Wakeboarding in The Keys and salt water damage

[peachboy]

Hi there,

I'm a brand new own of a 236 but unfortunately I live in Canada where I won't see much action until next may. I want to trailer the boat down to florida for two weeks over the march school break for my kids.

Apparently most Florida lakes have gators and water moccassins...however reassuring people who board in those lakes can be I'm terrified of that stuff.

So...thinking of heading over to the Islamorada area.

Two questions:

Is there decent wakeboard to be done there ?
If I flush my engine and rinse the boat everyday for those two week will there still be damage from salt water or is it safe ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[behindpropellers]

RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and salt water damage

Go here:

www.lakeroybeachinn.com and you won't have to worry about cleaning your boat/engine.

[peachboy]

RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and salt water damage

Any gators or scary things in these lakes ?

[intrlaz]

Re: RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and salt water damage

Any gators or scary things in these lakes ?

Sure there are. Just about any body of water that contains some fresh water will have gators. I've even seen them in the intracoastal less than 3 miles from the inlet.

Don't worry about gators, especially on a lake with a lot of boating activity. Just don't go swimming at night.

Salt water has its own scary things to consider (i.e. sharks, jellies, barracuda, etc.) but I wouldn't let them stop you from riding!

[srock]

RE: Re: RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and salt water damage

Hey Peachboy, didn't anyone tell you about sharks, baracuda, fire coral and the salt water croc found in...you guessed it, the Florida Keys. Have a nice vacation. Seriously, if there was a problem, every waterway would be full of fishermen only. Fresh and salt.

Doesn't Canada have polar and grizzly bears?

[WakeSlayer]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and salt water dama

Doesn't Canada have polar and grizzly bears?

Ha! But not in the water!

I have ridden down under a couple times in the Brisbane River. Something like 20000 bullsharks in that stretch. Freaked me right out, but the locals don't even think about it.

Just go ride and have fun!

[peachboy]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and salt water

Call me crazy but sharks scars me less than gator, dunno why. I'm just not big on reptile I guess.
Canada have Muskies in lakes which can be scary but don't usually bother swimmers.
I'm not concerned about riding on florida water...just concern about falling and my wife taking her sweeeeet time to get me ahahahah....

Orlando seems like a popular place for wakeboarding...is that one of the best spots in Fla ?

[srock]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and salt water

Something like 20000 bullsharks in that stretch..ohh

I'll avoid the bullsharks the name kind of fits. They don't respond like other sharks and they tend to act territorial. They swim right at you then veer-off at the last second. I have never seen a gator that does not take off when the boat gets near. Of course they probably just sit on the bottom.

Orlando is popular because of the number of lakes. As a tourist, you also have all the attractions. I think you need to decide where you want to go for vacation, then look for the right water. The keys will add another 6 hours to the drive versus Orlando and you have a long trip. Have you ever looked at VBRO or Homeaway for lakeside accomidations. Much better than a hotel. Post your selected lakes and I'm sure you can get some good feedback.

[intrlaz]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and salt wa

I'm not concerned about riding on florida water...just concern about falling and my wife taking her sweeeeet time to get me ahahahah....

I here you! sometimes it gets a little too quiet while you are sitting there waiting for the boat to turn around. thats when your mind starts to run...

[jpduster]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and sal

I have ridden down under a couple times in the Brisbane River. Something like 20000 bullsharks in that stretch. Freaked me right out, but the locals don't even think about it.

Just go ride and have fun!

I've heard it's best not to wee in the water, especially not in you wet suit!

[cotton]

Re: Wakeboarding in The Keys and salt water damage

Apparently most Florida lakes have gators and water moccassins...however reassuring people who board in those lakes can be I'm terrified of that stuff.

Don't worry peachboy, they don't eat as much that time of year. Just don't go in May during breeding season and you'll be OK. :grin:

[SkiTower]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and

I've heard it's best not to wee in the water, especially not in you wet suit!

what's a wetsuit doing in Fla? PDT_009

[AirTool]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Wakeboarding in The Keys and

I've heard it's best not to wee in the water, especially not in you wet suit!

what's a wetsuit doing in Fla? PDT_009

Good point....maybe barefooting.

[niagararob]

Peachboy, you hit on something, why aren't you afraid to ski in a lake with Muskies? Because they don't bother you! I go to a lake in Sarasota and am a little nervouse but calm myself with the truth that ther is a bigger chance of getting run over by the boat than a animal encounter. In fact you have a bigger chance of getting killed on the highway on the drive down, I don't see that stopping you.

Intrlaz said it, you have more to worry about in salt water.

Where in Canada are you?

[jpduster]

Food for thought :twisted: