moving to florida

[boatguy19]

moving to florida soon anything i need to know when i get there. been there many times, there is one thing i noticed there are alot of outboards vs i/os. is the water very shallow there in the inter coastal will an i/o be allright or is an outboard the way to go just curious.

 

[caver95]

Re: moving to florida

Where are you moving to?

 

[Numlaar]

Re: moving to florida

there is one thing i noticed there are alot of outboards vs i/os. is the water very shallow there in the inter coastal will an i/o be allright or is an outboard the way to go just curious.

East coast or west coast?

West coast (gulf coast), FL intercoastal is extremely shallow... 1ft at low tide outside of designated channels... 3-4ft. at high tide...

You will be ok with an I/O as long as you stay in marked channels in the intercoastal... once you get outside the barrier islands in the gulf, your fine as long as you stay 100' ish off shore while running... (except to idle up and beach it).

Good thing is, its about 99% sand... so nothing to really hit... (however that does NOT apply near river outlets to the gulf... the brackish water builds up some pretty hefty oyster beds)...

My preferred boat for gulf coast would be a bay boat or flats boat... mainly for the type of fishing I do... but I ran an I/O for a while with no problems... just have to use common sense, and not cut across water you are unsure of.

Hope that helps!

 

[boatguy19]

Re: moving to florida

i'll be moving to st augustine area east coast forgot to mention that.

 

[gstanton]

Re: moving to florida

Words to live by:
In the north, assume it's deep, unless they say it's shallow.

In the south, assume it's shallow, unless they say it's deep.


And... it's usually shallow.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: moving to florida

I noticed the same thing about the predominate outboards.
While I am not moving to Florida right now I did submit a resume to a company in Panama City.
I currently own a 1973 Glastron Carlson cv-16s/s.
I know I will be needing a larger boat but was hoping to get by with my little 16 footer for now.
Just out of curiosity I was checking out cl to see what was available in NW florida.
What do you guys think about a 16' sterndrive on the gulf (power tilt but no trim)
We would be mainly cruising with a little fishing mixed in.
Also I would be living in an apartment if this job materializes so I would have to find a place to store or a slip.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: moving to florida

My neck of the woods, O/Bs outnumber I/Os at least 10 to 1. Gulf coast. Dont believe it has that much to do with the shallow water. FRED

 

[Tim/Rinker192]

Re: moving to florida

I'm in Jacksonville and have an I/O. Do most of our boating on the St. Johns River where it is plenty deep for either until you get along the shore or back into the creeks and where depth can vary greatly. One spot on Julington Creek is over 20 feet deep but you have to pass over area of less than 4 feet to get back there. I rely on the depth gage and still hit snags and bars occassionally.

Welcome, and enjoy.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: moving to florida

I would say Tampa is about a 65 - 35 split, with the i/o's having the advantage. A 16 footer in the gulf, well, you better be hugging the shoreline, if you can't see the shore, you're way too far out!

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: moving to florida

no shane I wouldn't venture very far out just would like to get by with what I have until I can afford the cruiser I want.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: moving to florida

I hope you like FLA. I was in St. Augustine about 15 years ago as a 15 year old kid it seemed nice. Cool old fort and downtown I remember.

A man I work with told me I/O's outnumber outboards 2:1 on the bog ponds, he also claimed that MerCruiser has 90% of the I/O market.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: moving to florida

We were hugging the shoreline, about 300 yards offshore in the gulf one time, it always seems to me to be smoother in the daytime, but come evening the waves pick up. Needless to say, it was a rough ride, and I believe the boat went completely airborne a few times. Your boat would be fine for the area, you'd have fun with it.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: moving to florida

Thanks for the input guys....Now I just need to land the job

 

[bigb2008]

Re: moving to florida

Thanks for the input guys....Now I just need to land the job

We all know you applied for the job so you can boat all year round. You don't need to even say it. haha

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: moving to florida

Thanks for the input guys....Now I just need to land the job

Lot of people leaving MI, what type of job is it ?
Good luck landing it, I love the 4 seasons of the good ole' midwest there are drawbacks here tho as well.

 

[captharv]

Re: moving to florida

The ICW is supposed to be dredged out to 10' minimum. If you follow the markers for the channel, no problem. We leave at Daytona to go there every year in Oct. Its out anniversary cruise.
Your 16' boat is more than suitable for the ICW or trailer it to the St. Johns river.
I have a 24' cruiser with a bravo II which takes 3' of water. haven't had any problems. Rule of thumb for the ICW: The red markers are the mainland side, the green are the ocean side. Stay between them.
My friend who lives in St. Augustine says "Its a drinking town with a fishing problem"

 

[cribber]

Re: moving to florida

It all depends on what water you want to go out on down here. We've got it all and in the St. Augustine area too, everything from a puddle to the ocean. Coastal to inland water all depends on your draft and invest in a decent depth finder you'll be fine.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: moving to florida

When do you relocate? We trailer to St. A alot. Headed there for the lomg weekend on Thursday night. We have a condo on Vilano beach and absolutly love it there. St. Augustine will treat you very well indeed.

As for i/o vs OB

IMHO outboards handle salt a bit better. Less machinery exposed to salt. That being said there are alot of I/os around. You will be fine as stated above if you stay in marked channels. Also if you go into skinny water just be aware and be careful, but you should be able to go most place you want.

One boating destination tip, Matanzas inlet. Run south about 15 miles down river and your there. Clear blue water gorgeous scenery. Worth the ride.
Let me know if I can help your transition to the nations oldest city any easier.

 

[reel dizzy]

Re: moving to florida

we live in st. marys, ga. 2 yrs ago we went down the intracosal to st. augustine to go to dinner and spend the night. i have a 194cc cobia, draft is about 18in. there were no shallow spots the whole way dawn and back. enjoyed the trip. we also visit st. augustine by car and love it.

 

[skargo]

Re: moving to florida

I'd like to see reel dizzy's real estate and navigational credentials before considering him an expert.