Leaving the desert

[SashasDad]

After seeing how much fun Mac owners have who live near the water, my wife and I are no longer willing to drive 3 hours to a lake. We just returned from the Miami boat show and instead of buying a new boat, we bought a townhouse in Jupiter, Fl. Any advice from people in that area as far as best places to sail and what to expect would be appreciated. We are used to sailing on a mountain lake where you can see the other side. We did buy new PFD's at the boat show
Thanks in advance,
Brian

[dlandersson]

Since you're from the desert - I highly recommend you sail on the water - that's the wet stuff - often with a blue color.

After seeing how much fun Mac owners have who live near the water, my wife and I are no longer willing to drive 3 hours to a lake. We just returned from the Miami boat show and instead of buying a new boat, we bought a townhouse in Jupiter, Fl. Any advice from people in that area as far as best places to sail and what to expect would be appreciated. We are used to sailing on a mountain lake where you can see the other side. We did buy new PFD's at the boat show
Thanks in advance,
Brian

[gedaggett]

When you go swimming at anchor make sure you know the difference between good fins and bad ones, The bad ones have a tendency to bite!

[Catigale]

Hmmmm. White water is fAster than blue water ....

[C Striker]

And sometimes there is no water. Tides are so cool!
I have a sandbar that is exposed half the time. I love the attention my mac gets when it's not touching ANY water while I raise the mast. Enjoy!

[vizwhiz]

Welcome to Florida!!

You'll find protected water sailing more limited as you head south of your chosen location (have to go into the Atlantic to find enough room to sail), and more available a bit north of where you are in the Indian River and such. Motoring down the ICW through Boca and Ft. Lauderdale also gives you a great view of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous".

However, you'll find Juno Beach to be one of the prettiest beaches there is over there, and the pier and parks along there to be wonderful. Sunrise is a special daily occurrence that is free and beautiful at Juno Beach (and there are bathrooms in the parking lot). Many people stroll the boardwalk and beach at sunrise. Jupiter's a very nice place to be!

[fishstalker7]

Second the welcome to Florida!

You'll find Jupiter locates you within 3.5 hours of the upper Keys, about 2.5 hours from anywhere around Miami that you want to sail, about 2.5 hours from the Naples area and then you have the whole Atlantic to Bahamas and ICW to the west coast within reach! With a trailerable boat, you'll have plenty of fun places to explore and the Jupiter Inlet is not as bad as some make it out to be, especially with an X's power capability! I live in Jensen Beach (about 30 minutes from Jupiter to the north), if I can can help in any way, PM me and I'll pass along my phone number to you!

Respectfully,

David

[vizwhiz]

and the Jupiter Inlet is not as bad as some make it out to be, especially with an X's power capability!

LOL...I was gonna mention the "high speed raft-ride" through the inlet, but then realized that with a 50 HP outboard, they'd be okay... Have you ever clocked the water velocity through there? Just standing next to it is very impressive! (Not to mention watching the torpedo's (tarpon) running through...)

[fishstalker7]

LOL...I've lived it! A few years ago around Christmas, a fellow that I've done a lot of sailing with was going to spend Christmas alone. So my wife and I offered to grab our 28 ft. sailboat and cruise with him on his 35 ft. down to Jupiter for Christmas...easy right? Except the seas were swelling 8-10 that day and the Jupiter Inlet was flowing out as we were coming in!! I ended up singlehanding our boat, so my wife could hep him crew, and going in the inlet...making about 1.5 knots against the current under full sail and motor. It wasn't as bad as it may sound, but definitely got a feel for the flow!

Hadn't discovered 26m's then (too much big boat racing background), but would have liked a 50 hp+ in hindsight!