A few weekend pics from Sunny Florida (Added Live cam links too)
TikiHut2
Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭✭
Not to rub it in while the northern Rinker tribe is frozen solid, but instead to motivate you that everything great in life is worth the wait. I know I'm encouraged by your pics during the summer when it's just too brutally hot to boat down here, so here are a few pics from last weekend (Dec 14-15) down in SW Fl.
The weather was 80* and clear in our favorite anchorage for the 1st night and then we ran up the coast 10miles to longboat Pass and finally back to the Sarasota Hyatt marina to accommodate a few more crew members and watch the Cmas boat parade. Love the boat and the crew. Far too much fun had by all.
Enjoy the pics.......or just buy a plane ticket to the tropics from Dec. to March. There's always a room near the beach somewhere.
The frisky crew early in the evening. When it starts to get really fun they make me put the camera away...... go figure.
Our pesky snow (white sand) drifts in the Pass between Longboat and Bradenton beach. Dreadful.
A stowaway cousin from Portland Maine is a happy camper on TikiHut anchored in Longboat Pass
The wind piped up so we took a sheltered route back south via a canal run back down inside Longboat key and saw this guys "compensator". He may have a 100' dock trophy but we had the frisky crew and were actually using our boat
Back at the Hyatt Sarasota for only $1.50ft. Hot Tub, floating docks,tropical pool and hot showers. Best kept secret on the SW coast. The Skipper, Ginger and Mary-Ann were all pretty comfortable at the Hyatt.....and all weekend.
.....and a parting shot to testify to what a great, versatile boat value we think the FV270 is. She's 10y/o and still going strong.
Have a merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season from Mike and Kelli ........ suffering down here in the tropics for the team.
The weather was 80* and clear in our favorite anchorage for the 1st night and then we ran up the coast 10miles to longboat Pass and finally back to the Sarasota Hyatt marina to accommodate a few more crew members and watch the Cmas boat parade. Love the boat and the crew. Far too much fun had by all.
Enjoy the pics.......or just buy a plane ticket to the tropics from Dec. to March. There's always a room near the beach somewhere.
The frisky crew early in the evening. When it starts to get really fun they make me put the camera away...... go figure.
Our pesky snow (white sand) drifts in the Pass between Longboat and Bradenton beach. Dreadful.
A stowaway cousin from Portland Maine is a happy camper on TikiHut anchored in Longboat Pass
The wind piped up so we took a sheltered route back south via a canal run back down inside Longboat key and saw this guys "compensator". He may have a 100' dock trophy but we had the frisky crew and were actually using our boat
Back at the Hyatt Sarasota for only $1.50ft. Hot Tub, floating docks,tropical pool and hot showers. Best kept secret on the SW coast. The Skipper, Ginger and Mary-Ann were all pretty comfortable at the Hyatt.....and all weekend.
.....and a parting shot to testify to what a great, versatile boat value we think the FV270 is. She's 10y/o and still going strong.
Have a merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season from Mike and Kelli ........ suffering down here in the tropics for the team.
2004 FV270, 300hp 5.7 350mag MPI Merc 305hrs, 2:20 Bravo3 OD w.22p props, 12v Lenco tabs, Kohler 5kw genset, A/C, etc.etc...
Regular weekender, Trailer stored indoors, M/V TikiHut, Sarasota, Fl
Post edited by TikiHut2 on
Comments
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Hope you find a warm spot to thaw during the winter season.
MnK
I wish we had more sandy beaches where I boat, as its mostly cattails & residential developed shoreline.
If it's any consolation, while I'm not shoveling any snow, one of our snowbird visitors must've left the door open and today it's grey with wind near 20kts. Tonight's low will be in the 40's so boating is a hit/miss deal even down here. Glad to get what we did.
Sandkrice, Can't tell from the tiny pic of your boat but it looks very similar to ours (post a few of yours). Send us a PM and we'll make sure to get together with the boats or just grab some food and say hi. Welcome to Fl. MnK
PS.....I know we have some left coast Rinker guys floating around on the forum, lets encourage them to post a few "off season" pics too.
Here's a parting shot from Saturday afternoon......
Our bikini clad crew mate from Portland Maine had to fly back out this morning. I have visions of her being dragged up the gangway at the airport. She certainly wasn't happy about heading back home but OMG was she fun while it lasted.
Cya, Mike
The water temp and visibility is at it's best during our dry season in late spring Apr-June (barring any accumulation of windy days). In late Apr-May the heat slowly starts to turn on again and the locals are reminded that our broiling season is near. Even the snowbirds start to wilt and fly north.
By July-Aug we can't take it anymore and we'll try to catch a flight to N.E. to see how the other half lives
Come summer time we'll be on the hunt for fresh water lakes, cool nights, lobstahs n moose somewhere between Boston, Portland and Rangely. Until then it'll be sand drifts, palm trees and saltwater. Mike
RY, we hope to see you in Miami at the boat show. MnK
Here's the live Sarasota Siesta Beach Cam (LINK TO SUNSHINE N WHITE SAND)
And
The live cam from Marathon in the (Fl Keys LINK TO SOMBRERO KEY CAM)
Click full screen, cup your hands to both sides of your face and move toward the screen slowly.....Enjoy
PC BYC, Holland, MI
The Admiral has been trying to get me to go see snow but it'd take too much antifreeze (rum) to keep my super thin Florida blood from just instantly freezing solid, and all I own is flip-flops, t-shirts and shorts anyway.
Sandkrice, we'll be looking for those pics.
I am one of 'those' people. Steep and deep!
I do feel sorry for those who get on terrain too difficult, it ruins the sport for them and usually 'friends' are to blame. lol My big adventure last year at Whistler-Blackcombe, nothing like the top of a mountain miles and miles away from crowds. I joke with my son about naming our dinghy 'green circle' 
PC BYC, Holland, MI
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Boat Name: King Kong
"Boat + Water = Fun"
Go Steelers!!!
Heading to clearwater next week for a couple of weeks. Can't wait.
After that I'll hit the slopes and cut some powder up north!
Then it's all about getting the boat back in the water!
Boat Name: King Kong
"Boat + Water = Fun"
She has a concealed weapons permit so with all due respect to her wishes, I pay attention.
(DIRTY HARRY SAID SO LINK)
Hey Mark, We're on the water as much as possible during the holidays. If you'd like to ride down to see Sarasota, and it works into yours/our/weather schedule, we'd be happy to give you a run around the bay. Send us a PM if you'd like.
Mike
2000 180 Bowrider, 135hp 3.0L Merc, 2.00 Alpha One Gen 2 OD, 14.5 x 19P prop
Regular weekender, trailer stored indoors, Southern Ohio