Intel needed on Miami area permanent dockage
- Thread starter Jackdaw
- Start date
Buy a boat at a dock or marina and inherit the dock / slip. Then you can continue the arrangement.
You could look down in Key Largo. Last I heard, Miami waterfront residents prefer mega yachts to sailboats and have put a lot of regulations in to keep the serious sailors out. When I drove out along the causeway to visit a friend, there wasn't a mast in sight. Granted, I did not drive all over the city and sailing is obviously still going on there. I think it is the transients, that are mostly targeted.
Key Largo is very nice, easy to get around and open water with great fishing and snorkeling/diving is right there at the John Pennekamp reef. Sorry, but I have no idea what is available for facilities. Just an option I thought might work.
I use to live up the coast in Boynton Beach and sailed my hobie 18 around there. The advantages of a trailer sailer, didn't need a marina. Another option to consider. There are some very nice, fun, fast and accommodating trailerables. I'm sure you would know more about that than I do. But, consider the time it takes to trailer to Key West versus the time it takes to sail from your slip in Miami to Key West. A long weekend to Dry Tortugas, a 75 mile offshore sail from Key West, would never happen if you had to sail all the way from Miami. If you are a History buff, you need to visit there. Florida is an awesome sailor's paradise, I'm excited for you.
I really like agprice22's suggestion. That sounds almost perfect if it could work out. But again, trailerables.
-Will (Dragonfly)
Key Largo is very nice, easy to get around and open water with great fishing and snorkeling/diving is right there at the John Pennekamp reef. Sorry, but I have no idea what is available for facilities. Just an option I thought might work.
I use to live up the coast in Boynton Beach and sailed my hobie 18 around there. The advantages of a trailer sailer, didn't need a marina. Another option to consider. There are some very nice, fun, fast and accommodating trailerables. I'm sure you would know more about that than I do. But, consider the time it takes to trailer to Key West versus the time it takes to sail from your slip in Miami to Key West. A long weekend to Dry Tortugas, a 75 mile offshore sail from Key West, would never happen if you had to sail all the way from Miami. If you are a History buff, you need to visit there. Florida is an awesome sailor's paradise, I'm excited for you.
I really like agprice22's suggestion. That sounds almost perfect if it could work out. But again, trailerables.
-Will (Dragonfly)
AFAICT, in the VAST percentage of cases where you are renting your slip, selling your boat and not replacing it will terminate your rental. It then goes to the next person on the list. It's not yours to give. A private dock, maybe. Slip ownership, different story. But then you have to buy that as well.
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We'll go with a ball at Dinner Key. We've been on the waiting list at CGSC for a ball for a while and would probably move there when it cleared.
On refection, a ball makes more sense for us. 96% of the time we will not be there, and most of our use will be in the winter when the need for AC at night will be less. The cost savings will be substantial. If we want a slip (and AC), we can get a transient slip for the duration of a stay, or during a regatta. We'll join the BBYRA as well, funny I know a couple of the owners. There is another First 36.7, a Aerodyne 38, and a Farr 395 so the competition will be good.
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Our marina allows you to sell your boat in the slip and leave it. The new owner can keep the slip, or they can move on. Sorry for your experience. As a resident of South Florida, I know you can in fact keep the dock at which you bought the boat as long as you are polite and ask. I think you would be unfortunate to not be able to make a deal with the dock owner.
Good luck with your new venture!
That dinner key mooring field can get nasty in the winter but likely your only option.
CGSC put in all new helical moorings a couple of years ago. The whole mooring field there is new & the launch service is good. As long as you get a spot with enough draft, it's a good spot to be on a ball. Be aware that they do require you to remove your boat during hurricanes.
One of the guys that owns that Farr is the chief handicaper for SEF PHRF ratings, in addition to being a well regarded local/international racer. That Aerodyne is owned by another crackerjack sailor. That boat has won a lot of races.
BBYRA has some well seasoned & well regarded people running it. They run a lot of good races. That entity is basically a cooperative association of 5 local clubs on the bay. Biscayne Bay is somewhat of a racer's paradise.
Around here, that varies with the facility. Unfortunately for me, when I bought a boat out of the US Sailing Center in Miami, a few years ago, I was not permitted to maintain the space it had occupied, despite what the previous owner had indicated. It would seem that point will soon become moot, as that facility is likely now in the process of loosing it's lease. This will probably put more pressure on the dockage situation in the Biscayne Bay area.
Twenty five and a half feet of awesome cruising/racing all bundled onto two wheels ready to be stored on the cheap or sail to Bimini for the weekend with your gal. http://interestingsailboats.blogspot.com/2018/02/reacher-780-fast-racing-and-fun-coastal.html
I see the conversation has moved on during my research. Anyhow, I think this option is worth considering.
Good luck Jackdaw.
- Will (Dragonfly)
That’s basically BlueJ. 7.5 meters of retractable keel fast fun. Just a bit small for longer adventures and creature comforts. But supposed to be a fun boat.
Twenty five and a half feet of awesome cruising/racing all bundled onto two wheels ready to be stored on the cheap or sail to Bimini for the weekend with your gal. http://interestingsailboats.blogspot.com/2018/02/reacher-780-fast-racing-and-fun-coastal.html
I see the conversation has moved on during my research. Anyhow, I think this option is worth considering.
Good luck Jackdaw.
- Will (Dragonfly)
It looked like an awesome boat and I can't see there is anywhere you would want to sail within a weeks cruise that that boat couldn't take you. As far as comfort goes. It comes in a cruising cabin configuration or a racing configuration. Being on a boat is comfort enough. How big are you looking for?
- Will (Dragonfly)
It’s interesting that BBYRA has totally dropped PHRF in favor of Club ORC. Probably got tired of people bitching about ratings. I’m cool with it however, the 367 is ORC optimized, and I can get credit for a smaller Genoa that we’ll have on the roller.
If you decide to go with a Reacher and you need crew to sail one back from Croatia, I'd be happy to volunteer. 
BTW, great looking boat, BlueJ.
- Will (Dragonfly)
BTW, great looking boat, BlueJ.
- Will (Dragonfly)
It would be fun and fine for sure. BlueJ would as well of course, and she’s been fine on longer adventures. And I love retractable keels. But having owned both a a 25 footer and a 35 footer, the day to day comfort on the 35 footer is much better, and it’s a lot faster.
I have not raced much in Miami, but have raced with both of the Fort Lauderdale area sailing clubs and the local Yacht clubs. Let me know when you are going to be in town. Our Club is doing our summer Beer Can series on Wednesday nights. I am always looking for Crew
This is my current club.
I was a member here for 8 years
My Grandmother was a member, I have sailed in several of their regattas in the past.
Nice club, but I do not think they have an organized racing program.
This is my current club. I was a member here for 8 years My Grandmother was a member, I have sailed in several of their regattas in the past.Nice club, but I do not think they have an organized racing program.
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