Hi buddy, I am in central Florida close to lake George and lake Monroe. Both are big lakes but I'm a new boater so I'm trying to stick to smaller lakes and get better at the most basics of boating. I feel a little overwhelmed when I think about everything I have to learn. Navigation of the water ways is my key concern and I want to be the best boater I can be. I recognize the responsibility of being a safe boater and I intend to give myself the best chance of getting there. I am just taking it step by step until I'm ready for the intercoastal. First handling the boat in different conditions loading unloading and docking. Familiarize myself with my equipment and navigational equipment. Learn to anchor properly ect. Then comes learning to navigate the bigger lakes and the ST John's river. That should put me leaps and bounds ahead of someone that just throws their boat in the ocean and try's to learn out there. I'm having a hard time finding ramps that aren't totally beat up and the water has been so low you have put half your vehicle in the water to be deep enough to get the boat off the bunks.