New England Live Aboard Marinas

[Hawkeye25]

Does anyone know about live aboard conditions in New England?

[Surfesq]

I have a friend who lived aboard a Catalina 40 in Boston Harbor for several years. In the winter he used shrink wrap over a frame to provide additional warmth and room.

[sailingdog]

Constitution Marina allows live-aboards in Boston Harbor. New England is a mighty big place...where abouts are you interested in?

[Hawkeye25]

I am in Florida now and used to live aboard in Boston harbor, but that was about ten or so years ago and things have probably changed a lot since then. My family is mostly on the Massachusetts north shore, Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, but my kids live in New Hampshire and Connecticut, though the Connecticut is also heading north, probably Lynn or Salem.

Anywhere from Narragansett Bay to southern Maine, as long as there's shelter from Nor'easters, would work for me. I'll have a little car and will be able to visit my kids and grandkids easy then. Grandkids seem to grow so fast.

[sailingdog]

The other question is price...what is your budget... most of the marina prices have skyrocketed...and the wait lists are ridiculously long... One marina I called has a eight year wait list...and charges a fee to apply to be on the wait list. .... UGH.

[Hawkeye25]

I have recent become a disabled vet, so money is tight, but my health is returning excellent and since I have about 20 years in yacht service, I can make extra money working on boats or working for the marina, but that work dries up in the winter.

Of course, winter rates are usually lower, too.

I know it's a tough job for me to find a good situation up there, that's why I'm trying to start early and see if I can get some leads. I'll be heading up to visit a couple of times between now and November, and usually a good marina wants to actually lay eyes on you and talk to you, maybe even get a few local references, before committing to you for a liveaboard situation. Some liveaboards can be more trouble than the income is worth.

Thanks for the efforts Sailingdog.

[Irwin54]

Constitution is a great choice for the winter. I spen three winters there and personally recommend it. Depending on size, summer space can be hard to find and expensive. We summered in Narragansett Bay and loved the cruising down there.

[sailingdog]

You might want to look at getting hired by one of the Brewer Yatch Yards, which is a chain of full-service marinas along the New York-Maine coast line. I am willing to be that if you got a job at one, you could probably get a slip as part of your work package and liveaboard. Worth looking into.

Their website is: http://www.byy.com

Good luck, let me know if you try this, and if so, how it works out.

[c2cSailor]

I'll agree that Constitution Marina is probably the most popular with the most amenities, but you also pay a price. This summer is $145/ft for 2006 summer slip. Last winter was $105/ft + $90/mo liveaboard fee + metered electric.

Boston Shipyard and Marina in East Boston also allows liveaboards at reasonable rates.

Shipyard Quarters would be another choice in Boston Inner Harbor.

All can be found in a quick google search.

[SmartCaptain]

Hi Hawkeye,
Try Spicers marina in Noank CT (near the mouth of the Mystic river). I lived aboard for most of three winters of 2001-2003. They charged me for a winter in-water storage fee (about $1100 for Nov through April) instead of charging for a monthly slip fee (about $500 here during the summer).

Hope this helps,
Jeff

www.smartcaptain.com