South Winter MOORINGS

[PatrickA7]

Hello all,

I am thinking of starting to plan my seasonal winters down south. Has anyone done this? I mean, doesn't anyone leave their sailboat moored somewhere until the winter comes, then heads down there for the winter and lives aboard their boat?

 

[dlochner]

Hello all,

I am thinking of starting to plan my seasonal winters down south. Has anyone done this? I mean, doesn't anyone leave their sailboat moored somewhere until the winter comes, then heads down there for the winter and lives aboard their boat?

One word: Hurricanes.

Do you trust the yard to properly secure your boat if you're not there? If you leave the boat down south, I'd suggest having it hauled and properly blocked and secured for the hurricane season. I wouldn't leave it in the water.

We have put this option on the table and will make a decision next spring before returning north.

 

[shemandr]

I think Patrick A7 is talking about doing the snowbird thing and leaving his boat on a mooring here in the South for the Winter.
There are year round livaboards in Florida. But many communities are restricting livaboards with time limits, mooring fees and sanitary restrictions. It isn't the wide open West here now.
There's the question about whether you'll be aboard full time. Our area of Florida is windy. As the famous Cold Fronts come down you can expect 20-30 knot winds for days. Better have a good anchor or mooring system.
But yes it can be done.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Our marina is full of snowbirds who bring their boat and I infer it’s an even more popular thing on the east coast of Florida, Georgia, etc...

Lots of them buddy boat down the ICW but I don’t have any info on how to get into that group.

Bring your wallet - winter slip or mooring rental rates may surprise you depending on what you’re used to paying elsewhere.