Florida Hatt Owners

[rangerscott275]

I have been looking at slips in S. florida...somewhere btwn W Palm Beach and Miami. I have viewed the Waterways marina in Aventura (3601 NE 207 ST) a few times and think it is a beautiful location. The slips are condominiumized and for a 53MY, would run btwn 200k and 225k. The marina specifically says they don't accomodate liveaboards however and if I moved boat to Florida, would expect to stay on it for prolonged periods. Does anyone have any inside information on this marina, how it is managed, the location, if they look the other way for liveaboards, the value compared to others, etc? Thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

[Angela]

If you look in the classified section of www.waterfrontnews.com which I think is published monthly, though I could be wrong about that interval, there is usually a listing for that place where a broker is renting out some owners' slips, so you don't necessarily need to buy one to be there. Before I actually got to Florida and was looking for a place to put my new purchse, I considered renting a slip there, but then decided I did not want to be that far north because the water there is black unless you go out to sea. I can swim in the bay here in Miami and see what's under the boat. I also have great access a lot of prime boating waters without having to plan a trip - even if just for an afternoon cruise to the sandbar to drop my hook for a few hours. Looking back, I am very happy I chose Miami over the Fort Lauderdale or Aventura area simply for access to clearer water and a wonderfully wet playground. But, for those who like to spend time in the city itself, they mostly prefer Fort Lauderdale and especially Aventura. For me, Miami is the neatest place, by far, that I have ever lived largely due to the huge diversity in culture here which I find awesome, but then again, I don't stray too far beyond the waterfront either, so my views and opinions about the city of Miami and its neighborhoods are somewhat skewed - I live over on Key Biscayne (actually, it's "Virginia Key" but most people haven't heard of that one) with the most incredible view of the city, especially at night, with breathtaking sunsets EVERY night!

Waterways was one of the nicest places I saw, outside of a yacht club, and well protected from storms. Had I not found this slip in Miami, I probably would have ended up there. There are several, if not many, liveaboards at Waterways. During my boat shopping days, before I was a "born again Hatteras junkie", I looked at a Vantare there that was a liveaboard, and it was obvious many were liveaboards at Waterways. It is a very nice place, though the distance from the parking lot to the boat was a golf cart ride or a very long walk, at least from where we came in. Waterways does have a lot to offer - I wish that marina was sitting here where I am, but then it would probably priced way out of my reach.

With regard to dockage in my area (Miami), I have discovered that it's all about who you know. It might be like that on up the coast, but I don't know that for sure. There are some vacant slips here, and if I call the office, I can get a friend in, but if you cold call the office, you'll likely be told there is a long waiting list. That seems to be the norm in this town. A forum member here got me in the door at this marina with a phone call. I showed up at the marina office within an hour, I think it was, after his call and I had a slip.

Good luck with your quest and if there is anything I can help you with from here, please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Pascal]

Angela nailed it... Miami is a much better choice than FTL if you intend on using the boat.

I think it's important not to ask if they accept liveaboard, unless they specifically have a liveaboard rate or fee... I dont' know of any marina which restricts how much time you can spend on your boat so as long as the boat is used and you dont' use the marina address as your official address, it shoudlnt' be a problem. at least here in SO FL.

here is a link i found yesterday, only phone numbers. the info on wait list is from last year. Palm Bay is pretty nice, they are not very well known and may still have slips. they're in a nice condo complex with pool and tennis, good security although the neighborhood isnt' great. right on the bay, about 20 min north ofdowntown

http://www.discoverbiscaynebay.org/where/parks_marinas.aspx

Waterways is a nice well protected marina although as Angela said far from any nice spot... about 1 1/2 hrs from the unrestricted part of the bay
(south of downtown) and 45 minutes form the nearest inlet.

if you use Google Earth, i have a GE file on my site which includes links, pictures, etc... of most of Biscayne bay facilities around miami.
www.sandbarhopper.com

 

[stewart]

I kept my 58 MY at Waterways for a year 04/05 and lived aboard however their policy was not to. Just dont advertise it. Paid $800 /month + metered power Stewart

 

[Paul45c]

Scott, when you come down to stay on the boat, will you mostly be staying right near it (i.e. marina and immediate environs), or taking in a lot of nightlife and wandering around the broader local area?

The reason I ask is because the Miami area has its pluses and minuses, like everywhere. Ang & Pascal could not be more right in terms of them sitting on the prettiest waterfront in South Florida, so if you stick close to the marina and its immediate area, case closed.

If you want to venture out into the city a lot? Not so clear. There's a lot of urban Miami that's pretty rough. Ft. Lauderdale and the Palm Beach area is a lot more consistently nice. Those that live and work in Miami know where to go and when, but you can move just a few streets in the wrong direction and be wishing you were carrying, if you know what I mean.

As for as the environs around Aventura, I'd call it somewhere in between. One thing that I thought I'd mention, though, is that though that north end of Biscayne Bay IS a little murkier in terms of water quality (silt, not really pollution), it's also a pretty darned good inshore fishing area if you are so inclined to wander around in the tender. Snook, tarpon, mangrove snapper, etc. The beaches along Government Cut (the main port entrance to Miami) and Haulover Inlet (closest inlet to Aventura area) seasonally can be OUTSTANDING for tarpon, too.

