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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?
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Nov-May is the best time of the year to boat in FL, IMHO......
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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.
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If your looking for rack storage you better start looking asap.
Not ez to find. |
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. |
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. |
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.
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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.
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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!
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I keep 3 boats at Brand X Marine in Pompano Beach Fl. Off the water a couple of miles so corrosive air is not an issue. Also not an issue when high winds are present.
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Typically blowing OCT, NOV, DEC, JAN, FEB, with flat days only 24 hours before each cold front. Still beats the hell out of winter though. My favorite time is summer JUL & AUG when it is hot as hell but the water is usually pretty calm.
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Originally Posted by phil_p999
(Post 4647409)
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.
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Originally Posted by Cash Bar
(Post 4647522)
Phil, give me a call about the KW stuff and we can talk about winter options.
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Originally Posted by DirtyMoney
(Post 4647488)
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Originally Posted by hogie roll
(Post 4647392)
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. |
Originally Posted by Keith Atlanta
(Post 4647396)
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. |
Originally Posted by lucky strike
(Post 4646900)
If your looking for rack storage you better start looking asap.
Not ez to find. |
We boat all winter in a 33 Deep Impact with a 4 year old on board. This past winter was relatively calm when we were down there.
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April and May are 2-5 foot depending on the day due to the gulfstream and wind. Unless there is a storm the rest of the year is usually reasonable. If it is a crappy day outside, go on a tour of the intercoastal. The ICWW doesnt suck. I am sure if you had snow up north a day barhopping on the intercoastal would be better...
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Originally Posted by DirtyMoney
(Post 4647488)
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I also recommend Brand X for the East Coast.
For the West Coast - I keep mine here (right next to Innovation Marine and Sarasota Airport): https://www.eagleoverwatch.com/ |
I have a 32 fountain, think they will only charge me for 27 feet? :ernaehrung004:
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Originally Posted by Wildman_grafix
(Post 4647793)
I have a 32 fountain, think they will only charge me for 27 feet? :ernaehrung004:
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27’ fountain to bimini in the winter does not compute. |
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