Looking for a Large Liveaboard

oceanstar - the marina mooring fees for liveaboard boats is $25 per foot per month at most of the marinas on STX. A 45 foot boat would therefore cost $1125 per month in marina fees, plus utilities. That doesn't take into account the rental of the boat itself or the maintenance/upkeep costs. You are unlikely to come across boat owners who can rent you their liveaboard boat for $600-$800. If they have it out on the hook in the harbor, it is less expensive for mooring fees, but the upkeep costs are higher and you have more problems having sufficient power, water, etc. plus the complication of where you can tie up a dinghy when you come ashore. Just a few things to think about when trying to arrange a boat rental.

Okay, thanks for the info. I will certainly take this into consideration. I wasn't aware, the slip fees were so high.

i think alexandra might be quoting green cay marina prices, which almost doubled recently. last time i checked salt river or st croix marina, their prices were quite a bit less.

This makes sense because I saw on craigslist someone had a 30 foot liveaboard on St.Croix for $400 for the month. That's why I figured about $600 to $800.

As for St. Croix Marina the rates are increasing as of 1/1 to $20 per foot

The marina rates vary depending on whether it's a liveaboard or just standard mooring for boat owners who visit their boats occasionally. It's usually $5 per foot difference between living aboard and not. The $400 rate you saw was undoubtedly a boat on a hook in the harbor since none of the marinas have fees low enough to make sense at that price for a 30 foot boat. The rate variances between the marinas also include some differences in amenities provided for your fees, much as condo complexes have different fees and include different services and utilities and insurances. Green Cay has shower rooms and laundry and wireless internet, etc. available to its tenants.

Marlene - is the new $20 per foot for liveaboards or non-liveaboards? Or does St. Croix Marine not differentiate between the two since as I understand it they don't have shower rooms, etc. as extra amenities provided to liveaboard tenants?

Anyone with actual phone numbers of marina's, locations on STT and STX for marina's with wet slips will be greatly appreciated, I am considering this option myself with my own boat, I would like some amenities, showers, pump-out, elec. etc, I know Crown Bay STT wants $1.25 per ft O.A.L. for extended stays. I asked these same questions a month or so ago and got different responses.

Mooring bouys are an option, rented by the park service but as someone else said, now you need a dinghy and somewhere to park it when you go to work etc.

Any info from someone that is actually living aboard at a marina will be greatly appreciated.

Peter

Since you have your own boat you might try this website http://www.livingaboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi
It is all about living aboard and has an awesome forum with a wealth of information.

About the $400 a month liveaboard, its understandable its on the hook. Given the going rates at the marinas.
Thats okay by me to live on the hook. I prefer that to being at the docks anyway. Ammenities are not that big of an issue although I would like the internet, but satellite is probably the way to go on that.

Alexandra, the $20 at STM is for anyone. Livaboard or not. We sent out the notices for anyone who has a slip.

regarding internet, there are a variety of pay-per-month wifi signals available around Charlotte Amalie if you are out on the hook, and there are internet cafes around town.

So what is the harbor fee for Charlotte Amalie? Is there one for Christiansted?

Christiansted harbor fees are $150 per year.