River Maps???

[stephen25]

I was thinking of making a trip from Columbus GA to Apalachicola FL bay in my pontoon, and was trying to find some digital maps of the rivers to navigate and plan my trip can you guys help with some of you resources?
Thanks

 

[jkpell]

Re: River Maps???

I am wanting to do this same trip!

I have used Google Earth to find some key points for the trip. Our original thought was to do it on jet skis however I now have a bowrider. Another friend is still working on the jet ski part.

There is a link Power boating down the Chattahoochee River to the Ocean: April 2009 that has some good information.

Here is the jet ski tour that is doing the same route Discovery River Tours?? Personal Watercraft PWC Jetski Tours

I have been reading that water levels may be an issue, that would be my main concern.

When are you looking to possibly do this trip? Also what are your concerns?

 

[stephen25]

Re: River Maps???

probably in the summer of this year my biggest concern is fuel consumption #1 and is my 60 hp OB enough power to get back up the river? #2
since it is a pontoon it doesn't require very deep waters like a v hull. I have a Bimini top and a tent to set up on the front of the boat with grill that attaches to the rails. so food and a way to get some shelter wont be an issue.

 

[jkpell]

Re: River Maps???

probably in the summer of this year my biggest concern is fuel consumption #1 and is my 60 hp OB enough power to get back up the river? #2
since it is a pontoon it doesn't require very deep waters like a v hull. I have a Bimini top and a tent to set up on the front of the boat with grill that attaches to the rails. so food and a way to get some shelter wont be an issue.

Fuel is important! :biggrin-new:

A 60 hp does push a pontoon along however I too would be concerned with the trip back. Would it make it, yes however in what time frame? Do you know the range of your pontoon now?

 

[Pesimist]

Re: River Maps???

We used to do the trip every year; put in at Benning's Uchee Creek, do a days worth of riding down river through the first two locks (Eufaula & Columbia) stay the night at Jack Wingates on Lake Seminole. Next morning the second leg down to Apalachicola, spend the night; eat, relax, then on to Panama City & of course, the return trip.

Mooring at Apalachicola was a pain in the butt, not enough slips available for small boats so, we stayed in Bay City at a little fish camp style hotel. You can call a taxi or ride your boat to Apalachicola for the nights entertainment.

Remember the locks are not manned like they used to be, prior coordination & timing is essential or your be floating around waiting. Current is not significant except below the locks but, expect to burn more gas on the trip up stream. We didn't do these trips on our party barge (Suntracker-21 w/70hp) because it wouldn't maintain enough speed to get to our overnight stops during daylight hours. We're spoiled, after a full day on the river we prefer airconditioned rooms & a restaurant.

Suggest you try a shorter trip, possible down to Lake Seminole & back one time before you do the full trip. Also, suggest you go with at least another boat or two. I don't think we've ever made the run without someone's boat breaking down. If your 60 is a two-stroke, you'll be going through quite a bit of fuel to maintain speed. The weight of camping gear, drinks, gas will impact your speed considerably on a 60.

That trip is an enjoyable one with many sand bars to stop at, relax, then go again & there are quite a lot of alligators along the way.

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: River Maps???

EarthNC is a good resource that we use. It has an online viewer if you have an ipad or tablet, and my favorite is the phone app, which saved us last year in a heavy rain navigating between channel markers and the many sandbars. You can click on things like show marinas, boat ramps, restaurants, gas, etc. It has a free version but I bought the deluxe version for $3. Well worth the money.

earthnc.com/

 

[jkpell]

Re: River Maps???

are you still planning to maybe do this trip?

I was thinking of making a trip from Columbus GA to Apalachicola FL bay in my pontoon, and was trying to find some digital maps of the rivers to navigate and plan my trip can you guys help with some of you resources?
Thanks

 

[Alan Calfer]

Re: River Maps???

Are the maps you can get from somplace like West Marine any good for a trip like that? Any other good sources?

I was wondering if it was possible to do the Kissimmee River from somewhere around Lake Kissimmee and head South?


Alan Calfer
Outboard Motors for Sale

We used to do the trip every year; put in at Benning's Uchee Creek, do a days worth of riding down river through the first two locks (Eufaula & Columbia) stay the night at Jack Wingates on Lake Seminole. Next morning the second leg down to Apalachicola, spend the night; eat, relax, then on to Panama City & of course, the return trip.

Mooring at Apalachicola was a pain in the butt, not enough slips available for small boats so, we stayed in Bay City at a little fish camp style hotel. You can call a taxi or ride your boat to Apalachicola for the nights entertainment.

Remember the locks are not manned like they used to be, prior coordination & timing is essential or your be floating around waiting. Current is not significant except below the locks but, expect to burn more gas on the trip up stream. We didn't do these trips on our party barge (Suntracker-21 w/70hp) because it wouldn't maintain enough speed to get to our overnight stops during daylight hours. We're spoiled, after a full day on the river we prefer airconditioned rooms & a restaurant.

Suggest you try a shorter trip, possible down to Lake Seminole & back one time before you do the full trip. Also, suggest you go with at least another boat or two. I don't think we've ever made the run without someone's boat breaking down. If your 60 is a two-stroke, you'll be going through quite a bit of fuel to maintain speed. The weight of camping gear, drinks, gas will impact your speed considerably on a 60.

That trip is an enjoyable one with many sand bars to stop at, relax, then go again & there are quite a lot of alligators along the way.