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SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

9K views 25 replies 11 participants last post by  capndeb 
#1 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Since this board is so low on the list, I think many folks pass it by. I''m in need of some general info on leaving my boat in SW FLA and living aboard it part of the time as we transition to living in FL full time.
 
#2 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Ahoy halyardz I am living your plan now. What area are you going to be in and if your like us you''ll find its very difficult to be in two places at once. Cutting the ties is another thing all together. I have a list of liveaboard marinas and prices from the newspaper in FT Myers / Port Charlotte area if it helps. See you on the horizon. Pirate of Pine Island,
 
#3 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Marathon in the keys has a big liveaboard fleet at anchorage.Depending on your budget A couple of marinas in Marathon charge about $750 for a 42''er with liveaboard priviledges,electric is seperate.You can anchor out at Bradenton on the West Coast
right across from the marina, in front of the county park.A couple of boats hve been there for at least 6mo.There is a launch ramp and heads aqshore there and no charge to chain up your dinghy!
 
#6 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

I''d like to see that list from Ft Myers and
learn more about the Bradenton area. Those
represent the north/south of our target range. Red, how''s that transition going you
old crusty pirate?
 
#7 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Ahoy, halyardz , I can be reached at mredden@earthlink .net . I''ll have this article and list scanned onto a disk and then I can send it to you. As far as the transition things are going well the boat is progressing well and the only complaint would be the variety and interesting diversions available here . My marina ,a commercial fishing outpost, isn''t what you''d think to be the kind of place on anyones list but it sure is cheap enough and very close to the gulf at the mouth of Charlotte harbor. $4.00'' plus tax per month. I''ve had more trouble with bankers and loan people and the like understanding the concept of dual residency. Health Insurance went way up , auto way down. Some of this stuff forces you to chose residency one place or the other, so look at each process carefully. Wound up with two internet providers double all utility stuff(if you keep the fridge and heat on up north). Starts to motivate one to cut the ties. I''ve kept my fiberglass business up north and can operate here but the idea of moving my shop here is scary. Tractor trailer scary. Otherwise all is well. Our motto is go slow look at every move six ways and keep looking ahead. Sailing here is great and we have our first winter guest comming down for a sail. Nice to be able to play with life a little. Love all the posite response here at sailnet and hope me pirate ways don''t offend too many of me aquaintences. Then again wot''s the plank for anyway? Big Red the Pirate of Pine Island. See you on the horizon (smoking from me broadside I thinks)
 
#8 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Big Red, thanks for the post. I gave you a back channel hail. We are gonna have to keep a house up here for a few years to see the kids settled but plan to bring the boat down in 03 or 04 at the latest. While we plan to retire, we also plan to work parttime to fund the cruising habit. We figured once the final move is made, we get
a $10k boost to income from not paying NYS income tax and huge property tax bills but the FLA salaries are lower too. Yah, the health insurance might be a PITA too.

Darcy...what type of boards are you interested in? In terms of chat, the CWBB is about the busiest with good info.
 
#9 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Yo Beeg Red LVI (a.k.a. Pirate of Pine Island),

Is that offer of a list of live-aboard marinas and prices in the Fort Meyers/Port Charlotte area available to sailors other than halyardz? I left an email for you at mredden@earthlink.net but haven''t gotten a response. I don''t mean to be a pest but I''d appreciate a copy of the list if it isn''t too much of a bother. The offer of the rum''n''cokes or Dark''n''Stormys stands regardless...Thanks
 
#10 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Hello to all. I was wondering if someone could give me some ideas as to where I could find a reasonable live aboard community around the south Florida area either near Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or surrounding communities. Also how much would it cost?
 
#11 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

thanks for the w/m advice and a guestion for "THE PIRATE OF PINE ISLAND"
A friend in Halifax NS a few years ago told me of some folks who were trying to get a restauraunt and docking facility afloat in Matlacha. One of the principles is a gentleman from Newfoundland.. I''m in St.Petersberg and would like to check it out...looks like going on the inside of Pine Island w/5''draft might be "fun"...any advice?
thanks dh
 
