Anchoring home-made raft in Key West

[zstine]

Originally Posted by grahamj

Is there a reference for this?

"HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
All boats must bear two Hull Identification Numbers (HINs). The HIN is like a serial number. It is a unique number that identifies your boat. The HIN is not the same as the State registration number which may also be required to be displayed on the bow of your boat. DO NOT CONFUSE THESE TWO NUMBERS. The HIN is a Federal requirement; your boat’s registration number is a State requirement similar to the license plate on your car.
When you start to build your boat or while you are building it, write to your State boating agency (their addresses appear at the end of this pamphlet), tell them that you are building a boat and that you need a Hull Identification Number (HIN). You can also inquire about your registration number at the same time. Not all State agencies issue
HINs, but those that do not will probably refer you to the nearest Coast Guard District Office (their addresses also appear at the end of this pamphlet)."

U.S Department of Transportation United States Coast Guard, SAFETY

STANDARDS
FOR
BACKYARD
BOAT BUILDERS
https://newboatbuilders.com/docs/backyardboatbuilders.pdf

[AndyEss]

Why not get two steel fence posts, a sledge hammer, and a camping hammock? The kind of hammock that comes with a tent cover, and screen sides.
Wade out a ways, drive the two posts, set up your hammock to sleep. Take down the hammock during the day to remain stealthy. Hope for no high waves.

[grahamj]

Errrr,

The SCOTUS says this about vessels:

"It declined to interpret the phrase broadly to encompass every item that can float. It reasoned some objects that float such as a wooden washtub, a plastic dishpan, a swimming platform on pontoons, a door taken off its hinges, or “Pinocchio when inside the whale,” are clearly not vessels. Rather, the court held a structure does not fall within the scope of the statutory definition of a vessel unless “a reasonable observer” looking at the structure’s physical characteristics and activities “would consider it designed to a practical degree for carrying people or things over water.”

The OP's description does not describe a vessel and the requirements you suggest he is obliged to adhere to would appear to be irrelevant. IMHO.

[jeanathon]

Originally Posted by crowexplorer

As to "Why?"

Why ever go camping? There's really not much logic in it I suppose. I enjoy the outdoors, roughing it, and being independent.

Love it. It is bound to be an adventure! I don't know the area you are talking about, but I would say staying out of view of someones multimillion dollar house is a good way to not be harassed.

[Yojimbo]

If considering such a venture, I might stop first in Miami to confer with the large expatriated Cuban community regarding vessel construction.

[Bill Seal]

Rather, the court held a structure does not fall within the scope of the statutory definition of a vessel unless “a reasonable observer” looking at the structure’s physical characteristics and activities “would consider it designed to a practical degree for carrying people or things over water.”

Does this mean surfboards, SUPs, fishing tubes, towables, kiddie floats, etc will all require a HIN?
Talk about overreach!
In California, it has to be over 16' long or equipped with a motor.

[PirateGuy]

Buy a twin or queen sized airbed - the kind used for overflow house guests. Float it out to where you want to sleep. Rig some kind of rope sling so you can anchor it. Try to avoid spiny sea urchins.

[oleman]

You are wasting your time thinking you can meet all legal state requirements
with an inner-tube raft.
Your best bet, is that you can slide beneath the radar for a few days.
As a professional sailor and life long boating person I am concerned about your safety.

GET A GOOD LIFE JACKET AND KEEP IT ON, IF YOU ACTUALLY GET ON THE WATER.
Good luck with your endeavor!

[Jebtrois]

Keep proof of US citizenship on your person...you will look an awful lot like a Cuban refugee!

As an adventurer I love stealth camping and this sounds like some fun. As a cruiser, this type of thing makes it more challenging for the rest of us and is fodder for tougher regs.

As others have said, there are other and better places pretty close to keep a low profile and do this type of thing. How do you plan to get to key west? Parking is a hassle and if you park in the deck you could just as well sleep there. If you fly in then disposing of your vessel is a hassle and throwing away perfectly good materials.

Jeb

[jeanathon]

I would also add that you can get tractor trailer inner tubes for the same price as a walmart floaty and they are much more durable, BUT you will want to make sure they are not exposed to the sun or they will overheat and blow up.

[Bill Seal]

Boats Requiring Title & Registration
If the type of boat you own is not included in the exemption lists below, you must title and/or register it with the FLHSMV.

The types of boats that are exempt from having a title include vessels:

Used only on private lakes and ponds.
Owned by an entity of the U.S. government.
Not powered by a motor AND less than 16 feet in length.
With federal documentation.
Not used on Florida waters for more than 90 consecutive days.
That are amphibious.
Documented with the U.S. Coast Guard OR in another state (with a federally-approved numbering system) being used on FL waters for 90 days or less.
The vessels exempt from Florida registration include:

Boats less than 16 feet in length AND not powered by a motor.
Regardless of length, all non-motor-powered:
Canoes.
Kayaks.
Racing shells.
Rowing sculls.
Vessels used only on private ponds and lakes.
Boats owned by the U.S. government.
Lifeboats used solely for that purpose.
Non-resident vessels used on Florida waters for no more than 90 consecutive days.

[mvmojo]

This is a very bad idea on many levels. I spent several years in the Keys as a live-aboard. There are lots of little Keys where you might be able to pull this off for a short period, but Key West isn't one of them. There is a large presence of officialdom, not to mention local property owners who will report you in a heartbeat... You're going to look like a vagrant, illegal cuban immigrant, teenager who doesn't know better, mentally deranged person, etc., etc. You almost certainly will be hassled and probably ordered to dismantle your raft and leave - Florida doesn't want to become the next San Francisco! In addition, derelict, barely afloat "vessels" with no sanitation facilities have forced anchoring restrictions in the Keys which have made it difficult for live-aboard boaters. Please don't be part of the problem!



Regarding sanitation, as has been pointed out, businesses in Key West have been inundated by homeless folks wanting free use of their bath rooms, and as a result have limited them to customers (or employees) only.



If you want to camp in the Keys, there are lots of places where the homeless pitch tents back in the mangroves. At least that way your activity won't reflect poorly on boaters. Oh, beware the no-see-ums and mosquitoes, they're vicious around sundown in sparsely populated areas!

[Cheechako]

With the price of wood etc and the possible hassling. Buy a cheap 14 ft open boat that is rowable? Or a well worn large inflatable that will last a month?
A derelict Hobie Cat with no mast?

[JC Reefer]

I don’t think the authorities would bug you too much.

As others have mentioned the area is kinda exposed. You’d be better off slightly north and on the inside in one of the many protected areas.

Also, if your into this kind of stuff then I recommend Hells Bay Chickee. It’s in the Everglades and makes for some great camping.

[Chotu]

I get this. It’s camping on the water instead of on land. Sounds kinda fun! Better in a lake or VERY calm water.

Also maybe drilling holes and lashing things together instead of the screws and nails. Takedown would be a piece of cake. You could essentially use disposable rope/twine, cut it and stack all the wood in your truck to take away.

I don’t quite get the destination, but to each their own.

This is a form of stealth camping for sure. Just gotta pick a good spot.