Looking for Cheap Berths and Moorings

[bEngel]

hi all

I am at the dawn to cruise the globe, which will due as long as possible.

Next to all the direct boat preparations etc., I also must have a reliable indication of the financial aspects regarding berthing, slip and mooring costs.

While looking for info on the web on that issue, i became shocked of the huge rates.
It does not matter if your in the Carribean, Mexico, USA, South America, Australia or the Med.

Is it really true that just for only some stupid space in the water, marinas ask prices which exceed the price of a luxurious appartment?
Have these rates exploded in last years?
I think it is a fraud.

Nevertheless I will not give up my dream.

So..., my question is, does anyone know where (or how) I can find marinas with affordable rates?


and thanks a lot in advance

bEngel

[forsailbyowner]

Easy answer is stay away from moorings and marinas other than for water, fuel and pumpouts. Invest in the best ground tackle and windlass your circumstances allow. Anchoring is free and there are places everywhere. If you just visit the shore access spots to grab supplies you shouldnt run into problems anywhere. Even with the obnoxious pilot program theyre running in florida it reads that no tickets will be issued until after 3 days and that is a warning ticket only.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, bEngel.

[s/v Moondancer]

It is possible to anchor for free almost anywhere in the Caribbean...Except Bonaire where the moorings are $10/day. But Bonaire is the perfect place for a Dutchman to spend hurricane season scuba diving every day. We have spent only 6 days out of the last 365 in marinas.

Half the boats here at the moment are Dutch.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bona...&bih=665&dpr=1

We also anchored for 3 months in Miami while we did lots of work on the boat but there are very few cheap marinas.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by bEngel

Is it really true that just for only some stupid space in the water, marinas ask prices which exceed the price of a luxurious appartment?

i pay $600 a month here in NY,
a studio appt goes for $500 here, add electricity, $150, water, $50, cable, $80!!!,
$780 for a studio. a lux apartment starts at $1800 a month here.

compare that to FL, where i have a quote of about $600 a month, with the same results.

but i get your point.

i have an issue with 3rd world countries, charging $2 a foot for an overnight stay!

[bEngel]

Thank you all for the info and advices.
As far as I understand, the best solution is just anchor somewhere and the customs, officials and wardens will noitfy you to pay or leave.

When the expenses are too high, I simply leave the spot.

easy come, easy go

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by bEngel

. . . As far as I understand, the best solution is just anchor somewhere and the customs, officials and wardens will noitfy you to pay or leave.. . .

It sounds like you are at the beginning of a steep learning curve about cruising and living on a cruising boat. That's good, this is the place to learn all about it.

However, it is more complicated than your posts suggest. First you need to find out if you can actually live on a cruising boat and sail it to different destinations around the world. A lot of people have a very romantic idea of what "life on the seas" is all about. Blame Hollywood - but then find out that actually living in a small vessel that bounces about like a cork in a washing machine sometimes, is not for them.

So I suggest hanging around the forum and get a knowledge base of what cruising is all about and then do some actual living and cruising on a real boat before deciding if it really is a "more economical" lifestyle compared to what you are used to on land.

[motion30]

My uncle never wanted to pay for a slip, but of course. ......he was dutch.

[Hudson Force]

When we first moved aboard slips in the NE Florida area were easily found at $50/month and now, forty years later, we can find rates for the same length boat for about $400/month. That seems to follow about the same rate of increase among houses and apartments or the price of fuel.

[captseamus]

High winds posted tonight for Eastern Lake Michigan coast with waves 10-18ft... Marinas sound pretty cheap compared to anchoring on a hook and bouncing all night long! Although there are 'Harbors of Safe Haven' throughout the Great Lakes. Don't think there are any time limits as far as I know..

[captseamus]

Cheapest marina I found for year round dock and storage is $8250 in Lake Michigan... Left one that cost $12k for year round placement 40 miles away.... Location; Location; Location...

[captseamus]

that was for a 55ft sportfisherman

[nimblemotors]

Note also that while you can anchor out for free most places, in order to do that you must first Enter Their Country, and this is where they can get you.

[mrmac22448]

I agree with the "anchoring out" concept for holding down costs. That has other benefits as well - quiet, privacy, beauty - but there are some obvious downsides, too.

It was unclear as to how much cruising you have done. I meet a fellow at a diesel engine class who made his living taking would be "world circlers" across the Atlantic in order to gain some experience. I asked him how many went cruising after crossing with him, and he said, "Not very many."

Here is a site that can give you marina information.
https://activecaptain.com/index.php

[woodymr]

For an initial set up cost I find the three point anchor mooring ball to be almost free after set up. Three anchors connected.to single.mooring line and ball walla....Been on one for a year now around my other professional boat bum neighbors!!!