Miami - Fort Lauderdale Area

[RCAN]

We just got our used 1976 Com-Pac 16 in the water this week to test out the motor. Have not sailed it yet.

Would like to know if there are any Com Pac owners in the area that we could sail with, compare local ramps experiences and other local marina and sailing sites information with.

We lack experience and would benefit from contact with local owners of similar keel boats.

[Tom Ray]

I grew up in south Miami, and used to use ramps at Matheson Hammock and Dinner Key. Don't know about further north.

You might try asking over at trailersailor.com on the main forum. Charles Brennan is from that area and is a walking encyclopedia of boating knowledge.

[RCAN]

Tom,

Thanks for the quick response. It was our first posting and it seems like this group is very welcoming with offers for help and advice. We appreciate it.

[jimyoung]

RCAN,

I live in the Ft Lauderdale area but my Compac is a 27' so she doesn't get trailered much.  I do however have an old antique run-about that I trailer about and in my opinion your best ramp in the Miami area for sailing would be Black Point Marina.  Dinner Key has a good ramp but with a new boat... that ramp has a large spectator audience (busy) and can get very slick at low tide. There are several ramps in the Keys and if you use a gps in your tow vehicle I found a list of "Boat-ramps in Florida" on a POI site.  If your intrested I will look it up and send a link, it was a free listing.

By the way, welcome to the forum.  Before I bought my 27 I owned a 16' and a 19' Compac, so if you have any questions or need help, let me know.

Capt'n Jim

[Tom Ray]

Black Point is a nice facility, but getting to be a drive for a Fort Lauderdale person...

There are actually a couple of ramps in the Coconut Grove/Dinner Key area. The one alongside 27th avenue was not as slick. last I knew. The old seaplane ramp down at the end of Aviation Ave was slick like ice. A friend launched his truck there.

When you get ready to take your boat on the road, come over to Charlotte Harbor! It's great sailing, only 3 hours away, and my local knowledge is a LOT more current.

[Matt003]

I have launched out of homestead bayfront marina before. This a quite a drive from Ft. Lauderdale but it is much lower key then other Miami ramps.

$10 gets you in and out.

Blackpoint Marina also has a TON of spectators, they even have bleachers set up for them!

Good luck!

[RCAN]

Guys,

Thanks for all of the feed back.

It will take me a while to try out all of the ramps you have suggested.

Jim, I have recently used a great ramp in Fort Lauderdale (the only one I have as yet). It is the Cooley Avenue ramp off of SW 7 Avenue bridge on the north side of the bridge. It is at the end of the walkway that bordes the New River around the Performing Arts Center. It if beatifully maintained, moss-free, they clean up the seaweed that floats in regularly and are long, angled deep enough and good rough surface. If you ever need to put your 27 footer unto a trailer, this might be a good ramp for you.

I will continue exploring all of the other ramps suggested by you guys.

Thanks again.

[RCAN]

This last weekend was a first for me in two respects.

    (1) Actually raised the sails and sailed the boat for the first time. It was a great experience. Looking forward to getting to know her better now that I've made it through that threshhold!

    (2) Used the Coconut Grove ramp at the end of 27th Avenue for the first time. It is an excellent facility, recently renovated, as mentioned by you guys earlier. It appears that I may have few problems launching even at low tide. I launched and retrieved the boat both at mid tide. $ 10 for 24 hours parking. They will only take credit cards, no cash. No ramp fees but parking must be paid for by phone and they want to know how long you will be out. If out longer you must call it in. I assume this is to make sure your are not in trouble out on the bay.

I will be trying other local ramps in the future and will gladly report back.

Thanks again.