Free anchorages in Florida

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by shantycrew

Does anyone know if there are any places in Florida where you can anchor that don't charge and are relatively sheltered.

Just to be clear all anchorages in Florida are free. Mooring fields typically have a charge. I'd be more concerned with anchoring restrictions enacted by individual municipalities. I think the west coast is more hospitable but there are areas like Sarasota where it can be a problem.

Personally I think trying to sell a boat at anchor is a red flag. It's not just problematic to show but it's an indication that the seller can't afford to put it at a marina which is an indication that the seller can't afford to maintain his boat. It would be good to get a Broker's opinion on this but I'd guess that you'll get significantly less for the boat doing it this way.

[Scaramanga F25]

Many good anchorages in Dade and Broward, SE Fla, have a 48 hour limit and you could be sent packing by the authorities.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

I'm not sure having a Lectra-san makes it legal to pump overboard within Florida State waters.

It does, so long as you are not in one of the No Discharge Zones: Destin Harbor, the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary, and the City of Key West.

As far as the comment about an anchored-out boat being something of a red flag to buyers... I tend to agree. If you really want to get the boat sold at the best possible price, I think you need to put it in a marina, list it with a broker, and move out. Not saying that you CAN'T sell it if you don't do these things, just that I think it will happen faster, easier, and at a better price if you do. Only you can decide if the cost/inconvenience of doing these things is worth the additional that you might get for the boat.

Good luck.

[Elie]

Originally Posted by s/v Moondancer

Lots of places to anchor in Biscayne Bay. We anchor our 55ft 7.5 ft draft boat just outside the Dinner Key mooring field and use the dock near the city marina.

You can anchor off Key Biscayne, dinghy into No Name Harbor and walk to the stores.

You would have to use jerry jugs for water.

That is exactly what I would have sugested. Close to the No Name harbor is a very safe anchorage, well protected from northers and easy to access the Park.

[Mrfish]

Originally Posted by mholtzberg

How about Gulfport, FL. Boca Ciega bay.

Last time I was in Gulfport they were actively trying to get rid of boats anchoring in the bay.

[SFS]

Originally Posted by Mrfish

Last time I was in Gulfport they were actively trying to get rid of boats anchoring in the bay.

I live in Gulfport (on land) and know of no such effort. What have you heard, and from what source?

[four winds]

Spent some time in Gulport summer of 2015. Very much enjoyed it but stayed too long. The bay has many unattended and some derelict boats.

These boats are the problem during the thunderstorm season as many go walkabout. And are the boats the city would like to see removed which they make some effort to do each year, with not complete success.

The people there tolerate cruisers fairly well but you can expect to get to know the local enforcement officers when they come around for "safety checks". Some are anti-boater, most are good guys. Luck of the draw. Having your boat up to spec and a friendly demeanor is the best approach.

A great community of folks, very diverse. Weekly farmer's market and an arts and crafts interest. No or little corporate influence and old town look. Surprisingly many people even in Florida don't know it's there.

It's a bit too active for my tastes, and not as laid back as other areas. Karaoke til 3 am every night can get old after a while. Easily heard from anchor unless you go way out and the wind is blowing right.


I find Cape Coral to be one of the best places to hang out for a while in my 6 years of wandering between New Orleans and Key West. A laid back slow pace but too many sirens at night.

For me the panhandle of Florida and the Alabama coast meet my needs best. Though I'm not trying to sell a boat.

[SFS]

Thanks for the additional detail. We do have a number of boats here, many of which never move, and some of them are derelict. Some you would think are derelict are not, and are actually being lived on. We also have some that go walkabout. During heavier storms, one or more generally end up on the beach.

The noise from the two waterfront pubs can be a nuisance, even on land, depending on the wind. On the other hand, there is a free dinghy dock at the Casino Ballroom, and good restaurants within walking distance, and one small convenience store three blocks off the water.

That being said, I am unaware of any active measures being taken by the City Council to get rid of boats. There has been a small but apparently growing amount of support to put in a mooring field, to bring in revenue directly (mooring fees) and indirectly (more cruisers, more tourism dollars). But this has been the case for years, and nothing seems to come of it.

Our situation is not helped by the ever-more-frequent dumping of diluted sewage into Boca Ciega Bay (through Clam Bayou) by our big brother to the immediate north, the City of St. Petersburg. During Hurricane Matthew, they apparently decided to dump directly into Tampa Bay via their eastern outfalls, thereby giving us a break (this time).

I'll have to check out Cape Coral when we next head south.

[captstu]

There are several protected, free anchorages near Lake Worth Inlet in West Palm Beach Florida. There are also pump outs, water, and good ground transportation in the area.

A few of the dinghy docks have fees - but there are several that are free, some with excellent parking and water.

Check with your broker - being on the hook in Florida is no better than being far away if there isn't a good place to show the boat. Look at the parks near Blue Heron bridge as temporary docks that are free and available for showing.

[GeneM]

Check out North Lake Worth above Palm Beach. It's a great and large anchorage. A short dingy ride and short walk brings you to a Publix grocery store. West Marine is also near.

[shantycrew]

Thanks to all of you for the advice, very informative. We've been sailing the greater Antilles and living aboard for three years and at the moment we're in Salinas Puerto Rico. Its a nice sheltered bay and has a good community of cruisers but seemingly a tricky place to find a buyer. So I was just fishing for info from our experts on CF and as always there's heaps of advice. For the time being I think we'll stay where we are.

[SeaSon]

The are thousands of places to anchor in Florida. Go north of Fort Lauderdale 20-50 miles near any town. That area is convenient for boat buyers. The keys are too isloated.

[jhulmer]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I've never seen a mooring field in the Panhandle of Florida, it is all "free" anchorages near as I can tell.

This is correct, especially back bay Pensacola, Perdido Bay, intercostal area. No moorings except some private moorings that I'm aware of but lots of good convenient, protected areas to anchor ... for now anyway (Florida and anchoring...sheeezs!)

[Scout 30]

Even though you're in Puerto Rico you can still list on Craigslist in Florida. I'd also list on sailboatlistings.com. The more sites the better.

[Boatguy30]

Hard to sell a boat you're living aboard at anchor. Bargain basement stuff.

Consider hauling out at Indiantown while for sale and moving on to your new life or unloading cheap on eBay