The fall weather is creeping in and the prospect of spending another wet winter in the Northwest is discouraging. I am wondering if it is feasible to keep a boat in the Southern US states NC, to Florida for winter use only and leave it storage on the hard in the summer. Questions: Are there reasonable places to store a boat for 6 months in the summer? Is it reasonable to cruise Florida , the keys , Bahammas - reasonably inexpensively during the winter months? Would a Yacht partnership be a possible alternative with someone who primarily sailed the summer months? Any thoughts? Cheers Don
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Don
The answer to your question is YES; it's very feasible to do what you are proposing. It's relatively inexpensive to leave your boat on the hard anywhere in North Florida for the Summer. Winter cruising is not inexpensive in South Florida or the Bahamas; but, depending on how much you anchor out vs. staying in marinas, it can be done without bankrupting you. Most cruisers don't stay in South Fla. during the Summer. It's too hot, and cruising the Ches. Bay, north, is much nicer. Bareboat chartering is another alternative. It certainly is simpler to fly over to Nassau (or the Caribbbean), charter for maybe 2 weeks and fly home. Good luck... see you in the Bahamas in February
The answer to your question is YES; it's very feasible to do what you are proposing. It's relatively inexpensive to leave your boat on the hard anywhere in North Florida for the Summer. Winter cruising is not inexpensive in South Florida or the Bahamas; but, depending on how much you anchor out vs. staying in marinas, it can be done without bankrupting you. Most cruisers don't stay in South Fla. during the Summer. It's too hot, and cruising the Ches. Bay, north, is much nicer. Bareboat chartering is another alternative. It certainly is simpler to fly over to Nassau (or the Caribbbean), charter for maybe 2 weeks and fly home. Good luck... see you in the Bahamas in February
Hidden Cheap Storage
Its not expensive to leave a vessel on the hard for the six month duration, but you must consider that the yard might charge a wee bit more for the longterm cradle use (support stands) if you do not provide a cradle and you will of course pay for the lift out and put in. This all depends of course on the size of your vessel. Your better off in northern Florida for the best all around prices. As far north as Jacksonville, FL it will get chilly in the winter months but a rarity for any freezing temps. One great out of the way marina is at Green Cove Springs on the St. Johns river. The last time I was their they had a very spacious do-it-yourself yard and plenty of space for long term storage. Its southwest of Jacksonville several miles south on the river. It would take roughly 5-10 days to reach south Florida via the ICW from Green Cove Springs, but the sights along the way would be worth the voyage (St. Augustine, Daytona, Kennedy Space Center, etc). If you got hold of a Florida Sailboat Trader magazine, you will find fantastic buys on boats in the 30+ range. Boats are always a bargin in Florida! Buy a vessel in Florida, keep it on the hard for six months and liveaboard and cruise the remaining time. I am sure many folks do this because its cost effective and allows for wintering in the south without the expensive condo. Bob
Its not expensive to leave a vessel on the hard for the six month duration, but you must consider that the yard might charge a wee bit more for the longterm cradle use (support stands) if you do not provide a cradle and you will of course pay for the lift out and put in. This all depends of course on the size of your vessel. Your better off in northern Florida for the best all around prices. As far north as Jacksonville, FL it will get chilly in the winter months but a rarity for any freezing temps. One great out of the way marina is at Green Cove Springs on the St. Johns river. The last time I was their they had a very spacious do-it-yourself yard and plenty of space for long term storage. Its southwest of Jacksonville several miles south on the river. It would take roughly 5-10 days to reach south Florida via the ICW from Green Cove Springs, but the sights along the way would be worth the voyage (St. Augustine, Daytona, Kennedy Space Center, etc). If you got hold of a Florida Sailboat Trader magazine, you will find fantastic buys on boats in the 30+ range. Boats are always a bargin in Florida! Buy a vessel in Florida, keep it on the hard for six months and liveaboard and cruise the remaining time. I am sure many folks do this because its cost effective and allows for wintering in the south without the expensive condo. Bob
Get a trailerable boat....
and keep it in one of the storage yards that have cropped up everywhere in the past 10 yrs. Waterfront real estate is too valuable to rent cheaply but the prices drop dramatically a few miles inland. Get the largest trailerable you can find/afford. Tom s/v Orion's Child
and keep it in one of the storage yards that have cropped up everywhere in the past 10 yrs. Waterfront real estate is too valuable to rent cheaply but the prices drop dramatically a few miles inland. Get the largest trailerable you can find/afford. Tom s/v Orion's Child
Amen...
