Visiting two Ft Lauderdale Yacht Clubs

Joanne in the Fly Bridge approaching Ft Lauderdale Bridge

On Sunday morning we had an early start, 7:30 am, for the trip down the ICW to Fort Lauderdale.  We had 5 bridges to get under and 3 of them required us to call the bridge tender to raise them.  Some bridges open upon demand (when you ask); others have schedules of once or twice an hour - and this can be problematic because we if we got there too early, we'd have to do circles outside the bridge.  With currents it is sometimes difficult to hold our boat in position - thus the circles!

It was a picturesque journey past the towns of Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Hillsboro until we arrived in Ft Lauderdale.  With nearly 300 miles of canals, channels and waterways, it is referred to as the "Yachting Capital of the World."  Ft Lauderdale harbors more recreational boats than any other port in Florida and the shores were loaded with them.  The yachts were huge and the homes that dotted the shores massive. 

Coral Ridge Yacht Club from the water

It was about 11 a.m. when we turned into Sunset Lake, the  entrance to Coral Ridge Yacht Club.  Our friends, Jackie & Bob, in the sailboat, Sabrena, turned in right after us.  They went into their slip and caught our lines as we pulled in right next to them.  Coral Ridge is a pretty place with very friendly people.  We opted to partake in their Sunday buffet.  By the time we finished, we didn't need any more food for the day!  We spent two days here and enjoyed swimming in their lovely pool.  We rode bikes into town and stocked up on some food supplies.

After dinner at Seasons 52 with Jackie & Bob

Today, Tuesday, we left Coral Ridge and traveled a short distance to Lauderdale Yacht Club.  It, too, is just off the ICW.  I had to make a sharp right turn up their channel and we are berthed along their north seawall.  We plan to stay here 3 days and then move onto Miami.  Weather has been great, but tonight we are getting a little rain.  More later!