Folks, this is my first experience with this newsgroup. I apologize if my
question is redundant.

My wife and I are planning to retire and move to Florida. We are power boaters
and enjoy fishing and cruising. We also enjoy tennis and the beach. Previous
boats have been 20-30ft. in length.

We would appreciate your input on nice areas or communities to retire, with an
emphasis on boating, possibly with canals, yacht club, gated, etc. Cost is not
a big issue.

Thanks,

RedmanHawk

Someone here is bound to have some answers for that - I'm just saying "hi".

Whatever answer you get, should take into account Fla's endless supply of
Manatee protective no wake areas.

-W

"Redman1hawk" wrote in message
...
Folks, this is my first experience with this newsgroup. I apologize if my
question is redundant.

My wife and I are planning to retire and move to Florida. We are power
boaters
and enjoy fishing and cruising. We also enjoy tennis and the beach.
Previous
boats have been 20-30ft. in length.

We would appreciate your input on nice areas or communities to retire,
with an
emphasis on boating, possibly with canals, yacht club, gated, etc. Cost
is not
a big issue.

Thanks,

RedmanHawk

On 04 Sep 2003 19:07:50 GMT, (Redman1hawk) wrote:

Folks, this is my first experience with this newsgroup. I apologize if my
question is redundant.

My wife and I are planning to retire and move to Florida. We are power boaters
and enjoy fishing and cruising. We also enjoy tennis and the beach. Previous
boats have been 20-30ft. in length.

We would appreciate your input on nice areas or communities to retire, with an
emphasis on boating, possibly with canals, yacht club, gated, etc. Cost is not
a big issue.

Thanks,

RedmanHawk

Redman, you must first answer a basic question. Which do you prefer, the sunrise
(east coast) or the sunset (west coast) ? Once you've answered that question,
half the battle is over. I've lived on both sides, Cocoa Beach and Tampa. I did
not own a boat at the time, but I was able to mess around a little with friends.
The St John's River, on the east side, has some great fresh water fishing. Tampa
Bay has some very nice spots, especially the channel for trout.

I liked the people on the west side much more than the people on the east side.
I can't explain why. The atmosphere just seemed much nicer.

This hasn't answered all your questions, but maybe it'll help narrow the
choices.


John
On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD

What price range are you in?

The Keys are really nice but pricey. Better value for you dollar on the
West coast around Tampa. Get to far north and you get the semi cold
winters. Most who go like it warm year around. I think the East coast has
a better summer - maybe a better sea breeze.


"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 04 Sep 2003 19:07:50 GMT, (Redman1hawk) wrote:

Folks, this is my first experience with this newsgroup. I apologize if
my
question is redundant.

My wife and I are planning to retire and move to Florida. We are power
boaters
and enjoy fishing and cruising. We also enjoy tennis and the beach.
Previous
boats have been 20-30ft. in length.

We would appreciate your input on nice areas or communities to retire,
with an
emphasis on boating, possibly with canals, yacht club, gated, etc. Cost
is not
a big issue.

Thanks,

RedmanHawk

Redman, you must first answer a basic question. Which do you prefer, the
sunrise
(east coast) or the sunset (west coast) ? Once you've answered that
question,
half the battle is over. I've lived on both sides, Cocoa Beach and Tampa.
I did
not own a boat at the time, but I was able to mess around a little with
friends.
The St John's River, on the east side, has some great fresh water fishing.
Tampa
Bay has some very nice spots, especially the channel for trout.

I liked the people on the west side much more than the people on the east
side.
I can't explain why. The atmosphere just seemed much nicer.

This hasn't answered all your questions, but maybe it'll help narrow the
choices.


John
On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD

My wife and I are planning to retire and move to Florida. We are power
boaters
and enjoy fishing and cruising. We also enjoy tennis and the beach.
Previous
boats have been 20-30ft. in length

We live on the west coast (Sarasota) It's a great place to live & boat. Lots of
culture, good restaurants and lots of boating, from canals to the Gulf. Like
another poster. I think the people are a little friendlier. I attribute that to
a little slower pace.
Good luck.

In article ,
says...
Folks, this is my first experience with this newsgroup. I apologize if my
question is redundant.

My wife and I are planning to retire and move to Florida. We are power boaters
and enjoy fishing and cruising. We also enjoy tennis and the beach. Previous
boats have been 20-30ft. in length.

We would appreciate your input on nice areas or communities to retire, with an
emphasis on boating, possibly with canals, yacht club, gated, etc. Cost is not
a big issue.

Thanks,

RedmanHawk





Check out Cape Coral. 400 miles of canals.. You enter the Gulf between
Sanibel and Ft Myers.. If money is not a big issue you can get close to
the Gulf. The closer you are to the Gulf the less you need to worry about
the No Wake "Manatee Zones" Also dont get to far off the river or it will
take you forever to get through the canals.