How great is the Florida boating through the winter?
09-02-2018, 03:52 AM
#1
How great is the Florida boating through the winter?
Looking at storage for me locally it isn’t much different than indoor storage in south Florida for the winter. Flights to lauderdale are under 300 bucks a person round trip. Is there something I’m missing? Why haven’t I done this in the past?
Charter Member
09-02-2018, 06:53 AM
#3
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We keep the boat in Cape Coral during the winter and I'll be honest even though the boat is 1000 miles away we use it more down there than we do in the summer.
09-05-2018, 07:37 AM
#5
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It is great. I keep the boat on the lift behind my parents house in st pete beach. I fly down direct on allegiant for as little as $100 round trip, get picked up at the airport, then never drive a car the whole time I’m there.
The only problem is that it’s windy in the winter. You need a big boat or to be in area with more protected water.
The only problem is that it’s windy in the winter. You need a big boat or to be in area with more protected water.
09-05-2018, 07:57 AM
#6
Gold Member
Gold Member
What size is your boat? Where do you fly out of?
If you are looking at Delray Beach or somewhere near west palm beach, Gateway Marina and Palm Beach Yacht Center are very affordable. But as people said, you have to hurry. Gateway is full during the summer unless you are willing to do outside and rack store.
If you are looking at Delray Beach or somewhere near west palm beach, Gateway Marina and Palm Beach Yacht Center are very affordable. But as people said, you have to hurry. Gateway is full during the summer unless you are willing to do outside and rack store.
09-05-2018, 08:31 AM
#7
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I am looking at doing the same thing. Taking the boat from Miami to Key West in November and then plan on leaving it there for the winter. Thinking Cape Coral / FT Meyers area.
09-05-2018, 09:49 AM
#8
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Boating in Florida in the winter is awesome. It is very different than inland lake boating, so make sure you have a good chart plotter and follow the channel markers. What looks like it could be wide open water is likely only a foot deep other than the marked channels.
09-05-2018, 01:31 PM
#9
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
I have been doing this for 8 years now and it is awesome. I am on the west coast of FL in Sarasota. Indoor storage is $500/month on my trailer ($100 additional for your truck) and I am right next to Innovation Marine for all my service work. When you figure the cost of winterizing, shrinkwrap and/or indoor storage, dewinterizing including full detail and demildew, etc. at Northeast prices, Florida is actually cheaper. The only added cost (both time and money) is the trucking it down and back. I try to piggyback a poker run or event with those times to make a fun trip / vacation. It is great to have the boat available to use all winter long!
