US base for cruising Bahamas / Caribbean?

[SV Aquavit]

Here's my current thinking. Would love your feedback!

I want to start spending at least 1-3 winter months living aboard in SE FL and cruising the Bahamas. In a year or two I would live aboard full time, again cruising Bahamas and the Caribbean.

I'm looking at the West Palm Beach / Lake Worth area, hoping to find a mooring with decent dinghy access and car parking. Until I'm full time on the boat, I'd haul it.

From WPB to West End seems like a popular way to cross the stream. Then south to the other destinations.

Please share your thoughts and advice!

[Flagman101]

Most important is your weather window.
You do not want to cross the GS with anything northerly. If you do you will remember it the rest of your life.
Wait for westerly winds ideally. Leave at night and cross the GS. You want to get to the Bahamas around noon so you can spot the reefs.

Jumping from Bahamas to the Caribbean depends on where you want to go. Do keep in mind that prevailing winds a North easterlies. So go east when you can then south. Always east.
Unless you like sailing on a beat.

[dougweibel]

If you will be hauled out 9 months the next couple years then look further north than WPB. Storage charges will generally drop as you go north till maybe Melbourne, and be substantially cheaper than the Lauderdale / WPB neighborhood.

If you are 2 years away from full time live aboard it may be a bit premature to look for a mooring. Things change. There is a general tightness in marina space in FL right now that may ease as Covid restrictions in the Caribbean and elsewhere ease up.

My 2 cents