Fort Lauderdale Yacht Buying Guide: When to Shop, Where to Berth, How to Close

Fort Lauderdale Yacht Buying Guide

Buyers who want to shop, sea trial, and close in South Florida with easy access to marinas, service yards, and year‑round cruising. Fort Lauderdale hosts one of the world’s largest in‑water shows and is widely known as the yachting capital, bringing together inventory and expertise in one place.

At a Glance

Decision	Quick answer
Best months to shop	Late October through spring aligns with show season and winter demand. Plan around the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Where to berth for viewings	Bahia Mar Yachting Center by the beach, Pier Sixty‑Six, and Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center for haul‑out and survey support.
Typical path to offer	Shortlist in Advanced Search on Yachtr, book showings, line up survey and sea trial, confirm financing and insurance, and move to closing with a broker.
Common mistakes	Rushing survey windows, ignoring slip availability, skipping insurance pre‑quotes, comparing only length rather than range, and layout.

Season Calendar 

Fort Lauderdale supports year‑round boating. Visitor demand peaks around the boat show in late October and early November, and remains strong through winter. If you want more time on docks and more flexible schedules, aim for viewing days just before or after the show window.

Where to Berth for Viewings and Handover

Bahia Mar Yachting Center

A central marina with significant capacity for large vessels. It is also a primary venue during the boat show, which makes logistics simple if you are comparing multiple models in one trip.

Pier Sixty-Six

A landmark property that has reopened after redevelopment. It sits close to the inlet and the Intracoastal, which makes handover and shakedown runs convenient.

Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center

The largest yacht building and repair site in the United States, with haul‑out and major service on site. Use it for surveys, punch lists, and any refit items you want addressed before delivery.

Pro Tip 

When you plan a sea trial, confirm slip availability near your short list of boats. Lock in surveyor schedules before you set travel dates. 

How to Compare Options Fast 

1. Open Advanced Search on Yachtr and filter by class, length, year, and budget.

2. Save two or three models that match your use case.

3. Read the brand hubs to learn layout notes, common questions, and comparable alternatives. Examples: /brands/azimut, /brands/princess, /brands/sunseeker 

4. Book a viewing day that groups those models at nearby docks.

5. Bring the buyer checklist and a simple spec table so each viewing is consistent. 

Cost and Timelines 

+ Time from first viewing to close: often four to eight weeks, with clean survey findings and ready paperwork. 

+ Typical line items: survey and haul, insurance binder, lender fees if financed, registration, first month of berth, and punch list items.

+ Slip planning: ask your broker to confirm short‑term berthing during survey and handover. 

Step-by-Step Closing Path in Fort Lauderdale 

1. Offer and acceptance: Include contingencies for sea trial and survey. 

2. Survey and sea trial: Book yard time at Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center or another local yard, and lock in the date with your surveyor. 

3. Insurance and lender approval: Begin both before survey day, so you do not lose time. 

4. Punch list and price adjustments: Agree on repairs or credits based on findings. 

5. Paperwork and funds: Your broker coordinates title checks, escrow, and closing. 

6. Handover: Pick up keys and manuals, confirm training if you added crew. 

What to do Next 

+ Browse current listings in Fort Lauderdale with Advanced Search on Yachtr.

+ Talk to a verified local expert with Find a Broker. 

+ Read two brand comparisons that match your short list. Examples: /compare/sunseeker-vs-princess, /compare/azimut-vs-ferretti 

Frequently Asked Questions 

When is the boat show, and should I attend? 

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show usually runs in late October and early November. It brings a large share of inventory to one city. If you like to compare many boats in a short time, it is worth the trip.

Can I sea trail during the show? 

Yes, in many cases. Schedules fill quickly during show week. If you want more flexibility, plan trials a few days before or after the event.

Where can I do a haul out for a survey? 

Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center and other local facilities offer haul-out and major service. Confirm the capacity for your length and draft when you book.

Is there a simple way to line up viewings? 

Use Yachtr Advanced Search to save candidates, then ask your broker to cluster showings by marina to reduce travel time.