dashed
I think a lot of people had/have the dream of taking off in early retirement on a boat. I agree that the reality of this is not a good thing. I mentioned the attitude of far too many cruisers was quite snobby. This is just the tip of the cruising iceburg. The cost being another biggie. We've decided that since we have owned waterfront property in south florida for over a generation we simply can't let it go, for any price.... I will, however, rent it out with the boat slips in the back yard and go rent some one elses house some place else that I want to live. I won't own another big boat I'll charter. I won't buy another house I'll rent. When the next hurricane Andrew rolls down our throat I'll simply grab my suit case, again, and head off. This time with no worries about "my" house (unless it hits SW Fla). This time I'll call the landlord and wish him good luck and ask him to call me when he fixes up the house again. I know it sounds like a boat attitude but I really don't care to make my life any more complicated that it already is. I LOVE sailing and boating, it is the center of my life, always has been and probably always will be. Money is nice but my time on the water is still more important.
I think a lot of people had/have the dream of taking off in early retirement on a boat. I agree that the reality of this is not a good thing. I mentioned the attitude of far too many cruisers was quite snobby. This is just the tip of the cruising iceburg. The cost being another biggie. We've decided that since we have owned waterfront property in south florida for over a generation we simply can't let it go, for any price.... I will, however, rent it out with the boat slips in the back yard and go rent some one elses house some place else that I want to live. I won't own another big boat I'll charter. I won't buy another house I'll rent. When the next hurricane Andrew rolls down our throat I'll simply grab my suit case, again, and head off. This time with no worries about "my" house (unless it hits SW Fla). This time I'll call the landlord and wish him good luck and ask him to call me when he fixes up the house again. I know it sounds like a boat attitude but I really don't care to make my life any more complicated that it already is. I LOVE sailing and boating, it is the center of my life, always has been and probably always will be. Money is nice but my time on the water is still more important.
Another Geezer Weighs IN
It's that perspective thing again, when I was young slips were $2.00/foot/month, now they are $10-12 seemed like a lot then & now. When I get upset about high costs I have to remind myself that I now earn in 1 day what my monthly salary was 30 years ago. It's all relative, $2.50 gas used to be $0.25. Some new facilities would be great but new marinas are as scarce as new Nuclear Generating Plants, we won't be seeing many. Lighten up on yourselves a little folks, what you pay to keep your boat is what you have to pay to keep the boat. It's seems that the whole population is getting snobby, driven in a big city lately? Only stands to reason some of them are buying boats. It's a rare day that I don't have to alter my course to avoid a collision when I'm the stand-on boat, don't let it ruin your day (or life) just grin and wave like you are as ignorant as them.
It's that perspective thing again, when I was young slips were $2.00/foot/month, now they are $10-12 seemed like a lot then & now. When I get upset about high costs I have to remind myself that I now earn in 1 day what my monthly salary was 30 years ago. It's all relative, $2.50 gas used to be $0.25. Some new facilities would be great but new marinas are as scarce as new Nuclear Generating Plants, we won't be seeing many. Lighten up on yourselves a little folks, what you pay to keep your boat is what you have to pay to keep the boat. It's seems that the whole population is getting snobby, driven in a big city lately? Only stands to reason some of them are buying boats. It's a rare day that I don't have to alter my course to avoid a collision when I'm the stand-on boat, don't let it ruin your day (or life) just grin and wave like you are as ignorant as them.
Henny Penny, the sky is falling...yet again!
