Nude marinas...

[RJandJessica]

Just kidding, but trying to get some help here on our upcomming transition from land living to living aboard. <br /><br />On the subject of marinas, though...all of you helpful people on this board who may have knowledge of the gulf of Mexico, WHERE would you head and why if you wanted to find a warm, reasonably priced marina that allowed liveaboards and was a 'nice' part of the country. We are literally getting in our Jeep, pulling our small trailer with the necessities and heading south in just over a month when the house deal closes, and will be looking for a boat to buy and a marina to live on it in. <br /><br />Before anyone says it's a crazy way to start out, it's just the way it's happening...and it's been a dream/plan for a long time. It would be MOST appreciated if any of you would take a minute and give your thoughts on where you would head if YOU were just starting on this adventure. It's not like we have all the time in the world to drive to more than a couple places to pick a boat/marina...so having a couple locations in mind would help.<br /><br />One way or the other, though, here we come...<br /><br />RJ and Jessica<br /><br />NewtsThoughts@aol.com

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: Nude marinas...

It's a great idea and one that I am planning to do in about a year. Difference is, I have the boat. The hole that I see in your plans is that you haven't done the leg work to find a boat. If you pull up stakes and are pressed to buy the boat quickly, you will surely deplete a lot of your kitty with unforseen repairs and such. You should do considerable shopping for the boat first with the geographic area in mind that you will live and find a boat that is suitable for you close by. Always get the boat and the engine surveyed by a professional to lessen your expenses after the purchase. I hope you have been studying and learning about living aboard. I suggest that you join the Live-aboard email list. You can join by The Live-Aboard List by sending a "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" request in the body of a message to: live-aboard-request@crux.astro.utoronto.ca There are many members living aboard and others like me planning and preparing. You can visit their archives at Live-aboard archives <br /><br />As far as where to live...the wife and I spent a few weeks driving Florida's east and west coast and decided that the Atlantic side was for us. Jacksonville provides many live-aboard marinas. It appeals to us because of the ability to cruise the east coast ICW, the St. Johns River N to S and also Lake Okeechobee and the canal system that allows you to cross the southern tip of Florida E to W to the Gulf. St. Augustine is another great place to live. If you like the gulf there are literally hundreds of live-aboard marinas and a simple search on the net will name them. As far as good or bad, the folks actually living there can give you that information. Ask them first how they feel about the marina before deciding where you new home will be. Most live-aboards are laid back and willing to talk to anyone who stops by....or lends a hand with the lines.<br /><br />Good luck and see you on the water.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Nude marinas...

CAPT BOB gave some EXCELLANT ADVICE..<br />'specially the part about 'sellin'-the-farm',, drivin' down & findin' a marina & buyin'a boat for the next night's sleep..<br /><br />i would leisurely drive down to florida on the mid-gulf coast & leisurely get and apartment for six months/year .. and leisurely find everythin' you want.. <br /><br />that's the way-to-do-it...

 

[naughtybynature]

Re: Nude marinas...

just to keep things interesting though.... if anyone has info on nude marinas... please post! the wife would sure appreciate it. thanks folks, and have a wood day.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Nude marinas...

Found this site totally by accident when doing web searches: http://www.bareboating.com <br /><br />BL...

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Nude marinas...

Almost 30 years ago, my wife and I answered an ad. "Wanted. Crew for extended cruising... Share expenses."<br /><br />We moved into our car (1970 Ford Bronco) and traveled across country - from Oregon to NY - to see if we could get the position. We did.<br /><br />Moral = If you worry about getting ALL your ducks in a row, they'll probably die of old age before you think you're ready.

 

[RJandJessica]

Re: Nude marinas...

So far, thanks for the advice! Captain Bob/Crab Bait...we totally agree with all you say as to what is the recommended way to begin this journey. Without going into too much detail and boring the board, it just 'ain't' going to work that-a-way.<br /><br />As far as doing our 'leg work' on finding a boat, within our limited budget, that's what we've been working on diligently for nearly a year now online and with a recent drive down to the Florida panhandle. We also have boats here in Lake Michigan, several of which we have looked at to get ideas from. A question we tried to ask a couple days ago...about Trojans...never got an answer. They seem to have the room we'll need, etc., though we are also considering a sail boat for the 'cost to operate' factor. We fully intend to get a proper survey before we buy, and hopefully, with the help of those of you already out there with boats or the knowledge of them, we will have a somewhat solid idea of what's good to go with and what to steer clear of.<br /><br />The 'rent an apartment for 6 months or a year' idea is great except for one thing...minimum cost, just for rent, would estimate at 6K ($500 a month). It just doesn't fit into the budget, not to mention (and yes, we've been warned of the hassles of having dogs on board) the two rotts we own that are coming with us. Try and pry her 'kids' away from my wife...ain't happenin'. Most apartments won't rent to us with them anyway, so a tent at a state park or similar is the way we plan to take up any slack in getting to the location time and finding the 'right' boat time. This would also give us the freedom to travel a bit if we needed to to find the right area to live in and look at more boats without having to move out of an apartment.<br /><br />In other words, we have limited funds...we have NO option other than to head south with cash in hand, find a boat (hopefully for sale by owner or an honest broker with a good deal) and armed with the information we have garnered from the web so far and what we HOPE to learn from some of you folks on here, we'll buy the one that 'feels right'.<br /><br />Nick in Spartanburg...I could hug ya, man! YOU are the first person who has posted anything positive to any of our inquiries, and while we do truly appreciate hearing of the risks and negatives that we could face in our move to living aboard, we REALLY needed your kind words.<br /><br />Like I said, ready or not, here we come...just please, anyone, some more ideas as to where good places to look might be (the East Coast of Florida HAS sounded perhaps better lately than the gulf, or maybe the New Orleans area or Texas if Florida is too pricey), maybe some information on the Trojans if anyone has knowledge of them, etc., etc. I've seen people on this board rally to other poster's aid before and I'm sure everyone has at least some bit of info to send our way.<br /><br />Many thanks in advance...<br /><br />RJ and Jessic***

