Miami Boat Show 2011 and Return to Grove Isle, Days 139 - 145, Miami Beach, FL

It has been an exciting week of funfilled activities.    We stayed at the the Miami Beach Marina thanks to Paul Boudos' securing us a slip.   Although the priciest yet at $227/nite, it was in an excellent location being in South Beach.  There was a boardwalk that went south and then east along Goverment Cut to the beach.  It was magical at night with lights in the towers (see photo below) that turned from green to blue.

Boardwalk along Government Cut

Lazy day on Miami Beach

Busy day on Miami Beach

South Beach's landmark just two blocks from the marina

We got a dog walker for Kodi for Friday and Saturday, which enabled us to "show go" with no concerns.  The dog walker, Keith, took her home to play with his weimaraner and returned her to the boat each evening.  So Kodi was happy.

This was our first time at the Miami Boat Show and my first time in South Beach.   The show was so big (and the traffice -- well, you can imagine).   There was a lot of "fancy iron" which Les loves.

Fancy iron

Slick boats

There were many fast boats, classics, and luxury yachts

83 Azimut that we visited

And, "wish list" stuff -- like a bathtub

My "bathtub" (Ok, I know it's the hot tub on the 83 Azimut)

We came to the boat show just for fun, and wound up finding a boat we love.  (Sounds kind of fickle as I sit here on our lovely 48!)    This "new love" is a Fleming 55 and think it will be the next (and last) boat on our journey.

Fleming 55 Pilot House Cruiser

Fleming salon looking aft

Best ever galley (includes oven, dishwasher and convection microwave)

To die for control panel

On Sunday, accompanied by Ron and Linda we (and two other interested couples) sea trialed the Fleming.  It was awesome.  All you hear is the sound of the water!  Engines?  We are still not sure if they come with the boat.  You could not hear them.

Spectacular view from the pilothouse

Having now spent 5 months living on a boat, we better understand what is both desired and practical for us, i.e., a washer and dryer!    While getting a Fleming 55 will be a "process", we envision heading in that direction.

Meanwhile, the BEST part of the weekend was spending time with friends

Pam and Scott.  Pam accompanied us from Grove Isle to Miami Beach Marina.  Then Scott joined us for the Brokerage Show on Collins Ave.

Pam and Scott on a 75 Mochi trawler (by Ferretti)

Linda and Ron Markovits.  We did the inwater show at Sea Isle and the Collins Ave Brokerage venues with them.  Les and Ron did the Convention Center venue.

Ron and Linda pose for a photo after the sea trial

Kathy and Dick Hoffman.  They too own a 48 Sundancer and are our neighbors at Belmont Harbor.

We pose with Dick and Kathy next to a badboy Rolls Royce 

$400K Badboy Rolls Royce in black primer coat owned by a football player

Awesome dinner at Prime One Twelve on Ocean Drive

And Heidi, Jim and Michael.  Jim and Heidi were part of the "fix-up" 24 years (short 4 days) ago (with Laura and Bob) that brought us together.

The bunch of us

Heidi, Michael and Jim at Smith and Wollensky

Note: Michael and Les ended the evening with a high-speed night dingy ride through the channel adjacent to the marina.

The weather may be wonderful, but it's friends that make it special.

Skipper Bob's little dog "Skipper" at the inwater show at Sea Isle.

On Monday, we left Miami Beach Marina (and the 4-5 knot current when the tide change and turbulence) and returned to paradise (Grove Isle Marina) where we will stay for the next seven days (recovering from the weekend). 

Guided Discovery at Grove Isle slip C1

On Tuesday morning, we discovered Lucky Star, the 55 Fleming that was in the show on the "T" at E-dock where we were last week.  Pam and Jim, owners of Lucky Star, invited us for cocktails on Wednesday evening.  They are GREAT salespeople for Fleming (i.e., they love their boat - what's not to love).

Lucky Star - Hull #218 Launched November 2010

Just picture her with the name Guided Discovery!!!!

Written by Diana and Les