St Johns River Cruise

[robert graham]

Friday my wife and I gonna drag the boat 500 miles to Welaka, Fl. for our yearly cruise down the St Johns River, South from Welaka to Sanford and back, about 6 days worth, camp on the boat some, a few nights at Hontoon Resort, swimming in the springs, fishing, hoping for blue skies, light breezes. It's a mighty fine river along there! Back in a week if the gators don't get us!

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

Sounds like a fine time will be had! And, you know you need to get a boatload of pics for us "less fortunate" souls

 

[robert graham]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

Thanks, and we do enjoy this trip every year. I always ask the boss-lady if we're gettin' too old to be camping on the boat, and she assures me we're good for another year....You get a certain age and you begin to appreciate what a privilege it is to be able to go out for a little adventure. I don't know how to do photos but you can Google up Hontoon Resort for lots of pictures and information. That part of the St. Johns is pretty near Heaven, for us anyway!

 

[nlain]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

That sounds like a good, fun trip. I don't think I could camp on my boat, 18' 6", I know the "Boss Lady" would not camp on the boat, me, I would probably try it at least once. Take Pictures, pm me and I will give you an email address for you to send some to and I will post them for you. I use Photobucket and link them here, it is real easy.

 

[Harritwo]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

I am in the mouth of the St. John's in Orange Park, I normally launch at NAS JAX and head south. Any ideas how far it is to where you are talking about and is it navigable all the way from Jacksonville? I am not familiar with the area you are talking about, such as fuel availabilty and what is there exactly. I have a 17' Sea Ray and that definitely sounds like a fun trip. Every Year we head to Pacetti's and spend a week there, tubing, fishing, and skiing while camping but the boy and i would love a trip like you are talking about. PM me if you can and send a little info about the area.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

The mouth of the St. Johns is actually on the southern end of the river, just south of Lake Monroe (which is why the St. john's flows North). It is navigable all the wat from there to the port of Jacksonville, which we have done many times. It is a beautiful ride, and some of Old Florida's best scenery. Some thing haven't changed at all since the river was surveyed 300+ years ago. You see what they see...pretty cool.

I'm moored in Monroe Harbor Marina and plan on being on the St. John's this coming weekend (prob Sunday). If you plan on being in the area between Blue springs and lake Monroe, PM me and I'll shoot you my PX and we can raft up for a while. I usually have 2-4 boats rafting up as well and it always makes for a good time.

Hope to hear from you!!

P.S. Harritwo-- there are plenty of fuel spots south of you. The ones that come immediately to mind are Green Cove Springs area (big basin near the hotel), North of Lake George, South of Lake George (Astor...but you're gonna pay), and SR44 (White Hair Bridge) are the first. You can also fuel at Highbanks Marina further south, Boat Tree marina, and Monroe Harbor Marina in Lake Monroe.

 

[robert graham]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

I am in the mouth of the St. John's in Orange Park, I normally launch at NAS JAX and head south. Any ideas how far it is to where you are talking about and is it navigable all the way from Jacksonville? I am not familiar with the area you are talking about, such as fuel availabilty and what is there exactly. I have a 17' Sea Ray and that definitely sounds like a fun trip. Every Year we head to Pacetti's and spend a week there, tubing, fishing, and skiing while camping but the boy and i would love a trip like you are talking about. PM me if you can and send a little info about the area.

From Jacksonville to Palatka is about 75 miles where the river narrows to about 1/4 mile, then 15 miles to Welaka, 20 more across Lake George to Astor, from there on South to Lake Monroe at Sanford the river becomes very wild and beautiful with lots of wildlife, easily navigable even for larger boats. There's gas docks and cottage rentals at Welaka(Wonderful Wooden Boat Museum), Gas in Astor, Hontoon's, Lake Monroe Marina, so no worries about fuel. Hontoon Resort(very nice place), Hontoon State Park, Blue Springs, Salt Springs and Silver Glen Springs off of Lake George are great swimming and recreation areas. Astor has great restaurants right on the water. Sanford has gas, motels, restaurants. It could make you a great 4 or 5 day trip down from Jacksonville. Good Luck!

 

[robert graham]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

The mouth of the St. Johns is actually on the southern end of the river, just south of Lake Monroe (which is why the St. john's flows North). It is navigable all the wat from there to the port of Jacksonville, which we have done many times. It is a beautiful ride, and some of Old Florida's best scenery. Some thing haven't changed at all since the river was surveyed 300+ years ago. You see what they see...pretty cool.

