Good afternoon!
I’ll be moving to Tampa in August! Im currently living in Virginia and originally from Nebraska. I grew up on the river and around airboats all the time. I had one for a short while before I left to move out to Virginia. After I buy a house around Tampa I’ll be either building or buying an airboat. I’d like to know what areas are good to ride around Florida. I see you guys talk about 2A and such in some of your post but I don’t understand where it is. I’m sure there’s a lot to learn about where you can or can’t ride. I’ll be looking for some new friends so hopefully y’all can help me and the family out so we stay safe out there. I’ll also be looking for a good area to take the camper, boat and family out for the weekend. I’d like to rent a spot for the year where I can drive the boat right up close to my camper if I wish. If y’all know any private camp grounds out there I’d sure like some info on it.
All your help is greatly appreciated. Hopefully I can meet some of y’all if you’re in the area and buy you a few beers.
Cheers,
Moving to Tampa soon!
Re: Moving to Tampa soon!
Hey buddy, congrats on getting closer to some good airboating
. 2a is on the east coast down south, the closest place might be Inverness. Also Kissimmee might not be to long of a road trip. Maybe someone from the Tampa area will chime in.

Palm Beach open hull 13'9" with 6.0 F.I. LS - Ox Box and a 3bld "R"
- Rollbar1
- Southern Airboat Member
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 5:34 pm
- Location: Palm Harbor, Florida
Re: Moving to Tampa soon!
Your better off getting a flats boat. or drive 2 hrs +- up to Inverness, Fl area or South to Naples areas etc.
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- Site Supporter - III
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- Joined: Thu Nov 21, 2013 11:38 am
- Location: Naturecoast, Florida
Re: Moving to Tampa soon!
Tampa other than running coastal your 75 - 100 miles from good riding.
Maybe less over to the east Kwan you have input on Polk area?
Quite a few lakes around where your going but more geared to ski boats and fishing.
Maybe less over to the east Kwan you have input on Polk area?
Quite a few lakes around where your going but more geared to ski boats and fishing.
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- Site Supporter - IV
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 9:59 am
Re: Moving to Tampa soon!
Polk has an airboat ordinance and they are not allowed on the Winter Haven chain unless it’s a clean up event there are areas in Polk they turn a “blind eye” on but most of the conjested lakes you’re askin for problems with ole’ Shady Grady so be sure you check the areas you plan on running..
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- Southern Airboat Member
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:24 pm
Re: Moving to Tampa soon!
Lake Kissimmee real nice riding a friend has a camp in the north side river ranch. I had a great time there. Can’t be more than 2 hrs from Tampa it’s 2 1/2 hrs for me from Fort Myers well worth the drive.