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Need Ft Lauderdale Marina Recommendation

2K views 15 replies 3 participants last post by  Jettest 
#1 ·
Hey all,

I'm a commuting airline pilot and my E-32 is currently based in Clearwater (Downtown) FL. I don't livaboard per se, but I stay aboard 10(ish) nights a month.

I dont love livaboard marinas, as I'm a quiet tenant, but am not opposed to considering one if necessary.

I'm currently paying about 450/month for a 40' Slip. I love where I am at CWDT, floating docks, quiet, nice neighbors, clean showers, and quick access to the gulf.

I'm transferring to Ft Lauderdale most likely in april and need a long term slip that permits staying aboard half the month (or I suppose livaboard ok) that has clean facilities, secure, 24hour access, shore power, nice neighbors, and most importantly fast access to good sailing!

I draft almost 5' and my beam is 10'something... With dinghy davits on and Bow pulpit i'm about 34.5 tip to tip..

I'd like to keep it under 450 as I was extended to the max with my current situation..

I'm also not opposed to Miami, or going north as far as west palm.

I GREATLY appreciate your suggestions and comments and will pursue any solid leads immediately!

Thanks in advance
 
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#4 ·
Ahhhh, yes, but there is a problem with this place. It is right along the intracoastal, which means whenever a boat goes by you, and being RIGHT on the intracoastal that will happen frequently, you and your boat will go for a serious "ride".

I have been onboard some boats there, and it is amusing watching the owners having to stretch to keep the microwave and the TV and whatever else wasn't tied down from falling..... so these people learned to stretch their arms and legs in both directions, while balancing themselves for 30 degree heeling.... :)
 
#3 ·
Just off of Las Olas Blvd., there are some man made islands, about 1 mile from the beach, along the network of canals.
These islands have streets running down their centers.
One of those streets is called: Isle of Venice, another is Hendrix.
There are numerous small marinas in front of small hotels.
The rates for slips at any of the numerous marinas in this area range from around $600 to close to $1000 a month.
Some basic amenities come with most of these slips, i.e., access to a shower / bathroom, access to a pool, laundry facility, frequently a community barbecue, and parking.
That area is about a 30 - 45 minute cruise from the open ocean, after getting 2 bridges to raise for you; both of which are on their own schedule.
The prices of slips will drop the further away from the access to the ocean you are willing to go amongst the canal network, toward the West.
You can, for instance, follow the "New River" Westward, past a few Boat Yards, and find private docks for rent amongst the myriad of canals off of that river.
However, the VAST majority of those private docks won't allow liveaboards.

So, the primary liveaboard marina area is amongst the canals off of Las Olas Blvd.

Of all of those, there is one called Century East on Isle of Venice, which is probably the most "transient" and therefore would the greatest probability of having an available slip.

It is also a big plus to be so close to Las Olas Blvd., which is, for the most part the center of Fort Lauderdale.

Enjoy!
 
#7 ·
Thanks Doug... Looking into that now...

Any cost benefit (with recommendations) to going North (Pompano, Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Delray, Boynton etc)? or Miami to the South? Forgive my ignorance, not real familiar with the area at all... Google Maps!
 
#8 ·
Well, it all depends on what / where you want to be near for your commute?

Because the highway: (95 going N / S) is jammed between Ft. Lauderdale and those neighboring communities.

We also rented a slip in Delray, the Delray City Marina / which was excellent, and further North in Jupiter, until my wife was about to commit suicide from 3 hour commutes to Ft. Lauderdale.

If you look at a map, you can see that there are fairly long distances between ocean access points North of Fort Lauderdale. You would want to take that into account if your want to be North of Ft. L.

So, you really want to consider the commute first, in order to determine where you would want to be.

If you will be reporting to somewhere in Fort L., then you really want to have your home / boat in Fort L.
 
#9 ·
Well... Though 3 hours would totally suck, I'm not opposed to rotting in traffic for an hour once or twice a week... Maybe pompano? Often I'm driving at non-peak times. I'm finding 6-800 to be the going rate in FLL proper and that's a bit above my budget honestly...

I guess Miami is probably as if not more pricey. We have a few pilots that make the drive from palm beach...
 
#11 ·
OK, well, first I would suggest checking the ads in that link I posted for you.

I am seeing some which are asking $10 a foot, and others for $600 a month, one for $250 a month...... Look around that listing of ads! There are some widely varying rates!

NEGOTIATE! It's OK.

Just try to stay out of the Intracoastal directly.
 
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