Marina Question

[gpellissier]

All,

I know a fair number of you are familiar with the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area, so let me throw out a question...

Since I bought her, I've been keeping my boat in the Miami Beach Marina. You can't beat the easy access to the ocean from there, but unfortunately, I've been somewhat of an absentee owner.

Next summer, I'll be retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard (after 27 years) and looking to live on the boat full time...so my question is, pros and cons of Miami Beach Marina vs Dinner Key Marina, or do you all have any other suggestions? Cost-wise Dinner Key is the clear front runner, but...?

For the most part my boating is day trips out to the dive sites off off Miami Beach and Key Biscayne, with the occasional jaunts to the lower Keys or Bahamas.

Thank you,

George

 

[Pascal]

The grove is just as convenient as Miami beach for ocean access as you just run across the bay to biscayne or cape Florida channel.

Traffic to the beach would drive me absolutely bananas... Just about every time we cruise around I see the causeway being bumper to bumper.

I like dinner key... Been there for 10 years now. The grove is really nice and more laid back than MB

Bayshore landing aka Monty's is another alternative, same ownership as Miami Beach marina. The boat i run has been there for a couple of years after we spent 3 years at Grove Harbor, next door. On the downside parking isn't as convenient as DKM as the lot is usually full on Friday nights and on week end. It's also a little more exposed.

Problem is that all three are pretty much full and may have a long wait list although come spring you are more likely to find space with snowbirds heading back north. I know the slip next to us one the t head is home to a snowbirds and likely available by spring.

 

[Fanfare]

If you are cruising on the boat it is easier to get around Miami Beach without a car. The Beach has a shuttle bus which you can take. Things are a bit farther apart at Dinner Key but parking is easy. It is quieter there.

Both are a bit exposed for hurricanes.

 

[Pascal]

The city of Miami has excellent car2go service. That includes the grove but not Miami beach. There are always a few of them with a short walk of the marina.

I don't recall how close are food stores from MBM. Here in the grove, the fresh market is right behind grove harbor and you have dozens of restaurant within a 5 minute walk.

 

[Bugsy]

We "lived" at MBM for about as long as we lived at DKM.

In so many respects, it is like comparing apples and oranges. For one thing....you have a LOT less bottom growth at DKM because you're not dealing with the same tidal flow. That also means a MUCH more stable berth at the dock. I had guests who would get seasick with the rocking and rolling at the dock at MBM.

The walk into the Grove or to Fresh Market at DKM is pleasant but so also is the walk along the pathway around to the beach. Ocean Drive is MUCH more entertaining to guests than the Grove.

And so it goes.

BUT....DKM is a LOT cheaper than MBM....and that is very significant to some of us.

 

[gpellissier]

Folks,

Thank you for the responses. Currently headed to Antarctica for four months, but I put in an application to Dinner Key before I left.

I've had a lot of fun at Miami Beach, but as I'm about to become the old retired guy tinkering with his Hatteras, the price differential is huge.

Regards,

George