Displeasure with Southwest Florida Cruising Expense
Well for the first time in nine years of cruising I finally made it to South West Florida, very quickly realizing two unpleasant facts:
1) The cost of staying at marinas is roughly twice (and sometimes thrice) what it is on the East Coast ICW. They have all kinds of hidden charges – liveaboard fees, up front deposits said to be “returnable”, high electricity charges, extra cost for “amenities”, insurance and the like.
2) No matter where you go you are likely to run aground, sometimes even inside the marina! So having SeaTow or BoatsUS insurance is a must. Cruising therefore is much more stressful than say in Chesapeake Bay.
But of course it is true that winter temperatures are much higher than anywhere north of Orlando.
Cap’n Parky
We’ve been cruising to Mangrove Marina for many years; the rates WERE reasonable, dockmates were (and still are) very friendly, and the location is excellent.
NOW, we find rates have gone up after we made reservations, electric is no longer included in the dock rate (they now charge $85/month for 30 amp electric), a swimming pool is only partly completed and is best for mosquito farmers, the “food truck” hasn’t been opened at all since we’ve been here, income seems to be not used at all for maintenance and improvements, parking space has been reduced, and the bathroom/showers haven’t been cleaned in the past few days.
Ardelle Pearsall
Comments from Cruisers (1)
Depends on what kind of vessel you’re going in…especially your draft