I'm moored in Monroe Harbor Marina and plan on being on the St. John's this coming weekend (prob Sunday). If you plan on being in the area between Blue springs and lake Monroe, PM me and I'll shoot you my PX and we can raft up for a while. I usually have 2-4 boats rafting up as well and it always makes for a good time.

Hope to hear from you!!

P.S. Harritwo-- there are plenty of fuel spots south of you. The ones that come immediately to mind are Green Cove Springs area (big basin near the hotel), North of Lake George, South of Lake George (Astor...but you're gonna pay), and SR44 (White Hair Bridge) are the first. You can also fuel at Highbanks Marina further south, Boat Tree marina, and Monroe Harbor Marina in Lake Monroe.

Fireman, we may stop by Monroe Harbor Marina, and give you a call!....Hope this pretty weather continues!

 

[robert graham]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

I am in the mouth of the St. John's in Orange Park, I normally launch at NAS JAX and head south. Any ideas how far it is to where you are talking about and is it navigable all the way from Jacksonville? I am not familiar with the area you are talking about, such as fuel availabilty and what is there exactly. I have a 17' Sea Ray and that definitely sounds like a fun trip. Every Year we head to Pacetti's and spend a week there, tubing, fishing, and skiing while camping but the boy and i would love a trip like you are talking about. PM me if you can and send a little info about the area.

One other thought, to save that 75 miles of time and fuel, you could trailer your boat to Palatka or Welaka and put in there, since the river gets more scenic on down from there....Or you could put in at Astor and you'd be right in the best part!

 

[mark1905]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

Why yes.. yes we do have some incredible scenery down here.. and especially if you actually get off the main river and find the back creeks and springs. Sand bottoms, clear water, fish everywhere, no one around.. it's a little slice of heaven.

Last weekend at the secret sandbar spot somewhere between Highbanks and Lake Monroe..



Creek just south of Blue Springs last fall..

 

[robert graham]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

On a good day, the old St Johns River is just about as good as it gets. We've canoed the Suwannee River from the Okenfenokee Swamp to the gulf twice now, and it's awful pretty too...but the Suwannee is almost dried up from this extended drought...except from Branford to the gulf.
We're gonna be looking for that "secret sandbar spot"

 

[robert graham]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

We're heading down to Sanford to have lunch...hope we don't get lynched?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

If you wind up in the Southern part of the St. Johns this Sunday, hail us on CH 75 or 77. Just call for "Stick's Competition" and shout back at 'cha!

 

[mark1905]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

On a good day, the old St Johns River is just about as good as it gets. We've canoed the Suwannee River from the Okenfenokee Swamp to the gulf twice now, and it's awful pretty too...but the Suwannee is almost dried up from this extended drought...except from Branford to the gulf.
We're gonna be looking for that "secret sandbar spot"

PM sent


EDIT: Ah.. looks like I just missed him. I made a custom map for him and all..

 

[pat8839]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

That sounds like a blast! I boat on the St. John's every weekend just a few miles south of the Buckman bridge. What type of boat are you camping on? I'm like nlain, I have a 19ft bowrider that I personally would love to try and camp on-the Admiral may not be so keen haha!
When you stop along the way, where do you stop for the night? On the hook? Beached? Marina?

I'd love details about your trip!

 

[robert graham]

Re: St Johns River Cruise

My boat is an 1870 Express MV Jon, built an 8'X8' wooden platform/deck up front with marine carpet, perfect to pitch tent on, Thermarest mattresses, we anchor up usually remote in the Ocklawaha River or one of those lakes or creeks down around Astor, then down to Hontoons Landing for a few nights there, cruise to Sanford, then back to Welaka(free public hot showers!), usually about 6 days worth! The trick is to go when the weather is good, this year was week of April 16th and it was perfect, 82 in day, 62 at night!...just right for sleeping out there...just the croaking of the frogs and the roar of some gators!...a few cold beers, some music on the radio!....Heaven!.....If a guy had a pontoon boat he could rig it up for this river camping real easy! We've been doing this stuff for 25+ years, used to canoe/camp the Suwannee River, but it's about dried up since this drought in Florida! Good Luck!