Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

[JaSla74]

I'll be moving down to the big water state next month & I'm in a boat dilemma. There is no way I'd want to live there without a boat, but I feel my rig will no longer suit me. My sterndrive ski boat is great for my area, but I feel a center console with an OB would better suit me there.

The problem is that I'm attached to my boat. I've put sooooo much blood sweat & tears into restoring her, but I'm going to want to go between salt & fresh water & I have no desire to expose my IO to salt conditions. The wife says I can get another boat once we're moved down there, but finding that boat at what price & when is a BIG ?.

It would be much easier to sell my boat now and purchase another one later. We have a LOT going on now & trying to drag my boat down there, (gonna take multiple trips), store her, & move all my other stuff is a challenge to say the least. But... I think it's better to have a bird in hand than two in the bush.

Either way, I'm on the fence.

 

[Woodyq]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

We split our time between freshwater and salt. We are in the cold and frozen northland of Canada mid April to late October then in beautiful Ft Myers, FL for the winter months. We run the boat in saltwater but I give the I/O a real good flush after each outing and also wash down the boat and trailer. Seems ok so far.

However I am sure more more experienced folk on this board will also provide insight for you.

Enjoy Florida, we sure do!

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

What area of Florida are you moving to? Your current boat would fit in well just about anywhere, well, then again, any boat fits in down here. It may be a hassle to bring your boat down, but once you move here, you're gonna want to be on the boat that first weekend once you see the weather. What if you can't find a replacement boat soon enough? At least you know yours is mechanically sound, right?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

If you are truly convinced that you will sell the boat, I would do so now. Frankly, the hassle and expense of getting it to Florida seems not to be worth it. The only issue that I can think of that might suggest otherwise, is if you have a boating season that is coming to an end where you live. That might result in a low price due to lack of demand - usually spring is a better time to sell in such areas.

All of this said, have you fully considered the decision to sell? Plenty of people do just fine with I/Os in salt water. I don't think I would let that be the deciding factor. If the issue is seaworthyness of a ski boat in the ocean, I see the logic, but you might want to consider whether you will really run offshore to any significant degree. As was seen in the football player incident, even boats intended for "blue water" are marginal in safety, unless they are large.



???

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

If you're gonna sell your boat, do so now, before end of season. Then take the cash and put it into a sealed envelope marked "For New Boat" and DON'T open it for anything else. If you have a safe deposit box in FL, I'd put the envelope in there on one of your moving trips.

As for me... I towed my old Glaspar down here behind the U-Haul moving truck from MD back in 1998 and had no problems. Once I got it here, the guy helping me unload the truck absolutely HAD to have my boat, so I sold it the day I moved into my new place.

Funny how life is sometimes.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

Ja,
check this post out...........

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=348663

woosterken

 

[aspeck]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

You may see that a center console outboard is cheaper where you are now than in Fl. Another thought is to look into selling the ski boat now AND picking up a center or dual console NOW before the move. I got a nice '98 19 ft dual console with a 115hp, 7.5hp kicker, and an electric trolling motor and fish finder with a new bimini top for $5800. You never know what you can find before you get to FL.

Just another thought.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

I would also say a huge part of your decision is going to be what you ultimately want to do boating wise once you get here, and where you end up!

One thing to remember about FL, is that most of the water is extremely shallow (especially in intercoastal waterway areas). A ski boat with an I/O is going to draw a lot more water than a suitable bay boat/ CC with an O/B.

While most of it is sand if you do hit bottom, its still not something you want to do very often...

If you are intending only to go pleasure boating/water sports, than your current boat would be fine as long as you stay within channels or go out at high tide.

If you plan on doing any coastal fishing, you may want to consider a flats boat or a bay boat with an O/B.

The flats boat will go in the skinniest water, but also ride like garbarge when its rough out. The bay boat is more of a semi V-Hull, won't go quite as skinny, but will ride a little better.

Offshore fishing you'll need a decent size, deep-V, CC or Walk around cuddy.

You can still ski/tube whatever with any one of these, but they aren't as comfortable for seating passengers as a typical BR or Ski boat is.

I think if I had to pick only one boat to use around here, it would be a bay boat... best compromises all around... decent ride, can go skinny if needed, do water sports, and not too shabby seating.

Hope the info helps!

 

[Tabes117]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

I wish I had your problem!! Why do I live in Illinois

I read your post and all I see is,"I am moving to the sunny state of Florida! Which boat should I use all year long."

Good luck with the move!!! I would sell your boat now, before the move.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

Definitely sell your boat before you move south. I probably sound like a broken record in this regard, but you'll get more for your boat the further north you are. When you get to Florida, be very careful when you buy and check carefully for signs that it wasn't taken care of. Or just get a brand new dealer special on a 2007 that never sold. They'll dump it.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

bring it..we have lakes!

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

Thanks for the input guys. I have a pretty good idea of what I'd want. I have my boat listed now and if it sells great, if not, I'll take it with me. My mechanic/dealer is always driving to Dallas, OK, the Carolinas, etc., to pick up boats, and he said that if I'm willing to wait until October or November he could find what I want and get it for a great price.

I've got a plan set for moving down with the boat and storing it, so if it doesn't sell I'll enjoy what I have for the time being. I'm for sure looking forward to the extended boat season

 

[rs1lollie]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

If you sell your boat you could do something like this and not worry about flushing your boat out after using it in salt water or the maintenance of a boat. http://www.adventureboatclub.net/

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

Where in Florida?

I'm transferring with my company. I'll be working in south Jacksonville, but living between Jacksonville & St. Augustine. Waterfront property is way out of our price range, but we'll be less than 20min from the nearest boat launch & less than 30min from the beach.

I'm super stoked, but I'll have to work too

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

You did good

That area is very nice... St. Augustine is absolutely beautiful, and the St. Johns inlet is some of the best Fishing in FL.

You have the Atlantic, and the St. Johns River, all close... and some nice lakes are pretty much all over. Heh

 

[VeroWing]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

St. Augustine is a beautiful place with tons of history. You'll have St Johns' river and its tributaries to your west, and the bay and Atlantic ocean to your east.
Some of the best fishing and cruising areas in the country. Plenty of i/o boats here also, but many people end up going with 22footish center consoles, or walk around cuddys, with outboards.
Either way you choose to go, you can always sell a boat, or buy a boat in Florida. JMO, Mike.

 

[allpoints360]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

Either keep the I/O for the St. Johns, or get a bay boat for the coast.

Either way, you win. Have fun!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

exactly, what boat do you presently have? properly maintained i/o's have no problem with salt water.

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

exactly, what boat do you presently have? properly maintained i/o's have no problem with salt water.

16 1/5ft Ski boat with a 4cyl merc...

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Moving to Florida, boat is on the fence

950 miles later my boat is an eastern standard time resident