Cruising Yachts in Florida

[josh]

Hi,
I asked before about where the cruising yachts hang out in Ft.Lauderdale, but haven't really found much here so looking to possibly move on shortly.

Im wondering where are the larger areas that the cruising yachts hang out. I am thinking of heading up the east coast a bit then heading over to the west. I am wondering if there are any large live aboard marinas that i should check out.

I am currently in Florida looking to buy a yacht, 35 Island Packet or Possibly 38 Cabo Rico at this point. Any pointers would be great.
thanks.

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by josh

Hi,
I asked before about where the cruising yachts hang out in Ft.Lauderdale, but haven't really found much here so looking to possibly move on shortly.

Im wondering where are the larger areas that the cruising yachts hang out. I am thinking of heading up the east coast a bit then heading over to the west. I am wondering if there are any large live aboard marinas that i should check out.

I am currently in Florida looking to buy a yacht, 35 Island Packet or Possibly 38 Cabo Rico at this point. Any pointers would be great.
thanks.

Boats in Green Cove Springs,West Palm Beach,Amelia Island farther north in Charlston SC,Wilmington NC

[Kettlewell]

Also, check out the storage yards at Indiantown and Green Cove Springs.

[skipmac]

If you are trying to find a boat for sale by looking around where boats are docked I think you're really going about it the hard way. There are thousands of boats in Ft Lauderdale and Miami. I would guess at least half of them are docked at places you can't stroll by to look like private docks, behind private houses, yacht clubs, marinas with locked gates, etc.

I would research online where a boat I like is for sale and go to where that boat is docked to look at it.

[FSMike]

In Lauderdale go to the Southport Raw Bar and ask around. While you're in that area visit BlueWater Books and ask for suggestions.
South of Miami try the Coconut Grove Marina/mooring field area. Also there are a couple of large marinas in Miami and Miami beach.
A lot of cruisers are on the hook rather than at a marina.
If you want to go farther there are a lot of cruisers on moorings in Boot Key Harbor in Marathon in the keys, also at Key West.
Using a broker can save you a lot of looking.
Good luck.

[onestepcsy37]

there are no longer any 'hangouts' for cruising yachts in fort lauderdale. too expensive. once upon a time, riverbend marina up the new river was THE place for real cruisers, vagabonds, beachcombers, pirates, and wenches to hang out; it's now an upscale marina with armed guards and a gatehouse. just TRY to get in.

as skipmac said, most of the boats for sale in fort lauderdale are in locked marinas or, more likely, behind private homes - mainly on the new river, and you will find it difficult without a broker.

[bobconnie]

Connie and I spent 4 days in Lauderdale a couple of mos back, looking at boats ! we saw over 15 boats in this time. It would be almost impossible to see much there without the help of brokers! As folks have said a lot of the boats there are behind locked gates or behind homes on one of the many many canals in the town !! Look them up on line and get in touch with the brokers, they earn there income showing and selling boats, and will be glad to show some to you !! just my 2 cents

[gettinthere]

There are several "for sale by owner" websites, google it. Most boat magazines have classifieds in print & online.

Trying to walk the docks seems senseless to me. Most are closed to the public. But even if you could get in, you'd walk and walk and walk looking for what? A sign with a phone number. A phone number you can find much more easily in classified sections of magazines and websites.