...to trailerables. Mine costs a wopping $59 a month to store, two miles inland from the launch ramp.
...to trailerables. Mine costs a wopping $59 a month to store, two miles inland from the launch ramp.
Treasure Cay was reasonable
Four years ago I met a man with a Beneteau 50. He was from the Pacific NW and was going to leave the boat at the Treasure Cay marina until he was ready to sail it to the Med. I don't remember how much it was costing him but I remember being impressed with the deal he had made. Easy to get to. Fly to Miami and then to Marsh Harbor, take the ferry to Treasure Cay. JohnnyMac H380 S/V Dawn Treader
Four years ago I met a man with a Beneteau 50. He was from the Pacific NW and was going to leave the boat at the Treasure Cay marina until he was ready to sail it to the Med. I don't remember how much it was costing him but I remember being impressed with the deal he had made. Easy to get to. Fly to Miami and then to Marsh Harbor, take the ferry to Treasure Cay. JohnnyMac H380 S/V Dawn Treader
A Floridian perspective
The general rule is that the closer the marina is to the ocean (by boat) the higher the cost. That's why Green Cove Springs is so reasonable. Reasonably priced marinas and boatyards can also be found along the Okeechobee Waterway (inland from Stuart/Jupiter) and the Caloosahatchee River (northeast of Fort Myers). In all cases you are at least a day's motoring from the ocean. I'm sure there are places in and around St. Pete that are still affordable. Now is probably not a bad to look. Try the BoatUS directory of participating marinas for locations and contact information. Yard storage is less expensive than a wet slip (even less if you have a trailer). Cape Marina in Port Canaveral has a yard that's 15 min. from the ocean. Shop carefully, as yard storage can be pricey. I had to leave my boat and trailer in a storage yard for a few months between marinas and they charged $140 a month. Yes it was a nice yard with security and all, but my current wet slip on the St Johns River about 150 miles from the ocean cost just $20 a month more. With yard storage you also have to deal with stepping the mast and finding a travelift or ramp. Security also varies. Sorry I couldn't be more encouraging. Good luck with the search. Peter H23 "Raven"
The general rule is that the closer the marina is to the ocean (by boat) the higher the cost. That's why Green Cove Springs is so reasonable. Reasonably priced marinas and boatyards can also be found along the Okeechobee Waterway (inland from Stuart/Jupiter) and the Caloosahatchee River (northeast of Fort Myers). In all cases you are at least a day's motoring from the ocean. I'm sure there are places in and around St. Pete that are still affordable. Now is probably not a bad to look. Try the BoatUS directory of participating marinas for locations and contact information. Yard storage is less expensive than a wet slip (even less if you have a trailer). Cape Marina in Port Canaveral has a yard that's 15 min. from the ocean. Shop carefully, as yard storage can be pricey. I had to leave my boat and trailer in a storage yard for a few months between marinas and they charged $140 a month. Yes it was a nice yard with security and all, but my current wet slip on the St Johns River about 150 miles from the ocean cost just $20 a month more. With yard storage you also have to deal with stepping the mast and finding a travelift or ramp. Security also varies. Sorry I couldn't be more encouraging. Good luck with the search. Peter H23 "Raven"
Another suggestion
You might want to check some of the sub divisions built on canals, such as Cape Coral. Lots of home owners there have docks and no boat. There are probably some of them who would love an extra 50 bucks or so a month extra money. There are lots of sub divisions like that, all over Florida, on both coasts. If I was looking, I would certainly look on the west coast. IMHO, the gulf has much better sailing than over on the Atlantic side. I also think there is a good possibility that the gulf coast would be a little less expensive.
You might want to check some of the sub divisions built on canals, such as Cape Coral. Lots of home owners there have docks and no boat. There are probably some of them who would love an extra 50 bucks or so a month extra money. There are lots of sub divisions like that, all over Florida, on both coasts. If I was looking, I would certainly look on the west coast. IMHO, the gulf has much better sailing than over on the Atlantic side. I also think there is a good possibility that the gulf coast would be a little less expensive.
