Southern Winter Options for Northern Boaters

Cold, cold, cold, paradise.

Very simply, more cold weather over the winter the further north you are. NC and SC do have some cold periods.

Now the further north the more likely it's drivable for you. However, if flying commercially, Fort Lauderdale is the easiest of the ones mentioned to fly in and out of and may even have the least expensive air travel.

Now, your list is also in order of lowest cost to highest for dockage and other thing.

Much depends on how much you'll use it, both the frequency and length of time. If you have the time and it's worth the cost to you then South Florida gives you access to a lot of great boating.

Beyond the endless canals and watering holes to tour in South Florida, Lauderdale is a launching ground for the Caribbean and fertile ground for getting any work done. I can't speak to the Carolina coast. I'm better versed on Western North Carolina. (and wishing I was there this time of year!)

For the USofA - Monroe County, Fla
For the rest of us - Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Seems your question answers itself, move south to use in the winter. If your real question is how far is enough, then the answer depends on your tolerance for cold/cool weather. It snows in the Carolinas, but not in the Keys (I know the history of that one time, so let it go). Look up the term “snow birds” for further information.

We have a home in Wrightsville and used to keep the boat in Charleston and know Hilton Head pretty well. I don’t think you will be satisfied with any of those for winter use. The rule of thumb I heard was one had to go to atleast as far as Stuart to get below most of the cold fronts. We spent 3 weeks in Miami last January and it is a gamble. By and large the weather was nice but it is hit and miss. The wind is the big issue. So when the wind is blowing you may be able to walk around in shorts but you most likely won’t be able to run the boat anywhere except in the ICW. Year before last we were on the west coast in January and it was pretty **** cold with a wind that blew hard enough to make being outside not enjoyable for the bulk of the trip. January is probably the worst month for boating in Florida but usually not a bust.

Jhall I believe you can stay in SC for 3 months with no taxes due. Double check me on that.

Funny, I think of January as perfect boating weather! This was January of 2012, heading south to Port Everglades for a YF "boat bash" with Tom Serio, Judy Waldman, Loren Schweizer and Chuck Gnaegy. For those who haven't toured Ft. Lauderdale by boat, enjoy this cruise (and colorful commentary)...

https://www.yachtforums.com/threads/final-ft-lauderdale-cruise-of-2011-yf-crew-banter-bash.17762/

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Stuart FL! Yes I love the Keys and Ft. Lauderdale but at 55 years old, I can't take the crowds and hustle and bustle anymore. The airports are too **** busy too lol. Stuart has fun spots and Jupiter/Palm Beach aren't far but it's nice & peaceful with lots of waterside restaurants, big bays and sandbars where everyone has fun on weekends. As with any place in the USA, there are areas where you probably wouldn't want to walk down the street at 3 a.m. counting your money but they are far and few between.
Flights into Palm Beach are SO EASY and hassle free.

We wintered in Charleston a couple years ago now. Very nice city, and temps were "warm enough" (not the same thing as "warm"), comfortable... for us, since we had come from further north. JAX would be slightly warmer. FLL would be even warmer; in fact most of southeastern FL starting at about Cape Canaveral would be warmer.

-Chris

Yeah, they apparently had a more serious snow -- not just flurries -- in Charleston the winter we were there... but it happened in December I think, about a month before we arrived.

-Chris