Anchorage Delray Beach and Ft Lauderdale

[morgan342]

Im doing the icw in my 28ft 3ft draft morgan sailboat and have friends in both Delray beach and Ft Lauderdale I wanted to hangout and visit. I prefer to anchor and im poor so I was wondering how boat friendly and if there is any anchorage in either place or what is the closest place.

Thanks
Bare bones

[Vasco]

Don't know about Delray but Lake Sylvia in Ft. Lauderdale is fine. Also Lake Boca in Boca Raton is ok. The problem is finding a spot to tie up a dink in these anchorages.

[CSY Man]

Free dinghy dockage at waterfront bars in Fort Lauderdale.
Some just around the corner from Lake Sylvia.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by CSY Man

Free dinghy dockage at waterfront bars in Fort Lauderdale.
Some just around the corner from Lake Sylvia.

We tie up at Southport Raw Bar in Ft. Lauderdale. We usually have lunch there so it's not a problem but they do have a sign that says $10 for dinks.

[Hudson Force]

We also anchor in Lake Sylvia. When visiting our friends in Delray Beach we tie to the temporary free dock at Veteran's Park (ICW mile 1039) just north of the Atlantic Ave. Bridge. We either remain on board or eat locally and then anchor for the night at Pelican Harbor which is located on the west side of the ICW at the 14th canal to starboard counting south from the Linton Blvd. Bridge. With your draft you could anchor just north of Green Marker 53 on the east side of the ICW and just south of the Atlantic Ave. Bridge.

[Boatguy30]

How's the holding in lake Silvia? I might need to leave my boat for a sort time in January and was considering options. will use 2 anchors to a swivel pennant.

[CSY Man]

. How's the holding in lake Silvia? I might need to leave my boat for a sort time in January and was considering options. will use 2 anchors to a swivel pennant.
__________________

Holding is not too good. Mostly mud and some sand.
Weathered a few thunderstorm there with 35-45 knot gusts.
Used a 55 lbs Delta and a 44 lbs Rocna. (Not at the same time, both were holding pretty good if I spent 20 minutes setting them increasing slowly to 2000 rpm in reverse) Sometimes had to anchor 2 or 3 times to sleep good.
Also strong tidal currents if anchored close to the low bridges.
Don't arrive during a weekend, plenty toy boats partying for the day, less choices.
Go towards the middle but watch the depth.
Some City ordinance limits anchoring to 24 or 48 hours.
Police boats come-a-checking often and they listen to the residents around the Lake who are quick to call in complaints.
Been there 50-60 times, key is to maintain a low profile, don't anchor close to no
Houses and don't play no loud music or dance naked on deck..

[CSY Man]

To enter Lake Sylvia, go for the marina entrance, then do a sharp Starboard turn towards Lake Sylvia so as to go parallel with the East Docks/Seawall heading South, 1 boat length from the docks.
At the mouth of the Lake, head sharply to Starboard again, heading WSW to get to the other side, then circle around the lake on the West side staying 100 feet from the properties. Look for a good place somewhere around the middle of the lake, some shallow spots. Depth usually 10 to 20'.
The reason for initial maneuvers when entering the lake, shallow rock that seem to attract boats. Hit is several times and seen boats stuck there for hours until tide came up.
(Once wife was driving in with our 5'3" draft CSY 33 and she hit the rock.
Lost all her confidence and refused to drive after that. My fault, I was guiding her in..)

[DrivinSteve]

Originally Posted by morgan342

Im doing the icw in my 28ft 3ft draft morgan sailboat and have friends in both Delray beach and Ft Lauderdale I wanted to hangout and visit. I prefer to anchor and im poor so I was wondering how boat friendly and if there is any anchorage in either place or what is the closest place.

Thanks
Bare bones

There is a small anchorage just south of the Atlantic Ave. bridge on the east side of the ICW in DelRay right at MM 1040. Look for the "G 53" stick.
Easy dink to the main attractions in Delray.

[sailboat221]

There is a small anchorage just south of the Linton Blvd. bridge on the wast side of the ICW in DelRay.

[morgan342]

Its been pretty windy 25 plus mph and I havent moved much at all.

[Sun and Moon]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

How's the holding in lake Silvia? I might need to leave my boat for a sort time in January and was considering options. will use 2 anchors to a swivel pennant.

I agree with CSYMan. Holding in Lake Sylvia is not so great. It's one of the few places I've had trouble getting my Rockna to set. My gut says the bottom is soupy mud, which I find to be the toughest bottom for the Rockna.