Mobile Alabama
I know one yard Turner Marine that always has boats on the hard. They were cheaper than many others. You could also store the boat up the Tenn-tom waterway. There are several marinas on the waterway. It would take a few days to get to the gulf but you would be far enough inland to avoid most of the hurricane dangers. You could even leave it in the water as most people do. Pickwick lake is a popular spot about 450 miles up from Mobile. It is 4-5 days from Mobile but it is a large lake and is on the Tennessee river so you can lock up or down the river to other lakes. Right now we are two locks up from Pickwick on Wheeler lake. Our plans are to buy a house near Wheeler and to live on the boat about 6 months out of the year. If you don't want to go all of the way up the river Demopolis Alabama is about 200 miles up the river and has a yacht basin...but there is not enough water to sail. But if all you want is safe storage it might be the way to go. We came up the Tenn-Tom waterway in April 2006 and it was an enjoyable trip. Anchorages are sometimes difficult to find on the lower stretch but after Coffeeville they are easy to find...Just anchor in one of the lakes. The first section until Coffeeville is a really wild area going through the Tennesaw delta home to about 15000 gators some bears and maybe a few cougars. Of course there are coyotes bobcats wild pigs etc. Just a few mile upstream of Mobile my wife told me to turn to avoid a large "log" the log was an about 12' gator. She was pretty nervous until we got to Coffeeville. Neither of us went swimming.
I know one yard Turner Marine that always has boats on the hard. They were cheaper than many others. You could also store the boat up the Tenn-tom waterway. There are several marinas on the waterway. It would take a few days to get to the gulf but you would be far enough inland to avoid most of the hurricane dangers. You could even leave it in the water as most people do. Pickwick lake is a popular spot about 450 miles up from Mobile. It is 4-5 days from Mobile but it is a large lake and is on the Tennessee river so you can lock up or down the river to other lakes. Right now we are two locks up from Pickwick on Wheeler lake. Our plans are to buy a house near Wheeler and to live on the boat about 6 months out of the year. If you don't want to go all of the way up the river Demopolis Alabama is about 200 miles up the river and has a yacht basin...but there is not enough water to sail. But if all you want is safe storage it might be the way to go. We came up the Tenn-Tom waterway in April 2006 and it was an enjoyable trip. Anchorages are sometimes difficult to find on the lower stretch but after Coffeeville they are easy to find...Just anchor in one of the lakes. The first section until Coffeeville is a really wild area going through the Tennesaw delta home to about 15000 gators some bears and maybe a few cougars. Of course there are coyotes bobcats wild pigs etc. Just a few mile upstream of Mobile my wife told me to turn to avoid a large "log" the log was an about 12' gator. She was pretty nervous until we got to Coffeeville. Neither of us went swimming.
southern states storage
Don, as Roger mentioned, Turner is a full service marina and always has boats on the hard. Would it be feasable to rent a slip and leave her in the water? There is a great " MY humble opinion " place in fairhope that is on the eastern side of mobile bay, 3-4 hrs from gulf that is fed by a fresh water under ground spring. I haul my boat after 3 yrs and bottom is in good shape. Very well protected from storms. My boat was there for both Katrina , and Rita , suffered no damage. Slp fees are $7.50 ft per month with shore power / water. What size boat are we talking abt? the charged me $75.00 to haul my hunter 30 and $15.00 per day for jack stands. Good luck., Charles Creel
Don, as Roger mentioned, Turner is a full service marina and always has boats on the hard. Would it be feasable to rent a slip and leave her in the water? There is a great " MY humble opinion " place in fairhope that is on the eastern side of mobile bay, 3-4 hrs from gulf that is fed by a fresh water under ground spring. I haul my boat after 3 yrs and bottom is in good shape. Very well protected from storms. My boat was there for both Katrina , and Rita , suffered no damage. Slp fees are $7.50 ft per month with shore power / water. What size boat are we talking abt? the charged me $75.00 to haul my hunter 30 and $15.00 per day for jack stands. Good luck., Charles Creel
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