Waterfront
Before you fall for the dock
Water depth, fixed bridges, seawalls, lifts and run time: what to check before buying a waterfront home in the Florida Keys.
By Kate Baldwin, Key West native ·
A beautiful dock photographs the same at high tide and low tide. Your boat doesn’t experience it that way. Before you fall for a waterfront listing in the Keys, check the five things that decide whether the water actually works for you.
1. Depth, at low tide
Ask for the water depth at the dock and along the route to open water, measured at low tide. Compare it with your boat’s draft, with a margin. Some canals are deep at the house and shallow at the mouth.
2. Fixed bridges
Many canal communities reach open water under fixed bridges. Check clearance against the boat you own and the one you may buy next. A T-top or tower can rule out an otherwise perfect house.
3. Seawall and dock condition
Seawalls and docks age in salt water. Look for cracks, leaning sections and erosion behind the cap, and ask about the age, materials and permits for past work. A seawall specialist’s inspection is money well spent.
4. The lift
Check lift capacity against your boat’s weight, plus the condition of the motor, cables and electrical connections.
5. Run time
How long does it take to reach the reef, the backcountry or the nearest fuel dock? Oceanside and bayside homes suit different kinds of boating, and no-wake zones add up.
General information only, not legal, tax, insurance or engineering advice. Rules change; verify the specifics for any property with the appropriate professional.