"2000 December 20-22 - Big Hotels/ Expensive Marina" Miami Beach by grandmaR

Yellow buoy off Miami Beach

I call as we come down the coast. Dinner Key has absolutely noplace. The Hammock Bay marina doesn't allow live aboards (NO SPENDING THE NIGHT ON THE BOAT) and doesn't have a slip larger than 36 feet anyhow. Finally call Miami Beach which is right inside the breakwater (see Sports Tip for photo from the air), and they have a space but it is only until Dec 25th. Ugh. And also it is $2/foot. Double Ugh. But we take it.

The boat next to us is a bareboat. After we tie up and go up and pay, our daughter meets us - she is back from transitioning into the 737- with our grandchildren. I have to go to the locked gate to let her in. We are so far back in the slip that we have to climb through the shrouds (impossible) to get to the finger pier. Actually, we go out the gate and squinch along outside the lifelines hanging on for dear life until we get past the end piling on the finger pier. We unload the boat hastily and lock up and go home with her.

Cruise ship docks from Key Biscayne

When we call around, we find that a mooring at Rickenbacker Marina is about the best we can do. So we sign a lease and pay. It is $220/month. We decide to move the boat ASAP - after 2 nights. We get out of the slip OK, and cross the harbor, dodging tugs and ferries. Bob is incensed that the boat is covered with soot, and he insists on washing down the deck and leaving me to go down the channel - as if that wouldn't wait until it was a little less hectic.

Next - on a mooring