I'd like to praise Ted for remarks that - thankfully - offer some perspective. I also notice that much of this comment weaves together 'retiring on a boat' and 'boat lifestyle' with 'cruising'. Cruising is alive & well, folks...and based on prior experiences in the 70's and 80's, actually much easier in a host of ways. No, it's not - news flash! - cheaper (what is?) but it's far cheaper than one is lead to believe from gear mfgrs, magazines, marine retailers and boat manufacturers, all of whom sing the siren song that somehow one must have a HUGE, expensive inventory of systems in a relatively new (and of course, big) boat in order to go anywhere - that we not only can but SHOULD take it all with us. The selection of suitable cruising boats - most of them far superior to those available 2 or 3 decades ago - abound these days, so many having been built over the last two decades. Navigation has been made far easier, most especially in areas still remote and full of adventure. The headaches associated with manging one's funds and getting local currency have all but disappeared. A few (usually well refined, simplified, highly reliable) systems can provide for a relatively plush cruising lifestyle when compared to 20 or 30 years ago - examples might be a 'smart', versatile DC electrical system, a lower weight/higher reliability diesel engine and a water maker. With these and basic GPS-based electronics - let's forget about Starship Enterprise displays at the helm - one can explore the far reaches of the Eastern Pacific or the vast east coast of South America, both relatively unexplored, inexpensive and certainly not over-populated with cruising boats. What I read here is much hand-wringing about the lessened opportunity to use the boat as a domestic RV, settling in somewhere without a care, including no worries about cost, availability or 'snobby' neighbors...which reminds me of the complaints from the RV crowd, who must now obtain a reservation to visit Old Faithful and who think it's essential to have the microwave preparing their wilderness meals but begrudge the cost of the power hook-up in the Boonies. What's seems to be absent from this dialogue is the fact that other areas await discovery, too...but are currently 'not in vogue', considered 'less desireable' and therefore ignored. If you doubt this, dedicate a week to prowling around the Georgia Sounds, as just one example. Imagine a few weeks anchored off Cumberland Island, a 19-mile long, remote barrier island and vacant beach with perhaps 50 grandfathered residents (mostly absent) at the far N end, while only you, the Nat'l Park Service historians, the herd of wild horses and the abandoned Carnegie Mansion at the S end. Free water, free floating dinghy dock, free showers ashore if the boat can't accommodate, no anchoring fees, a small island visitation fee due only for the days you explore ashore, and gorgeous views that the day visitors from St. Mary's City have to pay handsomely to sample for only a few hours. Perhaps what's changed is that we all want things much simplier now, eaiser...but also inexpensive and convenient, of course. Perhaps what's changed is us, but it certainly isn't the opportunity to sail a boat to interesting places and revel in what follows. Jack
I'd like to praise Ted for remarks that - thankfully - offer some perspective. I also notice that much of this comment weaves together 'retiring on a boat' and 'boat lifestyle' with 'cruising'. Cruising is alive & well, folks...and based on prior experiences in the 70's and 80's, actually much easier in a host of ways. No, it's not - news flash! - cheaper (what is?) but it's far cheaper than one is lead to believe from gear mfgrs, magazines, marine retailers and boat manufacturers, all of whom sing the siren song that somehow one must have a HUGE, expensive inventory of systems in a relatively new (and of course, big) boat in order to go anywhere - that we not only can but SHOULD take it all with us. The selection of suitable cruising boats - most of them far superior to those available 2 or 3 decades ago - abound these days, so many having been built over the last two decades. Navigation has been made far easier, most especially in areas still remote and full of adventure. The headaches associated with manging one's funds and getting local currency have all but disappeared. A few (usually well refined, simplified, highly reliable) systems can provide for a relatively plush cruising lifestyle when compared to 20 or 30 years ago - examples might be a 'smart', versatile DC electrical system, a lower weight/higher reliability diesel engine and a water maker. With these and basic GPS-based electronics - let's forget about Starship Enterprise displays at the helm - one can explore the far reaches of the Eastern Pacific or the vast east coast of South America, both relatively unexplored, inexpensive and certainly not over-populated with cruising boats. What I read here is much hand-wringing about the lessened opportunity to use the boat as a domestic RV, settling in somewhere without a care, including no worries about cost, availability or 'snobby' neighbors...which reminds me of the complaints from the RV crowd, who must now obtain a reservation to visit Old Faithful and who think it's essential to have the microwave preparing their wilderness meals but begrudge the cost of the power hook-up in the Boonies. What's seems to be absent from this dialogue is the fact that other areas await discovery, too...but are currently 'not in vogue', considered 'less desireable' and therefore ignored. If you doubt this, dedicate a week to prowling around the Georgia Sounds, as just one example. Imagine a few weeks anchored off Cumberland Island, a 19-mile long, remote barrier island and vacant beach with perhaps 50 grandfathered residents (mostly absent) at the far N end, while only you, the Nat'l Park Service historians, the herd of wild horses and the abandoned Carnegie Mansion at the S end. Free water, free floating dinghy dock, free showers ashore if the boat can't accommodate, no anchoring fees, a small island visitation fee due only for the days you explore ashore, and gorgeous views that the day visitors from St. Mary's City have to pay handsomely to sample for only a few hours. Perhaps what's changed is that we all want things much simplier now, eaiser...but also inexpensive and convenient, of course. Perhaps what's changed is us, but it certainly isn't the opportunity to sail a boat to interesting places and revel in what follows. Jack
Yes, I can see that perspective on this ....
