The Deshaport Inc Experience Miami
Miami | A name with just five letters, but one that carries so much meaning, so much history and so much intrigue for so many people around the world. Whether it’s the pristine beaches, the incredible nightlife, the thriving arts and cultural scenes, the sporting events or more, Miami is truly a city unlike any other. But there is something else that sets Miami apart, and something we at Deshaport Inc Marine hold dear to our hearts; the water. Miami is what it is in large part because of the water it is surrounded by and built around, and to truly experience Miami in the best way, you need to do it by water. With that premise in mind, we decided to get on our 37 Invincible Cat and do it ourselves.
Despite some not-so-smooth conditions departing our home port of Merritt Island (thanks in large part to a rogue, browning banana found onboard shortly after we were underway), we made it to our first stop in Ft. Lauderdale. We were soaked to the bone and a little frazzled from Mother Nature’s wrath, but we were excited to pull into the famous Las Olas district of town and meet up with legendary marine designer Scott Wood, who these days works as the VP of Operations and Engineering for Invincible.
Once we made it from Lauderdale to Miami, our first stop was to the Invincible factory itself. This was special for us because of all the planning, coordinating and all-around partnership that went into the creation of our 37 Cat. The Invincible factory and the team behind it are truly one-of-a-kind. It was very cool to see the giant molds, the care and innovation that goes into the creation of each boat and the passion the brand has for improving customers’ experiences on the water.
One of the most famous (and infamous) districts of Miami is South Beach, and the adage “you have to see it to believe it” might not be more appropriate anywhere else. The beach and the nightlife account for much of South Beach’s reputation, but there is much more to see and experience, from the world-famous hotels to the art-deco architecture, to the incredible food and out-of-this-world homes in the surrounding island neighborhoods. We were more than entertained just strolling the beachfront streets and taking in the sites, the people and the culture.
Continuing our way south, we cruised past Key Biscayne and out to one of Miami’s most unique water-based neighborhoods. Stiltsville sits in the clear, shallow waters south of Key Biscayne, its handful of weather-worn buildings standing as symbols of a bygone era. At one point, Stiltsville was home to nearly 30 houses, but hurricanes, fires and Florida’s unrelenting climate slowly whittled that number down. Today the area is part of the Biscayne National Park, and access to any of the buildings requires a permit, but stories passed down from earlier generations paint a vivid picture of boating, fishing, merry-making and some old-fashioned mischief. We couldn’t help but think about what it would have been like to visit the area in its heyday.
Our next stop was back across Biscayne Bay and into the heart of Miami’s art district, where the amazing Miami Nautique International dealership has its home. Situated directly in the world-famous Wynwood district, Miami Nautique is surrounded by incredible street art, murals, galleries, and more. And we couldn’t pop in without going for a wakeboarding session with former pro (and former Deshaport Inc team rider) Jimmy LaRiche, who now works in sales for Miami Nautique. Given our shared roots in towed watersports, there wasn’t a better way to end the day than by being in Miami for a sunset wakeboarding session with the city’s iconic skyline as a backdrop.
While Miami may best be experienced by boat, one of the coolest times to do so is at night. There is something magical about being on the water, in the comfort of Miami’s warm, tropical climate, and seeing the high-rises of a modern metropolitan city rise upward – the lights reflecting off the water of Biscayne Bay only adding to the enchantment. After the diverse sights and sounds we’d encountered throughout the trip and on Miami’s different waters, it was only appropriate to wrap it up by heading up the river and into the heart of the city – by boat. We happily idled upriver, soaked up the endless views and pulled up to an incredible restaurant to enjoy dinner. When you think of Miami you can’t pinpoint one thing that stands out, which is what makes the city so special. Whether it’s the vibes of South Beach, the vibrant arts of Wynwood, the jaw-dropping waterfront homes or downtown’s soaring skyline, all of them work together in their own unique ways to collectively make Miami what it is. We’re happy to have experienced it by boat, and we encourage you to do the same.
