Purchasing a boat and slip in FLA

[neoscope]

I'm currently looking at purchasing a boat that sleeps 6 to have it setup in a slip down in FT Lauderdale FL year around. Does anyone know where the most inexpensive boat slips are? Can anyone offer any advice for this purchase?

I used to have a summer cottage on a lake in Northern NH and i'm pretty familiar with driving open bow boats but my other concern is having some experiencing operating a larger boat on the ocean before I purchase mine. Is there some place out there that I can get lessons on navigation and any other useful knowledge for operating a larger boat on the ocean?

I have taken the test for my NH safe boating certificate two years ago.

Thanks,

T

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Purchasing a boat and slip in FLA

I'm from Tampa Bay... so can't advise you on the lauderdale area, but can give you some general info...

You can take a coast guard auxillary safety course almost anywhere in FL...
I suggest doing this.

FL doesnt have any required boating courses to operate a vessel (funny I know in one of the most boat Heavy states in the U.S.) You can just buy one and go...

Navigating intercoastal waters is a bit tricky, you need to know where the channels are, were the markers are supposed to be (the RRR rule doesnt always seem to apply)... or you WILL run aground... most places are under 3' deep everywhere but the channel (most only 1' at low tide), unless your actually out in the gulf/atlantic. It really just takes experience in the area you plan on boating to avoid problems...

You may consider hiring a charter boat captain to take you out a few times and show you the basics. point out any known hazards, etc.... I know a few that do this in the tampa area when they dont have fishing charters, (again none in lauderdale sorry, but you can just yellow page charters in the area). I found this is usally more cost effecting then actually hiring someone to train you.

Also, if you have a boat in a wet slip in FL, its going to need a ton of maintenance to keep the bottom clear of barnacles/scale/growth.

Cheapest I have ever seen for a wetslip around here is about 300/month that was for outside with no cover, i would imagine they are more expensive in that area, just because everything else is.

If you plan on taking it out away from land, you will need to learn how to effectively use a GPS and waypoints/nav points (something the charter captain can help you with).

Good luck with your purchase!

 

[dontask]

Re: Purchasing a boat and slip in FLA

I lived in Ft Lauderdale for 18 years and just moved out of there in 2005. Check out Harbor Town Marina, that's the place I chose to store my Mako. Its a full service marina if you need any work, but you don't have to use Harbor Town Marina's staff. There are marine service vendors all over the facilities that can do work on Harbor Town property. You can store a boat in one of the enclosed buildings (fork lift), rack store outside or store in the water. It has wash racks, work racks, 24 hour security and clean showers for girls when you come back from a day of boating. I paid $264 a month (inside storage) for a boat that measured 25 feet. The marina is very responsible for damage they might have caused.
The location is great for being central to Ft Lauderdale and ocean access. The only negatives were a couple (2) moron fork lift operators and the fuel at the marina was over priced. Harbor Town marina would be my first choice again if I moved back to Ft Lauderdale.
If (when) a hurricane comes and your stored in one of the steel buildings (rack stored) your in better shape then many. The marina is short distance from the Port of Everglades, Downtown, John Loyd's park and 10 minutes from Ft Lauderdale airport (by taxi). One last suggestion for your experience level and safety---get a Sea Tow membership.
Up date (July 14th)---when you look for a place to store your boat in Ft Lauderdale realize that there is a big difference in the crime rate from where your from and Ft Lauderdale. So being cheap in picking a marina may cost you more in the long run with theft & vandalism.

 

[AtoZ]

Re: Purchasing a boat and slip in FLA

I've seen 24 foot boats that says "sleeps six" and I've been on 50 foot boats that sleeps six. What size of boat are you looking for?

 

[waynehol]

Re: Purchasing a boat and slip in FLA

Some of the live aboard slips here on the west coast go for about $20.00 per foot. I think that includes electric.