Nice Marina in Fort Lauderdale Area

[Dani-Lu]

I just brought my 410da from Long Island, NY to Fort Lauderdale. It was a great journey! Seeing the water turn to that beautiful green and blue color as I got closer to Florida was awesome. Seeing dolphins and Manatee was amazing.

Well now I am here but not sure where the best place would be to leave my boat for the winter. I am staying until Dec 28th and then heading back to COLD NY. Hope to come back and take a few long weekends to enjoy her this winter and then bring her back north in April. Today I pulled into Bahia Mar, by Las Olas, but this place is probably too expensive for 4 months. I would like someplace with good security, preferably a floating dock since I will not be local to fix the lines, close to the ICW and not too far from a good inlet. I chose Fort Lauderdale to be close to the inlet and my parents live in this area, but my final destination does not have to be Fort Lauderdale.

Frank W. - In case you read this, I brought extra Racors and good thing I did! Thanks once again.

Appreciate advice from all you Floridians or anyone else with knowledge of this area.

Thanks.

 

[Asureyez]

Welcome to the Venice of America!

Long term docakage is available but some of your criteria will be a little more difficult to find.

Floating docks close to the ports is difficult to find, period, let alone affordable. At Bahia Mar you in at $2.15 a foot a day. Try the City of Ft. Lauderdale Docks at Las Olas and the ICW, just North a few blocks north. Then it will be up the New River, or Dania Cut Off Canal to still be close to the Port and In Ft Lauderdale. You are renting at the height of the season and seasonal rates may apply. Some people can be happy docking behind a private home, but you wont be able to live aboard in the typical arrangement.

As for line tending, Most all of us are on fixed docks and pilings and rarely have to fuss with lines once set. Our tidal range is rarely more than 2ft hi, 2 feet low, 4 ft. total swing. This is within the limits of well set spring lines to hold you fore and aft so you can let your bow & stern lines have some slack for the range.

If you are going to leave your boat here and commute, you'll want a a mate to wash it rountinely and to run the engines and hot walk the props. You'll need a monthly diver to keep the bottom clean. You'll have someone to check your lines. Need help with any of this let me know.

 

[Pseudomind]

What is meant by "hot walk the props?

 

[Asureyez]

If I'm not using the boat much I will engage the running gear in idle one engine at time and, after allowing the engines to warm a bit I slip in forward thrust for 60 seconds then 60 back, to keep the gear box lubed. It also knocks some grass off the props.

I meantion this to the OP because he'sa to leave the baot idle for longer periods not living here.

Make sure you have good dock lines.

 

[delayed gratification]

I have had good service and am pleased with Harbour Towne Marina in Dania Beach www.harbourtownemarina.net . I use rack storage, so I can't comment on wet slips. It is a 20+ min cruise at idle to Port Everglades.

 

[sprink56]

If I'm not using the boat much I will engage the running gear in idle one engine at time and, after allowing the engines to warm a bit I slip in forward thrust for 60 seconds then 60 back, to keep the gear box lubed. It also knocks some grass off the props.

I meantion this to the OP because he'sa to leave the baot idle for longer periods not living here.

Make sure you have good dock lines.

Chad...just another benefit of staying in 72 deg ++++ water perpetually. But we don'y have to winterize:thumbsup:

John F

 

[Boulder GT3]

I am staying until Dec 28th and then heading back to COLD NY. Hope to come back and take a few long weekends to enjoy her this winter and then bring her back north in April. Today I pulled into Bahia Mar, by Las Olas, but this place is probably too expensive for 4 months. I would like someplace with good security, preferably a floating dock since I will not be local to fix the lines, close to the ICW and not too far from a good inlet. I chose Fort Lauderdale to be close to the inlet and my parents live in this area, but my final destination does not have to be Fort Lauderdale.
.

If you want to stay close to FLL, I'd probably go up The New River and look at the marinas across I-95. A couple have floating docks (although I think you're fine without) and the prices will be down compared to Bahia Mar. Still <10 minutes from the airport. The downside is that it takes a while to get out to the ocean or even the ICW.

A diver is $50 per and once a month should be fine at this time of year. Good luck. Have fun and be safe.

 

[Diversion]

Dani-Lu
I live in Texas and have my 45ft boat in Hollywood at Loggerhead Marina. It's half distance between FT Lauderdale and Miami. Very clean marina with all ameneties and lower cost than many in FTL. It takes a long time to get from I95 on the river to an inlet if that's an issue for you. Here's their web site. Good Luck,
http://harborislandsmarina.com/

 

[Dani-Lu]

Thanks a lot for the replys. I have not chosen a marina yet, but do like the idea of rack storage while I am not here. I found a place with in-door rack storage, which sounds like a great option, since no worrying about bottom growth, zincs, wash and wax, etc. But what about maintaining the cabin in this warm climate with no AC running. Will I have to remove all sheets, towels, etc., as if I was winterizing? Will putting many damp rid canisters be enough to stop mold. My cabin is like the inside of a home, dry and no mold. Want to keep it that way. Thanks!

 

[Alex D]

Thanks a lot for the replys. I have not chosen a marina yet, but do like the idea of rack storage while I am not here. I found a place with in-door rack storage, which sounds like a great option, since no worrying about bottom growth, zincs, wash and wax, etc. But what about maintaining the cabin in this warm climate with no AC running. Will I have to remove all sheets, towels, etc., as if I was winterizing? Will putting many damp rid canisters be enough to stop mold. My cabin is like the inside of a home, dry and no mold. Want to keep it that way. Thanks!

If you can get power on the boat and have 110 plus can run the batt chargers I would put a home size dehumidifier in it and install the permanent drain kit that comes with them to drain into the shower sump, which would pump out when full.