Miami SB dinghy rental/beg/borrow/steal

[CraftyBob]

Folks I'm in Miami south beach for Christmas and it's blowing a pretty decent SE force 3-4. I've been stuck in landlocked Alberta all year and am jonesing for a spin in a laser/Finn anything. Been sailing since I was a kid and it's killing me that I can't get out on the water.

Any suggestions for cheap dinghy rental around the South Beach area? Have a car to get around or further afield if necessary

Cheers and happy fucking Christmas!

 

[couchsurfer]

.

...it's a nasty suggestion,but check craigslist and see what you can take out for a test-sail :mellow:

http://miami.craigslist.org/search/mdc/boa?search_distance_type=mi&query=sailboat

....looks like someone's realizing their 49er investment doesn't gain value with time.

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/5362744452.html

...whaaaat?...Hobie 12's...they're still making them? :blink:

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/5353221081.html

...or maybe you can get out in the laser foiler,,,it's a dealer,,maybe you can make a legitimate rental!

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/5326706359.html

 

[A Boy Named Stu]

In December there was a number for laser rentals when you go into the US sailing center.

On key biscayne there is a place that gives windsurfing and kite boarding lessons

http://www.miamikiteboarding.com/

Or you can go the "sea trial" route

 

[barney]

hey,

I'm in s similar situation as the OP just a couple of years later. Have a hard time believing that the only place to rent a boat in MIami is the one that google finds. http://www.miamicatamarans.com/ Seriously, I even scrolled through the beach on google maps looking for signs of boats on the sand.

Don't get me wrong, this place looks ok, but the Hobie brand has much nicer boats on its portfolio than the wave and the getaway that they have.

Is there really no other place to rent small boats in the city?

cheers

 

[martin 'hoff]

I'm in s similar situation as the OP just a couple of years later. Have a hard time believing that the only place to rent a boat in MIami is the one that google finds. http://www.miamicatamarans.com/ Seriously, I even scrolled through the beach on google maps looking for signs of boats on the sand.

Don't get me wrong, this place looks ok, but the Hobie brand has much nicer boats on its portfolio than the wave and the getaway that they have.

Is there really no other place to rent small boats in the city?

@barney -- I live here, in fact I see the spot from my balcony, and was their client for ~4 years (they have a membership option). They're good, and there's a few choice sandbars to go to. If you really know what you're doing, and you have wind and time in your favor, you can venture to Soldier Key or even Boca Chita. You can sneak into the little bay where Casa Vizcaya is.

I think it's the only shop, yes. Consider the clientele -- level of expertise, sobriety... -- they used to field H-16s but rotomolded is the only thing that survives the abuse.

There used to be a Laser-Performance branded shop renting Lasers, Sunfish, Bahias & a Dart 16, run by Roberto Porter (I was also member there), which morphed into http://www.justsailmiami.com/our-boats/ , run by Andrew Jacque. I don't know whether it operates with any regularity, give them a call. 

For larger boats (and wallets!) you can choose between sailboat timeshares -- Pennant Yachts is the only option in town, I'm a happy customer -- and services like BoatBound. There may be other options -- renting a Catalina 24 perhaps, Castle Point Marina? -- further south, but I never tried.

This Saturday 10:30 there'll be a cat race -- search for CABB in Facebook -- from the same beach where Miami Catamarans operates. Bunch of H-18s, and assorted cats will partake. PM me for more info if you want

 

[barney]

Thank you very much. Even though I'd really love to race, unfortunately I can't make it. Gonna have to settle for an hour or two of Hobie sailing, which is pretty awesome considering it's winter where I am right now.