Boat "Inspection" Prior to Slip Rental

[JD5652]

So I've been searching around the St. Pete area for an annual slip for Miss Maggie.

BTW... not so easy to find a slip these days for a 62' LOA with 18' beam.

One marina that may be able to accommodate me has a litany of "rules" that I'm just not accustomed to coming from boating in New England for the last 20+ years.

One is that you can't spend more than 10 nights per month on board or more than 4 nights in a row.... without prior "permission"... and permission will only be given if the marina has the "extra days to allocate". I was told this was a Florida DEP rule/regulation for water quality.... still not quite getting it...

The second one is that the boat is subject to an "inspection" prior to finalizing the lease contract. I have an inquiry into the marina about what exactly does an "inspection" mean and what is the "inspection" acceptance criteria.

I would appreciate any enlightenment on either or both of the above for those with more knowledge about these types of things in Florida.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I also had to provide photos of the boat in and out of the water prior to them even moving forward with consideration for the slip. They said this was to ensure the boat is not a "derelict" boat. Guess I kinda' get it... but it's a whole new world to me....

 

[madhatter1]

That sounds weird. What marina?

 

[JD5652]

That sounds weird. What marina?

Sent you a PM....

 

[jim rosenthal]

I know slips are scarce down there, but this doesn't sound like a place you'd want to be in.

 

[zigzag930]

Slips are next to impossible to find here in SW Florida. Prices have gone way up as well.

If you would consider moving a bit south of St. Petersburg, you can probably find a spot at Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda. Very nice marina with deep enough access for your LRC (I have one too, and I've been in there many times).

May be few spots left in Ft. Myers Beach area also.

I'd stay away from the Sarasota area as the inlet is tricky and constantly shifting.

 

[madhatter1]

Rule number one for Sarasota pass is never use Sarasota pass!

 

[zigzag930]

Regarding Sarasota Pass, I heard there is a new "inlet" which looks like it comes straight in from the Gulf. Can anyone comment - Is it marked? How navigable is it?

 

[Pascal]

Some communities regulates live aboard slips so it s not unusual for marinas to do a CYA and out staying aboard restrictions on the contract

As to inspections, I ve never heard of this but I guess they want to eliminate the rift raft, houseboats with window aircons and old wooden semi derelicts. I wouldn’t worry about it

Bottom line, almost no net marinas have been built in SoFl in the last 20 years and the number of boats have doubled or tripled especially 50+ Beggars can’t be choosers

 

[JD5652]

Rule number one for Sarasota pass is never use Sarasota pass!

Good to hear about that as that was a possible stop over on my way down.... thanks for the intel again...

 

[JD5652]

Some communities regulates live aboard slips so it s not unusual for marinas to do a CYA and out staying aboard restrictions on the contract

As to inspections, I ve never heard of this but I guess they want to eliminate the rift raft, houseboats with window aircons and old wooden semi derelicts. I wouldn’t worry about it

Bottom line, almost no net marinas have been built in SoFl in the last 20 years and the number of boats have doubled or tripled especially 50+ Beggars can’t be choosers

This particular marina does allow a limited number of liveaboards. Guess the rules are the rules and I'm kinda' between a rock and hard place in the near term.

You may be right that they are trying to keep out the rift raft.... I'll keep this post updated on the outcome...

Thanks!

 

[madhatter1]

I would bet the rules are “flexible”. Harbor master Bill will give be you the info you need.

 

[Eddieclemons]

Here in Tennessee I think a inspection and or Insurance survey would be more appropriate than say a 20-25 year old rule that some marinas have. Most have live aboard rules and some even control the on dock pumpout by requiring it to be unlocked and or turned on. My current location that I love, will wash you boat and send you the bill of needed.

 

[Freeebird]

When I kept my 58 at Riviera Dunes many moons ago, they were dickh… uh, very picky. This to the point that if your boat were deemed to be in need of a cleaning, they would do it to… uh, for you and send you a bill.

I could go on, but I won’t, and no, they never washed my boat or kicked me out. Had to laugh when they questioned my temporary fitted sheet/curtain that I used to block out the sun. I mean it even matched.

 

[madhatter1]

I stayed at Riviera Dunes a month or so ago. Everyone was super nice and they didn’t seem uptight. We keep the 46 nice and clean and it fit right in. There were definitely some boats that needed love and cleaning but not many. One was certainly growing to the bottom. We are looking to buy a slip here for when we downsize and sell the house ( if we ever do). Great place to be if the storms come our way.

 

[motoryacht lover]

Regarding Sarasota Pass, I heard there is a new "inlet" which looks like it comes straight in from the Gulf. Can anyone comment - Is it marked? How navigable is it?

I ran it about 3 weeks ago in a 23’. I would not run Sarasota Pass in a boat that draws 4’ or more.

 

[lbkjj]

Regarding Sarasota Pass, I heard there is a new "inlet" which looks like it comes straight in from the Gulf. Can anyone comment - Is it marked? How navigable is it?

Sarasota pass was dredged last year for beach renourishment and a byproduct was a somewhat navigable channel. My boat draws a little over 3 ft and I can use the pass based on soundings posted on the Sarasota Yacht Club website which are updated often.
That said, it is tricky and I would avoid it in a Hatteras.

 

[dmoore1200]

That’s them wanting to decide after they see the boat and meet you to see if you’re high maintenance.

 

[madhatter1]

I am under contract for a 70' slip at Rivera Dunes. Much bigger than I need. But now I have a hurricane hole (and a place to visit) for August through October. Will lease out the other 9 months. Current annual renter is already interested in this arrangement. But if this falls through HOF's get dibs. Rates are at the marina rate but this is best as that makes the rental "full service".

Several other slips are changing hands so maybe other seasonal or annual options coming about.

 

[JD5652]

I am under contract for a 70' slip at Rivera Dunes. Much bigger than I need. But now I have a hurricane hole (and a place to visit) for August through October. Will lease out the other 9 months. Current annual renter is already interested in this arrangement. But if this falls through HOF's get dibs. Rates are at the marina rate but this is best as that makes the rental "full service".

Several other slips are changing hands so maybe other seasonal or annual options coming about.

Sent you a PM...