Dear Boaters, Cruisers and Listees,

I am in the process of looking for a boat that will be used primarily as a
live-aboard, most likely a trawler in the 42'-50' range.  I would
appreciatesome input from the group regarding dockage.

I am moving to Florida and have a business territory that covers a wide
swath of Florida from the St. Pete area to Titusville on the East coast.  A
big part of my business will be in the Orlando region, but I will be working
throughout the area helping athletes find college scholarships.  I am
leaning toward finding a marina in the Titusville area, but my impression
from monitoring this list is that they are hard to find and expensive.  I
have enjoyed the Bahamas and the Keys immensly, as well as deep sea fishing,
which point me to the East coast.

Finding dockage in the Tampa/St Pete region seems more likely
(Clearwater-Bradenton?).  I like the idea of being able to get to the
barrier islands and casual evenings without a long run,  From my basic
research and experience there are  some fabulous places to cruise all up and
down the West coast.  I would appreciate any input regarding some basic
questions:

1. Is it going to be really hard to find reasonable priced dockage for a
   liveaboard within 50 miles either way from Titusville?  Options?

2. Are most (or any) of the marinas allowing liveaboards within 30 minutes
   of downtown Tampa?  Specifics if possible would be helpful.

3. Rough price estimates on any of these?

I'll probably be moving in about 30 days, middle of April, but most likely
will have to stay ground bound for at least a month or two, before a boat is
acquired and moved.  I am looking forward to meeting some of the listees in
the area, and enjoying the sunsets.  I've been quite impressed with the
breadth and depth on the list and am anxious to put some faces to the
names.  Hopefully I'll be able to add some useful thoughts and comments
along the way.

Special thanks and kudos to George for spending the time and energy to keep
the list alive.  Thank you.

For the record I've owned a number of boats from runabouts to cruisers and
up to a 55' sport fisherman.  Currently boatless, but hopefully not for
long.

Best wishes to all for warm and sunny Spring cruising!

Thanks in advance for your input.

Michael Liddle
Long gone "Tremullous Dreams", 55' Ocean SF

Having just gone through this search here is what I can report from Tampa Bay area. For boats that size it it hard....no, VERY hard to find liveaboard space. Reasonable price depends on your pocketbook but only one I found with space immediately available is 14/ft + 150 (+tax) for a yearly rate. 6 month rate rises to 15 and monthly rate to 17. Just got report from dockmaster at Tierra Vierde marina that they are going condo and not renting spaces of any kind. It is a growing trend and in the three years I have been here I heve seen at least half a dozen marinas (prob 600+ slips) closed down. Waiting list at all the munis are at about 2+ years with St Pete muni being 5+ years. The all say....best way into a marina....buy the boat currently in it. There is one marina which has 1 liveaboard slip avail immediately in Pasadena but it is for a 35' boat max.

Certainly I didn't search all marinas so don't have a complete picture but the trend is not looking good. The rates have climbed dramatically the past few years too.

Hope this helps...
Joel
St Pete, FL

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-----Original Message-----
From: Joe W

Having just gone through this search here is what I can report from
Tampa Bay area. For boats that size it it hard....no, VERY hard to find
liveaboard space.

Just got report from dockmaster at Tierra Vierde marina that they are
going condo and not renting spaces of any kind. It is a growing trend
and in the three years I have been here I heve seen at least half a
dozen marinas (prob 600+ slips) closed down.

REPLY
That is past history. In light of the latest news about insurance
companies not renewing a lot of policies for boats that remain in
Florida during hurricane season might we not see a new direction in
trends?

Arild

This is precisely why I decided to nail down a "cruiser home base" lot with
a deep water dock. Traveling from New England to the Bahamas for 5 years and
watching marinas turn into condos scared some sense into me. "Buy first,
cruise later" will give you a guaranteed spot to return to after extended
cruising and it will certainly appreciate while you are gone.

My friends call it a "lock & go" house. They repair and provision their boat
at their own dock and "lock and go"!

                                      Regards....

Phil Rosch
Old Harbor Consulting
M/V "Curmudgeon" MT44 TC
Currently lying Bond Creek, NC