Post Hurricane Wilma Cruise...

Finally got some fuel and took a cruise. Some notes...

1. The damage is not as bad as expected, although just about every house, condo or building has some level of damage. Most boats are afloat. Only a few were submerged. The majority of the damage is superficial, i.e. bimini tops, canvas, etc.

2. Every person I spoke with, at docks, homes, etc. in Ft. Lauderdale has NO power. I have never seen Ft. Lauderdale so vacant before. I heard on the radio this is the busiest week in Disney World's history, with the majority of visitors being from South Florida.

3. The Boat Show is a GO! Bahia Mar is bustling with pre-show activity.

Let's get started...

Argusea features an aft-deck, auto style "trunk" that covers the tender and davit. The wind got under it and ripped it off the hinges. Now it's laying inverted on the flybridge.

This Benetti had an un-invited guest...

A bow heavy Bow-Rider...

Quite a few boat elevators failed, with or without boats...

A sign of the times... "Fred, Divorce Wilma!"

Hurricane Wilma's winds took the wind out of this inflatable...

Marina One collapsed...

This was interesting. The average PWC weighs around 500 lbs. Because they have very little surface area for wind to catch hold of, you wouldn't think they could be flipped over, especially sitting on cradles. For boat owners with PWC's on deck, be sure to secure them!

In a Pompano Beach canal, just off the intracoastal (just north of Ft. Lauderdale), this little flybridge sportfish won't be raising fish anytime soon.

In front of the Ft. Lauderdale Yacht Club, another Wilma victim...

Maybe it will sail another day? Maybe not...

Trees are down EVERYWHERE...

Like many homes and condos, boats are missing windows too...

Docks have become lumberyards...

Speaking of dock damage... Pier 66 lost about 50% of their slips.

This was interesting. Notice ALL the pilings are broken on this dock, yet this Lazzara had no damage. Couple of notes... First, it shows the intense amount of wind pressure. Second, it shows how well built these boats are. No less than six concrete pilings snapped in half!

A popular waterway restaurant is Shooters. This was the awning that covered their outside dining area...

Another restaurant along the water, this is the Benihana in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Like many houses in South Florida, it will need a new roof.

A few big boats suffered cosmetic damage. This Maiora, docked across the canal from Pier 66 was hit by another boat that got loose when the docks at Pier 66 failed.

This boat was scheduled to be on display at FLIBS. It is probably best not to mention the name of the boat or the builder...