As we progressed south, remaining on the ICW we made stops at Titusville, stayed an extra day to let a cold front move through with high winds and cold, then south toward Vero Beach. With the winds building, we anchored at Melbourne after motor sailing almost all the way from Titusville. We finally arrived at Vero Beach today about 1 PM and took a slip for a three day stop over. A couple of observations :
First, if I were twenty (or more) years younger, there is an enormous opportunity in Florida. I'm sure it also exists further north, anywhere hurricanes have struck, but it is really visible in Florida. There is an huge number of boats, damaged by the storms that appear to just be abandoned. Many are ripe for salvage, repair and refit and move them north to sell. Many appear to be well equipped, in basically good condition or grounded and left. Abandoned boats in Florida have been the source of many complaints by property owners and I suspect that if someone actually made a business of the salvage and repair they would be applauded and be financially rewarded.
Second, is Vero Beach. We have never stopped here before, but many friends love the place and some spend the entire winter here on their boats. It is an intriguing place, the City owns the Marina and they have gone all out to provide facilities and services for boaters, cruisers and live aboards. There is a full service Marina with all the amenities and 52 moorings where they encourage rafting up. The City provides shuttle buses, exercise trails, a dog park, and plenty of shopping and cultural activities. It is always busy and everyone is very friendly. It has the nickname "Velcro" beach because so many boaters find it hard to leave. We will enjoy Vero for a couple days, go to the local Publix and hardware store for supplies then move on south. We expect friends from Rhode Island to be pulling in on Tuesday, so may even have a chance for another reunion.