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Cabin Cruisers…These
are typically “week end or vacation get away boats.” They
are designed to give you a comfortable space inside, for
preparing food, sleeping, showering, playing cards, or
relaxing. Complete with TV’s, microwaves ovens, stoves,
air conditioners, and generators…they offer all the comforts
of home!
Usually you can stand up in the cabin.
The outside is designed for entertaining, relaxing and
“cruising” the vast expanses of waterways. These boats can
be used for fishing, however, in Florida; if you are a
die-hard fishing person…you may prefer a true fishing boat.
A fishing boat is easier to keep clean, as it can be hosed
down. They also provide “live wells” which maintain your
fish until you get back. Remember, the weather is warm
here. It is not reasonable to just pull the fish in and
leave it lie in a bucket until you get to the dock…The fish
will spoil and smell! Cruising boats are made for passenger
comfort. Fishing boats are for fishing ease. 
Cabin cruisers often use a lot of fuel.
Many of these boats will go under the Florida bridges that
cross canals. However, some of them have fly bridges, such
as some of those pictured here. The fly bridge will create
too much height to pass under lower bridge clearances. A
couple of the boats pictured here have a radar arch. Radar
arches can mean that you are unlikely to get under a bridge
lower than 11 or 12 ft. BRIDGES DO NOT RESTRICT LENGTH, THEY
RESTRICT HEIGHT. These boats range from 21 ft. and up in
length and draft anywhere from 22 inches to 4 ft.. At 30 ft.
you start talking about yachts.
If you have children, like to explore,
and desire comfort, a cruiser is your best choice in a
boat. In a boat, children often need to be kept warm or
cool depending on the weather, cruisers make this possible.
Florida has lots of boating clubs. The members of these
clubs, come together to cruise as a group to designated
locations. Remember that we are close to the Keys and to the
Bahamas….. what a great way to enjoy the incredible beauty,
ambiance, and excitement of this area!
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Bow Rider… Now here is a really
fun boat for speed, agility, comfort, and exhilaration on
short time play days. They easily clear all bridges!
Compared to the “big boats.” these are more economical for
initial purchase, and for fuel consumption. They also have
a shallower draft so they can go up onto a beach for a
family pick nick. On a good weather day, these boats can
maneuver the inland waters…however, most of them that are
less than 25ft. and really should not go out into the Gulf.
People do it, but the water can get really ruff, really
quick…BIGGER is better in the Gulf!
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Trawlers…. Perhaps in a class by
themselves, trawlers are extremely sea worthy functional
boats. They are made for traveling on the water anywhere
your gas tank will power you. Steady and methodical, these
boats have room to move, galleys for cooking, inside engine
rooms, cabins for passengers, and wheel houses for the
captain of the vessel. Some have walk in clothes closets
and even bathtubs! As you can imagine, they are usually too
tall for passing beneath a canal bridge. On the east coast,
there are some canal bridges that are “draw” bridges on some
of the canals. We do not have that luxury on the west coast
of Florida as a general rule. Don’t buy one of these for
speed as they are too big and too heavy to go fast. But if
you enjoy the journey as much as the destinations, this is
the best way to cruise. Choose property that offers deep
direct access.
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Cigarette Boats… These boats are
noisy, gas guzzling, works of art! They are the fastest
boats, usually the most colorful, and always the ones that
turn the heads of everyone! The gulf water is perfect for
these vessels. It offers plenty of room to speed straight,
in circles, or to a specific destination. To observe these
boats in action, is quite a thrill….Just imagine being part
of the experience!!!!!
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Jet Skies… These are fast and
fun and throughout this area. Like any watercraft, a jet
ski must do minimum wake in the canals. They can not “open
up” the throttle unless they are outside the canals or on a
FRESH WATER lake. Gulf Access lakes insist on minimum wake
for all vessels, no matter their size. |
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Deck Boat… Believe it or not,
these boats can get up and move! However, usually, they are
used for relaxing, entertaining, and putting around for a
few hours. Deck boats are practical and very functional.
Their design does not evoke heart throbbing excitement.
