... perhaps things would have been different had we been down to Coconut Grove instead of near South Beach. We took the public transportation down to the Grove twice, I had been there many years ago, I must say it was great. Very cool down there. Next time. I loved that little yacht club there, as you say, very nice. But for us being near South Beach we felt trapped, I did not like it at all. Bouncing around north of Gov't Cut was not fun. We did have an excellent, safe anchorage between Hibiscus and Palm for several nights, but getting off the boat at night was darn near impossible logistically. Not to mention it was high 30's outside. I just never felt safe there, perhaps it is me, I am from the woods, I'm not used to these things. In the Bahamas, I don't think twice about going out at night, late, all the while the dinghy is unlocked no matter where it is, my nice Gill coat often stuffed in the bow and always there when I come back ... as well as the unlocked outboard & gas tank. Meanwhile the boat back at anchor is wide open airing out nicely, nothing hidden, nothing put away. That's what I'm used to I guess. I wouldn't think of ever locking my door at home, I'm not sure where the key to the house is, I'm not sure I've seen it for 20 years. I always leave the car keys in the ignition. There's nothing to steal anyway. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be ?

You don't need to tell me about Vero, that is where my boat has been for 10 years, I spend a couple months/year there, my folks have been there for 30, a very sweet place with everything you need. They call it Velcro Beach for a reason. But you best be locking your dinghy at the Marina's dinghy dock or there will be trouble. A friend's dink was swiped from the back of his boat last year, in a slip at the City Marina in Vero. And not the first. And Fort Pierce, not a place I like to be for very long. Ever been at the Cut or in the ICW during Memorial Day weekend, wow ! We've anchored in Palm Beach a number of places. It's fine. Same with Lauderdale, although much more difficult for access and availability, and Palm Beach is not easy. But your are correct ... you got boat problems, Lauderdale is the place to be to get them fixed and quick.

It's just not a place where I would chose to go cruising. You always have to be on cue. Have never been to the Keys but would like to go. The third world of the Bahamas is it for me, hands down. That is where it is safe, and very, very nice. My point simply was there are plenty of third world places that are pretty darn nice.

Cheers, John