Marina recommendations - Florida Atlantic coast

[Bourne Free]

I am a Canadian heading to the Bahamas and I need to find a marina in the Atlantic coast of Florida for next Hurricane Season. I have a 41 ft Monohull. Do all marinas in that area have tie down capability and staff that monitor the boats? What should I be looking for, any and all advise is welcome.

[Tom Boles]

You may want to consider Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach. It has a well earned reputation as the "safest marina from hurricanes, in Florida." Just remember......"safe from hurricanes" ......is not totally true, no matter where you are.

[John_Trusty]

I can start with some answers if you have never been, but there is wide diversity in services, availability, and of course, costs. Your insurance will probably require (and good seamanship demands) a hurricane plan, which may involve pulling and tie-down, or just doubling the lines at a dock. Hurricanes are not like snowstorms in that years go by without any impact. The further south in Florida, the higher likelihood of a hurricane strike - once every seven years in Miami, once every 21 years in Jacksonville, if I remember correctly. Most marinas that will pull a boat have either in-ground anchors (nice) or large concrete blocks (less nice) for securing boats with straps or line. This is the safest method, but not a guarantee that a flying telephone pole or the next boat over will not land on you (sorry, it is a lot of force involved). Most marinas have very limited space for hurricanes, so you need to get on their list - for a price about $1 - 2,000 annually, plus up to $1,000 for the actual pulling, strapping, splashing. Insurance may pay part of this, but probably not the cost for getting on a list. The lists fill up fast, and you are within 60 days of the start of the hurricane season. Active Captain is a good source to selecting a marina, but you will need to make a bunch of phone calls.

[AA3JY]

Originally Posted by Tom Boles

You may want to consider Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach. It has a well earned reputation as the "safest marina from hurricanes, in Florida." Just remember......"safe from hurricanes" ......is not totally true, no matter where you are.

Agreed..even our boat insurance premium went down having our boat here instead of up in Ga…but who knows what the future will bring..

Clay AA3JY
s/v Tango
Halifax Harbor Marina
Daytona Beach,Fl

[Bourne Free]

Thanks for the replies, I will only need to be on the hard from September to Dec. Not sure if that makes any difference.

[Bourne Free]

Would the Chesapeake Bay area be safer or easier to find a spot for Hurricane Season?

[gonesail]

i was going to recommend Brunswick Landing Marina in GA .. but also a couple of marinas up the St. Johns river in Jacksonville.

[Shrew]

Westland Boatyard & Marina in Titusville, FL has tie downs. Also a well protected marina.

[OldManMirage]

Tiger Point Marina in Fernandina Beach, Florida will haul you out and strap you down for hurricane season. We bought our boat from their yard, where it had sat through last years' season. It was in fine shape, no issues.

[AA3JY]

Originally Posted by gonesail

i was going to recommend Brunswick Landing Marina in GA ..

Read the multiple negative reviews on Yelp and AC

[Siberian Sea]

Took my boat one hurricane season to Indiantown Marina in southern Florida. The marina is located about 30 miles from the coast up a fresh water channel. There are two bridges you need to clear under that are around 50-55 feet as I recall. You then pass through a small set of locks that brings you about 15 feet above sea level. The marina has a very large storage yard and a DIY work yard. All boats are required to remove sails and be secured down at all four corners with 4 inch ratchet straps. There full time staff monitors the ongoing weather and management of the vessel tie downs in the event of storms. One nice thing is your entire engine cooling system gets a freshwater flush as you motor up the channel. If you cannot clear under the fixed bridge there is a professional guy who can come and put water bag weights on your mast to list your vessel to port or starboard and take you under. The Marina has this guys contact info. My mast was 48 feet and I cleared no problems at low tide.

[gonesail]

Originally Posted by AA3JY

Read the multiple negative reviews on Yelp and AC

I knew things had changed a bit. sounds like they have changed a lot

[PuttingDoctor]

As mentioned above I highly recommend Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona. I’m on J dock.
The sheltered floating docks of our south basin are recognized as a hurricane hole by many insurance companies.
I’ve had 2 boats over 7 years here and have not had to move for any storm. Just strip all windage and pull the boat into the middle of the slip.
For storage on the hard you can go up to the St. John’s and haul out at Green Cove Springs if you feel it’s worth the cost vs keeping your boat here.
Daytona International is 5 minutes away with Delta and American service by air.

[flyingfin]

Second for Tiger Point

[AA3JY]

Originally Posted by OldManMirage

Tiger Point Marina in Fernandina Beach, Florida will haul you out and strap you down for hurricane season. We bought our boat from their yard, where it had sat through last years' season. It was in fine shape, no issues.

My experience with Tiger Point is that their accounting person can be very ‘creative’ in their billing..