Florida boating

[traceyandsteve]

Hi all
We are going on holiday to Florida during December and January and would like to get out on the water some time whilst we are there to see what the boating there is like, also scuba if possible, any ideas please
Also if we like it we want to see if its feasible to maybe buying a trader type of boat there.
Are there many expat boaters in this area or chaterers?
ta
Steve and Tracey

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[Renegade_Master]

chaterers?

spect theres plenty of expats that are those Steve/forums/images/icons/smile.gif.............

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[Its_Only_Money]

Lots of boat hire (as opposed to charter) places, most limit the hire boats to the intracoastal on whichever coast you'll be on and you must have the boats back by 5pm (all insurance-driven limits I think). Typical boats are 17-19' bowriders or those horrible (IMHO) "pontoon" boats (isn't the name enough to put you off???)

But the dayboating within those limits is great and you can sample loads of coast by driving and hiring.

Gas is cheap too - don't let the ex-colonials tell you otherwise!

<hr width=100% size=1>Rgds

Simon
Its Only Money
Fairline Sprint
Solent-based

 

[deborahann]

virtually all Florida is full of boats all types, particulary the florida keys, driving & boating its quite wonderfull there. The islands are connected by a highway thats almost like driving on water, loads of nice places to stop before key west. be sure to pre book at hotel at key west as it gets very busy during holiday times. Fantastic fun place to visit.

loads of info on the web, day boats best option due to the weather, snakes and alligators. hope this helps

<hr width=100% size=1>deborah on delft.
Nothing to do with Mucky Farter or hlb in drag

 

[traceyandsteve]

Charterers or charcharter boats. sorry

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[traceyandsteve]

thanks for the ideas, however we would prefer a boat boat that we could stay on for about a week. we could then chat to the charterers....


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[traceyandsteve]

Hi Deborah
thanks, I think that we will be going to the keys, anything there you would recommend as a stay aboard boat hire web site?

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[NorthernWave]

Hi

The problem with the Keys is that the majority of the boats are sports fishers and really used for days trips.
If your going for the diving maybe consider the Bahamas, only 60 miles away and certainly a whole world apart from the U.S. Sure the Intercoastal is very interesting as a day boat hire with all the big boats and big houses everywhere, but for a week or two you'd get bored out of your scull.

I'll see what I can find out for you. We may be available for charter but I've booked us onto Dockexpress to take us to St Martin on the 12th December.

Chris

<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale

 

[NorthernWave]

What sort of size boat would you want to consider consider?

I've just thought of a possible boat.

Chris

<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale

 

[Greg2]

Changed your minds about Ramsgate/Shotley then?


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[Salty John]

Hi,
Sunsail do power catamarans on the west coast - www.sunsail.com. The west coast is interesting cruising territory, as is the Keys. East coast north of the Keys confines you more to the ICW. Other west coast charter companies include: Southwest Florida Yachts in Fort Meyers, Chitwood Charters and Jung Charters in Sarasota. The latter specialize in Grand Banks trawlers - wonderful boats, but then I'm biased. The ICW on the East Coast is fun, and Ft Lauderdale is a great town. Some people find the ICW boring. I've done the ICW from Chesapeake Bay to the Keys seven times and I can't wait for my next trip!
Have fun.

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[andrewa]

Shouldn't have a problem chartering a boat in Florida for diving and fishing you can also bareboat a cruiser prices for a size like mine around $2000.00 a week. I keep my boat in Naples and have just got back after a weeks boating went up to St.Petes and Clearwater around 26 deg everyday and the intra coastal waterway was quiet had dolphins swimming beside us at 26 knots, lovely.

As for buying and shipping fairly straight forward though needs C.E proofing once back in Europe though again fairly straight forward, if you want an address of a reliable dealer pm me. Have a great time.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by andrewa on 29/11/2004 10:07 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[traceyandsteve]

Hi Chris
thanks for the advise and wooooww what a job you must have, would you like my 50 ft princess as a tender.....

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[traceyandsteve]

What sort of size boat would you want to consider consider?

I've just thought of a possible boat.

Hi Chris
in an ideal world we would like to charter a trader sort of thing but that is a bit outside our budget.
what is your thoughts on a possible boat?
ta
steve

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[bruce]

best diving will be on the west coast of fla, from the keys north to cedar key/tampa, east coast is not that great in the winter.

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[ArthurWood]

Andrew - you should have dropped in to see us on Longboat Key!

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[andrewa]

I am back out again in February for 10 days so can pm you nearer the time. Had a cracking week so hopefully Feb will be as kind

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[ArthurWood]

For part of Feb, we shall be in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but PM me anyway.


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[NorthernWave]

Hi
A friend of mine here has got a 37 ft sports cruiser, but last night when I asked him he was telling me it's petrol. Price of petrol isn't the issue, it's the fact that it has such a terrible range.

I'll keep my eyes peeled, another friend has a 25ft sail boat???

Chris

<hr width=100% size=1>In Ft Lauderdale

 

[ArthurWood]

NW- not sure your message was meant for me, but you are right about range; my 37ft Sea Ray's range is about 110nm with 20% reserve in good conditions.

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