Long term storage in the FL Keys

Hey all,
we're going to leave our Dutch Steel Trawler (49') in the keys early January. Figured out the Catamaranboatyard in Key Largo. But this one doesn't have electricity, so keeping the batteries alive and the humidity out will be a challenge.
Does anybody in the forum has any experiences with this facility or any other recommendations to store a heavy boat for a period of six month or longer on the hard? Regards, Jan

Very nice and roomy boat !

Thanks!

I don't have any experience with yards in the keys, but I can help you with the batteries. A medium size panel of 50 watts or so like this one http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-...450821018&sr=8-2&keywords=50+watt+solar+panel and a 6 amp Morningstar controller like this one which is waterproof Morningstar SK 6 SunKeeper 6 amp 12 volt Solar Charge Controller: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific.


Put the panel on your fly bridge arch and run the wiring down to a controller set somewhere out of the weather and then run its output to a cigarette lighter outlet up at the fly bridge.


Should keep your batteries fine forever.


David

djmarchand said:

I don't have any experience with yards in the keys, but I can help you with the batteries. A medium size panel of 50 watts or so like this one http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-...450821018&sr=8-2&keywords=50+watt+solar+panel and a 6 amp Morningstar controller like this one which is waterproof Morningstar SK 6 SunKeeper 6 amp 12 volt Solar Charge Controller: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific.


Put the panel on your fly bridge arch and run the wiring down to a controller set somewhere out of the weather and then run its output to a cigarette lighter outlet up at the fly bridge.


Should keep your batteries fine forever.


David

Click to expand...

+1. Best way to do it.

Interesting

djmarchand said:

I don't have any experience with yards in the keys, but I can help you with the batteries. A medium size panel of 50 watts or so like this one http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-...450821018&sr=8-2&keywords=50+watt+solar+panel and a 6 amp Morningstar controller like this one which is waterproof Morningstar SK 6 SunKeeper 6 amp 12 volt Solar Charge Controller: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific.


Put the panel on your fly bridge arch and run the wiring down to a controller set somewhere out of the weather and then run its output to a cigarette lighter outlet up at the fly bridge.


Should keep your batteries fine forever.


David

Click to expand...

Thank you for good advice. I will look about that !

Try Marathon Boat Yard. They have a 60 ton lift. Give them a call.

Peninsular Marine in Key West should be able to accommodate you. If you're traveling that far maybe Lauderdale Marine Center in the opposite direction would be a better bet. Not much in the Upper Keys for larger boats

The keys are very low , should a hurricane arrive , after a 10 year absence , you can easily loose the vessel.

Afloat or ashore , no difference.

Come on up to central FL and get in a hurricane hole , either in a canal behind someones house , or indoors in a climate controlled bldg.

Here is the big buck option,
River Forest Yachting Center.

www.[B]riverforest[/B]yc.com/


River Forest Yachting Centers provide Florida's discriminating boat owners with luxurious, secure, long-term boat storage. ... River Forest Yachting Centers' Hurricane Club was created to offer boat owners safe ... Moore Haven, FL 33471

FF is right about hurricanes, and the Big O area is a pretty good Hurricane Hole. While he posted the big buc option, this is the working mans place to stay.

I used to call on this place and you had to go around a few cows on the dirt road to get to it, but its safe and secure and the people are real nice and accommodating.

Glades Boat Storage is owned and operated by boaters, do it yourself boat storage, no tides, fresh water

He said he is leaving his boat in January. Hurricane season doesn't start until June. Even so, it isn't "prime time" until August.

I live down here in the Keys full time. Personally, I recommend Marathon Marina Marathon Marina and RV Resort | The Crown Jewel of the Florida Keys (not to be confused with Marathon Boat Yard) for storage and self work. They have a big, big, 75 ton travel lift. My boat is right at about 100,000lbs. They also lifted my buddy's 83 footer. Good friendly staff. If you need skilled labor though then you should go elsewhere.

From talking to numerous people I can tell you the place *not* to go is Catamaran Boat Yard in Key Largo Catamaran Boat Yard If you do, read the fine print on the billing agreement and maybe have a lawyer review the language. Again, this isn't from personal experience, but when you hear the same thing happening to 4 or 5 different people...

Good morning guys,
Thanks a lot for your help and advice. We're going to visit Marathon today and check both sites.

Actually, I was thinking of Marathon marina, where we stayed a few times. But definitely check out both, it's been several years since we were there. I'd agree about the time frame not being a hurricane worry and a regardless, good yard will block the boats well; quiz them on that.

Booked in to Marathon Boatyard cause they have all technicians on site which is for me, being in Europe, better manageable. Thanks to all for the support and Merry Christmas.

That's a beautiful boat; can you tell us more about it? Any pics handy? I love that style.

A lot of people over the years have stopped in Marathon and never left or at least made it their winter home.

Wilco!
Just no WiFi cause anchored in front of Upper Matecumbe Key. Merry Christmas (it's a little different the weather compared to home)

Being an owner of a large and similar trawler as yours, I would not leave my boat in the Florida Keys during or part of the hurricane season.especially unattended.

You should consider moving her up northwards, or as someone suggested in the forum, inland around the lake.

If Florida is a place you want to leave her, north Is your best choice. Jacksonville has many safe up river and inland marinas and are likely less expensive then other south Florida locations. I keep my boat there and I get an insurance discount for being out of the hurricane region from June through November.

Feel free to contact me should you want to get some more detailed information.

I know, but it was a question of time. Today she's going on the hard in Marathon. Thanks for the advice.

Have you called driftwood marina?
I have used them twice for bottom job and repairs and they are the
most reasonable in marathon.

No, did only compare Marina Resort and Boatyard. My main problem is organizing the work to be done cause I am already back in Germany which I hope can better be managed by the Boatyard.

This summer I left Lullabye in the water close to Ortona lock on Caloosahatchee River. Even Irma wasn’t a problem. Been there during the storm and all boats went without any major damage.
Good place during hurricane season! Jan