Connecticut vs Highland Beach Fl

[2devine]

Ok so here is the pat that bites. It is too cold to boat yet at home in CT. My boat is still shrink wrapped but I'm in Florida vacationing on the inter-coastal. I am watching boats cruising all day long. PLEASE tell me you Florida guys and gals don't do this all day long How many hours do you put on your boat down south? I do about 55 a year up north.

 

[pagekl]

@2devine, I'm not sure where Highland Beach is, but when I lived in Jacksonville, I was boating by February. Here in CT, we'll be lucky to hit the water by May because of temperature and junk in the rivers.

 

[Troy]

We are a lucky bunch down here. I boat all year. Doesn't mean I swim all year, but taking the boat out is no biggie. Plus there never any ice in our water.

 

[pagekl]

@Troy, you're a braver man than me. I never swam in the water, cause of them damn gators. I used to see a few on Black Creek and it was enough to keep me in the boat.

 

[Wayloncle]

I've boated at least once in every month since I bought the boat in Sep last year. Spoda be about 80 tomorrow, the water is almost 70 up here right now, planning on spending the day anchored out on Shell Island tomorrow!

 

[Troy]

@pagekl you'd be surprised at how much gators don't care about us (people). I've tubed, water skied and swam in gator waters. You just have tone smart (or dumb) about it, if you see a big one 6 ft + go somewhere else. They tend to be scared of boats and swim off when you get to close.

 

[0627Devildog]

@pagekl you'd be surprised at how much gators don't care about us (people). I've tubed, water skied and swam in gator waters. You just have tone smart (or dumb) about it, if you see a big one 6 ft + go somewhere else. They tend to be scared of boats and swim off when you get to close.

I'd be more worried about the ones you don't see. . . . .

 

[Britboater]

We decided to go a few miles up Peace River, chill out and have some lunch on the boat. We anchored next to this bad boy, he didn't even flinch, was not bothered about us at all. Last year a 14 footer was spotted swimming in the marina. There is no way I"d get in the water any where in Florida, (but then again I'm a wimpy limey)

 

[Troy]

I guess when you grow up around them it's different. And just to put it out there, let's not forget Florida is also surrounded by sharks. New Smyrna is even the shark bite capital of the world. So basically you're screwed no matter where you swim in Florida. I can even add more. I've seen gators in salt and brackish water (rarely) and bull sharks will go in fresh water.

 

[Zarrella]

Gators Sharks and Hurricanes.....thats what we do for fun!!!...lol

 

[2devine]

So how many engine hours you guys in the south put on your boats?

 

[ToddW850]

I estimate I put about 50+ hours on mine last year, but I haven't boated since the end of October. Not because of the weather really, but other priorities. Although it did get very cold here this winter. We had snow, sleet, and freezing rain, which is very rare.

 

[pagekl]

@pagekl you'd be surprised at how much gators don't care about us (people). I've tubed, water skied and swam in gator waters. You just have tone smart (or dumb) about it, if you see a big one 6 ft + go somewhere else. They tend to be scared of boats and swim off when you get to close.

I would assume if I were tied up with other boats and a lot of people around, then the gators would steer clear of trouble, but if I were anchored by myself swimming around, then a curious gator might be tempted to check things out. Seen a few gators and some big ass snakes growing up in the Low Country of South Carolina and I give them their due space.

 

[pagekl]

We decided to go a few miles up Peace River, chill out and have some lunch on the boat. We anchored next to this bad boy, he didn't even flinch, was not bothered about us at all. Last year a 14 footer was spotted swimming in the marina. There is no way I"d get in the water any where in Florida, (but then again I'm a wimpy limey)

Now that's a big gator right thur.

 

[Zarrella]

Some of the biggest gators I have ever seen were on the Peace River.