I bought my boat in Florida 2 years ago. I've spent an impressive amount of time on it since. No regrets.
COVID-19 cases are high here. People don't seem to care and go about business as usual. I doubt the two are unrelated.
But, I've enjoyed the opportunity to manage risk, e.g. going to restaurants occasionally when quiet off hours, etc.
I had a boat in SoCal before this one. I found boats in Florida, at least Gulf coast, to be in be, in some ways, in better condition. There are termites, but a lot less of them, so a lot less boats were ravaged by years of them. HVAC systems and gensets tend to be more in use and serviced. Less rot because, even with more rain, it lasts for less time and dries out daily vs Cali where it was rare, but could last days and days and get in deep and not dry out quickly. Also, things never freeze or suffer from seasonal disuse.
On the flip side, bottoms take a beating in the hot water. Lots of scraping. In the shallow waters, there is the occasional brush with the bottom. Brightwood would take a beating, but no one even tries varnish vs something like Atlwood or awlbright or paint. Biminis take a beating from the storms, as do such things as the wood to which cleats are mounted, and things that bump pilings like rub and cap rails.
Like anywhere, how the owner(s) cared for the vessel over the years means more than anything else. I think, at the least.
I saw a lot of good boats all over Florida, bought one here, and love it.
