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Yes the ICW goes north all the way to Tarpon Springs. Be aware it does cross Tampa Bay which can get very choppy when the wind picks up. Once you are across the bay you are back into protected water to Tarpon. Great area to cruise. Last I heard there is a dredge scheduled to be working...

I did an online renewal in November. Paid the $26 online. Received the new COD in approx. 7-10 days. I was surprised mine came so fast.

good tool for cruising ICW. Download the bridges from the state website, you can measure distances.

We have done long distance boating for several years. Before we bought our "first" FL boat, we did an excessive amount of charters. Have seen both sides: remote owning vs Charters. So much depends on your situation there is not a simple answer. Charters are nice in that you show up -...

My bottom line about SB, if you see a listing that shows 2-3 boats, its probably not a good indicator of the value of your boat. Just the variability in condition of boats which impacts value makes it tough to know your value. If you see 20 boats listed, then you have enough data to even out...

Maybe it has changed from in the past. Previously it relied on subscribers entering information about the sale. Since Yachtworld is a listing service, it is not part of the sales transaction. When doing search's for previous boats, I did find occurrences where the sales price in...

Just changed my insurance in FL. Went with BoatUS (Geico). No restrictions. Left my other carrier, policy had a go north provision. They would not do an exception this year.

I agree with the above reply from djmarchand. Don't think a marina cares about how long you were on the boat before you go there or after you leave. In my opinion, the term liveaboard comes in when you are doing a permanent slip arrangement. Some marinas will discount at a weekly rate or...

I contemplated this question when we first got our current boat. Not so much as a normal operating process, more if an engine shut down for any reason and we were off shore. We routinely run off the coast. Talked with the manufacturer of the boat. Their guidance was if it was 5-10 NM, then...

I have these on the boat. Use when needed based on the docking situation. They work well, stable. Easy to store when not in use. I agree about the comment about your home slip. If you need steps where you keep the boat on a permanent basis - probably would want more than these. But...

Keys route - you are in open water running the entire time. If your plan is to run on plane, you will only have to come off plane when you get to your destination for the day. Mileage wise I agree it's longer - time wise on plane not so much longer. If your running at hull speed, then it...

Good point, cruising speed is a big impact. I am cruising faster - so the time waiting on locks, no wake areas impact total time. Going the keys route - it is all on plane.

I agree with your comment about crab pots - when they are out it is a pain. What is the season? We were on the west coast a couple of weeks ago, didn't see pots we had seen earlier in the year. Are the seasons the same all around FL?

That time of year - Keys are a good trip. Evaluating Stuart to Fort Meyers, my rule of thumb is the Keys will add .5 to 1 day travel. We have done both routes multiple times over the years. My preference is the keys route when it works - easy cruising. Better scenery than the Lake...

I think locks close at 5 and they wont hesitate to tell you that they are starting a cycle and will shut down at the end of it. So, depending on direction and which end of the lock is open, could be a bit earlier. Lot of people do it single handed, but if you are not experienced with locks...

Will second Hogfish grill at Stock Island - great food.

Marathon has a fairly new hotel at the Fara Blanco marina. Nice restaurant. Burdines - if you like hamburgers is near by.

Don't know the schedule, but when there are Flea Markets, they are on Saturday. Very slow traffic on those days.

The area on the west side of the lake where the channel makes turns is problematic if you vary outside of the channel. I have never had a problem but have been told do not let the boat "wander" in this stretch and heard of groundings. This can be challenging if you leave Clewiston in the...

I learned something. It has been a while since we stayed at the marina, maybe a couple of years. Stopped at the fuel dock in January, but just fueled and went on, didn't stay the night. I agree that is the best marina if your destination is South Beach. We have been to South Beach a...

Miami Beach Marina - are you referring to the one just inside Government cut, before the bridge? I have stayed there a few times - don't recall $6-$10 a foot daily. Did I miss something?

My experience has been if the boat are in the waters of a state for a specific amount of time (varies by state) you have to register the boat in that state and pay sales tax to the state. I believe Florida is 6 months.

Had a friend on his boat at Marathon Marina. Dinghy was tied to the larger boat, he was on his boat. Line was cut and Dinghy was stolen during the night. Expensive alternative - leave the boat at Faro Blanco. They share the basin with Coast Guard and one of the State of FL law enforcement...

Most of what we have experienced with conditions going the Key Route were after we got to the Key's. With an east wind, as you move south of Marco shoals you have shelter and can move in closer to the coast. The Florida Bay kicks up, you have some beam seas south of Bullard bank, that last...

Boat home is Clearwater area, so face the question of Lake route or Keys Route when going back and forth to the East coast quite a bit. Have you ever crossed the lake? If not then you should. Lots you will see and experience. Everyone should do it once or twice. For us we have done 8...