Mooring costs in the Caribbean

[Captain Ludd]

Hi Guys n Gals

Just wondering what kind of average cost it would be to tie up to a marina berth. Also what is the cost of picking up a buoy ?
Just trying to get a budget together for cruising in the carib so anything else I should budget for specific to the area ?

I aught to mention, it's 40ft Cat

Thanks

[tomfl]

Probably need to know where you will be cruising, prices are different in different places and at different marinas in the same place.

[Captain Ludd]

Lets say starting in Florida and working down to the Dom Rep, or the other way :-)

I have seen boats in both places.

[Scatterling]

We paid $20/nt for a mooring ball in Hope Town, Bahamas, and I believe it was $50/nt to tie up in a marina south of there - the price included use of the marinas facilities (showers etc). 39' cat.

[Captain Ludd]

Thanks
Would you say that was a good average price to stick in my budget ?

[gts1544]

Captain Ludd, I can only speak for the mooring situation in the US & British Virgin Islands, but there your mooring balls will run $25-35 per night, but may include a bag of ice and a water tank fill. The best deal in the USVI are the National Parks balls around St. John at $15 per night, with a two week limit ($7.50 with your Golden Age Card). Hope this helps. gts1544

[Captain Ludd]

Oooh Golden Age card, what's that ?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Captain Ludd

Oooh Golden Age card, what's that ?

Old Fart Card... big in Miami..

[Dsanduril]

Originally Posted by Captain Ludd

Oooh Golden Age card, what's that ?

Old-timers discount card for US National Parks System (which includes St. John). No longer available (although still honored if you have one). US citizens and permanent residents age 62 and over may now get a "senior pass", which is similar but in general reduces the benefits received.

[Captain Ludd]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Old Fart Card... big in Miami..

My son thinks I'm an old fart already but I'm late 50's…..does that count ?

[avid]

I purchased my America the Beautiful Senior Pass in November. Here is the NPS page describing how to purchase one.

Senior Pass

$10 Lifetime pass
For U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over.
May be obtained in person at a federal recreation site or through the mail using this application form. The cost of obtaining a Senior Pass through the mail is twenty dollars ($20). Ten ($10) for the Senior Pass and ten ($10) for processing the application. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.

[SV.Louna]

We are presently on the other side of the planet, but we found a swing mooring in most places in the Caribbean between $10-$25 p/n in 2011. I think it depends on how busy they are, but say you could average it out around $20 p/n. Marinas were pretty much a standard cost and didn't miss you. We had a 50ft boat.
L&N

[Captain Ludd]

Thanks guys

I guess age and residency might prove hard for me, I'm a UK citizen although I do own a property in Florida but no green card.
My wife is a US citizen and default so are our kids but I have never bothered with it in the last 30 years so I doubt I will now.

I'm thinking a swinging mooring is looking better and better.

[larryklaas]

As you budget don't forget your option to anchor in most areas of the Caribbean. Saves a ton of money. Invest in good ground tackle and it will pay for itself in short order.

[Captain Ludd]

Originally Posted by larryklaas

As you budget don't forget your option to anchor in most areas of the Caribbean. Saves a ton of money. Invest in good ground tackle and it will pay for itself in short order.

Thanks All

Do you need a cruising permit down there ?