#13 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Ahoy Kestrel268, Aye Malatcha be a fine if not bohemian place . Not so sure it be a good investment though. The road to the island was just passed over by the state for improvements and the residents like it simple. As far as yeer draft your in big trouble. Motor in motor out. Period. MUD Mud mud can''t say it any more clearly. The north end is tolerable under power the south is not worth the trouble. The prevailing winds do not help much as well. I draw four feet and low tide the barnacles get scrapped off regularly and often plus the fact that most charts haven''t been updated for a century out to tell you something. The area is not know as a sailboat haven for a reason. Visually you''d think just the opposite but the requirements and problems with getting the place dredged into a highly usable bit of water would be like asking the state to put in fans to blow up some wind for you . Mind you it''s an ok place to stop at and is laid back with little services for sailors.It is an execellent place to duck into in a bad blow. Mind you of me Tax due upon entering the mouth of the Harbor of Port Charlotte. I be scanning the horizon for ye. Big red the Pirate of Pine Island.
 
#16 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Ahoy Mates,
The Florida Keys has a large live aboard infrastructure. Almost every town has marinas that support livaboards with dock space of about 10.00 a foot plus electricity. If your paying more than that, (except for Key West) you''re probably getting raked over the coals. And of course, there are plenty of private people who want to rent space behind their houses. These are usually listed in the papers. And if your willing to live on the hook, your possibilities are limitless. Just sail her south, and start living the dream man.
Kevin
 
#17 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

I live aboard in Ft. Lauderdale. Hendricks Isle and Isle of Venice still have some liveaboard slips open running $500 to $700/mo depending on amenities. The city marinas in Miami also advertise for less. It''s getting harder to find places to liveaboard here as new condos are being built all around us.
 
#19 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Hello Capndeb and any other south Fl liveaboards,

We would love to establish a dialog with you, have now started a plan to sell house up north and move the boat down to south florida to liveaboard there...

am curious about ease or not of finding such a slip, costs, when to look so we have a slip by end of summer etc... each day that passes brings more questions! as i''m sur eyou can imagine!..

we have a 49'' sailboat, definitly would prefer a community around us to liveaboard vs a slip off by itself.

reagrds

and thanks in advance

derek
 
#20 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

There is always the free anchorage at Matanzass pass off FMB. They are trying to charge for moorings. Emphaisize "trying".Also if you can keep either get below 45 ft powerline along southern approach or stick to red markers within 2 miles of bridge if travelling from the north, Old fish house Marina in Matlacha offers live aboard slips and is a cool place to hang out providing you have a car as the place is a bit isolated.
 
#21 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Where you be at Big Red?
Im here in Charlotte Harbor area, have been for years.
Newspaper ads are not the best for liveaboard slips..Talking to owner is best bet.
Alot dont advertize a liveaboard space. But will allow it , if one talks just right.
Half the "marinas" in Charlotte harbor will not take liveaboards.
InIrons
 
#22 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

Ahoy InIrons,I spent many yrs living in PC I now live in Sebring about 1&1/2hrs from there.I have about 20 kin there.One has a 30ft Choy Lee and my nephew has a 26 Cal.They have been sailing those waters for many yrs.For all those yrs there boats have been docked behind private homes for a small charge each month.I have been trying to find a dock to keep my 26ft luger at with no luck.Would you know of anyone with a home dock for rent?? I''m not a liveaboard,only when I''m out.My last trip was 800miles to Georgetown in the Exumas I was out for 30days.I also cruised for 2wks in CH last nov.But the Devil''s Mistress is a trailer sailor and I''d like to find a spot to leave her in the water around PG or PC for reasonable $$.I''m getting tired of trailering and towing.Thanks in advance Ed Johnson
 
#23 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

I''m retiring this year and am sailing south to FL with my boat. I am looking to liveaboard on a mooring or at a slip (either in a marina "community" or at a private dock) somewhere on the west coast (Tampa Bay preferred). I''ve read the posts and this seems doable for under $400 a month, True?. I will be looking for part-time work to supplement my cruising kitty - I will be cruising when it''s not hurricane season[Grin]. Any help/pointers appreciated.
 
#25 ·
SW FLA & Part-time Liveaboards

I know that it has been quite a while since I have checked this message board, and have just seen your request for liveaboard slips. But it isn''t quite the end of the summer yet...
Check out Hendricks Isle and Isle of Venice for liveaboard slips. The area is safe and you are surrounded by others sharing the dream. There are still slips available and always changing. We are a 20 minute walk to the ocean in one direction, and 20 minute walk to the shops on Las Olas.
 
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