non-US boat storage on US east coast

[bluenomads]

We're planning for the year - have an Australian flagged boat in the Caribbean (St Martin) and would like to make a run north-west ending in the US. Probably 4-5 weeks holiday past PR, Cuba and the Bahamas. We would need to leave the boat either on the hard or in a marina for 9-12 months afterwards - until our next adventure. The boat is a 50' x 16' power cat (air height about 14').

Where would people suggest as the best, cheap but ok place to finish and leave her (either on the hard or marina)?

Florida = hurricane worries, and we have no hope of personally getting there if one appears.

2020 could either be the loop or across the pond (Atlantic), so somewhere up the ICW works.

But how far up? How far can we get in 4-5 weeks given the other destinations on the way that we've never visited (we average 7-8 kn, but can push to 10-11 if needed)? Is it better to spend all the time in Bahamas,PR, Cuba and T&C and finish in Miami?

Any thoughts from our American cousins ?

[billonmidwatch]

Statistically NE Florida (Jacksonville, St John's River) is safer through hurricane season.

You can get there. There's a magic carpet called The Gulf Stream, easily +3 to 6 knots northbound.

Less expensive on the hard storage is further north in GA, SC and NC, but not further north than that.

T&C has beautiful water and fishing but obnoxious bureaucrats and fees. Cuba is awesome, there are some food bargains, but no yacht supplies. PR has big grocery stores and you can use internet and 800 numbers to get yacht supplies from USA. Stock up on fine foods and cheap rum in USVI. DR is beautiful and local food is a bargain, beware the cities. Haiti is risky, there are a few nice remote spots but beware the cities. The southern Bahamas has beautiful water, privacy, low regulations, lots of fish and lobster.

Fair winds.

[bluenomads]

Hmmm, I thought Jacksonville and NE got hit a bit in 2018?
Somewhere in NC would be good for a further run across to Bermuda/Azores - any ideas for where to stay on the hard? We don't have a mast so could be a bit further inland if that helps.

Let's say you had the choice of first-time visits to Bahamas, T&C, Cuba, PR, BVI, DR. If you had only 3 weeks to spend, where would you spend your time (obviously you're on a boat!). We don't scuba (yet), aren't too much marina people, like mixing with locals and culture, like walking.

My thought is Bahamas (9-10 days), Cuba (5-6 days), T&C (2 days), BVI (3 days).

And yes, I'd love to spend longer but it isn't going to happen this time...