New to the Sanford/Lake Mary area.. Looking for friends and boating advise...

[joejoe03]

Hello to all.. I am relacating to the Sanford area end of month and was hoping to find a few friends. I love and appreciate the outdoors. I am looking forward to learning about boating as being on the water is a passion for me. I would appreciate recommendations regarding what boat fits well for just my girlfriend and I. Was thinking of a Bayliner 175..maybe a few years old??? Something convenient and easy to manage... Being raised in the Caribbean, most of my boating experience is salt water... St John's River looks awesome and have read some posts here that describe all the fun places to visit.. Excited to learn more and get involved! Look forward to joining the gang and the fun JoeJoe

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: New to the Sanford/Lake Mary area.. Looking for friends and boating advise...

Just browsing through the threads and see no-one has replied to you so I'm just going to say "Hi and welcome".
I'm a few thousand miles away so can't help you re local places of interest
I see you are considering a bow rider - have a look around the area and if you see one you like post the details here and folk will give you their opinions and recommendations.
Have fun with the move.
( Wish I was moving to Florida )

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: New to the Sanford/Lake Mary area.. Looking for friends and boating advise...

joe, you will have more boating options available than you might imagine. Lakes, the St. Johns, and even the Intercoastal Waterway/Atlantic ocean. (Daytona is an easy drive from Sanford)
I wouldn't limit yourself to such a small boat. Some of those lakes are quite large, almost are "shallow" (think 12ft deep max), so waves can get "large". Plus, with a little bit larger boat, there will be room for friends and such. However, if you buy a 17' boat, be prepared to want a bigger boat in less than 2 years.

If you really like boating (not just drinking beer on the dock) you are moving to Paradise, in my opinion. I lived in FL for 3 years, and the boating I did still amazes me!

 

[joejoe03]

Re: New to the Sanford/Lake Mary area.. Looking for friends and boating advise...

Thanks to both for your welcome and advise... I will in fact consider a bit larger boat; I have more research to do and look forward to recomendations. I do love the water but never had a boat of my own.. Will be a first timer. Excited and eager to explore.. I have a Nissan Frontier Nismo (not 4x4).. Hope towing capabilities will suffice. Nothing like early moring connections with nature! I need something to distract the stresses of work

 

[robert graham]

Re: New to the Sanford/Lake Mary area.. Looking for friends and boating advise...

We're in South Carolina but love Boating the St. Johns River, Sanford, Blue Spring, Astor, areas. An all-aluminum jon boat is light and easy to tow, no wood to rot or maintain, no fiberglas to clean and polish. Look around for a good used one with a Bimini top to offer you some protection from the sun and rain. Enjoy! Good Luck!

 

[duke1012]

Re: New to the Sanford/Lake Mary area.. Looking for friends and boating advise...

hey welcome i am also in sanford fl ,,your gonna love the boating around here ,, we have a pontoon boat that is perfect for cruising the rivers and lakes with our friends dogs family etc,, if you need help looking for a boat or learning the basics i would be more than happy to help ,,i got a couple youtube movies cruising the river check them out on youtube mrjaetone ,, nothing like a cruise on a day off