Boats in Florida

[edbulmer]

I am going to leave my boat for 6 months in Florida April-October while I go back up north. I have a free dock available to me at a private home off of the intercostal in the Lauderdale area with electrical. Would it be better to leave it there in the water or take it out and store it on land? If I store it at the private slip I could leave fans on and/or an air unit, or is there a better way?
And if I should store it on land how do you keep it from getting moldy inside. Sorry to have so many questions.

[westsail374]

You also need to be sure you understand the tax implications if your boat is not registered in Florida.

[Vasco]

Leaving a boat in the water unattended in Florida is a risk I would not take. Especially if it is plugged into shorepower. Also you would need a diver every couple of months. I store my boat in FL on the hard and have never had a mold problem. Formaldehyde is the answer.

[Ram]

Someone needs to check in on it once in a while, you can run a demystified to keep the mold out- things can happen if you leave the boat in the water unwatched

[Cheechako]

Left mine in Fl in the water for 1.5 years with only two visits. However my broker showed the boat occassionally. (not as much as I would have liked!) I had more issues with the boat I stored on the hard, but nothing big really. On the hard, with little breeze, things get very hot inside. Doors swell and wont close etc. If you can somehow leave a few ports open with screens, but protect from hard rain the ventilation is good.
Advantage to storing on the hard is the taxman doesnt go after you. (at least last I heard) Although they didnt on the above boat (in a backwater home dock) either.
Plug every hole in the boat if storing on the hard. (tank vents, thru hulls etc) Things like to establish residence in those places! There's a very pourous type of foam product (like Rain Gard for gutters) you can stuff in the thru hulls.

[edbulmer]

I can have someone check the boat or open it all the time if that is an issue. And what is a "demystifed". Do you mean dehumidifier?