Boat Dealers in Clermont, FL

The best overall times to boat Clermont’s Lake Minneola and the connected Clermont Chain are March through May and October through November, when local temperatures are milder than midsummer. NOAA normals for Clermont show typical highs climbing from the upper 70s in March to the upper 80s in May, then easing from the mid-80s in October to the upper 70s in November. Lake Minneola water samples have ranged from the low 40s to low 90s. June through August brings hotter weather and frequent inland afternoon thunderstorms driven by sea-breeze boundaries, so summer boaters should favor mornings and watch the forecast.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (ncei.noaa.gov)

From Clermont, boat the Clermont Chain of Lakes, starting on Lake Minneola or entering near Lake Louisa. Launch at the Clermont Boat Ramp for Lake Minneola’s broad open water, then follow the marked Palatlakaha Run toward Lake Minnehaha, another of the chain’s larger lakes. The route continues through smaller Lake Susan and the narrower, wetland-lined Crooked River before reaching Lake Louisa and the state park shoreline. The county map warns that the route crosses busy powerboat channels. For Lake Louisa, use Palatlakaha River Park and Boat Ramp; the state park has no public boat ramp.

Source: City of Clermont (clermontfl.gov)

From Clermont, boaters can follow the connected Clermont Chain of Lakes to Waterfront Park, Crooked River Preserve and Palatlakaha River Park. Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola offers a beachfront swim area, picnic space and fishing piers near downtown. Crooked River Preserve protects natural waterfront on Lake Louisa and the Palatlakaha River, drawing visitors for fishing and paddling. Palatlakaha River Park makes a convenient stop along the river with a courtesy dock, fishing pier, nature trail, pavilion and picnic tables.

Source: Lake County Government (cdn.lakecountyfl.gov)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules require boaters to carry life jackets, stay sober, use properly registered vessels, follow personal watercraft limits, and obey posted no wake and manatee zones. Every vessel must carry an accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket for each person; children under 6 must wear one while underway on vessels under 26 feet. Operating while impaired is illegal; a .08 blood or breath alcohol level creates a presumption of impairment. Most vessels must be registered and carry the certificate aboard. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, wear a noninflatable PFD, and not operate from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Alongside the boat dealers on this page, Clermont has 5 boat rentals, 2 boat clubs and 2 marinas.