Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-11-2013, 06:38 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Lobstah's Avatar
 
City: Bucksport, Maine
Vessel Name: T/T Whistful
Vessel Model: Boat US 12' Inflatable
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 242
Tampa-South live aboard marinas?

Been awhile since I've been on the forum, but things are finally starting to gel.
Looks like we'll be moving down to Florida from Mass in the Feb/Mar timeframe.
As soon as our house sells, we'll be in the market for our next boat, likely to be a 43-44' trawler.
We'd like to take a swing at living aboard for awhile, and am looking for suggestions on marinas on Florida's West coast. I know that some marinas don't take live-aboards, so thought I'd start my search here...

Tia,

Jim
Lobstah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2013, 06:46 PM   #2
Guru
 
Moonstruck's Avatar
 
City: Hailing Port: Charleston, SC
Vessel Name: Moonstruck
Vessel Model: Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,276
Take a look at this one in Bradenton. I like it.

Gulf Coast Resort Marina | Bradenton FL | Twin Dolphin Marina
__________________
Don on Moonstruck
Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
When cruising life is simpler, but on a grander scale (author unknown)
https://moonstruckblog.wordpress.com/
Moonstruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2013, 09:20 PM   #3
Guru
 
Moonstruck's Avatar
 
City: Hailing Port: Charleston, SC
Vessel Name: Moonstruck
Vessel Model: Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,276
Here's one at St. Pete that I like very much.

Our Rates
__________________
Don on Moonstruck
Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
When cruising life is simpler, but on a grander scale (author unknown)
https://moonstruckblog.wordpress.com/
Moonstruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2013, 04:37 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Lobstah's Avatar
 
City: Bucksport, Maine
Vessel Name: T/T Whistful
Vessel Model: Boat US 12' Inflatable
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 242
Thanks Moonstruck...we will definitely check those out. We'll be renting an apartment down there until our home in Mass sells, so we'll have some time to poke around...can't wait for this adventure to begin.

Jim
Lobstah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2013, 05:46 AM   #5
Guru
 
timjet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,920
We currently reside at Twin Dolphins on the Manatee river, the first one Moonstruck mentioned. It's very nice with good access to all the good cruising in and around Tampa Bay as well as south.

We were 2 years at Loggerhead located in South St. Petersburg. There are going through some construction currently, but it is a nice facility and has probably one of the cheapest covered slips around.

Riveria Dunes and Regatta Pointe also on the Manatee River are excellent choices. If you like floating docks Regatta Pointe & Loggerhead have none, Riveria Dunes has all floating, and Twin Dolphins has mostly floating. All allow live aboards and I can say from experience Twin Dolphins has an active and social live aboard community, but probably so do the others with the exception of Loggerhead which does not have very many slips and most are currently vacant probably due to the construction.

If you had asked this question 5 years ago you would not have been able to get into any of these marinas and probably would have been put on a 2 year waiting list. I believe all have slips available.

The marinas around downtown St. Pete would require a several mile cruise to join the ICW. The marinas on the Manatee river are all located about 5 miles from the ICW but I think the cruise on the wide Manatee is more interesting than dodging commercial traffic getting to the ICW from the downtown St. Pete marinas. Just my opinion.
__________________
Tim
Tampa Bay
Carver 355 ACMY Twin Cummins Diesels Sold
timjet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2013, 06:09 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Lobstah's Avatar
 
City: Bucksport, Maine
Vessel Name: T/T Whistful
Vessel Model: Boat US 12' Inflatable
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 242
Thanks Tim...great info. So much to learn, and so different from NH where we kept our last trawler. We were on the Piscataqua River, which frequently ran over 6knts of current, and there was no such thing as a covered slip, and ALL docks were floating, given the 8-11' tides.

Are covered slips worth it? Are floating docks really a requirement?

Needless to say, Southern boating is quite a bit different.

Jim
Lobstah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2013, 07:33 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
City: Great Lakes
Vessel Name: NONE
Vessel Model: NONE
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 448
Aside from the recent murders there, based on "my own" personal experiences I would not recommend the South StPete's Logge r head marina. They do have reasonable covered slips as Tim indicated but some might not like the fact that the back of the slips is essentially the embankment for the highway directly above. There are lots of slips available though, it was empty two years ago and it's still empty.

The wife & I really liked St Petes municipal but the two tiered pricing for non-residents puts it well out of reach for us.
Capt Kangeroo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2013, 07:47 AM   #8
Guru
 
Vashon_Trawler's Avatar
 
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
Loggerhead Marina in St. Petersburg definitely has a few live aboards (I've seen them personally) although their website suggests they do not permit them.

