live aboard marines in miami area

[johnny333]

hi iam going to live aboard in the miami area,does any know good marines in the miami area that are cool with dogs, boat length 47, mast hight 63 feet.it does not have to be any thing fancy,draft 6 foot,cheers,johnny

[bfdtpkt]

I had HIGH COTTON in the HOLLYWOOD MUNICIPAL MARINA last year........
a little NORTH of Miami, but very convenient.....

sits right on the ICW, nearest "exit" is Port Everglades to the north,
very nice facility.

One bridge you'll have trouble with (same as me) is Julia Tuttle Causeway downtown Miami at 55'..
you'll need to check several others that are "fixed", don't know about 63', my boat is 56' and only have that one for a "no-no".

There are a number of very nice marinas around Miami, but pricey.......

[camaraderie]

Julia Tuttle is the ONLY bridge that has low clearance...all the rest are draws or 65' but that DOES mean that if you pick any marina north of the JT bridge..you have to go to Ft. Lauderdale (and through about 15 other bridges) to get to the ocean. Find a marina south of Julia Tuttle!!

[PBzeer]

Sounds like Dinner Key Marina (a Miami City Marina) may be your best bet.

[gtod25]

I just rang Dinner Key Marina on you behalf and the conversation went like this....

DK: Gracias por llamar Dinner Key Marina

Me: Ok Hi I am looking for a slip for a 47 ft sailboat on a TRANSIENT basis for a few months... (I already knew that they has a waiting list for permanent slips, actually they have a waiting list for the waiting list).

DK: Sorry we are full up waiting for boats for the Miami Boat show. We have no vacancies.

Me: So you have empty slips but you are keeping them empty until the Miami Boat show at the end of Feb (This is a City Marina). Have you any vacancies after the boat show.

DK: You have to call back after the boat show.

Me. Why. Cant you take my name now and then I will be on top of the list.

DK: No possible.

Me: Lets pretend there is a slip, how much will it cost.

DK: $120 per day, $2.57 per foot per day (my figures might be out by a few cents as I was having a seizure at this stage, but the dollar amount is correct).

Me: Are you serious.

DK: Si Senor.

I spent a year in Dinner Key and loved the place. The staff are fun but for the most part pretty useless. There is a huge problem getting a slip but having a "Cuban Uncle" helps. They have recently raised prices and a number of long term residents have left. It would appear, however, that the staff have decided that DK Marina would be a great place to work if all the boats would just bugger off.

[Slooptattoo]

Try Sunset Harbor Marina, Rickenbacker Marina, Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne, Miami Beach Marina, Bayside Marina, Coral Reef Yacht Club (if you have a reciprocity membership at a recoginized YC anywhere) Monty Trainers Marina. You can anchor off accross from the Miami outboard club and rent tender dockage. All have waiting lists, all are expensive. Better off getting a slip in Lauderdale ($8-900 average for liveaboard in Las Olas Area).

[PBzeer]

Speaking of Lauderdale, if that would be an option, you could try checking on private dockage (where someone has an empty dock at their home they will rent out).

[johnny333]

Thanks everyone for your input,
i think lauderdale will be in my price range,miami is a little expensive.
got to watch the money.
Gtod25 thanks for making the phone call,nicely done,your translation is perfecto.
cheers all. johnny

[inshallamiami]

A good site for finding a slip in fort lauderdale: waterfront-news.com
That's how we found ours!