suggestions for Florida boat

[tmitchell5188]

Not meaning to start a battle here, but I'm trying to figure out what type of boat I want to buy for use in Florida around Ft. Myers. I have a 21' walk around up in Michigan with a Yamaha 4 stroke. I've been told to leave it in Michigan.

I'm looking for a fishing boat/go for a boat ride with friends and family. 21'-24', 4 stroke outboard, and a Bimini top. I'd like a center console. My wife prefers a deck boat. We have a boat lift that it'll sit in for months at a time. My concern with the deck boat is the cover when I'm back in Michigan. With the center console, the cover would be just over the console.

Any thoughts? A boat brand/model to look for?

Thanks

 

[phillyg]

Re: suggestions for Florida boat

WA cabin is virtually useless in the summer because of the heat. Rather than a deck boat or CC you might want to consider a dual console that's large enough (23-24') to have a small head area. You could get a hardtop made for it but it will be expensive, otherwise a bimini top would work.

 

[tmitchell5188]

Re: suggestions for Florida boat

Thanks. I forgot to add that I'll probably not use the boat in Florida in the summer. The plan is to spend winter in Florida and summer in Michigan. Maybe I should consider towing my boat back and forth?

 

[BIGALF]

Re: suggestions for Florida boat

My Sea Ray240 sundeck is a great boat for all my Florida boating. The greatest thing in Florida is the large lakes in Mt. Dora and the Saint Johns River. The water ways from Ft Myers to Sarasota are great and also the ICW from Daytona Beach to Saint Augustine. I love trailering my boat so I can enjoy all of Florida. And, don't forget the Keys. The keys are great for fishing and boating. We are always looking for a boater to meet on the water so keep me on your list when you get to Florida.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: suggestions for Florida boat

Depends on WHERE you are boating in FL. Bring it the 1st year and see how it works out. You may be pleasantly surprised...

 

[tmitchell5188]

Re: suggestions for Florida boat

I'm in the cape Coral area. I've rented the Sea Ray in the past. It worked out good. My concern is having a cover on it that will hold up with the high winds if I'm up north. The dual console seems like to way to go long term. I'll bring mine down the first year anyway.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: suggestions for Florida boat

Sounds like a good plan. Is the Yammy setup good for salt water? With it not docked in the water you should be OK on the anodes, but the inter cooling could be a concern. Is there a way to flush the motor and wash down the boat on the lift???

Florida sun and salt water can do a ton of damage in a very short time if the boat/motor is not setup for it.

There is always someone cleaning and waxing boats at your place for a fair fee in Florida, so I'd check around and find one in a hurry when you get down there or plan to spend a lot of your own time doing it.

Another snowbird :becky:

We could be in the same boat next winter. Grandma said we would be moving (closer to grandkids), but having lived in Florida in the past I'm not real happy about it.
I'm lucky when it comes to the boats. The old Baja is a great boat for Lake Erie and son has a Mako with twin outboards in Florida, so we're good. :whoo:
huts

 

[tmitchell5188]

Re: suggestions for Florida boat

Lots of Yamaha's down here. Went to a boat store and of course he wants to sell me a boat. I only buy used and what I saw looked rough compared to the boats in Michigan. I'm sure if I brought mine down it would get used. It might not be ideal but it's paid for.

We think that the deck boat/dual console is what we will ultimately want.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: suggestions for Florida boat

carolina skiff, center console, NO UPHOSTELRY that you can't remove for storage. put it on the lift, cover the console, forget it for months.

Yamaha's are salt water motors. Like all of them. No worries.

 

[robert graham]

Re: suggestions for Florida boat

Check out the Sea Ark Big Easy....all aluminum, big, rugged, light enough to trailer....I'd try and find a good used one since the all aluminum boats don't really age or deteriorate much....good luck!....

 

[Fireman431]

Re: suggestions for Florida boat

The best boat fo r Fl waters is one that is used and taken care of. Merc, Yam, Honda, etc all work fine as long as you flush them out after being in the salt water. I've all types, I/O, OB, IB (VP, Merc, Johnson, and Mercrusier respectively) and have never had a salt water related breakdown.

Bring your boat the first year and see if it's what you like down here. I've had the WA cuddy and it's a great place to go when the summer afternoon 15 minute rainstorms pop up...just have a 12v fan for air circulation.

If you come down, PM me and I'll turn you on to a lot of nice day trips in the Central Florida area.


By the way..**BIGALF**....on your second pic of the rafting at Disappearing Island....look just under the far right corner of the red bimini....see the Carver with the flybridge and black canvas? That's me.....