Re: End of sept boating in Miami, rental...
I've never rented a boat in Miami, but I notice no one else seems to be weighing in, so I though I'd share, lol. Were it me, I'd probably wait until I got to Miami before I found the spot. Now I know there's a "risk" waiting until the last minute as it pertains to availability, but tourism has been down in our state thanks to the economy and it's usually "worth the wait". Normally, the hotel you're staying in will have a relationship with a rental biz and you can usually get discounts by booking through the hotel. There's a lot of money that changes hands on the backsides of these deals and rightfully so, it's the biggest industry we have down here.
Plus, if it remains slow, you should be able to negotiate a good rate. The dealer would rather rent to you at a discount that to have his boat remain at the dock and nobody in it. Whereas if you book online, or now, they have the leverage of "assuming" that things will be busy and may charge accordingly. I've known people that have spent $750.00 to rent a 22' for the day and another that spent $350.00 for the same boat, same time of the year. The market will bear what folks will pay.
Having said that, if you're willing to go just a little bit further over to Key West, there are plenty of places where you can rent a beachfront cottage that includes a boat to use. Not sure how much they are but I've seen them advertised and they look awesome. Plus, you just can't go to Miami without considering a trip over to our beautiful Keys. It's a boater's absolute paradise I tell you!
