It’s safe, and accurate, to say that accomplished sailor and boat enthusiast Igor Kotlyar loves to spend his time on the water. As someone who has not only owned boats ranging from canoes, rafts, sailboats, racing boats, yachts and more, but has also enjoyed the opportunity to boat through some of the most exotic, beautiful and challenging waters in the world, Kotlyar has devoted a great deal of his free time, and his passion to the sport of boating. As such, he has enjoyed visiting and cruising some of the most scenic opportunities in the United States, and is more or less considered an expert on the best boating locations in the country.

Igor Kotlyar, a current New York resident, loves nothing more than the opportunity than to hit the water with his family, and to experience the best and most beautiful boating venues in the country. Below, Igor Kotlyar provides several of his favorite boating destinations, places he believes will challenge, excite and invigorate even the most seasoned of boating enthusiasts.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Often known as the so-called “Venice of America”, the city of Fort Lauderdale consists of more than 160 miles of waterways and canals that span and weave throughout the city. Combined with the year round pleasantness of Florida’s amazing climate, Fort Lauderdale has the capability to surprise even the most experienced of boaters, and is even home to the largest annual in-water boat show on the globe.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle, says Igor Kotlyar, is built for the sport of boating, considered by some to be the geographic ideal for boating enthusiasts from around the world. Containing literally hundreds of miles of protected salt water, stretching from Olympia to the south to the San Juan Mountains in the north, Seattle provides the avid boating professional an immensely beautiful array of scenery, waterways and more. Lakes Washington and Union, considered by many to be the lifeblood of the city, are considered some of Seattle’s premiere boating communities.

Finger Lakes, New York

Igor Kotlyar would be remiss if he didn’t mention the Finger Lakes of New York State. Consisting of 11 total lakes and providing an ample amount of fishing and boating opportunities, Finger Lakes is the place New Yorkers travel to in order to experience the best and most scenic boating the state has to offer.