Florida Spring trip report

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Freedomvango

Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2024
Messages
23
Location
Jacksonville Fl
Spent the weekend testing out all the electrical upgrades I recently installed on the boat—and let me tell you, it was amazing! Took a 4-hour cruise at 26 mph from Jacksonville to Silver Glen Springs along the St. Johns River. Conditions were chef's kiss perfect on the water, though it was pretty chilly overall.

I added a thru-hull exhaust and a Chinese diesel heater because I ran out of time to install the gas-fired Espar heater. But I wasn’t about to let that stop me—I had to see the manatees!

We set out around 8 a.m. with temps sitting at a brisk 30°F, but inside? Toasty and warm. The water was like glass almost the entire way—absolutely stunning.

When we got to the springs, it was pretty empty. Just one other boat besides the usual houseboat crowd (you know the type). Later that night, a few locals were out bowfishing, but overall, it was super quiet and peaceful.

As for the manatees—oh man, they didn’t disappoint! Curious and friendly as always. When we stopped, they all came up to hang out with us for the day. Got to watch them roll around and even saw a few babies in the group. So cool!

Overall, 10/10 trip. Totally worth the effort, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Silver Glen Springs by boat by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Silver Glen Springs by boat by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Silver Glen Springs by boat by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Steam in the morning at Silver Glen Springs by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Steam in the morning at Silver Glen Springs by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

The morning brought some crazy steam from the 72 degree springs in the 25 degree air. Had to get in the water and walk out to get these shots and it was 100% worth it.
 
What's manatee bag limit this year? When you catch a manatee, do you fillet them like a flounder or chunk them like a tuna? Yes, I know they're a protected species, was just kidding.

Certainly nice clear water for manatee watching.

Ted
 
When I tried it I thought it most resembles Bald Eagle.
 
Glad you're having a good trip, but you picked the coldest spring we've had down here in a LOOOONG time!
 
Learned zip about the layout of the spring. I have been there many times in warm weather when the manatees were gone. I saw a lot of your face. Entirely too much.
 
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Learned zip about the layout of the spring. I have been there many times in warm weather when the manatees were gone. I saw a lot of your face. Entirely too much. You really should do something about your beard and hair. You are an adult, yes?
Thanks for the feedback!

Can't really give you any layout since if you come by water you aren't allowed into the main springs proper to give you a walk around.

As for the other comments. I assume you are an adult as well and your teenager wrote them. My wife prefers this to the clean cut air force look of my past 😉
 
Manatees spread out in the warm months.... time to easily find them is in the coldest of Florida winter and heard d=for springs, power plant canals, dead water, shallow lagoons in the late afternoon...etc... where the warmest water is, they will come.

The proof to me was the abundance of them at the FT Pierce Manatee Center....until they shut down the power plant across the street. Now visitors spend hours and days looking and rarely see one compared to before.

Google Maps satellite view...


On a nice warm, sunny day (pretty common in FL)....

1738761047860.png
 
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Manatees spread out in the warm months.... time to easily find them is in the coldest of Florida winter and heard d=for springs, power plant canals, dead water, shallow lagoons in the late afternoon...etc... where the warmest water is, they will come.

The proof to me was the abundance of them at the FT Pierce Manatee Center....until they shut down the power plant across the street. Now visitors spend hours and days looking and rarely see one compared to before.

Google Maps satellite view...


On a nice warm, sunny day (pretty common in FL)....

View attachment 161963
Yeah I hate going in the summer. Too many people and loud music sadly
 
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