subject (like all others) is certainly required, but I also agree with Ken and Fred that some semblence of intelligence needs to be returned so that the market can be the guiding force, not a million and one 'special interest groups'. Up here, you can rent a slip for $400 dollars a season, which runs from May 1st to November 1st. Six months on the water for $400. I'm currently paying $110 a month to keep the boat in covered storage. It just seems dumb to me that dry storage costs more than a slip. And, when you consider that housing prices in the area have skyrocketed in the last few years, it makes even less sense. I paid $89k for a 3bd/2ba 1500 sf home on half an acre here 5 years ago, it is now appraised @ 275k. While I'm certainly not griping about that, it makes you wonder what the next 5 years will bring. And what about young couples trying to buy their first house or get their first boat? You're certainly right to say that my perspective is thin, I've only been a sailor for about a year, but the TREND I see does not look good for the future. Sure, prices will always be creeping upwards, but the rate seems to be growing exponentially. Guess I'm gonna have to raise my hourly rate and change my '5 year plan' of selling it all and buying a bluewater cruiser accordingly!
subject (like all others) is certainly required, but I also agree with Ken and Fred that some semblence of intelligence needs to be returned so that the market can be the guiding force, not a million and one 'special interest groups'. Up here, you can rent a slip for $400 dollars a season, which runs from May 1st to November 1st. Six months on the water for $400. I'm currently paying $110 a month to keep the boat in covered storage. It just seems dumb to me that dry storage costs more than a slip. And, when you consider that housing prices in the area have skyrocketed in the last few years, it makes even less sense. I paid $89k for a 3bd/2ba 1500 sf home on half an acre here 5 years ago, it is now appraised @ 275k. While I'm certainly not griping about that, it makes you wonder what the next 5 years will bring. And what about young couples trying to buy their first house or get their first boat? You're certainly right to say that my perspective is thin, I've only been a sailor for about a year, but the TREND I see does not look good for the future. Sure, prices will always be creeping upwards, but the rate seems to be growing exponentially. Guess I'm gonna have to raise my hourly rate and change my '5 year plan' of selling it all and buying a bluewater cruiser accordingly!
Back to the topic
I agree that people need to pay the going rate for things like electricity, water, etc., so I am with Jack Tyler on his basic point. But it seems to me that something more serious than just expense rates is going on. That is a "loss of habitat", so to speak, with marina slip space going off the market into condos and not being replaced. The comparison to the RV market is interesting. They may need to jump through more hoops to do their thing in the national parks, but they pretty much has as many, and maybe more, places to camp than ever. Their lifestyle may be more costly in some ways, but it is not threatened by a big reduction in the number of places to camp. I realize that the cruising lifestyle doesn't have to mean being tethered to a slip with shore power, and that living at anchor in undeveloped areas can be done some of the time. But many snowbirds like to settle in for the winter, and to save their exploring for the summer months. I am trying to understand whether or not they will be able to "settle in" any longer in Florida with the way things are going.
