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It's rare but I've been a few miles out and when it's like glass. Need a calm east wind <5mph, typically in Fall.
I have had my sx240 on the Gulf at least three times in the last 12 months. However, I mostly stay in the waters protected from the Gulf by the Cayo Costa, Boca Grand, and Captiva islands. But if I was retired and had more time, there are plenty of days where I would feel comfortable on the Gulf with my boat. Of course I would not be going 15+ miles out in the Gulf...guess that is just me being chicken. Weather can change bad real fast down here, especially in the summer. I like to see land at all times.
I have lived in many different parts of this country, and could tell you the good and bad of everwhere I have lived. Different strokes for different folks, but I have never made a decision on where I lived based on an alignment of political views. A lot of what is important in our lives are the non-political issues that bind us together in a society. My decisions have been made on job opportunities, cost of housing, educational opportunities, access to medical care, and recreational activities. I don't really care is a state is red, blue, or purple.
Great thing about the USA.....you can vote with your FEET!
100%. This past year was our first crossing over. The way there was...sporty...to put it nicely lol. Took us about 4.5h on the way there with our 23', a handful of folks turned back. On the way back? Glass. It was beautiful and our crew zipped back at 75% throttle (kept it lighter just to conserve fuel and because we wanted to). Could've easily kicked it into full gear. Absolutely depends on the weather, same in the gulf/bay. There have been mornings in the bay where I've pushed it at full throttle and it's a dream.I’ve been on the gulf in my boat with hardly any wind and excellent tidal conditions and it was like a dream. Water for miles as glassy as a lake. Well not quite as glassy but still pretty dang flat. There were a few videos of the Bimini crossings one year and I can’t remember the year but some got super lucky and had very flat conditions crossing the Atlantic. It’s rare but can happen. I think a 19’ Yamaha would be fine so long as far offshore trips weren’t an everyday trip. If it were I’d look for a larger boat. Sticking to the Gulf within a few miles or ICW cruising a 19’ would be right at home
This is 100% true. I'm in a high and dry now paying $400/mo and there's 0 availability anywhere. What's worse is the marina owners absolutely know that's the case, so they can treat you like garbage and that there's nothing you can do about it...truly unfortunate.
Before I relocated to Florida I stayed in all area for a month in my RV before making a choice, I noticed Gulf Coast is hotter in the summer, in the atlantic side the sea breeze tends to cool the air (still hot but bearable to me).
My avatar pic is the gulf side of
no joke on the X... Youngest daughter just informed me last week that the X moved to Port Ritchie FL.... thats gettin close and im running out of runwayWe have been to Florida several times over the last few years and I am really enjoying it. Albeit mostly around the Orlando Area. We are really looking forward to going down this summer to Navarre and Destin. I could definitely see us moving somewhere down in Florida eventually. I want to check out SW Florida and the Keys as well. Caveat..... Ex Wife lives somewhere in Miami, so that would be a no go
Yup. I just paid $375 for a Cape Coral Yamaha jet boat dealer to pull my boat and trailer it to their place. I think they got me for 2 1/4 hours for that.
I hang my boat on davits normally and when I wanna work on it I cut up an old boat trailer and made a bunk that looks like a patio deck stained to match the house for service work and I doo ALL my own service work... haven't used the trailer in 5 years...
I grew up Upstate NY then moved to Maryland in my early 30's. Moved to SW FL a couple years ago. To be honest summer in Southern MD is just about as humid & hot as SW Florida summer. BUT I think SW Florida summer might be 2 months longer
The BIG lesson I finally learned with surviving the humidity down here is the type of clothing you select. June thru September down here I have to wear those moisture wicking shirts and shorts. The shorts with those inner lining (DEMOZU Men's 5 Inch Running Shorts Lightweight Quick Dry Athletic Tennis Workout Gym Shorts with Pockets) SO you don't need underwear! HaHa! In July down here- Five minutes outside with regular briefs on its like wearing a freaking wet diaper! 
I do not see how many people in this forum will recommend GA over FL, but instead of us deciding your future, dont you think maybe you will be better served to ask your family where they want to be ? Better yet, take a couple of days and yall go visit both places and see which ones feel 'home'.