These are not usually recommended for
the Gulf waters as many of them are designed to be used in
calm water. Obviously, the Gulf, like an ocean can get very
scary for “fair weather” boat, which this is. Often in ruff
water, the boaters get somewhat wet due to sea spray as they
head home. These boats have a shallow draft and less free
board (side height) than the cruisers and fishing boats.
Deck boats are fun for families and
friends alike! |
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Fishing boat…. Like the cruisers, there are so many
different types it is hard to generalize. These boats vary
in length, draft, and height because of the location of the
fish that an individual wants to catch.
A “flats” boat will be shorter, draft
less water, and usually have no height to concern you for
clearing bridges. These are usually powered by out board
motors (because the motor can easily be tilted up to raise
the propeller) to increase the boats ability to fish the
“flats”. Flats are basically inner-coastal waterways that
are shallow and protected from harsh seas. These boats are
attractive to fly fisherman, tarpon enthusiast, spin-casters
and all kinds of people who love variety and frequency in
their fishing excursions.
Flats boats are usually affordable at
20K or less depending on year, size, engine power, and
whether it is new or used. They are stable, sturdy boats
designed with one thing in mind…Get to the fishing spot and
function for him/her without “stuff” in the way. No frills
on these boats! Bare bones, open air, and if you are lucky,
a useable, port potty type head for your convenience.
These boats are easy to maneuver into
the best spots for a nice catch. There are some flats boats
that have a tuna tower on them. Unlike true tuna towers on
the big fishing boats, these towers are not very high. But
they do offer you an over view of the nearby fishing area.
There are the deep sea fishing boats
which vary in length from 25ft. to 35 ft. These are made to
venture out into the gulf waters. They can be low enough in
height to clear most bridges or too tall with true tuna
towers to get under any of the bridges. Normally they will
have good free board and a seaworthy design. Since often
“deep sea” fishing is 6-10 miles from shore and you are
truly in “very open” water, these boats have to be created
to take some fowl weather water conditions to be safe in the
gulf.
Center console boats are popular here
for fishing because you can walk all the way around the boat
as you work your fish to the surface. For most people who
like to fish, center console boats are great. But don’t plan
on sleeping on them as there is no cabin to do that.
Think radio, GPS, radar, depth finders,
cell phones and any other gadgetry you can afford to help
you with emergencies and positioning. These modern day
devices help boaters to make their way with out land
markings, to reefs, wrecks, and holes where the BIG fish
abound. We are talking up to and including fish that tip
the scales at 800lbs! For safe boating, always give a plan
of where you are going to family or friends. There is a
very popular emergency boat service called “SEA TOW.” This
company will come out to where ever you are to help you if
you are a member. Think of it like a AAA auto club for
boaters. If you are headed for tuna, there’s no telling
where you will end up! Learn to be prepared. The water is
warm….but it’s a long swim home!
Some of the boats will have sleeping
bunks tucked down into the V of the hull. They are great
for a nap, but not great for a weekend get away. Keep in
mind that the boats which are over 26ft long, handle the
gulf waters much better. With out being technical, it
has to do with the average span of the crest from wave to
wave. When the boat is too short, in bad water it’s a
really ruff ride to get back from where you are.
Fishing boats have lots of storage
compartments. Some are for ice chests, some for lures, some
for your fishing pools and still others exist for whatever
you need to store! Most of these compartments lock keep
their contents secure.
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 Sail Boats….
Like most boats, these come in a variety of prices, sizes
and styles. With all of the “living space” below deck, they
are sleek in design and ready for deck passengers in swim
suits, shorts, and suntan lotion! Tampa Bay, Port Charlotte
and the Ft Myers area are all areas where shallow waters are
abundant. Sail boats MUST stay in marked channels to
maneuver through these areas. Bridge height is VERY
important as you consider sailboats. They can not pass
under “fixed” bridges that span canals and sometimes can not
sail under “fixed” bridges that connect islands, keys and
peninsulas. However, sailboats, like all types of boats are
throughout all of Florida. How wonderfully romantic to sail
to the Caribbean or South America or even the Florida Keys!
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Many people move to Florida because
they love the water and boating. Often, the house is less
important than the boat! When you love boating and consider
real estate in SW Florida, be sure that you understand what
your needs are for your boat. Being waterfront specialists,
Dockside agents can help you to make a positive decision so
that BOTH you and your BOAT are happy! |
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