I agree that people need to pay the going rate for things like electricity, water, etc., so I am with Jack Tyler on his basic point. But it seems to me that something more serious than just expense rates is going on. That is a "loss of habitat", so to speak, with marina slip space going off the market into condos and not being replaced. The comparison to the RV market is interesting. They may need to jump through more hoops to do their thing in the national parks, but they pretty much has as many, and maybe more, places to camp than ever. Their lifestyle may be more costly in some ways, but it is not threatened by a big reduction in the number of places to camp. I realize that the cruising lifestyle doesn't have to mean being tethered to a slip with shore power, and that living at anchor in undeveloped areas can be done some of the time. But many snowbirds like to settle in for the winter, and to save their exploring for the summer months. I am trying to understand whether or not they will be able to "settle in" any longer in Florida with the way things are going.
no problems
Well since I seem to be the one with the doom and gloom approach than I'll just finish up with some more bright and cheery topics from down here. Anchoring time limits, usually 72 hours, are becoming very commen. Places to land your dink are vanishing as fast as the available boat slips. If you've actually sailed down here in the winter than you realize what is involved in getting a slip, if not than you are simply guessing. Right now things are just a bit crowded, no different than the roadways as someone said. Do the math, our population is growing at an exponential rate while available boat slips are decreasing. Even with my Florida education I can see the future of this one...... Man, am I depressing or what?
Well since I seem to be the one with the doom and gloom approach than I'll just finish up with some more bright and cheery topics from down here. Anchoring time limits, usually 72 hours, are becoming very commen. Places to land your dink are vanishing as fast as the available boat slips. If you've actually sailed down here in the winter than you realize what is involved in getting a slip, if not than you are simply guessing. Right now things are just a bit crowded, no different than the roadways as someone said. Do the math, our population is growing at an exponential rate while available boat slips are decreasing. Even with my Florida education I can see the future of this one...... Man, am I depressing or what?
You want 'yesterday', today...
What continues to baffle me a bit about this discussion is the 'discovery' that Florida is 'filling up'. The 'news' appears to be that it has been discovered, that land which was previously on the margins of development (and therefore suitable for marinas) is now more valuable and therefore being developed more fully (to the exclusion of marinas), and that population growth brings with it boating growth but not commensurate growth in docking space. All of this is exactly what happens as finite resources are incrementally consumed by more and more population. And so 'yesterday' - 'news flash!' - simply is not available today insofar as the common Florida destinations are concerned. This has been going on for 40 years now, as illustrated time and again e.g. by John D. MacDonald's many novels that chronicled this trend and its many environmental aftershocks. Where the nickle doesn't seem to be dropping is that this doesn't mean a snowbird can't bring his boat south, enjoy unspoiled waters and inexpensive, abundant berthing options. It just isn't going to happen in the Florida pennisula. Today's alternatives are elsewhere, and they probably look as undeveloped, remote and therefore potentially undesireable as South Florida's did 40 years ago...before things incrementally became more attractive and 'easy'. 'Yesterday' is indeed available today; it's just located in places some folks choose not to look. Jack
What continues to baffle me a bit about this discussion is the 'discovery' that Florida is 'filling up'. The 'news' appears to be that it has been discovered, that land which was previously on the margins of development (and therefore suitable for marinas) is now more valuable and therefore being developed more fully (to the exclusion of marinas), and that population growth brings with it boating growth but not commensurate growth in docking space. All of this is exactly what happens as finite resources are incrementally consumed by more and more population. And so 'yesterday' - 'news flash!' - simply is not available today insofar as the common Florida destinations are concerned. This has been going on for 40 years now, as illustrated time and again e.g. by John D. MacDonald's many novels that chronicled this trend and its many environmental aftershocks. Where the nickle doesn't seem to be dropping is that this doesn't mean a snowbird can't bring his boat south, enjoy unspoiled waters and inexpensive, abundant berthing options. It just isn't going to happen in the Florida pennisula. Today's alternatives are elsewhere, and they probably look as undeveloped, remote and therefore potentially undesireable as South Florida's did 40 years ago...before things incrementally became more attractive and 'easy'. 'Yesterday' is indeed available today; it's just located in places some folks choose not to look. Jack
