Get Out On The Water in a Gheenoe

Gheenoe 2
Gheenoe 2 (Photo credit: jspeaks)

Sport fishing is a favorite pastime in Florida and the fish are plentiful.  Fishing from shore is easy enough, but getting out on the water means spending money (lots of money) on a boat.  Or does it?

When I was in Florida this past summer my son’s friend had come by to go fishing at our rental house on the ICW. He works at Boston Whaler in Edgewater, and the boys got to talking about boats. My son doesn’t have a bunch of money, but would love to have an affordable boat to get out to the little islands all up and down the coast and do some fishing.  His friend mentioned a Gheenoe, saying it was a “glorified canoe”. It’s small and affordable with a motor and a good setup wouldn’t cost much more than $5,000 – with the motor and all.  They are made right in Titusville, Florida.

It sounded perfect for what my son wanted to do.  During the summer, my son looked into it more and visited a place in Maitland which sells the Gheenoe.  He ended up with one and loves it.  It’s like a canoe, but with a motor, and options to make additions, like comfy seats, lights, etc., and he says it handles big waves very well.  He’s come across some fast moving yachts in areas of the ICW which have caused giant swells for him to navigate, and he’s done so without a problem.  He even caught his first Redfish not too long ago.

Vacation on Florida Waterways in a Private Houseboat

Have you ever considered renting a houseboat to explore the real side of Florida?  Many tourists miss out on seeing Florida’s natural beauty when they spend all their time at Disney World.

It would really be worth your trouble to do something more relaxing that the kids would love just as much as Mickey Mouse.

I remember many years ago when I lived nearby, we went to see some houseboats for rent on the St. John’s River, and came close to renting one for a few days. I don’t remember why we didn’t, except that between work, finding a pet sitter, and all that fun stuff, maybe we just couldn’t find the time.  Or, more likely it could have been the cost, because it’s not cheap.

If you love being out on the water and also like to travel, imagine spending each day lounging on the deck of your own big boat as it navigates the river and slowly takes you to the next destination – or nowhere in particular. Continue reading “Vacation on Florida Waterways in a Private Houseboat”