Florida is a boater’s paradise. With its warm weather, clear waters, and abundance of waterways to explore, boating in Florida is amazing. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time boater, there’s something for everyone in the Sunshine State. Here are some of the best places to go boating in Florida: THE FLORIDA KEYS The Florida Keys are a boater’s paradise, with crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life. From Key Largo to Key West, you can explore the islands and stop at secluded sandbars, snorkel coral reefs, and fish in either the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. &nb ..read more

Recently, I ran a Classic Boston Whaler south from Fort Lauderdale to Haulover Inlet. It was a trip I was excited to take and it didn’t disappoint. THE AREA While I’ve been to Fort Lauderdale numerous times, I’ve never actually boated in the area south of Miami. This was my opportunity. Downtown Fort Lauderdale is beautiful and is a slow but super-scenic ride past towering buildings, huge yachts, and beautiful houses. South of downtown, the Intracoastal Waterway becomes a mix of natural foliage and heavy industry. Eventually, the scenery turns into a concrete jungle of waterfront homes and hu ..read more

I don’t need to tell you that high boat fuel prices have become a huge problem and will absolutely impact our boating behavior. In this post, I’ll present you with five ways to save money on boat gas or diesel fuel.   FUEL HOME DELIVERY The first way to reduce high boat fuel prices is to utilize a marine fuel home delivery service. Surprisingly, this is a service that has existed for a while and is offered in many popular boating areas in the U.S. While it won’t provide miracle pricing, it will save you roughly 30-50 cents per gallon of fuel.   LAND-BASED GAS STATION One way to use ..read more

The best starter boat for families normally means a boat that checks all the most important boxes. This is why the Boston Whaler Montauk should be at the top of your list and one of the major reasons why it’s the best-selling boat of all time.   New Montauk 170 CLASSIC OR NEW A beautiful thing about the Boston Whaler Montauk is you can buy it new or used. New Montauk’s are heavier and more comfortable than the “Classic’s”. However, a Classic version will save you thousands and hold its’ value better. The most popular length is 17 feet however, newer versions also have 19 and 21-foot mo ..read more

One of the best ways to celebrate the holidays in Florida is to enjoy one of the many holiday boat parades. Nothing gets you in the mood for the holiday’s quite like it and these are the top five in Florida.   Photo courtesy of saralee_realtor on Instagram THE SEMINOLE HARD ROCK WINTERFEST BOAT PARADE As one would expect in the “boating capital of the world”, this Ft. Lauderdale holiday boat parade is on the top of the list in Florida. Numerous heavily decorated boats and mega yachts cruise the 12-mile parade route for over 1 million spectators to enjoy. The close confinement of the Ne ..read more

The best beach sand in Florida is found on the Gulf Coast. However, did you also know that Florida has orange sand, black sand, and hard-packed sand suitable for cars? This post will help you learn where it can all be found.   SUCH DIVERSITY With over 800 miles of beaches, Florida has some incredibly diverse beach sand. Generally, the east coast has sand suitable for driving and also more granular sand. The Key’s don’t have many beaches and the ones that exist tend to have rocky sand. The best beach sand in Florida can be found along the Gulf of Mexico. Actual beaches don’t begin until M ..read more

Choosing the best boat for beginners can be quite overwhelming. With so many boats to choose from where does one begin? In this blog post I attempt to simplify your decision.   DO EVERYTHING BOAT The biggest factor in determining what type of boat to buy is one that does everything well. Beginner boaters usually don’t know yet what they’ll enjoy most. It could be fishing, water sports, day cruising, camping, or simply relaxing at the sandbar (or a combination). Therefore, it is usually best to initially choose a boat that does all of this well and then, later on, become more specialized ..read more

Boat U.S. is a great organization that offers a lot of benefits to boaters nationwide. From education to representation, and insurance to assistance, this organization is absolutely essential. That being said, is it worth it? MEMBERSHIP Joining Boat U.S. can take a few forms and the costs vary depending on which level you join. The basic membership only costs $25/yr but only offers up to $50 towards on the water towing. Upgraded towing plans include “Unlimited Gold” and “Unlimited” with each offering 100% payment for offshore and restricted dock towing but the “Gold” version also includes tow ..read more

Scalloping in Crystal River is the perfect family getaway because it’s easy, everyone can do it, and the area offers so much. IT’S EASY One thing I love about scalloping in Crystal River is that it’s very easy. You don’t need dive gear, certifications or fancy equipment. You also don’t need to be able to hold your breath forever or dive deep depths. All you need is snorkeling gear and a mesh bag to place the scallops in. Literally, it’s like a scavenger hunt or Easter egg hunt. You simply scan the sea grass beds looking for scallops.   THE BEST FLORIDA SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS   E ..read more

Although rare, Red Tide can transform beautiful beaches into places to avoid. Fish kills, coughing, and nasty water often results. If you’re looking to avoid Red Tide, here’s how to do it. WHAT IS RED TIDE? Red Tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon that normally occurs in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a harmful algal bloom consisting primarily of an organism called “Karenia brevis”. It is thought that harmful nutrients from drainage runoff, septic systems, Lake Okeechobee water releases, and man-made spills contribute to Red Tide and/or make it worse.   HOW TO TRACK IT Mote Marine in Sara ..read more