Need some Florida boating recommendations...
 

Hey kids...

I'll be heading down to the Sunshine State for the week after Easter to pick up the Active Thunder. I will have a couple days to run the boat down there before returning to the cold and damp of a Chicago spring, and I need some advice as to where to go.

I'll be picking the boat up at the factory in Pompano Beach, so the Atlantic side is the most immediately accessible...but this Yankee doesn't know what the weather/water is like over there in April. I am assuming it will be rougher/colder than it would be on the Gulf side? The Gulf side is a definate option because I DO have to be headed west and north eventually...

I'm looking for places to drop the boat safely and easily, places to run to, places to see, places to eat, and a nice marina to stay in.

I know its a wide open question, but this is likely our only remaining realisitic shot at Florida boating, and we want to do it right, so just about anything is on the table!

Thanks for the help,
Mike

West coast will NOT be warmer. And either coast will be well into the 80s by then.

A great ramp not far from the AT factory in Pompano. Or you could always go drop ay haulover in N Miami Beach and then your options are wide open. Gilberts, Montys, Elliot ket etc.

haulover... dont even bother with anywhere else.

Alsdorf Park Boat Ramp‎
2974 Northeast 14th Street
Pompano Beach, Florida 33062
Real nice ramps and real close to Hillsboro inlet/ocean access

go to miami unless you like no wake zones

I don't recommend Haulover in North Miami. It's practically the truck/trailer theft & break-in capital of Florida. LOTS of stuff has been stolen from there over the years. Besides, Active Thunder owners use the ramp in Pompano and run the ocean. The ditch is for Skaters. ( :D ^^ just kidding! )

You might touch base with BobtheBuilder and the FMO guys. There is beautiful water to run over on that side. I'm also going to suggest a friend for you on FB, Shari and Bob Smallwood who have a 37AT over that way and know a bunch of good spots.

Hey Mike,

Currently there are four 37’ Active Thunders out of the Cape Coral area on the Gulf side. There are several places to run to in all directions. Like Sydwayz said Bob & Shari are very familiar with the area. We keep ours there for the winter and enjoy participating in the FMO runs; you should check the dates to see if you could work it in.

Steve

Congrats on the new boat! If you want I have a warehouse and we have 4 boats that stay here for the winter months, if you want keep the boat down here in Fl. For another month or two and fly down and use it. Some great boating in this area, and you can do the season opener with FPC on the season opener in St Pete, April 12 - 14 then MAy 31 do Jacksonvliie and go home from there for the summer.

Michael. We would love to show you around SW Florida. Let me know if it fits in your plans. We had 4 Active Thunders on our FMO New Years Day fun run. Below you will find the balance of this seasons schedule with 3 of our 6 runs left in the next couple of months:

Fri / Sat / Sun Jan 25 to 27, 2013 - Second annual overnight run to Hyatt, Sarasota with Friday and Saturday departures. Group returns to Cape Coral / Ft Myers Sunday. Additional detail can be found here: http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...-sarasota.html

Sat. March 2nd, 2013 - to Laishley Crab House at Punta Gorda ( new destination ) http://www.laishleycrabhouse.com This event is the second designated FMO fund raising event of the season.

Sat March 30th, 2013 Season finale Easter weekend - Beach party / picnic at Cayo Costa after a lunch / beverage stop at Barnacle Phil's ( new destination ) http://barnaclephilsrestaurant.wordpress.com

Notes:

1) All events meet and depart from the south side of the Sanibel Bridge at 11:00 AM other than the Sarasota departures which are at 10 AM.

2) Roll call and details of each event are sent out to the membership by e mail approximately 10 days prior to the event date. Details are also posted on FMO's Facebook page and on an event thread in our forum on OSO.

Bob

Coupla pics by Jay @ NaplesImage

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8...633e03a46c.jpg
Screen Shot 2013-01-14 at 9.18.27 PM by bobthebuilder707, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8...ea816fdf9a.jpg
Screen Shot 2013-01-14 at 9.18.56 PM by bobthebuilder707, on Flickr

Thanks for the responses guys, and keep 'em coming. Our dates are pretty restricted, as my wife has no more "personal days" she can take from school (used them up on the Key West PR). I would LOVE to hit the FMO Easter event, but even if I roll south on Thursday evening, make it to Pompano on Friday, and then trailer over to Ft. Meyers...I don't know if I be awake enough to enjoy it! Lol. We shall see...its like a 21-hour drive, and I'll be pulling a brand-new empty Manning down.

I know nobody will be around on Easter Sunday, but I'm hopeful somebody might be floating during the week after...it'd be GREAT to follow someone, as I don't know how the whole "tide" thing works! Got a nice lesson on channel markers during the Key West run....lol.