The Palm Beach area has its virtues, as well. Peanut Island is smack in the middle of the ship channel, and the waters around it are really clear and beautiful with a lot of fresh current wash. The island itself is a really nice state park, and every weekend there's a big gathering of boats on the sandbar to the north of it. Sailfish Marina on Singer Island has a front-row seat, along with a similar view of the West Palm Beach skyline and sunsets Ang was describing from Virginia Key.

I guess the only other consideration is how much you might be inclined to cruise around while you're down. You could kind of have you cake and eat it, too, by tying up in Lauderdale and being plenty close enough to cruise both Palm Beach AND Miami as day trips. Piece of cake. On the flip side, if cruising the Keys is in your plans, Miami's the natural springboard for heading south. Nice to have these kinds of choices!

 

[rangerscott275]

wow...thanks for the great responses! Well, I just opened an office in Palm and my job is in NYC, but in the winters I go to Florida 5 or 6 times for work. My thought was that I could increase this and actually work from Florida for more time over the winter and save my company some money (and make myself very happy) if the boat was there and I could stay on it instead of in hotels. I would most likely come down, work for the week, and spend the weekend exploring in the boat. I'd definitely want to enjoy the nightlife and culture of miami in my down time as well, but I can also drive there when need be. I guess my first season in Florida I'd be happy most anywhere where the boat was safe & secure (since I won't be on it full time). I was looking at Waterways because the area seems very clean and safe (as many of you pointed out...certain areas get sketchy quickly). Originally, I liked the idea of owning my slip b/c then I don't have to stress about when I come & go as my schedule of bringing the boat there is up in the air...but my plan is to be in Florida by November of next year. I guess I would prefer to rent a slip if given the option as I'm concerned that purchasing may not be the best use of money unless I knew I wanted to truly be in that particular marina for the long haul....and this is hard to figure out until you've boated in the area and know the marinas and time to get to the best cruising / fishing areas etc. My boat is slow so being too far from nice water could be problematic.....however the other issue is that when I'm there, I need to be able to drive to and from Palm to work, and Miami to Palm commute is lengthy...especially in traffic. I guess I'm still not sure what to do but really appreciate your feedback as it is very helpful in figuring out best option from afar!!

 

[thoward]

Palm Beach is a wonderful place. There is great offshore fishing and diving only a couple of miles out. There are lots of things to do and see fairly close. You have a racing facility which has drag cars, road racing and karts. If you are a hunter they have duck and deer(really small) close by. There is the perpetual party at Peanut Island and lots of good eats and drinks.

 

[Paul45c]

...My boat is slow so being too far from nice water could be problematic.....however the other issue is that when I'm there, I need to be able to drive to and from Palm to work, and Miami to Palm commute is lengthy...especially in traffic. I guess I'm still not sure what to do but really appreciate your feedback as it is very helpful in figuring out best option from afar!!

Wow, I didn't realize you'd be working in Palm Beach. Commuting on a regular basis from Miami to Palm Beach would age you WAY before your time! Without traffic (ha, ha!) you'd be looking at about a 90 minute drive, and hitting anything close to rush hour could easily double that. Hate to say it in case you were getting set on Miami area, but I'd scratch that thought.

If I were you, I'd be looking at maybe Sailfish Marina on Singer Island. Pretty place, safe, and easy commute options either into Palm Beach (what they call "the island" up there) or downtown West Palm Beach.

I'll try to post up a Google Earth image of where I'm talking about later. Good luck whatever you choose.

 

[Paul45c]

Scott, this board won't let me upload the image because it's too big. If you have Google Earth, the coordinates I'm trying to show you are:26deg46'27.68" N, and 80deg02'28.37" W

Once you're there, to the W is Peanut I, to the E and N of the ship channel is Singer, and along Singer's western shore you can see the three main marinas right in a row (s to n)...Sailfish, Buccaneer and Cannonsport. You can also clearly see the sandbar to the N of Peanut; that's the big hangout spot on the weekends. Good times.

Anyway, the coordinates should put you right at Sailfish Marina. Hope this helps.

 

[thoward]

Check www.sailmiami.com for dockage as well. It is hard to beat Sailfish for location but $22/ft is hard on the expence report. You will want to lock in a location by Aug. or sooner b/c it fills up quick for the season.

 

[rangerscott275]

thanks again all! The google earth locations & marina suggestions / contact info is much appreciated! By next winter, hopefully I'll be able take you all out for a cruise on IMHO, the nicest 53MY afloat! [I have alot of work ahead of me this winter if I'm going to back up that claim! ]

 

[Pascal]

if you're going to work in PB, forget anything but PB ! from downtown Miami, it's an hour up to WPB with no traffic. add rush hour and it's 2+ hours... there are a number of marinas up there.

fwiw, i disagree with the idea that Miami is rougher than other FTL or WPB... each have areas you may not want to walk in at night. I feel safe walking around the marina at night, even going out for late diner nearby.

the only place i'd be concerened is Palm Bay which i mentioned earlier, up on Biscayne Blvd... safe inside but not outside the gates...