Outdoors

A good, or better, second ride

For that Florida-style family or dinner outing, the Larson is ready to weave the waterways.

By Terry Tomalin, Outdoors Editor
Published March 7, 2008

LARGO - It is 5 o'clock, quittin' time, but that is when Lou Vinci just gets going. Owner and operator of the busy Indian Springs Marina on the Intracoastal Waterway, Vinci, 63, has had a full day working his boat yard. Now it is time to relax and have a little fun.

"For me, any time on the water is a good time," he said as he and daughter Jen, 29, pushed their 28-foot bowrider away from the dock. "This why people move to Florida."

Eleven years ago, after a long and prosperous career in the local construction industry, Vinci followed his dream and bought a marina.

"I've always owned boats," he said. "You name it, I've had it. It seemed like the logical step."

When his four children - two boys and two girls - were growing up, Vinci has one steadfast rule: "Sunday was Vinci Family Fun Day," he said. "That was our day to get on the water."

The family guy

Like most boat owners, Vinci started off small, but as his family grew in size, so did his boats.

"A center-console fishing boat was fine for a while," he said. "But as the kids get older they want to ski and do all those kind of things. Next thing you know, you have got their friends coming along, too."

Vinci knew from personal experience what made a good family boat. So when it came time to pick a line to carry at his new marina, he looked for something his kids would enjoy.

"The Larsons have all the creature comforts," he said. "They really make a quality boat. If you are going to be out on the water all day, you want to be comfortable."

Cruisin'

During the winter months when the weather can be a little unpredictable, boaters can always pick and choose when they are going to hit the water. But on this February evening, the breeze was light, the sky clear, so Vinci decided to take a ride to one of his favorite waterfront restaurants, the Salt Rock Grill.

"I don't think that people realize just how many great places we have around here on the water," he said. "You could hit a different spot every week and never get bored."

As the sun dropped below the condos on the beach just a few hundred yards away, Vinci slowly motored down the Intracoastal Waterway and enjoyed the ride. Boaters are often in such a rush to get from one place to another that they sometimes forget to stop and enjoy the scenery.

The Larson 288 LXi can cruise at more than 50 mph, but Vinci seemed content to show how slow the boat could go and still keep it on course.

"I hope you are not in a rush," he said, as we approached the restaurant. "This is such a beautiful time of the evening."

Feeling spoiled

Vinci backed the boat into a slip and threw a line to one of the restaurant's employees. Executive chef Tom Pritchard knew we were coming and told us about the fresh catch of the day.

"You have to try the snapper," he said. "It is right off the boat."

Pritchard led us inside to a table, where we tried coconut-crusted shrimp, seared tuna and oysters Rockefeller. My wife asked the chef if we were receiving special treatment.

"No," Pritchard replied. "We love it when people come here by boat. This is the way we treat everybody."

My wife, who isn't a fan of my utility-minded center console, said she had no idea that boating could be so much fun. I explained that the Larson 288 LXi wasn't the only boat in the world that offered both comfort and performance.

"Come by the show room," Vinci said. "Have I got a deal for you."

Larson 288 LXi bowrider

Length: 29 feet 2 inches

Weight: 6,225 pounds

Beam: 9 feet

Deadrise: 24 degrees

Hull type: Modified vee

Maximum draft, drive down: 39 inches

Fuel capacity: 100 gallons

Freshwater capacity: 12.5 gallons

Engine: Volvo Penta 8.1 GXi

Speed: 52.3 mph

Suggested retail price: $91,530

Boat sale price: $70,923

Lou's picks

Lou Vinci has tried to take his family boating every Sunday for nearly 40 years. Here are a few of his favorite places:

1 Caladesi Island: 28 01' 56.96,"82 49' 09.05"

A beautiful state park located just north of Clearwater Beach accessible only by boat. Go for a day or spend a week. There's an inner harbor with power hookups for overnights or you can pull up on the beach on the gulf side to spend a summer day.

2 Three Rooker Bar: 28 07' 14.86", 82 50' 19.76"

Just northwest of the Dunedin Causeway, this island is a great day spot to enjoy the beach, the gulf and the rays while soaking up our fine Florida weather.

3 McDonalds on Madeira Beach: 27 48' 32.78", 82 47' 37.22"

Pick up a cup of coffee before heading out fishing, take the kids for ice cream or stop for lunch with the whole brood. This one's right on the water. Just north of the Madeira Beach Causeway, right on the Intracoastal Waterway.

4 The Vinoy in downtown St. Petersburg: 27 46' 38.73",82 37' 43.50"

Dock overnight and enjoy all the facilities offered by a five-star resort hotel and still end the day falling asleep to gentle waves lapping against the hull of your boat.

5 Tarpon Springs: 28 09' 21.20",82 45' 29.86"

A great day trip at the Sponge Docks. Grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants, browse the shops on Dodecanese Boulevard and enjoy some tasty Greek treats. Going by boat beats U.S. 19 any day.

Lou Vinci is the owner of Indian Springs Marina, Intracoastal Waterway Marker 31, 15151 113th Avenue N., Largo, (727), 595-2956, www.indianspringsmarina.com.

[Last modified March 6, 2008, 18:36:56]