Ft Lauderdale Boating vs Miami Boating

Q

Quincy

Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2006
RO Number
22100
Messages
4
Ok guys and gals. I have been boating in Fort Lauderdale over the last 3 years and I keep our 28 foot Four Winns at Harbour Towne Marina. Lately I have been hearing from several people that boating is better in Miami. Better fishing, More restaurants, More sandbars. I'd like to ask the group....Which is better and why? Fort Lauderdale boating or Miami Boating. For those of you who think Miami....can you recommend a marina to keep my boat?

Thanks!!
 
Well it is a personal call... I believe that the finer restaurants are further North, Boca Raton ,Boynton Beach etc..
As far as a Marina ,I got tired paying $600.+ a month and then checked out other facilities , then I dropped that fee by $300, Utilizing local docks that were fully equipped with much better security.
Although I was unable to get to open water by my height restriction 22' through Boynton Beach, I really don't mind traveling to Boca Raton to get to the Ocean. It gives me a chance to learn about the changing ICW.
 
i've never understood what's so great about FLL and other places north... once you've been up and down the ICW a few times, it gets old. too much traffic, too few places to anchor out and too much brown water!

Biscayne Bay on the other hand has so much to offer... many anchorage, blue / green water (Silty near Miami but cristal clear at eliott Key). Many restaurants and places to go to... doens't get better than that.

Marinas? 28' should be easy to find a spot... dry rack or wet slip?
 
I agree with Pascal. Way better boating over all in the Miami area and south of there. Besides, in Miami you've got Jimbo's. :-)
 
Pascal Ol' man, Don't get me wrong,I love cruising Biscayne Bay an way South of that area..
But some of us unfortunately have official crew that is not always ready to travel more then 24hrs(medical reasons) which can restrict most of our wonderful trips. However, next Month WE will be boating to those lovely areas again. We would enjoy meeting up with y'all on the water along with other boaters that we met over the years.
"Keep a sharp eye out ".
 
the beauty of Biscayne Bay is that you're never more than a few miles away... plenty of things to do and great spot right around Key Biscayne for instance. No Name Harbor and Crandon Beach, 3 sandbars, etc... with a dink, if you anchor near bear cut, you can go under the bridge and to the north side of Crandon beach, just pass the bridge. great spot, clear water, etc...

and yes... there is Jimbo's !!
 
I never got what is so great about taking your big clumsy boat to a restaurant for dinner, maybe yes if I had a full time crew. I too have the boat for being out on the water and you just can't beat the nice water and places to go down in Miami. I was actually keeping the boat there while I still lived in Zero Be,.. sorry I mean Vero Beach.
I do not know how big you boat is but Haulover Beach and Pelican Island marinas are cheap and have room, stay out of Sea Isle marina very bad currents! Miami Beach marina is very nice but you will pay for it big time. Or you can look for private dockage.

Cor
 
Cor

with a smaller boat (express, up to 40), restaurant hoping is popular since it's easy to find room. once you get into larger boats finding room is harder and the taller boats block the view.

but restaurant hopping is probably all you can do along the ICW anyway... i cant' imagine swiming in that dark water unless you time it right with an incoming tidal flush near an inlet :-)
 
We've spent this winter in Hollywood, about equidistant to Port Everglades and Baker's Haulover. Let me put it this way: we have never taken the big boat north as a destination, and have made several trips south. In fact, the only time it has been north, was to come in PE after a sight seeing loop down to BH and back up outside. Just goofing around the BH area and anchoring off Oleta Park is a fun weekend in and of itself. If we were going to be here full time, I'd look into something in Miami without question. A day tripper's paradise.

George
Hatteras 56MY
Boston Whaler 130 Sport
 
I agree from haulover south is much nicer than ft lauderdale.Keep my boat in dania but never go north unless going out port everglades going offshore fishing.Alot more anchorage spots to the south.Plenty of spots to fish on the inside.From trout fishing the grass flats off 79st.to snook fishing miamishore area and not to mention the tarpon fishing goverment cut.bone fish permets and others in biscane bay.and on and on
 
My boat has been in a slip in Pompano beach for about 14 years so my boating is always North of Port Everglades. Going to a restaurant or anchoring in Boca lake is OK but I did cruise down to visit Pascal a few years ago and must agree that the water around Key Biscayne and south is much nicer.
Except for the adventure of crossing the GS, a week in the keys can be as nice as Bimini,(And less expensive)IMHO.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

i've never understood what's so great about FLL
Click to expand...


Pascal, Only thing I can think about is my Dock Fee. 34' boat, $250.00 for 6 months year round, including electric,water,swimming pool,Billiard Room,Workout Room and great dock mates.
No, I don't live there,but Sisters and friends do. Other than that, your area is nicer.
 
Joe, for that price I would be careful who I'd allow would come to roost in such a lovely place alongside Y'all...... It's only MHO BUT YOU MUST REQUre good REFERENCES
.........
 
Quincy, Why not run south a few times from Harbour Towne and check the area out.
If you could hook up with Pascal, he could turn you on to some great places to boat.
 
quote:
Originally posted by captchas

Joe, for that price I would be careful who I'd allow would come to roost in such a lovely place alongside Y'all...... It's only MHO BUT YOU MUST REQUIre good REFERENCES
.........

Click to expand...


Charles, I really lucked out with this dock. My Sister lives at SeaHaven and the boat is registered in both our names.
There is a few year wait for a slip if someone buys a Condo.
BTW, You are welcome to come visit if you are down this way. I am sure There will be a slip open to accommodate Freedoms Choice. A few boats have gone North.
 
We've been kicking this around as well. We are 43 and 18' tall, and looking to live aboard next year. If we find a good deal, we might just skip over going to the Exumas.
 
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