New to area - need marina near Cedar Key

Rxcape

I recently moved to Gainesville from South Florida and need to find a marina that can accommodate a 34-foot boat. It does not have to be in Cedar Key but it seems that that would be the best place from a driving perspective from Gainesville. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Also looking to meet people and go fishing.

tankard

The CK "marina" is pretty much landlocked unless you have a smaller boat on a higher tide.

They have the warehouse "shelf" storage where they'll bring your boat down with a forklift, plop it on a trailer and drop you off at the ramp, then you call them to come get you.

My friend who lives in Tennessee does this, and it's a fairly decent arrangement for his 22' pathfinder, not sure how it would work with a boat your size. And to be honest, they have done some stupid things, the worst of which was seating the plug improperly so we were sinking all day. Can't get to the plug on those semi-tunnel hulls unless you go for a swim and it was a fairly choppy day. We barely made it in after losing everything but the motor when the flooded harness shorted out.

In short, if you are going to live in Gainesville I would recommend just trailering over for the day, it's not a bad ride at all and the ramps are improved to easily accommodate a boat your size.

CK has a serious shortage of wet slips, and no real way to remedy the situation, unless they built a jetty to protect the outside. It5 gets really sloppy right there sometimes.

tankard

My friend would certainly NOT keep his boat there if he still lived in Gainesville.

Rxcape

tankard said:

The CK "marina" is pretty much landlocked unless you have a smaller boat on a higher tide.

They have the warehouse "shelf" storage where they'll bring your boat down with a forklift, plop it on a trailer and drop you off at the ramp, then you call them to come get you.

My friend who lives in Tennessee does this, and it's a fairly decent arrangement for his 22' pathfinder, not sure how it would work with a boat your size. And to be honest, they have done some stupid things, the worst of which was seating the plug improperly so we were sinking all day. Can't get to the plug on those semi-tunnel hulls unless you go for a swim and it was a fairly choppy day. We barely made it in after losing everything but the motor when the flooded harness shorted out.

In short, if you are going to live in Gainesville I would recommend just trailering over for the day, it's not a bad ride at all and the ramps are improved to easily accommodate a boat your size.

CK has a serious shortage of wet slips, and no real way to remedy the situation, unless they built a jetty to protect the outside. It5 gets really sloppy right there sometimes.

Thank you for your reply.

I do not have a trailer and prefer not to trailer 50 miles each way on a regular basis. Any other areas I should look at? Was thinking maybe going further South to Crystal River.

Thank in advance!

mburke001 aka TripleB

Pete’s Pier in Crystal River; possibly a wet slip not sure if they accommodate that large in the indoor storage. Riverhaven in Homosassa does. 

nick

You can park it in my front yard if I get to fish out of it!

Doc Stressor

None of the High &Dry marinas can give you indoor storage with a 34 ft boat.  But they should have outside storage on a rack. If your boat is over 13K lb, you will need to get a wet slip. 

Here are your choices:

Crystal River

https://www.twinriversmarina.com/

https://www.petespier.com/boat-slips

Homosassa

https://www.riverhavenmarina.com/

http://homosassaspringsmarina.com/

Or for a "different" experience, you could get a wet slip at Yankeetown Marina, which is closer to you. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Fishing-Store/Yankeetown-Marina-117081191684770/

4WARD

Steinhatchee
http://seahag.com/
Good honest folks. In my opinion the best option for a boat that size out of Gainesville.
FYI, St. Augustine isn't that much more of a trip either.(betting it will cost more though)

Rxcape

Thank you all for the info. I guess I will take a ride and check them out.

bullbay

https://www.petespier.com/boat-slips

let us know what else we can help you with

Slacker

You also need to think about the different areas and which one meets your recreational needs. They are all different. You have an opportunity to experiment by trying them for a few months at a time. That makes it hard to learn the area for fishing or safety in running the shallow, often rocky areas of the gulf. It will show you the difference. If you tell us what you are hoping to enjoy we may be able to give you some insight. If you are expecting to use the boat year round or more in one season than another that is a factor.

Saltygatorvet

4WARD said:

Steinhatchee
http://seahag.com/
Good honest folks. In my opinion the best option for a boat that size out of Gainesville.
FYI, St. Augustine isn't that much more of a trip either.(betting it will cost more though)

This

Slacker

I think there are a couple of marinas in Suwanee.

tankard

Is Yankeetown Marina still open? That's slightly closer than Crystal River.

Rxcape

Slacker said:

You also need to think about the different areas and which one meets your recreational needs. They are all different. You have an opportunity to experiment by trying them for a few months at a time. That makes it hard to learn the area for fishing or safety in running the shallow, often rocky areas of the gulf. It will show you the difference. If you tell us what you are hoping to enjoy we may be able to give you some insight. If you are expecting to use the boat year round or more in one season than another that is a factor.

I like to fish (need to find new fishing buddies) and try to use the boat year round. I also like to just hang out at sandbars and relax with friends. I open to most water activities and my boat has 300-gallon capacity that allows me long runs.

nick

What make?

Lots of bottom fishing around here. Looong runs though. 

Slacker

I bet you get a lot more comments and after all that you will end up in Crystal River.

Doc Stressor

Is Yankeetown Marina still open? That's slightly closer than Crystal River.

It was open last time I was up there.  Ed seems to have it listed for sale though. 

Predator257

Yankeetown Marina is open, it’s where I’ve been going out of.

Rxcape

nick said:

What make?

Lots of bottom fishing around here. Looong runs though. 

It is a Proline Bimini Cuddy 3400. Looking to get up here from Miami in the next month or so and start fishing.

If anyone has a spot on their boat I am available and always contribute to bait, gas, and beer (if allowed).

Jim311

I would try Suwannee or Steinhatchee. I don’t think Horseshoe beach has any true marinas currently.