 

[wallygator36]

Re: Nude marinas...

Beaufort NC is a great place...... but the nude thing wont fly...( Blackbeards home Port)

 

[Solittle]

Re: Nude marinas...

Well you stirred up the imagination a bit. While I live in Miami, Fl (escaped the cold weather 44 years ago) my wife and I have often talked about selling the house and going the live aboard route.<br /><br />A couple things come to mind for you to consider.<br /><br />1. I would spend most of my energy looking for the "ideal boat" and not where home base is going to be. You can always cast off move to the next horizon.<br /><br />2. As for boats I would not focus on one brand such as the Trojan. I would look for a shallow draft (Florida and Gulf water is shallow in many places) single screw (no problem with twins), diesel powered trawler in the 38-42' range. Diesels tend not to break, last forever and are very easy on fuel. Less than 38' with wife and dogs will have you runnin in to each other every two minutes. Over 42' and it my be tough to handle.<br /><br />3. When I have looked for a boat in the past 30 years I try to find one that has all of the features I am looking for but looks real ratty. I look for "the deal," an owner who wants to get out from under quik, perhaps with an engine problem (but relatively easy for me to fix). No matter how you are tempted I would stick to my guns and get a survey even if it meant walking away from what you might think is a deal of a lifetime. Some of those deals may in fact be the deal of a lifetime but there are many tales of woe that sink the pocket book if not the boat.<br /><br />4. Were I to go on a search today I would hit the Florida central east or west coast. I would try to find the situation where the owners are elderly or one has passed on and they want out quick. These areas of Florida have the highest concentration of such folks. Before I left to head south I would spend every waking moment on the internet surfing and gathering info.<br /><br />Wish it were us - - might be in three years.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Nude marinas...

you play your guitar on that MTV, I aint Joking thats the way ya do it, we got to load these Micro wave ovens, we got to install these T.Vs Look at that MOMMA she's sticken it the middle yeah buddy that his own hair! look at tha F@#$et he's got his own jet air plane!<br /><br />your turn Crabby

 

[Navigator]

Re: Nude marinas...

I would say a good starting point for your search should be the lower south west coast of Florida, around Ft. Myers / Cape Coral area. It is an area with a high percentage of elderly population who's dream was to move to florida and buy a boat. Now they're looking to sell them. Really, the area is pretty laid back but is growing. <br /><br />As for Marinas, I'm not familiar with many since I am a "trailer Sailer" myself. I would recommend searching for marinas around Pine Island sound. The area is not highly populated, but there are some good marinas for a nightly tie up. Plus, you are only an hours run down to Sanibel, or Up to Charlotte Harbor where the Tarpon tournaments are. Port Charlotte is another area, probably one of the last areas that hasn't been over run by condos and developers. You might find an inexpensive marina there as well.<br /><br />If you are more inclined to go farther north, The Hudson area north of Tampa isn't bad either. Once again, the urban sprawl hasn't reached there yet...well, not too much. Farther North is Crystal River and the big bend area, with Cedar Key. Crystal river is gorgeous but its a pretty popular place due to the manatee santuary in the winter months. Cedar Key is nice if you are looking for something a bit remote and "quaint".<br /><br />You never really mentioned what kind of area you are looking for, but if you have a preference, let us know.<br /><br />Good Luck, and I wish it were ME!!!!<br /><br />Nav

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: Nude marinas...

Forget boat brands and find one that floats and goes. A Trojan with a blistered or rotten hull is not what you want but one with a good bottom and runs well is. <br />A 30' boat is going to cost you at least $10 a ft per month = $300 + liveaboard fee $75 + $50 electric = $425 for the marina and then add on boat repair/maintenance costs = ???????? This is on the low side. <br />If there is not $500 in the budget for monthly rent??? Do either of you plan to work? No problem finding a boat for just about any costs but we can't preselect a boat here when you have a limited budget and are set on buying on the fly. That is what you will have to do.<br /><br />Keep in mind, some marina's frown on wood boats, steel boats, uninsured boats, project boats and dogs.<br />Good luck.