Happy holidays ~~~~~ jjflygirl progress on marina quest in fl

[jjflygirl]

Since we didn't want to take away from Mario's original Post on moving the boat from PR to FL - we decided to start a separate thread.

We have been in FL for 4 days now and has been quite hectic going from one marina to another.

One thing for anything to ask for anyone interested in Loggerhead-Stuart - although the Harbormaster was very very helpful - the info that was on the web was not up to date - The condo owners do not want the boaters at the marina who don't own a condo to use the workout facilities. If you do not own a condo there - you cannot go on the third floor. And to use the pool and clubhouse - you cannot go in the gate leading from the marina - you have to go through the front door of the clubhouse to use the facilities and must give your name at the reception desk - Has anyone heard that? We even told him that we were thinking of Sunset Bay and he had nothing but good things to say about it. The BIG PROBLEM AT Loggerhead is absolutely limited parking. Kudos to Steve the Harbormaster and the docks look great!

Has anyone had any experience at Sunset Bay - we liked it alot - but again PARKING can be a real issue - Kudos here to Harbormaster Sam. My husband is an ex-sailor (43' Swan) and found the facilities excellent with the inexpensive moorings, great dinghy docks and great restaurant, meeting place - but PARKING IS CRITICAL FOR US!

SINCE I may need to fly to Dulles monthly - we decided to look more at FLL and MIA - as we thought DKM is larger than we like - guess it is more our lifestyle to sit "on our rockers" by the pool and yet only 25 minutes to FLL airport. Sooooo, we are leaning towards Lighthouse Point Marina and it is a wait and see - on the wait list - hopefully for North Dock.

Thanks to all for feedback on the other thread and thanks for the recent update about the dredging in 2002/2003 making the Hillsboro Inlet not so problematic.

Appreciate any additional comments - Thanks and Happy Holidays to All!!!

Jan n Ed
JJFlyGirl
1975 53' MY

 

[Pascal]

I don't remember if I mentionned palm bay in the other thread

http://palmbayclubmarina.com/

Small marina, with pool, etc.. In a gated condo but boat owners have access to amenities. I ve heard good things about it, this is where I found my 53, PO lived aboard and they loved the place

On the downside the neiborhood isn't the great but has improved

Interesting comment about the size of a marina, what matters really is the pier you re on. We have 60 slips. On our pier, the other ones could be a different marina, it doesnt matter. I never go to the office exceot once a month to pay so whether its 60 slips or 600, it doesnt matter

Parking is indeed a critical factor and often a concern especially at smaller marinas.

 

[boatwright]

there is a small marina up the new river in fort lauderdale called yacht haven next door to marina bay.mostly a long term rv park with docks .pool, good parking,gated entrance very close to the airport.we stayed there several years ago and found it very satisfactory.

 

[Bugsy]

The issue with marinas up the New River such as Marina Bay is...the New River. Last year, we had a slip behind a small apartment building off of Las Olas. There were a total of 5 slips; pool; BBQ area---and a LOT of camaraderie.

It was a VERY short distance to the ICW and no bridges to the Atlantic.

The social aspect was a major plus BUT I prefer the boating in Miami; it offers a choice between going "outside" and staying on Biscayne Bay.

Driving from DKM to FLL takes 25-35 minutes but NOT during heavy traffic, obviously. It's a $24.00 cab ride from DKM to MIA. Those two options for commuting (my wife is in-flight) makes the SE coast of Florida much more convenient than WPB; TPA or RSW.

Good luck.