Florida Hurricane Safe Marinas

[DreaminFred]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

As we live in Florida, the consensus is that your ability to move is the best defense against hurricane damage; leaving the boat on the hard is the LAST thing you should do.

Hurricanes are generally very local events in terms of damaging winds/water being that most severe weather is centered within 100 miles and often less. It’s relatively easy to move out of the target. If you pull the boat, it’s just ‘dumb luck’ if you escape the center which could have been avoided by a one day sail.

Furthermore, most marinas in Florida are within the typical flood plain obviating any safety by pulling the boat. And that’s assuming marinas have anyplace to store it which many do not.

That may be "the consensus" among your community, but it's not my insurance company's view. Much more expensive to cover if it's in the water rather than on the hard. I would think this would be even more true with a catamaran which has no risk of tipping over.

F

[DreaminFred]

Originally Posted by KadeyKrogen38

Indiantown marina, center of state.

My boat's at Indiantown, but there's not a large pool of buyers or easy access from S or W Fla.

F

[chriswheat]

If you are asking about a safe place to leave the boat in the water I am skeptical. Tiger Point Marina on Amelia Island specializes in hurricane protection with the boat out of the water in a hurricane cradle and strapped to the ground. Still no guarantee against the forces of nature wherever you are.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Bon Temps

I am moving my Seawind 1160 from the Caribbean to Florida to sell it. Anyone have any recommendations on a relatively safe marina to store my boat in Florida while I sell it? I am leaning toward something in Tampa.

It was named Centennial Harbor in Ft Myers, well constructed. I believe it changed hands and names. Maybe someone in that area can help with the current name. I left a boat there unattended, for a year, with no concerns.

[CaptRory]

Harborage Marina in St. Pete is as safe as you are going to get in Florida. Surrounded on three sides by land, and the seaward side (Tampa Bay not the open Gulf) is protected by a 15 foot seawall. The concrete floating docks are floating on 13 foot concrete pilings. I haven't seen an open slip in a while, but this is the season where everybody shifts. Give them a call.

[Bassman3]

Somewhere well up the Okeechobee Waterway like Indiantown, Glades or River Forest Yachting Centers gets my vote for peace of mind.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Bassman3

Somewhere well up the Okeechobee Waterway like Indiantown, Glades or River Forest Yachting Centers gets my vote for peace of mind.

I would agree with anything up the Okeechobee, but his mast height won’t let him enter from either coast.

[dennismenace111]

If you reconsuder and find yourself on the east coast, any of the major Marina's located on the New River in Ft Lauderdale are excellent choices! There's usually plenty of empty spaces as the mega yachts all vacate during hurricane season. The bug marinas are all about 45 minutes up the New River and protected from any wave action. Some have floating concrete docks.

Lauderdale Marine comes to mind as one of the biggest.

[CF32907]

Hi All, CaptVR here, retired marine surveyor. A place with access for selling. A number of marinas on the barge canal in Merritt Island (Port Canaveral)
Another is Green Cove Springs area of Central East Coast. Also on the west coast is a number of marinas in the Tampa area. These are all pretty safe areas in hurricane season. The best is probably Green Cove Springs. A couple hours from south central Florida, close to Daytona and Central Florida and I don't believe they ever had a hard hit from a storm. Hope this gave you some insight, Capt. Vince Rakstis, Ret.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by Bon Temps

I am moving my Seawind 1160 from the Caribbean to Florida to sell it. Anyone have any recommendations on a relatively safe marina to store my boat in Florida while I sell it? I am leaning toward something in Tampa.

Tampa Bay has a very low probability of a hit. One of the reasons I retired here from Delray. Also St. Petersburg has two very good marinas- the muni and Harborage. If you can get in there, get your boat looking spiffy, list your boat with a good broker and it will sell.

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by Bon Temps

I am moving my Seawind 1160 from the Caribbean to Florida to sell it. Anyone have any recommendations on a relatively safe marina to store my boat in Florida while I sell it? I am leaning toward something in Tampa.

Most boat buyers look mostly in Ft Lauderdale but Marinas are costly there. Slips for cats are very few around Tampa area.

[Siberian Sea]

I like Indian Town. It’s 35 miles inland and after passing through a set of locks your 15 feet above sea level so in the event of a hurricane there is no storm surge. An extra bonus is the last 25 miles you travel to get there are in fresh water so your engine heat exchanger and shaft cut less bearing get a good fresh water rinse. Marina also has free WiFi and showers.

[flyingfin]

Best places on the hard
Glades Boat Storage,east of Labelle, FL,,,,,bridge height limited
Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage,,,,,,draft limited
Tiger Point Fernandina,,,,,,no draft or height restrictions, Close to Jax Airport
Cape Marina, Cape Canaveral, no draft or height restrictions and quick access to Orlando airport for prospective buyers from around the US

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by flyingfin

Best places on the hard
Glades Boat Storage,east of Labelle, FL,,,,,bridge height limited
Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage,,,,,,draft limited
Tiger Point Fernandina,,,,,,no draft or height restrictions, Close to Jax Airport
Cape Marina, Cape Canaveral, no draft or height restrictions and quick access to Orlando airport for prospective buyers from around the US

I would call ahead for Le Belle to check on their lift capabilities.

[Kita]

[QUOTE=S/V Illusion;2991225]As we live in Florida, the consensus is that your ability to move is the best defense against hurricane damage; leaving the boat on the hard is the LAST thing you should do.

Hurricanes are generally very local events in terms of damaging winds/water being that most severe weather is centered within 100 miles and often less. It’s relatively easy to move out of the target. If you pull the boat, it’s just ‘dumb luck’ if you escape the center which could have been avoided by a one day sail.

Furthermore, most marinas in Florida are within the typical flood plain obviating any safety by pulling the boat. And that’s assuming marinas have anyplace to store it which many do not.[/

Wow,lived in Florida all my 60 years on the west coast & all I can think is WOW! Your boat must be way faster than mine! I have learned from past mistakes trying to outrun the storms and sometimes it seems like you just run right into him no matter which direction you go they seem to be able to turn faster and when you just run into it. It's a whole lot easier to hunker down and make a stand in your best spot and take your chances hoping that you don't get a direct Category 5 because then it wouldn't matter anyway