Las Olas Marina, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 26:07.136N 080:06.504W

Five Islands
John & Sue
Sat 11 Jun 2016 23:22
Leaving the Marine Stadium anchorage in Miami at high tide, we headed north following an area of 6 to 7 feet on the chart, which was flanked on the Stb side by a designated Manatee Protection Zone and led to the SW corner of the Lummus turning basin. After checking and rechecking for moving vessels via AIS signals we entered the Lummus Cut passing the docks where ships were being loaded and dodging small car ferries (who do not have AIS).

We were close enough to wave to the crane operators.

From Lummus Cut looking back at Miami.

From Lummus Cut we paused at the intersection with Government Cut, no traffic and made our way out to the entrance to Miami Harbour.

Looking back at South Miami Beach on the right and down the Main Channel from Government Cut. 

Making our way north the shoreline was a constant row of buildings - where do all these people come from?

A tug pulling a ship against the current and doing 6 knots as were we.

Entering Port Everglades through Bar Cut and looking at the docked ships. What surprised us was how busy this waterway was. There were entering and exiting boats ranging from small dinghies to mega yachts and the 70ft Sport Fisher who ploughed out the channel, just about swamping us and a small fishing boat with it’s wake and not a glance sideways. NOT HAPPY JAN!!!


Once into the harbour we circled around waiting for our first Bascule bridge to open - the SE 17th St Bridge.

Not too sure of the protocol, we let a boat come through first.

Then it was our turn. An impressive structure for our first ‘opening' bridge.

We have since done some research and although most bridges in this area open at half hour intervals, it is necessary to call the bridge on Chanel 09, stating the bridges correct name, the type and name of your vessel, the direction you are heading and request their next opening. Once through you thank the Bridge and pass on a pleasantry. 

The sheer number and size of the mega yachts in this waterway is mind blowing. So much money and wealth everywhere you look.

Following the fairly narrow winding channel we came around a bend and found this dredge taking up half the waterway. Just as we passed this a sport fisher decided we were going too slow (5kts) and undercut us, to make it worse he still had a fishing line in the water which we didn’t need wrapped one of our props. John called him up - no response. 

Then a water taxi came around us so the ‘No Wake’ zone signage doesn’t seem to mean much.

After contacting the Las Olas Marina (who initially claimed not to have our booking although I had spoken to them the day before from Miami), we tied up on F Dock, which is the southern most dock in the marina. It was low tide and slack water which made manoeuvring much easier but the cement pilings of the fixed dock were covered in oysters so securing the boat away from the dock but close enough for me to climb on and off was a bit of a challenge. Even more challenging was performing this in the hot, humid afternoon sun. We were both very pleased when it was done. The Marina cost US$260 for a week. There was a fully air conditioned building with male and female bathrooms, a TV/Library/computer room and a coin operated laundry (US$1.75/load). The laundry has a large folding table, a change machine taking notes for quarters and a soap dispenser, all very flash.
Evening storm clouds behind the Las Olas Bridge. This is our view from our slip.

 
This is looking south.

And this is looking north. The Marina is on the edge of a council carpark studded with trees. The marina is securely gated but the open pathway on the rivers edge was a favourite fishing spot. The first night we were there a couple, who just caught a nice size snapper (looked similar to a grassy sweet lip), were approached by officials and fined. The officials were patrolling the area that night but we didn’t see them again after that. 

We spent a week at the Marina and still couldn’t get over some of the boats that cruised by.

Others were not in such good condition. This sail boat (Zeus) went past late one afternoon and we both commented that she was in need of some drastic TLC. We noticed the next  morning that she didn’t get that far having sunk just down river. She was still here when we left.

Ft Lauderdale beach was only 2 blocks away. A popular spot. Such fun to watch buff males trying to impress the beach babes. A lot of “look at me” culture here.

The beach front precinct is packed with restaurants, bars, clothing stores and tourist ’T-Shirt’ places. This is also where we get off the trolley/shuttle bus.

The Sun Trolley is a $1.00 a ride quaint shuttle bus that we caught at the 7Eleven, a block from the marina, and took us downtown to the Publix Supermarket. Outside it is yellow and red and inside it is pleasantly air conditioned with wooden slatted seats. You have to have the right money as the drivers do not give change. The second time we took the Sun Trolley it was being driven by ‘first day on the job’ driver who got totally confused as to where he needed to go to get us to our stop. We did a drive through an inner city suburb before we offered some directions and he ‘remembered’ his route. We saw parts of Ft Lauderdale we would not have normally seen. Thankfully we were the only ones on the bus when we took this slight ‘detour’. We found the shopping for ‘boat bits’ in Ft Lauderdale easy and within walking distance from the Publix. The largest West Marine we have seen (well compared to RAM and Key West) and again we spent some more money. The 4 x $27 stainless deck caps for the water tanks didn’t fit and had to be returned. Hoping the existing plastic ones will hang in there a little longer. Located near the Publix is the largest grog shop i have seen. Row upon row of beer , wine, spirits etc. We are trying American wines which generally are not as nice as Australian, Argentinian or Chilean but we will continue our research. John has found Modelo Negra (Mexican) as a reasonable replacement for the Gallo Moza from Guatemala.

Tropical Storm Colin passed to the north with little effect on us other than a couple of squalls to 28kts and some rain.  It is the lead up to the hurricane season and the rain has started. I think it might be a little damp from time to time.

This guy perched on our dock lines for awhile one afternoon. It was a pity the light was poor (overcast) as the feather colours were quite striking.

Time to head north again. Next stop West Palm Beach, Lake Worth via the ICW.