|
First the good news, yes there are folks that rent out Hobies.
The bad news is that if the surf if up, no one will rent. No matter how experienced you are, we all know that if a boat gets turned sideways in the surf, there is a good chance that the mast will go 'goodbye'.
Don't brag about your sailing resume, or your 'war stories' of being out in 25 kt winds, that will scare most rental operators. They are tired of wild & crazy guys trying to pitchpole a Hobie 'so that the girlfriend falls into the water and has to be saved from the sharks.' Don't even think of using the words 'hiking out'. That frightens them even more. Just be cool and relaxed, like most Floridians.
Ft Lauderdale - South end. Some guy rents out Waves, but I did not like the operation due to poor maintenance issues. Hope he has had a chance to fix things. Fleet ??? races every Sunday at around noon.
North Miami Beach, around Bar Harbour: I can't remember exactly, but I think it is the Marriott or the Hyatt, at the beach sports complex, they have a couple of Wave's and some guy has a newish H16.
Miami - at the Causeway. I've been told there are rentals there, haven't been that far south in years. (We visit my m-in-law in Deerfield Beach.)
Pompano - a guy called John rents mostly jet ski's, but also has a Wave, a Getaway and an old H16. Mostly, he will only rent if the wind is from the East. I think the timeshare hotel that he works out of is called Sea Gardens.
Hollywood - maybe six years ago, I rented a Prindle (skippered) from a fireman. Looks like he spends his off days on the beach, renting his own cat. We had fun though.
Delray Beach, south end. Chuck's Water Sports. Good guys. Getaways, Waves, kayaks, palm trees, benches, good company. They mumbled something about getting into Tigers for 2007-08. Any comment, Hank M? (Hank McDowell is the local Hobie dealer, and he knows simply everybody. Nautical Ventures, 750 Sample Rd, off Dixie, in Ft L.)
Delray Beach, north end. No rentals that I know of, but all the locals who sail off the beach park their cats here. There's always someone around with whom to shoot the breeze, like Nacra sailor Elias. I think he must live there.
Hutchison Island - a little sail club had a H16 for rent, but were too busy giving lessons to teenagers to help me out.
Naples - couple of beach operators, from the hotel run resorts, usually Waves or Getaways. Same for Tampa and especially at Clearwater. You won't get higher powered cats than those in most places.
Anyone else care to add to the list? I'm booked for two weeks in December, first week in Deerfield, second in Palm Beach.
_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'
|
Login
Register
FAQ
. As I remember, they just did not want the boat out on the ocean.
