Need help in boat selection for Florida cruising...

[El Capitan]

Hi mates,

I wonder if anyone has any perspectives and experiences with cabin cruisers i.e. SD's, weekenders, etc in Florida climate with the design and materials used in the cabins. How is mold and mildew prevention dealt with?

I plan on rack storage and am considering different style SR's like a 270 SD, 230 Weekender, but if this climate is going to be a petrie dish for mold and mildew I may have to reconsider a standard cuddy cabin type with smaller cabin.

My use will be family cruising, hanging on the hook, diving, cruising to Bimini and Keys, some weekend trips etc.

Most of the SD's and WE Im looking at here in the Great Lakes area do not have a/c. And since I willl be an absentee owner as I will be keeping the boat on the Treasure Coast of Fla...Im not sure having an a/c or generator is practical since I wont be in town weekly to run them.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

 

[SloBurn]

My Dad lives right up the road from Vero, and actually mold is not a big problem as there is always a breeze, it seems. But it is there. Try to stay away from interior fabrics as much as possible, due to staining. Of course cushions, etc can't be avoided, so make sure they are propped up when leaving to get air flow around them. And try to leave doors open, if possible. This depends on location and security of the rack she'll be on of course.
Expect to find lots of lizards when you first get back on her if doors are left open.

 

[El Capitan]

Ill be keeping it dry racked at either Taylor Creek Marina in Ft. Pierce or at the marina in Sebastian.

Lizards? I guess Ill have to keep a cat on board!

 

[SloBurn]

Not sure where Taylor is, but Sebastian is very convenient, the inlet runs fast at tide and it's always fun to run in and out of it. I also like the park at Sebastian, there's a beach where you can ground it and picnic. Also a nice museum there. Check it out if you go.

 

[300 weekender]

We keep ours in a slip in Harbortown Marina, next to Taylor Creek. A trip to the keys from here is 8-10hours by car and 17-20hours to Key West (depending on cruising speed)and a trip to Bimini I suggest you get something with twin engines. My suggestion to you would be a 23 with twin 4 strokes, small cuddy and a good trailer. Good Luck

 

[GrandMaster]

Hi mates,

I wonder if anyone has any perspectives and experiences with cabin cruisers i.e. SD's, weekenders, etc in Florida climate with the design and materials used in the cabins. How is mold and mildew prevention dealt with?

I plan on rack storage and am considering different style SR's like a 270 SD, 230 Weekender, but if this climate is going to be a petrie dish for mold and mildew I may have to reconsider a standard cuddy cabin type with smaller cabin.

My use will be family cruising, hanging on the hook, diving, cruising to Bimini and Keys, some weekend trips etc.

Most of the SD's and WE Im looking at here in the Great Lakes area do not have a/c. And since I willl be an absentee owner as I will be keeping the boat on the Treasure Coast of Fla...Im not sure having an a/c or generator is practical since I wont be in town weekly to run them.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Interior or exterior rack storage?

Mines inside and I have no mold issues

 

[k9medic]

I have several slip mates at the marina that only run their A/C when they are on the boat and they do not have any issues with mold. A few well placed damprid containers and you are good to go.

Make sure you do get the A/C though! I can tell you that it does get extremely hot here in Florida - too hot to sleep some times.

 

[El Capitan]

Thank you for all the replies. I like the trailer-ability of the 230 weekender but the beam of the 268 SD. I think my expedition can tow the 268 but am checking with the dealer to make sure.

For the Keys trips, I would prolly trailer to coconut grove area and launch there. For Bimini, Ive gone w single engine before but with other boats. I would head out of haulover or perhaps Stuart if I wanted to take more time.

The Abacos is something I really want to plan but only with other boats.

Thanks again!