St. Johns or South Florida

I have the opportunity to go South from NC in October.* I know that I want to hit the regular places, like Charleston and Savannah.* But once I hit Florida I wonder whether*I should go up the St. Johns river or continue South on the ICW.* I don't think I can do both as I have only two months to see what I can see.* I don't want to rush, and I cannot since our boat goes efficiently at 7.5 knots.* I don't need to get home in that time, and I plan on leaving her somewhere over the Winter and bringing her back in the Spring.

if you don't know me by now I have a Monk 36 trawler which is in very good condition and we can either anchor or marina as long as our dogs can have dry land to teeter and dooder.

Ideas?* Comments?

If you are looking to avoid winter , you will need to go below Lake O.

It has snowed in JAX at times.

If you need a hurricane hole look at the Ortona Lock on the Caloosahatchie , we are a mile away and in a great inland area.

Dead storage is available from many of my neighbors. About $50 a week with batt charge juice.

Live aboard seldom is.

Woody,

Going and coming from South Florida would eat up about a solid month of your 2.* St. Augustine is a great place.* They now have a new mooring field in place that is inexpnsive.* This includes a pump out boat, hourly water taxi, dinghy dock, and showers.* Right in the middle of a walking friendly town.* You may be able to do the St. Johns and St. Augustine.

Fred is right.* I used to travel in Jacksonville on business.* I have been very cold there, but the cold snaps are usually of short duration.* The St. Johns is gorgeous and isolated.* Truly old Florida.

There is not too much velow St. Augustine until you get really South.* Vero Beach is a good stop with a shuttle service.* Probably best to stay at Thunderbolt or Isle of Hope and drive or bus into Savannah.* You probably wouldn't sleep well on the Savannah waterfront with the 24 hour tug and ship traffic.* Charleston City Marina has a free shuttle to town or you can walk.

Jekyl Island is a good stop.* I think with that time frame, I would not go below St Augustine.* Oh yeah, Fernandina Beach is a great stop.* You can stay in the marina or on a mooring.* In the middle of a good walking town.

When are you leaving?* Have a great trip.* Moonstruck is headng south again about November1 from Hilton Head.

How long would it take Woody to go from say Jacksonville to your home?

Sorta depends on weather he does 75 miles per day or 35.

Its 2 easy days in from Stuart cross the lake and down to us.

Let him figgure JAX to Stuart time at his SOA.

if you dont make south Fl.. whats the point

motion30 wrote:
if you dont make south Fl.. whats the point

Click to expand...

*I'm heading to South Florida, but there is much in North Florida.* I stayed on the boat a week in St. Augustine between Christmas and New Years.* It was a great week.* Fernandina Beach is good for 2 or three days.* Jekyl Island is good for 2 nights and a day* Cumberland Island is good for at least 2 nights and a day..* Charleston is good for 3 to 5 days.* Savannah is good for a couple of days.* The St. Johns can take a week.* A 7 knot boat with 60 days makes time disappear quickly.* I love South Florida and the Bahamas, but it takes time to enjoy*them.* If I were going that far South on a slow boat, I would want 3-4 months.* 4 is better.


-- Edited by Moonstruck on Thursday 8th of September 2011 08:03:57 PM

Fwiw

NE Florida/SE Geaorgia has lots to see and do; Fernandina Beach, Cumberland Island GA, St, Augustine are all great places. The winters here are cool but not real bad; maybe a night or two below freezing.

I was in jacksonville a couple of weeks a go and It was 41 in the evening brrr

There are GREAT! Stopping spots almost everywhere,

Most folks go South for the temperature , although heating IS easier than air cond.

That's why folks go North!

All,

we got as far as Eau Gallie (Melbourne).* Then we turned back north and left our boat in Brunswick GA, just above the FL border.

Look, I have to work.* I'm in debt up to my eyeballs so that this vacation got paid for.* But boating ain't cheap and I knew that.

But boating ain't cheap and I knew that.

Perhaps , but a day boating is NOT deducted from the total days of ones life .

Set the price as you see fit.

Last year we stopped on the St John River before heading south to Key West for a month. If I was doing it all again this year and I wish I were, I would still head south as the Jacksonville area can be cold and very chilly at night. Once you reach the North Palm Beach area the weather starts warming up pretty good and the further south the warmer it gets.

Nothing like snorkling /swimming off of Key West where it would have been brrr further north. If you get to Key West stay at the Key West Harbor Yacht Club on Stock Island, half the docking price of Key West and yet still close enough to all the fun and action.

Either way anytime you are on a boat whether winter or summer you are winning.

If you get as far south as Palm Beach, you can anchor off the new City of West Palm Beach docks and dinghy in. You'll be within walking distance of great restaurants, shopping, theater and museums. There is also a terrific marine supply store with in walking distance. They'll even deliver to the dock. ( Warning: It's my families store so I'm biased.)

FF wrote:
But boating ain't cheap and I knew that.

Perhaps , but a day boating is NOT deducted from the total days of ones life .

Set the price as you see fit.

Click to expand...

*It was worth every penny.* Now I am trying to plan my next trip.