Meet Michael Brown, 57, a commercial real estate broker and Georgie Brown, 60, VP of marketing at Brandstar, who reside on Nassau Canal in Pompano Beach.

Boat model and name:
Sea Horse is a 2014 Sea Ray 240 Sun Deck OB powered by a Mercury Verado 300 Pro.

How did you take up boating?
After our three daughters graduated college, we moved to our waterfront home and bought Sea Horse for our first boat.

What do you most enjoy about boating?
Being on the water really lets us enjoy living the South Florida lifestyle, making fun memories with family and great friends, including many new boating friends who share our enthusiasm.

Recent outings?
Our last voyage was to spend the afternoon anchored in Lake Boca.

Has the coronavirus changed your boating habits?
We still average about 25 to 30 hours per month on the Verado and were very thankful to have the boat as an escape from quarantine during the shutdown.
Biggest differences are not being able to raft up with other boats at Lake Boca and finding a more subdued experience at waterfront hangouts that used to be packed pre-Covid 19.

Favorite places to go?
Most weekends we are regulars anchoring on the sandbar in Lake Boca. We also frequent many waterfront restaurants nearby for great food, live music and libations. Some of our favorites by boat are Bokampers, Sands Resort, Shooters Waterfront, Two George’s at the Cove and Southport Raw Bar.

What stands out to you the most about being on the water in South Florida?
The beautiful year-round weather, warm waters and a robust boating industry and community.

Must have item during outings?
Safety equipment and a first aid kit of course. We always cruise with great music, cold beverages and UV clothes, hats and sunscreen!

What is the farthest distance you have traveled on your craft?
Pompano Beach is a great central location and we usually boat locally from Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton. The farthest distance was probably bringing the boat home from Palm Beach Gardens when we first
bought it.

What was your most challenging experience on the water?
On a run to Lake Boca, we went out Hillsboro Inlet on a slack high tide and headed north to the Boca Inlet. Out in the ocean, large swells were rolling in but the ride was fun.
By the time we entered Boca Inlet, the now hard out-going tide was rolling up the ocean swells coming into the inlet channel, causing a dangerous wave machine.
Knowing a wrong move could swamp a bowrider, it took all our skill to maintain speed and course on the back of a large swell to ride it safely all the way in.

What would be your dream boat?
There are so many! We would get a lot of use out of an Intrepid 409 Valor Cuddy Cabin, I'm sure.

Best advice to new boaters:
First, make a commitment to safety as your number one priority, or don't do it all.
Second, the better you understand how you will use the boat, the more likely you'll choose the right one.