Marina lodging questions

[John Blazy]

I'm a newbie to much of the marina life though not new to boating, and am considering trailering my electric glass-bottom boat to the Crystal River in FL to see the manatees and other wildlife. I also plan to design the canopy in my boat to be enclosed for sleeping in, and was curious what the going rates are these days to overnight in a marina slip, and what you get with the cost. Do most have shower access? What kind of things should I have besides a camping "checklist" of items like money and TP?. Any suggestions of certain places in the Crystal River area? We plan to go all over.

Thanks a ton - JB

[Art Read]

Relax. A marina is really just a "hotel" with communal bathrooms/showers where you bring your own "room". Need electricity? Plug on in! Cable, telephone or internet access? Laundry? Fresh water? No Problem! (At least at most places anywhere near civilization, and many that aren't...)

Bars, restaraunts, grocery stores and the like will "probably" be within walking distance. (And most, near marinas, will give you a lift back with your stuff, if you just ask...)

If this "disappoints" you somehow, never fear. I'm sure you can also find an out of the way, back creek type, "Mom and Pop" operation that offers no amenities at all. Probabably even have rotting docks! But be careful. "Mom and Pop" will probably invite you in for dinner and then lend you their car keys for the night... ;)

(Oh... Figure to pay about $.75 - $2.00 per foot per night depending on how "high rent" an area you stop for the night... Bring lots of quarters for showers and laundry but leave your TP on the boat. They'll have plenty... ;) )

[John Blazy]

Thanks Art!!! Just the kind of relaxing response I thought I'd get. It seemed to make sense that boaters would create this kind of environment - just dint know for sure.

[Concordia..41]

Well, might I suggest:

http://crystalriver.fws.gov/

According to the 1999 edition of the Southern Waterway Guide (2002 is on the boat and I'll update this post when I can remember to grab it), the only transient marina on the Crystal River is Pete's Pier Marina. Googling for Pete's Pier brought up this:

http://www.citrusrealestate.com/marinas.htm

It's nothing but phone numbers, but what the heck, it lists some other marinas.

Dave says with a shallow draft boat you can go from the Twin Rivers Marina (http://www.safemooring.com/Florida_Big_Bend_Coast210.html) down the Salt River almost all the way to Homosassa Springs. The twin rivers being the Salt and the Crystal, and the marina is right at their juncture.

Other marina listings (http://www.safemooring.com/Florida_Big_Bend_Coast.html)

A good read (http://www.lifeadventures.com/manatees.htm)

And then there's the obligatory trip to St. Augustine smile.gif (http://www.staugustinechamber.com/visitor/visitor1.cfm)

[ 03-17-2003, 09:40 PM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]

[John Blazy]

Thanks so much Margo !!! Those sites are ones I had not seen yet. Very helpful. Can't wait to blow this sun-and-clearwater-forsaken place next winter. Its a little embarrassing to be building a glass-bottomed boat in an area where ALL the waters have a 2" visibility. Michigan in the summers and FL in winters I guess.

I have been reading all of your site about your Concordia, and was gripped by the drama behind its purchase. You and Dave sound like a real fun team. Tricia (my wife) and I are almost this way. She loves to epoxy and loves wetting out fiberglass, and now she wants to build a Giraffe in epoxy over chickenwire. She can't wait til I epoxy/glass the whole bottom of my new boat. Did you ever go with Honey Teak as a finish? I still plan to put on one of these two-part finishes (or 5YC or Bristol), just so I can spray it and rub it out well.
Thanks - JB

[Concordia..41]

Glad to help :D

I used Honey Teak one time in an "emergency" type situation - four days to wood and "boat show prepare" a cockpit with a zillion linear feet of trim. I'll fish out some pictures if you want. I was extremely pleased with the product's application and the way the owner of the company practically stayed on the phone with me through the whole process. Bad news is the boat is long gone and I have no feedback on whether or not it lived up to the durability claims.

[NormMessinger]

The trouble with marinas is the stinkpottin' plastic company yer boat has to keep.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid22/p4a84dcc9716d27bcf14a40778c4350f1/fda995b6.jpg
Otherwise what they say about facilities holds true even in South Dakota.

[Concordia..41]

Ah but Norm, think what a pretty rose Prairie Islander makes among all those thorns :D

[ 03-19-2003, 06:21 AM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]