9 week sailing cruise revisited. Launching

[JP. Niel]

Hi All.
Hope this finds everyone well.
As you may or may not have noticed in in previous posts we are planning a fall / winter Bahamas trip. The plan is progressing nicely. So now with the boat starting to come around and trailer needing only tires our thoughts turn to actually getting in the water (and how the heck we're going to pay for the gas).
I searched several web sites for launch ramps but didn't find any thing pertinent. So I hope it isn't imposing to much to make a request for information in the hope someone can help me out.
Ideally Ft. Lauderdale area is 1st on the list then options south of that. Parking is not a factor.We only launch and get set back on by travel lift. While this might be too specific a place near an anchorage is important to waiting for a weather window, anchoring or mooring is much cheaper than a slip,as I'm sure you're aware.
Any info that might help us make an informed decision will be most appreciated.
Thanks & Fair winds.
Jim Nielsen

[JP. Niel]

We're trailing out of Chicago and have no local knowledge of So. Fla No. Of Vacca, Key.

[DrRalph]

JP, I think it would help if you describe your boat.

[SamFamAustin]

Sounds like a sailboat on a big trailer heavy enough for 4 wheels and they can launch somewhere but need a haul-out on the return trip it's heavy enough. I'm still thinking marina here for some reason, since a haul is needed eventually ("get set by a Travel-Lift"). So I think that part is most important because you have to get in their queue for a lift-job.

Now maybe Doc and the readers have some ideas on good marinas with a Travel-lift, and I'm sure the marina folks know all the places you can launch, park, and talk with the Dockmaster about a mooring or some good holding ground. Heck, you might even want a night berth if it's sloppy outside - especially with a good deal.

But act quick because the lemmings up north start coming down to Florida in the fall, and space can be tight especially after Columbus Day if things are like they used to be. Plan ahead and badda-bing, you're covered. /sammie

[DrRalph]

There's a ramp on 15th St in Lauderdale. Go to the corner of US1 and 17th, turn toward the ocean, go about halfway to the bridge, make a left, go two blocks, turn right on 15th, the ramp is on the right. People launch some pretty good size boats there, we dropped a 29-footer with twin outboards, 10,000 lbs, but didn't have your draft. You may need high tide.

The location is good because you're very close to the inlet and the Atlantic.

[Lynx]

I would also check for marinas a little more north as you will be returning up there probably.

I keep my boat on the West Coast, just north of Ft Myers. This would add an extra week of travel time each way to your trip. But it is a very nice ride.

[JP. Niel]

Dr. Ralph, Thanks for the launch ramp info. Sounds like just what I need.When I arrive in So. Fla I'll definitely check this one out(with a lead line ,huh?). Usually it's either the drop at the end of precast / cement or over head obstructions that complicate things , being the 29 went in I should too. I've have the rear bunks rigged to lower 8 in.prolly be fine. Even though we were in the Keys for 3 weeks in 01 the tide thing is going to be a learning curve. I'm sure it'll work out well after hitting a cut or two against the flow. Thanks again. JP.

[SamFamAustin]

Hey Lynx my old stomping grounds used to be just north of you, Clearwater to Venice. Had a place on Anna Maria Island and then in Bradenton. I liked the Gold Coast and heard that even in low water, the shortcut across Okeechobee isn't all that bad at all. /sammie

[Lynx]

The Okeechobee Waterway is very nice motor, about 100 miles. You can cross over to West End at the end on the east coast (has a 49 foot bridge). Just a long cannal with big lake in the middle. Good to spend 2 to 3 weeks and does make a nice loop if you want to do Fl for the entire winter weason.

[Sail41]

JP,
Another possibility for you is Port Salerno Marine in South Stuart. Jack Sharp is the manager. They have a small yard right on the water in Manatee Pocket. Probably has room to store the trailer as well. Nice people and reasonable.

You would be about 2 miles to Peck Lake, a great anchorage on the ICW or about 4 hours to Lake Worth(Palm Beach) where you can anchor at Peanut Island and await crossing weather. Probably get some buddy boats to cross with at the same time. With the gulfstream, it's an easy crossing from Lake Worth. Even though the pocket is right at the ocean, it takes longer in a sailboat from St. Lucie Inlet that the ride down to Lake worth and crossing from there.

Jack's phone is (772)223-5022

Girard