St Johns Lake George Advice

[mikeneal]

Myself and wife are looking to take our 20ft bowrider across the state for long weekend. (Live in Tampa Bay Area) . We have been to Hontoon Landing once and had a good time in spite our our boat breaking and renting a pontoon. I suppose if a starter must fail, on the trailer trying to start a trip is best time. Anyhow, I digress, this trip we were trying to stay over in the St. Augustine area but accomodations that allow boat trailer parking has become an issue. Any advice for the St. Johns / ICW over on that side? We found a cabin rental place on Lake George (Georgetown Marina) that looks somewhat appealing. I believe that is sort of close to Sliver Glenn, any thoughts ont he area? I know there are some regulars here that do St Johns trips, although they are typically cruisers and we need a hotel. Hopefully someone will chime in. Thanks in advance.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: St Johns Lake George Advice

I have been to Silver Glen one time and liked it. But be warned, you can't have alcohol there at all. Not even on your boat. And I don't really remember there being anything to actually do at the Glen, just kinda beach the boat and play in the water. That's what I like to do, so I enjoyed it. I'll ask my parents some of the other stuff, they go to the St. Johns a lot as that's about the only freshwater system that has enough water in it to launch, retrieve, and run their 26' cuddy or 30' cruiser!

 

[mikeneal]

Re: St Johns Lake George Advice

No alcohol, wow that is just not right. Beer and boats go together so nicely. (in moderation and responsibility of course).

I have been to Silver Glen one time and liked it. But be warned, you can't have alcohol there at all. Not even on your boat. And I don't really remember there being anything to actually do at the Glen, just kinda beach the boat and play in the water. That's what I like to do, so I enjoyed it. I'll ask my parents some of the other stuff, they go to the St. Johns a lot as that's about the only freshwater system that has enough water in it to launch, retrieve, and run their 26' cuddy or 30' cruiser!

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: St Johns Lake George Advice

Nice area.

Porky's in Georgetown is a cool bar, restaurant, motel w/ ramp and docks with good food some really good live bands on the weekends. it's just north of the lake by the ferry.

There are a couple nice campgrounds in the Georgetown area also.

The Log Cabin in Weilaka is also a fun bar with good music.

Paramoure Campground is just south of the lake with ramp, docks, boat houses. house trailers for rent right on the river.

Check a chart though so you can see where the bomb range is on the lake it's almost the whole east side.

Yeah silver glen is no alcohol and they mean it, as in don't even have it on the boat. So no beer, we brought mixed drinks in a gallon jug. And you have to pay to go on land to use the restroom etc.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: St Johns Lake George Advice

also be aware that Lake George is a relatively shallow lake, and can turn really nasty, qiuckly. i've been there several times when we could not get out of the tributary runs from the springs, into the lake it was so rough. 18 foot boat.

 

[daniel2229]

Re: St Johns Lake George Advice

I am also interested in a St. Johns run. I looked at Google Earth and could not really tell just how far south you can navigate on this waterway. In some areas the river is braided and looks like you could easily run into shallow water and have to back track. I have 17 foot I/O.

Are the navigible waterways marked by bouys? What about decent nav maps? What about marinas for refueling?

My grandfather, who spent the winters in North Fort Myers, always told me this river was a good place for bass fishing. Is it still? That was 35 years ago.

Daniel

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: St Johns Lake George Advice

I've seen large barges on the St Johns it used to be a major transportation route for people and goods before there were roads so I'm sure you should have any problems in the channel.

Velocity has a performance run from Deland to Jacksonville every year.

As for Bass fishing there are fish farm/hatcheries what ever you call it just north of the lake George that stock the river so I'm pretty sure there is great fishing. Seems to be a lot touraments.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: St Johns Lake George Advice

Good shrimping too.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: St Johns Lake George Advice

it is a very good navitable river. Barges run from Jacksonville, down to Sanford, carrying oil to the generating plant. yes the channels are marked.

here's some good info http://www.boating-on-florida-waterways.net/destinationsstjohnsriver.html

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: St Johns Lake George Advice

Cool Page.

 

[jspringator]

Re: St Johns Lake George Advice

I have stayed at hontoon Landing Marina three or 4 times. They had efficiency type hotel rooms and cabins. I took my cruiser a couple of times and rented a pontoon a couple of other times. The Silver Glen Springs is magnificent. It wasn't so restricted when I was there.

I just got back from a trip on the lower Suwanee, expecting a whole slew of open springs I could boat into and swim. Manatee Springs was closed to boats, and Fannin Springs was closed to swimming. Between that and a malfunctioning boat motor, I was kind of disappointed. Silver Glen Springs is truly unique.