I've been spoiled with floating docks. I live an hour plus away and cannot readily check my lines. Floating docks offer peace of mind. Covered slips are definitely worth the added expense--much cooler and easier on the boat. Only drawback is the noise and bird droppings.

You are correct about southern boating. Here in the Florida west coast, you really have to watch the shallows. It is quite easy to run aground if you venture of the ICW and have a 4+ draft. My northern friends always joke that you can walk 3 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico--continental shelves is an unfamiliar concept for me! Boating North of Tarpon Springs is interesting. The waters are shallow and rocks are plentiful. Last year, I boated off Hernando Beach and will never return. I was always afraid of slamming into a rock with my modest 3' 3" draft.
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
Vashon_Trawler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2013, 07:53 AM   #9
Guru
 
Vashon_Trawler's Avatar
 
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt Kangeroo View Post
Aside from the recent murders there, based on "my own" personal experiences I would not recommend the South StPete's Logge r head marina. They do have reasonable covered slips as Tim indicated but some might not like the fact that the back of the slips is essentially the embankment for the highway directly above. There are lots of slips available though, it was empty two years ago and it's still empty.

The wife & I really liked St Petes municipal but the two tiered pricing for non-residents puts it well out of reach for us.
Good point about Loggerhead Marina but it does offer good protection. Rates are very reasonable although the covered slips are limited in availability. Unfortunately though, they are building condos on site and there is a lot of construction going on.

The murder you mention was a friend of the owner. I believe he was a caretaker of their boat--very sad. It was not a case of someone wandering on site.
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
Vashon_Trawler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2013, 09:10 AM   #10
Guru
 
timjet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,920
Jim, you won't have to deal with 6 kt currents anywhere in FL.
Covered slips are great and we were in one at Loggerhead. But it's not the only consideration and we left Loggerhead mostly to just try something new.

My wife won't stay at a marina without floating docks, but many folks are happy with fixed docks.

If you want to stay in or around St Pete there are other choices not mentioned here, have fun looking.

Incidentally, I never felt not safe at Loggerhead however it is located in a not so good area and there is no gated entrances.
The water entrance to Loggerhead requires passage under a I-275 bridge with 20' clearance, thus no sail boats.
__________________
Tim
Tampa Bay
Carver 355 ACMY Twin Cummins Diesels Sold
timjet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2013, 08:33 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Lobstah's Avatar
 
City: Bucksport, Maine
Vessel Name: T/T Whistful
Vessel Model: Boat US 12' Inflatable
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 242
Quote:
Originally Posted by timjet View Post
Jim, you won't have to deal with 6 kt currents anywhere in FL.
Covered slips are great and we were in one at Loggerhead. But it's not the only consideration and we left Loggerhead mostly to just try something new.

My wife won't stay at a marina without floating docks, but many folks are happy with fixed docks.

If you want to stay in or around St Pete there are other choices not mentioned here, have fun looking.

Incidentally, I never felt not safe at Loggerhead however it is located in a not so good area and there is no gated entrances.
The water entrance to Loggerhead requires passage under a I-275 bridge with 20' clearance, thus no sail boats.
20' sounds like it could be kind of tight...on our 34' Marine Trader Whistful, I always asked for 22 when requesting a bridge opening. I knew that was more than I needed...just didn't know how MUCH more it was Since we're looking in the 42-44' range for this boat, that could be a problem.

Jim
Lobstah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2013, 07:39 AM   #12
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
Fishermans Cove is a favorite for those that want to be more southern .

The City Marina at FT Meyers has liveaboards , and you are right downtown , no need for a car for most entertainment.

IF you can walk home from a resturant you will not be limited to 1 beer or 1 glass of wine.
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 11:03 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Lobstah's Avatar
 
City: Bucksport, Maine
Vessel Name: T/T Whistful
Vessel Model: Boat US 12' Inflatable
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 242
Another quick question regarding live aboards and this area...

What do you folks do when a hurricane is heading your way?
Obviously stow all gear etc...strip canvas...
But do you get hauled?...or just double up on lines and hope for the best?
How much damage do marinas sustain during major storms?

