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Fort Lauderdale Boats
 Fort Lauderdale is definitely called the "Venice of America" for a good reason! There are over 165 miles of navigable waterways and canals, and the area is home to more than 40,000 boats! In addition, cruising in Fort Lauderdale allows you to see interesting things within a very small area. Because you can get to so much of Fort Lauderdale by water, as you wind your way through Fort Lauderdale's waterways, you will see waterfront mansions, mega-yachts, cargo ships and cruise ships, and downtown skyscrapers.
As with any boating, you will want to make sure you have up-to-date nautical charts. However, because it is Fort Lauderdale, you should also bring a city road map. The route through the area can accommodate most large boats. Most of your route will be done at slow speed because Fort Lauderdale has many manatee zones. Make sure to plan five to six hours for a thorough "tour" of the area, although you can save two or three hours by turning around on the New River downtown rather than going down the New River's South Fork.
Many Fort Lauderdale residents recommend the ramp Southeast 15th Street boat ramp as a put in spot. Although it is busy, it is in the heart of everything Fort Lauderdale. It also offers easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway with no fixed bridges to worry about. If you start from this ramp, you can peek at the cruise and cargo ships at Port Everglades by heading east away from the ramp and under the bridge for the 17th Street Causeway). As you pass under the bridge, you will find yourself in the turning basin for the Port. This area may be a little choppy because of heavy inlet traffic, so do be prepared. The cruise ship terminal will be to west of you, to starboard. By going across the turning basin, you will also be able to see the huge cargo docks. Retrace your route to continue onward.
 Once you are back at the bridge, head north on the Intracoastal Waterway for several miles until you reach the Oakland Park Boulevard Bridge. In this area, you will see some of Fort Lauderdale's waterfront mansions, as well as the Bahia Mar Marina. Be careful at the point where the New River meets the Intracoastal. While the channels are well marked, they can be confusing. You can safely pass near shore along any of the triangle's sides, but there is shoaling in the middle of the triangle. Do not go out of the channel, no matter how tempting.
From Oakland Park Boulevard, turn around and retrace your "steps" again. Head west this time when you hit the triangle, using the north side, proceeding onto the New River. This is the major waterway in Fort Lauderdale. Heading west will take you downtown, twisting, and turning toward beautiful Fort Lauderdale homes. Once you have reached downtown, you will cruise past several drawbridges, along the Riverway, past Cooley's Landing, and into a residential neighborhood and more of those gorgeous houses. If you continue from here (rather than shortening your trip), take the South Fork of the New River at the split. This will take you under the I-95 Bridge, where there are a number of breathtaking mega-yachts stored. Overall, this is a truly remarkable trip.
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