Florida Liveaboard Marinas

[recray]

Greetings,
We are looking for a 'liveaboard' marina in Florida this coming fall and winter. Does anyone know and could share recommendations and/or references for Florida 'liveaboard' marinas? Thanks.
Ray & Pam
R27
907-854-5350

ps I am retired military and Patrick AFB would be perfect. However, I understand there is a slip waiting list there due to major marina reconstruction

 

[BradOwens]

You might want to check with MacDill AFB in Tampa. Great cruising area and better protected from the weather than the East coast. Not sure about liveaboards though.

 

[Bruce Moore]

I don't have any personal experience, but here's a pretty extensive list of qualified choices.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[knotflying]

There are plenty out there. You didn't specify a geographic radius. If you go on Active Captain and look in areas you may want to go to then you can read reviews and call the marina to discuss live aboard. I would also suggest that you downplay live aboard. Live aboard has a legal difference and once you say live aboard the marina will not allow it because of their permits and licensing. I would ask about long term stays and that tends to be more acceptable at many marinas.

 

[RSC]

There are several marinas near Patrick that allow livaboards. Harbortown Marina on Merritt Island has a lot of liveabords and is just opening a great new restaurant. It is a full service marina. It is a very safe marina that is located on the barge canal between the Indian and Banana Rivers. It a real hurricane hole away from unfriendly winds but you would need transportation to shop.The area has lots of activities as the Port has really expanded, Beaches are great, Cocoa Beach is a few miles away, Cocoa Village has some good cultural stuff. There are always rocket launches in your back yard and Orlando Airport is only 37 miles away for a quick escape.etc.etc.. The Port Canaveral Yacht club in Port Canaveral does limited transient liveaboards. The yacht club is a great very relaxed social community of mostly sailors but I have a tug.
Bob

 

[Namaste]

We've made Fishermens Village Marina http://www.fishville.com/marina/ our homeport for 5 winters now and have been quite happy. Punta Gorda is a great town for walkers and bicyclists! Lots to do here.

 

[recray]

Thanks everyone for some great information and recommendations. I have my homework cut out and have started the process finding a 'Snowbird' marina this fall/winter. Best regards. Ray & Pam

 

[Pourhouse]

You might bear in mind that south Florida is warmer than central and north Florida.

 

[recray]

Yup, we like warm. Thanks. Marathon looks like it has possibilities.

 

[knotflying]

Boot key harbor has moorings, but can get fairly crowded and has had issues in the past so IMO I would use that as last resort. Marathon Marina and Resort is pretty good. Pool & Restaurant on the grounds and pretty well kept. Banana Bay is nice and quiet. You want to try to get something further in and behind the break wall. Westerly winds can make it a little bouncy when they come in.

Those are the ones I know about first hand.

 

[Capt’nKarl]

Tyndall AFB has a great marina and I think they allow people to live aboard. The number is 850-283-3059. We were there in for a while last summer cruising, not really full time live aboard, and at that time there were slips available. Lots of good areas to cruise if you want to come to the Gulf side.

Cheers!

Karl and Sara

 

[avpilot]

Regatta Pointe Marina in Palmetto, FL (on the Manatee River, across from Bradenton) allows liveaboards. We had our R25SC there this winter for 6weeks. Fixed docks can be a pain at low tide, but I have to give their restroom/shower facilities high marks. Weekly pump-out (done at the dock) comes with the slip fee. The marina is fairly well protected.

Kate and Gregg
Santolina, R25SC

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

In Fort Myers Legacy Harbour Marina is wonderful. A very clean and well run facility within walking distance to downtown and all of there functions. A Publix is 2 blocks away, lots of restaurants and free pump outs, a pool, two laundry rooms and a large airport close by. If you like beach's there are none close by, you have to go out to Sanibel Island or Ft Myers Beach area. From Ft Myers you can go across Lake Okeechobee, north up the ICW or South to Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades on your way to the Keys. They do charge an extra $150 per month for liveaboards.

Jim F

 

[Jake]

In Fort Myers Legacy Harbour Marina is wonderful. A very clean and well run facility within walking distance to downtown and all of there functions. A Publix is 2 blocks away, lots of restaurants and free pump outs, a pool, two laundry rooms and a large airport close by. If you like beach's there are none close by, you have to go out to Sanibel Island or Ft Myers Beach area. From Ft Myers you can go across Lake Okeechobee, north up the ICW or South to Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades on your way to the Keys. They do charge an extra $150 per month for liveaboards.

Jim F

Jim,

Looking at their site, looks like $14/ft, minimum 50ft plus $130 livaboard works out to $830/month min plus electricity. Any idea how this price might compare to others in Florida, PNW or California?

Jake

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

For our Ranger Tug R27 we are paying $710.00 all in for the month, including our trailer storage ($50 per month) in a gated lot across the street. In Marathon we paid $750.00 for the same. In Key West you'd pay between upwards of $3,000. Compared to the PNW it is more expensive to dock boats in Florida for a month rate. We stayed in Victoria BC for a month last winter and the rate was about $450.00 US, no parking or storage as our truck and trailer were in Anacortes. Maybe others will chime in with there local knowledge or experiences.

Jim F

 

[BradOwens]

For our R29 in Anacortes, WA we pay $420 a month plus electricity for a covered slip. Open slips are less. We are not however, living aboard. They allow liveaboards, but I don't know if there is an additional charge.