Long Term Moorage in South Florida

[gokturk]

Hey everyone,

I have a dream an I like'd to get your opinion on whether this could be possible at all or how I can realize it? I am very new to this community and I am targeting to buy a 36-43 foot sailboat this year. I live in Seattle but I want to moor the boat for a couple of years in South Florida to cruise in Bahamas and possibly in Caribbean. I am planning to take some time off every few months, come down and go for it. What would be the safest way for the boat and most affordable way for me to do this? I am kind of hesitant to leave the boat for months in Florida and also heard moorage in South Florida would cost a lot of money. Up in Seattle I would pay around 450-490/month for such a boats moorage.

Thank you

[avb3]

It depends where in south Florida you plan on staying. Generally, the east coast is more than the west, but as in all things, exceptions occur.

Do you have target area in mind?

If your going to only use the boat every couple of months, why don't you put it on the hard? There are marinas on the ICW that are very reasonable.

[Ita]

Marinas in the Miami area goes around 14 to 18 / foot/ month plus tax

[maxingout]

It would be cheaper and more fun to simply charter a sailboat in the Bahamas each year.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, gokturk.

[s/v Moondancer]

Coconut Grove Sailing Club Coconut Grove Sailing Club has reasonably priced moorings up to 42 ft. Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove has moorings up to 45- 50 ft.

Both are perfect locations for cruising the Keys and the Bahamas. However, the boats have to be moved when hurricanes threaten.

CGSC is the safer location for long-term mooring as they have 24/7 staffing monitoring the boats.

[s/vfootloose]

I would look into a dock behind a private home somewhere up the river thats protected. In Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area you can find these for $10/12 ft.

[gokturk]

Thank you very much everyone. This has been very helpful. I am happy to have joined this great community :-)

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[SkiprJohn]

As has been said it would be a lot less stressful, a lot cheaper, and a lot less work on your part to just start ASA training to get you bareboat credentials and then charter a boat to do what you want in the southeast. You live in a great sailing and cruising area.

Good luck to you in whatever direction you choose to go.

kind regards,

[gokturk]

Thank you again. This is helpful.

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