with many months spent in Florida, mostly anchored out, I must agree with Jon. We even anchored in Marco Island for several nights. Spent a month anchored in Boot Key, waiting for weather ( spring, 2010 was nasty) to jump to the Bahamas.

We had absolutely zero problems anywhere around, from Pensacola, down the west coast, through the keys, and up the east coast after returning from the Bahamas. None. Anchored out mostly, but took moorings where we felt like it. Probably spent six months all total in Florida, counting both directions.

And I live (and cruise) totally on a social security check and a (very )tiny retirement check. I could afford the $22 a day dinghy dock fee, because I wouldn't be there that long. We paid $15 day or $45 week, when we were there.

Coming back home, I did 2200 miles single hand, crossing the lake- mooring in Stuart, anchoring other places. For those who don't already know, I'm now single hand all the time.

Of course, Tehani doesn't fit the derelict picture- at least I don't think so. This pic shot on a dock in Everglades City that belonged to the Outward Bound school. We managed to hit Everglades the weekend of the seafood festival, with zero places open to anchor or moor. The folks at Outward Bound let us stay over the weekend, no charge.