west coast or east coast florida

[nick maggio]

We are planning to retire in a few years and going to keep small house on long Island and sell the big house here and buy condo or 55+ community in florida. So where should we go for sailing, west or east coast? We now have 290 with shoal draft.Also, any 340 or 356 owners, where do you do your sailing; shoal or deep draft? I may even want to sail long Island to florida. All opinions and info appreciated.

 

[Debra B]

shoal draft is best

South Florida - particularly Miami - has great sailing with Biscayne Bay and access to the keys. As you go north to Ft. L or Palm Beach, there seem to be a smaller number of places to anchor for the weekend.Tampa Bay has a lot of light and variable winds, but even so, there are plenty of places to go for the weekend!There is a shortage of boat slips in both places - depending on the size of the boat. South Flordia tends to the outragous end of expensive.

 

[Debra B]

shoal draft ...

Forgot to mention that the water is pretty thin in Florida. You really won't be happy with anything that draws more than 5 ft. Even then, you will run aground.Florida Bay is as little as 3 or 4 ft in places... most people avoid it unless you have a cat or a tri.(You have to see a bunch of guys pushing a power boat to believe it! They got stuck and didn't want to call Sea Tow.)

 

[Bill P.]

I like the gulf coast best...

I'm in the panhandle (Destin/Panama City)and there is much great sailing in the area in the very large bays or on the gulf but the shoal draft is definately the way to go as is a short mast for the bridges. It does get cold in this area in the winter though - some change of seasons but less intense development than some of the other better known areas.Happy sailing!

 

[Jeff D.]

West Coast

I would choose the West Coast over the East. We have had a place in the Palm Beach area for 25+ years and for sailing, the West Coast has greater variety of places for weekend cruises. The East coast is really limted until you get down to the Keys.

 

[Richard Weaver]

Go west young man!

Nick,I also vote for the west coast. My wife and I currently live in Wisconsin (brrrrr) and have a condo in Naples, Florida.The west coast has some great cruising grounds and I think the water is much clearer and warmer.