Live aboard slips in Florida

[elec6143]

Looking for recommendations on live aboard marinas in Florida or private docks. We are relocating to Florida from the Boston area. We are finding it quite difficult to find anything.

[Pascal]

Florida is pretty big... SOFL, west coast, north central?

In SoFl dockage is a problem especially over 50. Most private docks do not allow liveaboards because of zoning issues.

[rwaldrop13]

Good afternoon! We ran into similar issues but settled on the Fort Myers area because of large selection of marinas that welcome liveaboards. If you're interested check out the Waterway Guide reviews, or PM me and I will be glad to tell you what I know about the marinas in our area including the one we're living in and love.

[elec6143]

Florida is pretty big... SOFL, west coast, north central?

In SoFl dockage is a problem especially over 50. Most private docks do not allow liveaboards because of zoning issues.

Thanks, we are open to any location.

[captainwjm]

Thanks, we are open to any location.

In that case, you have a lot more work to do than simply finding a marina. There is a HUGE difference between, say, the Destin/Pensacoloa area and the Miami/Ft.Lauderdale area; Jacksonville/St. Augustine is vastly different from the Keys; Tampa Bay is different from Ft. Pierce/Stuart. Narrow down your choices on population density, costs-of-living, urban/rural, distance to airports, shopping, cultural outlets, and climate. Then start looking for marinas. Active Captain and Waterways Guide are good places to start once you've narrowed your search.

[Pascal]

Here in SoFl the only affordable marinas which accepts liveaboards is the city of Miami run Dinner Key Marina. Long wait list though.

Prime Marina, also in the grove, allows LAs but about $40/50 a foot per month on annual contract. Same price range at Miami Beach marina. County marinas do not allow LAs or even sleeping on boats at some locations.

[Retired1]

Looking for recommendations on live aboard marinas in Florida or private docks. We are relocating to Florida from the Boston area. We are finding it quite difficult to find anything.

Boston?! I was going to say that Florida is full, but upon second thought, I recommend the Pensacola/Orange Beach Alabama area- just for the amusement factor of y’all trying to understand each others English. Lol

[captainwjm]

Another thought to consider; getting an annual slip is going to be harder that a seasonal or monthly one. When we first moved aboard full time, we were limited to seasonal rental slips while waiting for an annual slip to become available. So, we moved several times a year. Being retired, this wasn't much of a problem. We enjoyed all areas of the state from the Keys to Ft. Meyers, to Titusville, Ft. Pierce, Jacksonville, Hollywood, Lauderdale and the upper Gulf areas from Orange Beach to Destin and Pensacola. We eventually settled in the Keys [Islamorada] before deciding to sell the live aboard and move ashore. Lots to consider.

[Pascal]

Monthly or seasonal can be as much as 30% more expensive...

[elec6143]

Another thought to consider; getting an annual slip is going to be harder that a seasonal or monthly one. When we first moved aboard full time, we were limited to seasonal rental slips while waiting for an annual slip to become available. So, we moved several times a year. Being retired, this wasn't much of a problem. We enjoyed all areas of the state from the Keys to Ft. Meyers, to Titusville, Ft. Pierce, Jacksonville, Hollywood, Lauderdale and the upper Gulf areas from Orange Beach to Destin and Pensacola. We eventually settled in the Keys [Islamorada] before deciding to sell the live aboard and move ashore. Lots to consider.

Thanks, there is a lot to consider.