St Augustine Sailing Scene??????

[malyea]

My lake just keeps getting smaller and since there's really nothing like saltwater to keep cruising dreams alive, me thinks moving to St Augustine with our '82 Hunter 30 may be just what the captain ordered...

Can anyone help with an informal "relocation package / info" geared towards the needs of a relocating owner/cruiser/racer?

In conversation, I'd have a bunch of questions but I'm slow on the keyboard so try to read my mind plz...marinas, anchorages, newsletters, blogs, local area conditions, clubs, pros/cons, do's/don'ts - why I should move there as a sailor and why maybe I shouldn't...

I've Googled the topic but suspect you guys are a better source. I'd like to learn it all before it's too late....

Thanks

[malyea]

..."I've got to head this boat south pretty soon.....

Anybody got any info on sailing in St Augustine...links...contacts...etc

[helenwiley]

Try http:\\cruisersnet.net

[joethecobbler]

no anchoring- mooring fields,get out your wallet.

Shallow inlet- shifting bar, hazardess,getting worse.

Marinas- $10 ft. and up + +

A few sailing clubs,orgs. etc.

Employment- well , it's florida. 2011

Weather - it's florida

Should you move there ? - that's on you, IMO if your flush and don't need
to work,it can be fun. If you need work to live,there are better locations to sail.
Just my opinion.

[wingNwing]

We liked it and are hoping to return for a longer stay this winter. College town vibe & a lot of history, and tourism. Tidal range about 5 feet = strong currents, but also means you can do the inlet easily if you time it - same is true for much of the ICW in that area regardless of your draft. The mooring field was put in after we were last there just over a year ago so I can't speak to that. Anybody know what they're charging for the moorings.

[sawingknots]

personally i find most of florida's east coast to be too pricy/restrictive i much prefer the gulf side especially the big bend or panhandle

[richardbur10]

Florida is pricey for marinas, especially the further south you go. If you want to moor and liveaboard you might consider moving on down to Marathon. They have restrictions but their facilities are good and there are lots of others doing the same thing and you can sail every day. I am currently in a Marina in Port Canaveral. Great facilities and easy in and out of the inlet but no moorings here. Also you have to evacuate in case of a hurricane. I have worked a deal with another marina a few miles up the ICW in case the big one comes.

[joethecobbler]

the St. Augustine rates posed on the municipal marina sight on the city websight breaup the mooring fields into 2 areas . Salt run and the one near the city marina. the rates are less for residents as well as the salt run mooring field.
basically if your transient you pay $20 a day $120 a week,$360 a month,$3960.00 a year.
I opposed the mooring fields as well as the associated anchoring restrictions which eliminate all anchoring,not only within the mooring fields, but the entire city limits.
if your a resident it's about half.

Ah yes land of the free.

free to pay,pay,pay.

[malyea]

Thanks for the info