I recall when you asked this last year...

Posted By: Jim B., wandering around
Date: 7/13/08 6:32p.m.

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In Response To: liveaboard in fl (bob)

We had just spent the winter in the Florida Keys, living aboard our 25' boat. Here's what I wrote to you August, 07: << We spent the winter in the Keys. I would recommend picking up a cruising guide for any area you'll be in (as well as the appropriate charts); a good cruising guide will tell you about places to anchor, where to get supplies, what to watch for (and watch out for), as well as info about marinas. Southern Waterways and Managing the Waterway (there's an edition for the Keys and for the East Coast) are the ones we used. Now, specifically about the marinas... they were not inexpensive in Florida. In the Keys, you will be lucky to find $2/foot, most seemed to be higher. Some have minimum footage, but they will be happy to take your smaller boat as long as you pay the minimum. Some charge extra for electricity and water. Each one is different, so it's nice to have the guides so you can call ahead. One marina in Key West was charging $4/foot + $9 for power + 25¢ per gallon for water, with a 30 foot minimum. Did I mention that we spent more time at anchor than in marinas? Some places charge to tie up your dinghy. If you like resort-type places, they will be pricey. If you are willing to be in a working boatyard, you may find it costs less. You may be at an advantage with a smaller boat. Sometimes marinas will have slips that are close in that the bigger boats can't use. Be flexible, have an alternative. There are state parks in the Keys that you can anchor near and use their showers and rest rooms. Plenty of good shallow areas where you can get protection to anchor. Another alternative to look for in the Keys could be a motel or cabins with water access... they will sometimes have a ramp and/or dock and a place to park your tow vehicle. We did a LOT of walking/taxi/bus in the Keys; having a vehicle handy would have been nice. I don't mean to sound like your Mother, but watch the weather closely - those afternoon thunderstorms can come up quick in the summer. Northers blow in for several days at a time during the winter. I probably don't even need to mention what can happen this time of year. But mostly have fun and keep us posted. HTH >> --------------------- So, can you spend the winter in the Keys on your SunCat? Depends on you. I don't think I could... I know I'd be doing it alone, 'cause the Blonde for sure wouldn't. We needed all the creature comforts our C-Dory could provide, and even then there were times that felt too small. For extended time aboard, I want room to stand up and put on my pants... heat at the push of a button... a hot shower... electricity on demand... a large cockpit enclosure to keep out the chilly weather (and, yes, it gets chilly in the Keys in the winter). We had neighbors (2 guys) who lived aboard a Catalina 22 all winter; we ran into them several times besides Boot Key Harbor. So, if YOU think you can, then it's worth a shot. Here are some things that would help make it easier: * Keep a vehicle somewhere in the Keys (the marina a Boot Key would be ideal) - you'll need it to get groceries, do laundry, etc. We didn't have a vehicle, so we hoofed it, took the bus, or a cab. Everything we needed to do (like the aforementioned laundry, shopping, etc) took a day... and a lot of walking... and a dinghy. * A dinghy. As mentioned above... there are places where you will anchor out and the only option is a dinghy dock. There is a boat shuttle at Boot Key, but not at any other out of the way anchorages all over the keys. You WILL need a dinghy. Getting water... dumping your porta-potty... finding a restaurant... going to take a shower. * Go ashore a lot. There were times when the weather was too crappy to leave the boat (as in: wind howling, boats dragging anchor, someone on anchor watch all the time). A SunCat will get REALLY small during those times. Go ashore, meet the local folks, mix it up with other livaboards. * The Cruising Guides mentioned above. They will tell you the good places to anchor, what is available on shore, marina facilities, etc, etc. * Good foul weather gear. You'll need it to get from the boat, dinghying to the dock and back. Even in January and February, there will be some warm days... and there will be some WET, COLD days. Some kind of reliable heat on the boat will be essential, too. * Money. Many places in the Keys charge for their dinghy dock ($5-6 per day), so you will have to pay something, even if you are anchoring out. Boot Key Harbor was installing mooring balls and there was talk of them not allowing anchoring, but requiring you to pay for a mooring. I have no idea if this ever came to pass. You will need groceries, want to hit up a bar or restaurant on occasion. Nothing in the Keys is cheap, but it is worth it because it's the KEYS! We found plenty of decent places to anchor all over the Keys... but sitting on the boat all day isn't much fun... you have to go ashore to do Keysie stuff, and that takes some $$$. Groceries weren't cheap. Marinas certainly weren't cheap. * Good anchors. We used an appropriate size Delta as our main anchor and a Danforth and a Fortress as second/back-ups. When a norther blows in and you aren't tied off to a dock, you will be happy that you hauled plenty of ground tackle along. 50' of chain. Oh, and don't anchor in the sea grass or near the coral - big fines for messing up any of that stuff. So... as I said, it depends on you and what you find acceptable. Is your apartment bigger than 30 square feet? I'm guessing that's on the high side of the SunCat cabin. Can you fit what you need for food, clothing, cooking gear, potty, stores, and YOU in that space? For several months? If all you do is sit in your boat, it would be pretty miserable from my perspective. But if you sail around, find neat places to anchor, get off the boat an go see stuff, meet other people (someone with a bigger boat who will invite you over for supper ), and keep a sense of humor and a spirit of adventure, you will have an interesting winter. Be prepared to hear, "You're staying all winter in THAT???" (We heard that plenty with our "mini-motoryacht" - the term the boat shuttle driver used to describe our boat.) Beats being in the frozen northland. Best wishes, Jim B.