Florida For Winter - Aventura

Rocket

Rocket

Active Member
Jan 14, 2008
620
Long Island NY
Boat Info
2018 Sunseeker 57 Predator
Previous: 2007 48DA, 2004 420DA, 2007 320DA, 2006 240DA
Engines
Volvo D13 900HP Straight Drive
Hi All, We are taking our 48 DA down to Florida in October. We have a slip in Aventura and plan on taking multiple vacations while the boat is down there. We will be down for Thanksgiving, Christmas week, Presidents week and spring break. In addition a few weekends as well. I’m looking for recommendations on ports to visit along with day boating destinations as well as anchorages. We also plan to go to the Bahamas in the spring before we take her back. Goal would be to hit some places in Miami, Keys, and further north as far as Jupiter. Looking forward to your suggestions.
 
We kept a boat at Williams island in aventura for a couple of years.

Great location.

Inlet you will want to use is baker Haulover. Good inlet, deep, unless something unique is going on with weather, your boat can traverse any time in the tide cycle as long as you are familiar with boat handling in a Florida inlet. Ride the back of the wave, surf, do not allow the boat to nose over the wave crest.

Heavy traffic area inside the inlet. When come in under the bridge, 90 degree turn to starboard follow the channel in front of the fuel dock to the icw.

That fuel dock is a decent place to buy fuel.

We fueled from a truck in our slip. See if your marina allows that, best option.

We live out of state so were fly ins. Preferred Fort Lauderdale over Miami. In the middle, just thought traffic patterns better.

Oh get ready for winter traffic on the roads there.
 
We like Bahia Mar in ft lauderdale and palm harbor in palm beach - Miami Beach Marina is a must too - noname harbor on key biscayne is a great day trip as is boca chita - key largo is a great spot and only 60 miles or so from where you will be - we like marina del mar on the ocean side but Richie (he recently started a thread on it) stayed at a nice place on the inside right across from Gilberts - south of there (islemorada and marathon) are finally starting to open back up - hawks cay is a great destination - the crossing in early spring to the Bahamas can be a bit dicey, but definately worth it - you could do a bimini run right out of haulover (stay at resorts world) and/or an abaco trip crossing from palm beach. LOTS to see and do, you're going to love it!
 
FootballFan said:
We kept a boat at Williams island in aventura for a couple of years.

Great location.

Inlet you will want to use is baker Haulover. Good inlet, deep, unless something unique is going on with weather, your boat can traverse any time in the tide cycle as long as you are familiar with boat handling in a Florida inlet. Ride the back of the wave, surf, do not allow the boat to nose over the wave crest.

Heavy traffic area inside the inlet. When come in under the bridge, 90 degree turn to starboard follow the channel in front of the fuel dock to the icw.

That fuel dock is a decent place to buy fuel.

We fueled from a truck in our slip. See if your marina allows that, best option.

We live out of state so were fly ins. Preferred Fort Lauderdale over Miami. In the middle, just thought traffic patterns better.

Oh get ready for winter traffic on the roads there.
Click to expand...

Yes, we are slipping at Williams island Marina. We have family there and know the Traffic issues well! Thanks for the input.
 
Ididntdoit said:
We like Bahia Mar in ft lauderdale and palm harbor in palm beach - Miami Beach Marina is a must too - noname harbor on key biscayne is a great day trip as is boca chita - key largo is a great spot and only 60 miles or so from where you will be - we like marina del mar on the ocean side but Richie (he recently started a thread on it) stayed at a nice place on the inside right across from Gilberts - south of there (islemorada and marathon) are finally starting to open back up - hawks cay is a great destination - the crossing in early spring to the Bahamas can be a bit dicey, but definately worth it - you could do a bimini run right out of haulover (stay at resorts world) and/or an abaco trip crossing from palm beach. LOTS to see and do, you're going to love it!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the recommendation. Planning on the Bahamas for the April spring break. I'll check the other destinations out.
 
When are you thinking you will take the boat down?

We are in the Chesapeake, plan is to go back to FL. Original plans have been for around early Nov. Wondering about fuel and the trash in the water in NC.
 
FootballFan said:
When are you thinking you will take the boat down?

We are in the Chesapeake, plan is to go back to FL. Original plans have been for around early Nov. Wondering about fuel and the trash in the water in NC.
Click to expand...

Planning to start end of October. I was thinking about the same issues with the intracoastal and debris/markers in the Carolinas as well. Im sure we will have some reports in the next few weeks. Where are you heading to in Florida?
 
Our plans have been to start moving from the Chesapeake early November. That is up in the air based on what I am hearing. I started a thread under the cruising forum to collect everyone's knowledge. Will take a few weeks to see what the situation is.

Fuel and ICW condition will be considerations. Our plan is to go outside as much as possible. Will be on ICW to Moorehead, will not attempt a run around the outer banks.

We have become boating nomads - so we just go and pick places to leave the boat. If there is a target it is Clearwater on the gulf side. We have access to a private slip there and a lot of really good maintenance resources.

If we are able to move south we may leave the boat on the east side for a month in December. First preference will be Williams Island, but haven't talked to Bill or Barbara about it yet to see if it is an option. In the past they have put transients on the wall around the pool island for 2-4 weeks.
 
We are in Aventura too! awesome boating. we just hang out at the Haulover sandbar tons, and go over to Monument Island (we anchor there often overnight), stadium marine has a great cove and holds well. our new place to go there is Hollywood. tons of free docking there.
 
Come on down to Stock Island Village marina Key West we’re we spent last winter and headed there again in late November till Msrch. Check it out on line as easy to fly in & out of KW for our family & friends as it 4 minutes from the airport. Great heated pool, two bars and shuttle downtown and back.
 
We love that marina. Made several visits 3-4 years ago, just haven't made it back lately.

Best place to buy fuel in KW - or used to be...

If we get back to FL from the Chesapeake - that's on our list for a couple of nights.

We tend to spend more time in Marathon - but Stock Key is a great place to visit.
 
Rocket said:
Hi All, We are taking our 48 DA down to Florida in October. We have a slip in Aventura and plan on taking multiple vacations while the boat is down there. We will be down for Thanksgiving, Christmas week, Presidents week and spring break. In addition a few weekends as well. I’m looking for recommendations on ports to visit along with day boating destinations as well as anchorages. We also plan to go to the Bahamas in the spring before we take her back. Goal would be to hit some places in Miami, Keys, and further north as far as Jupiter. Looking forward to your suggestions.
Click to expand...


Hey Rocket I am jealous but very excited for you on making the trip South. We had plans to do this as well this fall but unfortunately we had to cancel our plans due to some unexpected family considerations.

I wish you well with your travels and hope you will share your experiences with us as you make your way South.

All the best
JB
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,112
Messages
1,426,282
Members
61,025
Latest member
jralcorn
Back
Top