I have a Bristol 32 here in Maine, and I would like to try living on it this winter. Not being particularly fond of shoveling snow off the deck, I am considering taking it south for the winter.
I am not a big fan of marinas and bright lights, preferring to anchor out and enjoying tranquil settings. At the same time, I do get withdrawal pains when I am without Internet access for a few days.
I have heard some places like Miami, Florida are not particularly friendly to cruising sailboats. Other places you have to rent a mooring at exorbitant fees.
Another factor is that when I row ashore I would like to be within reasonable walking distance of a food store, library etc.
Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with where might be a good place for the winter?
Where to winter?
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JonnyBoats
- Candidate for Boat-Obsession Medal
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I checked out the marina in Brunswick, Georgia, and it looked pretty good. Actually, I drove by with James Baldwin of Atom, whom I paid a visit while I was there, and he and his partner recommended it, after spending some time there living aboard themselves. They were very cordial, by the way, and it was fun to meet them.
No "bright-lights, big-city" for sure, but the library (with lots of Internet computers) is only a few blocks away, in the central downtown. Although the suburban-type strip, with the Wal-Marts, big grocery-stores, etc., is probably a drive away, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find some sort of groceries within walking distance. I think anchoring out might also be an option near the marina - other places there's no shore access (grassy marsh). Sand flies in summer, but probably not in "winter." The marina is non-glossy and not too expensive, as they go.
I also stopped in New Bern, N.C., on a recommendation. It just so happened to have snowed the day before (December last year), but I have a feeling that's pretty rare, and a Mainer would find it quite pleasant year 'round (I'm a Minnesotan, so I can relate). The marina is connected to a Sheraton, which is kind of weird, but I met someone who lived aboard there on a wooden 24-footer, and he assured me it was a good live-aboard community; not snooty at all.
New Bern is a historic district, nicely preserved. Perhaps too perfect if you don't like that type of thing. Brunswick was a bit less so.
Probably lots of other places along there, as others have mentioned, but those are two I've seen, in addition to talking to folks who've lived aboard there.
Savannah looks like a neat place, although I think the marinas are more expensive (Thunderbolt, etc.). I strolled the town for awhile one day but didn't check out the marina(s). Thunderbolt is not right in town; not sure if any are.
I cruised the length of Florida on the ICW a few years ago, and yes, it's not anchor-out friendly for the most part. Vero Beach had moorings ($7 per night, not sure about seasonal rates), and was cruiser friendly if that cost didn't bother you; but anchoring is illegal (don't get me started!).
--- Rachel
PS Sounds like a great plan - I may end up in Brunswick myself, as I've got a brother in Atlanta, just a few hours away.
No "bright-lights, big-city" for sure, but the library (with lots of Internet computers) is only a few blocks away, in the central downtown. Although the suburban-type strip, with the Wal-Marts, big grocery-stores, etc., is probably a drive away, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find some sort of groceries within walking distance. I think anchoring out might also be an option near the marina - other places there's no shore access (grassy marsh). Sand flies in summer, but probably not in "winter." The marina is non-glossy and not too expensive, as they go.
I also stopped in New Bern, N.C., on a recommendation. It just so happened to have snowed the day before (December last year), but I have a feeling that's pretty rare, and a Mainer would find it quite pleasant year 'round (I'm a Minnesotan, so I can relate). The marina is connected to a Sheraton, which is kind of weird, but I met someone who lived aboard there on a wooden 24-footer, and he assured me it was a good live-aboard community; not snooty at all.
New Bern is a historic district, nicely preserved. Perhaps too perfect if you don't like that type of thing. Brunswick was a bit less so.
Probably lots of other places along there, as others have mentioned, but those are two I've seen, in addition to talking to folks who've lived aboard there.
Savannah looks like a neat place, although I think the marinas are more expensive (Thunderbolt, etc.). I strolled the town for awhile one day but didn't check out the marina(s). Thunderbolt is not right in town; not sure if any are.
I cruised the length of Florida on the ICW a few years ago, and yes, it's not anchor-out friendly for the most part. Vero Beach had moorings ($7 per night, not sure about seasonal rates), and was cruiser friendly if that cost didn't bother you; but anchoring is illegal (don't get me started!).
--- Rachel
PS Sounds like a great plan - I may end up in Brunswick myself, as I've got a brother in Atlanta, just a few hours away.
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heartofgold
- Skilled Systems Installer
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Sometime in the last year, I read a very complimentary article about an extremely cruising friendly town inside of Hatteras, Oriental, NC. I can't recall much specific about the article, but it left enough of an impression that I intend to stop there on my way up the east coast one day. It may have been in Cruising World, or it may have been in a cruiser's on line log; I can't recall....
Doug
http://heartofgoldsails.com
"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea."
Karen Blixen
http://heartofgoldsails.com
"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea."
Karen Blixen
Check this site. http://bradsboat.tripod.com/thetravelso ... hgentquot/
He started at oriental and cruised to S. Florida and back.
He started at oriental and cruised to S. Florida and back.
