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10-24-2019, 07:47 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: FL
Vessel Model: Benneteau Swift 42
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 469
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St Johns River FL
Anyone run the river tip suggestions,
average water depth?
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10-24-2019, 08:17 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Palm Coast
Vessel Name: Southerly
Vessel Model: 1986 Marine Trader 36' Sundeck
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,231
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St. John’s River is deep. I ran it last year. I don’t remember exactly how deep.
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10-24-2019, 08:19 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: New Orleans
Vessel Name: Scot Free
Vessel Model: Cheoy Lee 53' Efficient
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 754
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Better that 12’ all the way from Jacksonville to Sanford when I ran it earlier earlier this year. A lot of 20’ to 30’ except in lakes where it gets a little shallower.
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10-24-2019, 08:53 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
City: FL
Vessel Model: Benneteau Swift 42
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 469
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good info, someone told me it had many shallows, how about fuel just in case I ran low.
Any stops for groceries?
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10-24-2019, 09:46 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: East Coast
Vessel Name: M/V Maerin (Sold)
Vessel Model: Solo 4303
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 886
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We did the St. Johns in 2018, no problems in our 5' draft, it gets skinny on some of the lakes, but really a non-issue. There are plenty of places to provision, lots of Old Florida charm, we had no problem with provisioning, most of the larger towns you can find an Uber. We carry 900 gal of fuel, so that's not ever a concern. There are places along the route to fuel. A number of public free docks, no power most no water, but great stopovers. Hontoon State Park is really delightful. All very laid back. There's a large marina at Sanford, lots of cruisers make it a winter camp out destination. Delightful town. St John's cruise should be a must on every cruiser's itinerary list. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
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10-24-2019, 10:24 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
City: Eastcoast
Vessel Model: American Tug 41
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 254
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About 24 mi in from the ICW past downtown Jax is Ortega Landing, one of the nicest marinas you’ll ever visit (if they have transient space), they have a pool and free bicycles to ride to nearby restaurants and a nice Publix grocery store.
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10-24-2019, 10:57 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: East Coast
Vessel Name: M/V Maerin (Sold)
Vessel Model: Solo 4303
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 886
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sledge
About 24 mi in from the ICW past downtown Jax is Ortega Landing, one of the nicest marinas you’ll ever visit (if they have transient space), they have a pool and free bicycles to ride to nearby restaurants and a nice Publix grocery store.
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As of today, very limited availability until after the 1st of the year. Bruce indicated they're at about 98% occupancy. Some smaller slips available, none for our requirements (16W 47L 5D) Arrivals outnumber departures. You'll have to call to be sure. We always enjoy our time there, frequent flyers.
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10-25-2019, 04:14 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
City: FL
Vessel Model: Benneteau Swift 42
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 469
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Thinking maybe March, 2 weeks or so
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10-25-2019, 06:35 PM
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#9
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Guru
City: Guelph
Vessel Name: Escapade
Vessel Model: 50` US Navy Utility trawler conversion
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,432
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I went up to Sanford in March, and really enjoyed the trip. Much of it is in quiet old Florida, and away from the crowds once you clear Jacksonville area. Lots of water.
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12-29-2019, 12:10 PM
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#10
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Veteran Member
City: St Augustine
Vessel Name: MV Moondance
Vessel Model: Nordhavn 35#20
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 65
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I’ve lived most of my life around Sanford and plenty of small boat experience from Blue Springs to where the St John ends past the marshes of Lake Harney where it becomes air boat country.
If your early on the water in the morning, you’ll see gators sunbathing on the banks. Early because once boat traffic starts up, they swim away. Stay center channel. The sand bars build up fast on turns. The river flows fast toward Lake Monroe so you will use more fuel heading back.
Blue Springs is a great spring to stop and check out. The manatees run there in the winter and slow idle speeds are enforced. Bring cabbage heads, they love them. Don’t go past Sanford in anything bigger than 30 feet unless you have a local with you. But take the dingy and explore all the way to Lake Harney. It’s the Florida beauty most visitors never get to see. I use to water-sky from Monroe to Lake Harney. Sanford has grown into a nice town. They have a lot of nice shops and pubs along the water now. You know that’s where Larry The Cable Guy is from?
Cheers
__________________
Life's roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors.
Carol & John
N35 #20 MV Moondance
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12-29-2019, 01:43 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Southern Maine
Vessel Model: Prairie 36 Coastal Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,717
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magneto
I’ve lived most of my life around Sanford and plenty of small boat experience from Blue Springs to where the St John ends past the marshes of Lake Harney where it becomes air boat country.
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Sounds beautiful! How about coming from the other way (the Atlantic coast)?
How far down the St. John can you get in an average-sized coastal cruiser? Say, 3.5' draft and 16' air draft?
More to the point, if I were searching central Florida for a place to keep my boat, and still need access to the Atlantic, how far down should I stop looking?
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12-29-2019, 02:23 PM
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#12
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Veteran Member
City: St Augustine
Vessel Name: MV Moondance
Vessel Model: Nordhavn 35#20
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptTom
Sounds beautiful! How about coming from the other way (the Atlantic coast)?
How far down the St. John can you get in an average-sized coastal cruiser? Say, 3.5' draft and 16' air draft?
More to the point, if I were searching central Florida for a place to keep my boat, and still need access to the Atlantic, how far down should I stop looking?
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The 16' draft is close to the limit at hwy 415 at Gators Riverside Grille.
There is a marina there. I would not take your boat much further. If this link doesn't work you can copy and paste. The photos shows the bridge.
I was just at Gators a few months ago. Yes they have good gator bites.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ga...!4d-81.2112379
__________________
Life's roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors.
Carol & John
N35 #20 MV Moondance
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12-29-2019, 02:41 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,088
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maerin
As of today, very limited availability until after the 1st of the year. Bruce indicated they're at about 98% occupancy. Some smaller slips available, none for our requirements (16W 47L 5D) Arrivals outnumber departures. You'll have to call to be sure. We always enjoy our time there, frequent flyers.
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I think 5-6 boats here are leaving for St. Augustine starting tomorrow through the 1st...
-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA
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12-29-2019, 03:46 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Southern Maine
Vessel Model: Prairie 36 Coastal Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,717
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magneto
The 16' draft is close to the limit at hwy 415 at Gators Riverside Grille.
There is a marina there. I would not take your boat much further. If this link doesn't work you can copy and paste. The photos shows the bridge.
I was just at Gators a few months ago. Yes they have good gator bites.
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Thanks! That's a long run from the ocean. Lots of territory to explore!
Haven't had gator bites in years. Mmmmm.
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12-29-2019, 04:15 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
City: Jacksonville, FL
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 124
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Last time I went there was no diesel in Sanford.
Check along the way.
The river is beautiful!
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