Snowbird Thoughts

This is a little odd, sorry....but we snowbird in Florida Dec-Mar. We have two reservations in Inglis and Crystal River. First place we got reservations got sold in August and they don't even know who bought it (or won't say) and don't know if it'll remain a campground or not. So we got another reservation for a place under construction, but we don't know if it'll be finished in time for Dec 1 arrival. LOL! Either way, we hope to be there somewhere Dec 1.

Here's the rub. Wife has always driven her vehicle and pulled my boat. Her health is not good and this year she may not be able to do that. Right now I'd give it 50/50. She loves going there and I am determined to get us there somehow. But I may not have a boat. To me, that's like not having arms or legs. SO....I'm considering swallowing hard and trying to buy an old used boat while I'm there. Can't spend much. I plan on fishing freshwater only in that area. I'd hopefully just store it somewhere for 8 months and use it again each winter.

So, my questions:

-What is minimum size boat I'd need for, say, Lake Rosseau? Rivers or small lakes closeby?
-How does an out of stater get a Florida boat and trailer licensed?
-Anyone know of any storage areas for a poor boy?

I appreciate your help. I'll be there somehow, someway, even if I have to bank fish!! LOL.

Thanks. PM me if necessary.

Just a suggestion: Get someone else to drive the boat down and fly them home. Also check the area for hurricane impact.

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Originally Posted by Buckrub

So, my questions:

-What is minimum size boat I'd need for, say, Lake Rosseau? Rivers or small lakes closeby?
-How does an out of stater get a Florida boat and trailer licensed?
-Anyone know of any storage areas for a poor boy?

I appreciate your help. I'll be there somehow, someway, even if I have to bank fish!! LOL.

Thanks. PM me if necessary.

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Just My Opinion, but I'd say, really any size boat would work. It's more what you'd be comfortable with, and what style fishing you do.


For the licensing, I'm not really sure as I became a FL resident before I bought a boat down here. But you can look here: Vessel Titling and Registrations - Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles


One suggestion is to rent a boat. Check some of the resorts in the area, and there's lots of small canoe/kayak rentals in the Crustal River area.

Good luck.

As for licensing; I'm from Indiana but own a place in Florida. I've bought and sold boats and trailers in Florida and found the process pretty simple. When you buy a boat just take the title to a BMV or tax collectors office and they will take care of everything. The trailers usually just come with a registration that you get transferred. I use my Indiana address on the Florida titles and registrations and it's never been questioned. Now this is for boats and trailers that are staying in Florida and keeping a Florida registration. It would be a different can of worms if I wanted to transfer them to an Indiana title.
I've always took my paperwork to the Lake County tax collectors office in Tavares to get it done and I'm shocked every time how quick they get me in and out of there. I'm used to Indiana where the BMV's question everything and try to make your life miserable! nonono ;)

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Originally Posted by Greenedog

As for licensing; I'm from Indiana but own a place in Florida. I've bought and sold boats and trailers in Florida and found the process pretty simple. When you buy a boat just take the title to a BMV or tax collectors office and they will take care of everything. The trailers usually just come with a registration that you get transferred. I use my Indiana address on the Florida titles and registrations and it's never been questioned. Now this is for boats and trailers that are staying in Florida and keeping a Florida registration. It would be a different can of worms if I wanted to transfer them to an Indiana title.
I've always took my paperwork to the Lake County tax collectors office in Tavares to get it done and I'm shocked every time how quick they get me in and out of there. I'm used to Indiana where the BMV's question everything and try to make your life miserable! nonono ;)

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Thanks! I tried to hit "Like" to your post and somehow some icon that I did NOT mean or want showed up. Makes it seem like I DISliked your post, and I'm sorry! Can't figure out how to erase it.

Thank you for this info!!

I would make sure the person selling the boat actually owns the boat before handing over any money.
Could be a case where somebody was given or inherited it but never bothered to transfer the ownership.
Check the registration number of the boat and tag number of the trailer with the tax office before paying for it.
Better yet get the seller to go to the tax collector office with you if possible and do the transfer there.

What Yobuck said. If I don’t see paperwork in the sellers name or meet at the tag office, I don’t have a dime.