Hello, just getting interested in sailing here in Naples,Fl. I've just retired, moved here full time and I'm taking a local intro to sailing course. I'm looking to sail purely for fun/ recreation and have a few questions. Would a used sunfish be a good boat to start with? I'm 6'2" and 215 lbs. Also,are there any lakes in the Naples,Bonita areas that allow small sailboats. I appreciate any suggestions.
Except that two aboard your Sunfish would be cramped for space, there's nothing about your size that would prevent very satisfactory sailing.
A somewhat larger "Sunfish" appeared for sale in this thread: 15'9" Sunfish
While not knowing the lakes around Naples, there are some things to consider about Florida lakes:
A Florida lake suitable for sailing should be mostly deeper than four feet. Lake Panasoffkee, for example, is large but shallow, and its natural lake grass occupies most of the surface.
Florida, in general, is very good about placing a state boat launch site at every decent lake. Counties have launch sites at their many lakefront parks.
I think it's safe to say that every Florida lake has alligators! (Don't feed them).
Where I sail in central Florida has large bulls (with horns) and alligators grazing at its edges. So far, so good.