Jim
Lobstah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 11:36 AM   #14
Guru
 
Vashon_Trawler's Avatar
 
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
My wife and were talking about this matter yesterday as hauling for a hurricane is covered under my boat insurance. Loggerhead claims they could store my boat in high and dry in their hurricane rated storage although they haven't seen my boat our of water and its deep hull. I made Loggerhead my permanent home yesterday and it seems quite protected compared to other marinas I've visited. If a hurricane approaches, I plan to remove all gear, adjust/check lines, and hope for the best! Having lived in Florida all my life, I'm mostly concerned about the tidal surges.
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
Vashon_Trawler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 11:59 AM   #15
Guru
 
Off Duty's Avatar
 
City: Tampa
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 844
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lobstah View Post
Another quick question regarding live aboards and this area...
What do you folks do when a hurricane is heading your way?
Obviously stow all gear etc...strip canvas...
But do you get hauled?...or just double up on lines and hope for the best?
How much damage do marinas sustain during major storms?
Jim
Really depends on the storm. The wind speeds, duration, tornadoes spawned from the event, etc. Too many variables IMO.

I've seen the aftermath of many hurricanes in Florida and some of the neighboring states. Some Marinas and their vessels came out ok, others were devastated. Even hauling out and into a "hurricane rated" storage, isn't going to guarantee your vessels survival if things go to heck in a hand basket. Take a weather event like Andrew, Katrina, or one the size and strength of the last typhoon that hit the Philippines and all bets are off.

Take anything you don't want to lose or can't replace, do what you need to do (lines/haul out...???) and hope for the best.

OD
Off Duty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 12:23 PM   #16
Guru
 
Moonstruck's Avatar
 
City: Hailing Port: Charleston, SC
Vessel Name: Moonstruck
Vessel Model: Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,276
The Florida West Coast below the Panhandle doesn't get many hurricanes. In my experience the tidal surge is less that the East Coast or the Panhandle. Hurricane Charlie was a surprise in that it made an abrupt right turn crossing Little Captiva Island effectively cutting it in two. Then it went on the wreck havoc on Punta Gorda. This is not saying that it can't happen, but does so infrequently. The northwest side of the hurricane is where the tidal surge is usually the worst. Above the Franklin Lock on the Caloosahatchee is a great hurricane hole.
__________________
Don on Moonstruck
Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
When cruising life is simpler, but on a grander scale (author unknown)
https://moonstruckblog.wordpress.com/
Moonstruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 01:25 PM   #17
Guru
 
Off Duty's Avatar
 
City: Tampa
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 844
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moonstruck View Post
The Florida West Coast below the Panhandle doesn't get many hurricanes. In my experience the tidal surge is less that the East Coast or the Panhandle. Hurricane Charlie was a surprise in that it made an abrupt right turn crossing Little Captiva Island effectively cutting it in two. Then it went on the wreck havoc on Punta Gorda. This is not saying that it can't happen, but does so infrequently. The northwest side of the hurricane is where the tidal surge is usually the worst. Above the Franklin Lock on the Caloosahatchee is a great hurricane hole.
Very true. We've been very fortunate in that regard.
Charlie, Francis and Jean (IIRC?) were the three that came in back to back. I worked all three of those...

Then there was the No Name Storm that hit Pinellas County out of nowhere a few years back. Not a hurricane, but it did a good bit of damage because no one saw it coming, so no one was prepared.

There was Donna back in the 60's as I recall. I was a kid back then, but I recall some damage from it.

Most everything else seems to approach from the Atlantic side from about Daytona to Dade County, or skirt us all together, resulting in some tidal surge, wind and rain...and occasionally a few tornadoes.

FWIW, it seems the Panhandle (Panama City, Pensacola and the areas from the Big bend West, seem to be in the sights more than any place else from storms coming up the Gulf.

Just my buck fiddy...

I pray our luck and good fortune holds true.

OD
Off Duty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 04:01 PM   #18
Newbie
 
City: Fair Haven
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
We keep our boat at Calusa Island Marina by Marco Island. I have a 40' sailboat with a 62' mast (looking for a trawler). They have both fixed and floating docks. The fixed are $300 and the floating docks are $375 plus metered electric. The floaters have pump outs at each well plus wi-fi. We are just 85 nautical miles from Key West for a fun week.
huey2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 04:22 PM   #19
Newbie
 
Les Meds's Avatar
 
City: palmetto fl
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
Riviera Dunes Marina in Palmetto takes live aboards but not sail boats due to the bridge and sail boats not able to get to the marina. It has a fuel dock, pump out boat and a restaurant/bar. Adult pool and a family pool. My husband and i love it there1
Les Meds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2013, 05:50 AM   #20
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
Folks that like their boats make Hurricane Hole reservations , way ahead of time , as it amounts to paying at least a $1000 for 6 months at a well protected dock you may never use.

Other folks simply abandon the boat to chance , and a few hope to sell it to the insurance co.
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012