HOME > CRUISING > Up a Not So Lazy River (3)

Mid Size Power Boats

Read Online

Full Chapter One


Up a Not So Lazy River

Fort Lauderdale's Fabulous New River (3)

by

P1

P2
3

Page Three

A quiet place to lay over, one of the city's
many public marinas, this one located at
SW 4th Avenue.

As we continue up the river, we leave the inner city just as suddenly as it springs up. On the right bank, just before the Fourth Avenue Bridge, there is Chinnock Marine, another boat yard. On the other side of the bridge is yet another city marina which has both long term dockage and launching ramps. This is one of the most popular spots for transients as it is well landscaped with good facilities. It is also tranquil on weekdays and evenings, with only the bridge noise to disturb you. Though seemingly well-hidden, people flock to this park-like area on weekends, an area that is loaded with flowering trees. 

By now, the river has made so many twisting turns that you probably have to look at your compass to find out which direction you're going, but the general direction is west, or inland. 

The aptly named Sailboat Bend neighborhood.

We next meet with yet another residential neighborhood, that is also lush with tropical foliage and homes of distinctive character. Lining the banks are boats and yachts of all sizes and description. Boats, boats, everywhere there are boats. This is the aptly named Sailboat Bend neighborhood, recently reclaimed from a deteriorating slum area. You'd never guess by looking at it that this neighborhood was once a dangerous place to be on foot.

 

Citrus Isles, where boats and homes blend together

Now we come to the Davie Boulevard Bridge, about two miles inland, but at this point you have now traveled five water miles, what with all the twisting turns. Passing under the bridge you enter the Citrus Isles and River Oaks neighborhoods that are crammed with unique architecture set within a south Florida hammock (our word for jungle). Here on the north side of the river residents respect their natural surroundings so that many homes do not have yards, so to speak, but are homes built into the original Florida landscape. It's one of the few places where you get a glimpse of what the original landscape used to look like.

A typical residential canal.

On the left are the Citrus Isles, a series of residential canals that are just jam packed with boats. Here, many homeowners pay for their mortgages by renting out dock space to non-residents for long term dockage. Far inland, the area is well protected from hurricane storm surge. When hurricanes approach, there's always a huge armada of yachts heading up river to seek safety far inland. Indeed, yachts as safe as they can get here.


1

2

4

TOP

David Pascoe - Biography

David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor in his family who began his surveying career at age 16 as an apprentice in 1965 as the era of wooden boats was drawing to a close.

Certified by the National Association of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over 5,000 pre purchase surveys in addition to having conducted hundreds of boating accident investigations, including fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure analysis.

Over forty years of knowledge and experience are brought to bear in following books. David Pascoe is the author of:

In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from nearly 80 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001.

In 2012, David Pascoe has retired from marine surveying business at age 65.

On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71.

Biography - Long version

 


David Pascoe's
Power Boat Books
Mid Size Power Boats Mid Size Power Boats
A Guide for Discriminating Buyers
Focuses exclusively cruiser class generally 30-55 feet
With discussions on the pros and cons of each type: Expresses, trawlers, motor yachts, multi purpose types, sportfishermen and sedan cruisers.
Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats
Selecting and Evaluating New and Used Boats
Dedicated for offshore outboard boats
A hard and realistic look at the marine market place and delves into issues of boat quality and durability that most other marine writers are unwilling to touch.
Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats
2nd Edition
The Art of Pre-Purchase Survey The very first of its kind, this book provides the essentials that every novice needs to know, as well as a wealth of esoteric details.
Marine Investigations
Pleasure crafts investigations to court testimony The first and only book of its kind on the subject of investigating pleasure craft casualties and other issues.