It's happening everywhere
Yesterday's secret "unspoiled" destinations now have Super Wal-Marts, Blockbuster video and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Southwest Florida happens to be the most glaring example right now. Some old-timers blame the overcrowding on rich wanna-be cruisers aboard cushy luxo-barges with more sophisticated electronics than an Apache helicopter. However, I think the REAL culprit is glowing magazine articles with GPS coordinates at the end. Airline in-flight magazines are the worst offendors, because the people who read them have lots of otherwise useless frequent-flier miles. If you print it, they will come. So, here's my suggestion: when you're out cruising and you find somewhere really nice, don't tell a soul...unless you mention the no-see-ums too. Heheheh. Peter H23 "Raven"
Yesterday's secret "unspoiled" destinations now have Super Wal-Marts, Blockbuster video and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Southwest Florida happens to be the most glaring example right now. Some old-timers blame the overcrowding on rich wanna-be cruisers aboard cushy luxo-barges with more sophisticated electronics than an Apache helicopter. However, I think the REAL culprit is glowing magazine articles with GPS coordinates at the end. Airline in-flight magazines are the worst offendors, because the people who read them have lots of otherwise useless frequent-flier miles. If you print it, they will come. So, here's my suggestion: when you're out cruising and you find somewhere really nice, don't tell a soul...unless you mention the no-see-ums too. Heheheh. Peter H23 "Raven"
I agree with Peter
I was going to post this yesterday, and ran out of time ... Peter's right. This isn't just a Florida phenom. Everytime I've found something neat and semi-unspoiled, a few years later a mag article comes out and the crowds come. My favorite canoeing rivers are now weekday only places. It's hard to enjoy myself sailing on Sundays. I have to plan and reserve to use my motorhome on a summer weekend, and I can't get near any of the national parks in June-August. Instead of grousing about this, Jayne and I have found that re-arranging our lives a bit works wonders. I can't control volume and demand, but I CAN rearrange my life to spend my leisure time out in the spring and fall, or during the week. That doesn't solve the "slip problem", but it sure reduces the crowds on the water. And I love it when it pipes up over 15. Great sailing, and everyone else has gone home. If we could get whitecaps every day, and class III water on every river, we'd have it to ourselves again. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
I was going to post this yesterday, and ran out of time ... Peter's right. This isn't just a Florida phenom. Everytime I've found something neat and semi-unspoiled, a few years later a mag article comes out and the crowds come. My favorite canoeing rivers are now weekday only places. It's hard to enjoy myself sailing on Sundays. I have to plan and reserve to use my motorhome on a summer weekend, and I can't get near any of the national parks in June-August. Instead of grousing about this, Jayne and I have found that re-arranging our lives a bit works wonders. I can't control volume and demand, but I CAN rearrange my life to spend my leisure time out in the spring and fall, or during the week. That doesn't solve the "slip problem", but it sure reduces the crowds on the water. And I love it when it pipes up over 15. Great sailing, and everyone else has gone home. If we could get whitecaps every day, and class III water on every river, we'd have it to ourselves again. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
peter is indeed correct
I am a Cracker and have also lived my entire life on the coast of S. Florida. The changes are probably the same everywhere, if the population increased so does every type of traffic, boats included. Lots of folks head to the Bahamas to "get away from it all" only to find all the other Americans there getting away from it all too. The snow bird population over there is also increasing every year, the locals there are just as fed up as every one who deals with a transient population. From Key West to Maine, it all the same. I'll just wait for nature to thin our population since we can't seem to do it on our own, of course, I'll probably be one of the herd that is thinned. Oh well, I don't have kids so it doesn't matter to me........
I am a Cracker and have also lived my entire life on the coast of S. Florida. The changes are probably the same everywhere, if the population increased so does every type of traffic, boats included. Lots of folks head to the Bahamas to "get away from it all" only to find all the other Americans there getting away from it all too. The snow bird population over there is also increasing every year, the locals there are just as fed up as every one who deals with a transient population. From Key West to Maine, it all the same. I'll just wait for nature to thin our population since we can't seem to do it on our own, of course, I'll probably be one of the herd that is thinned. Oh well, I don't have kids so it doesn't matter to me........
- Status