I was thinking of taking my SJ 23 to the St John's River area of FL for winter cruising. This looks like a very interesting area. What do you think? Also, are there any detailed cruising guides for this area perhaps including the Amilia river as well. Thanks, Tom
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Mark Major
River of Lakes
I took a week last October in my 86H23 from Lake Monroe, in Sanford, to Jacksonville. Lots of motoring, but good lakes along the way for sailing. To thoroughly enjoy this trip I highly recommend Bill Belleville's "River of Lakes: A Journey on Florida's St. Johns River". I can share some log notes if you write me at memajor@juno.com. Mark Major, s/v Lesismor
I took a week last October in my 86H23 from Lake Monroe, in Sanford, to Jacksonville. Lots of motoring, but good lakes along the way for sailing. To thoroughly enjoy this trip I highly recommend Bill Belleville's "River of Lakes: A Journey on Florida's St. Johns River". I can share some log notes if you write me at memajor@juno.com. Mark Major, s/v Lesismor
Another good cruising guide
Try Claiborne Young's "Cruising Guide to Eastern Florida" (available at WM, BoatUS or anywhere else marine books are sold). It's written primarily for powerboat cruisers but the information on navigation, soundings and available shoreside facilities is on the money. The guide covers the St Johns River from the Atlantic Ocean to Sanford (the accepted upper navigational limit). The required charts are also listed. The total drop in elevation from Sanford to Mayport is less than 20 feet, so there's almost no current. In fact, when the tide floods, the river reverses direction past Jacksonville. Since your boat is trailerable, you could also haul out in Sanford and trailer it the 50 miles or so to the east coast (about an hour's drive) then run the ICW north back to Mayport and complete the circle. Peter H23 "Raven"
Try Claiborne Young's "Cruising Guide to Eastern Florida" (available at WM, BoatUS or anywhere else marine books are sold). It's written primarily for powerboat cruisers but the information on navigation, soundings and available shoreside facilities is on the money. The guide covers the St Johns River from the Atlantic Ocean to Sanford (the accepted upper navigational limit). The required charts are also listed. The total drop in elevation from Sanford to Mayport is less than 20 feet, so there's almost no current. In fact, when the tide floods, the river reverses direction past Jacksonville. Since your boat is trailerable, you could also haul out in Sanford and trailer it the 50 miles or so to the east coast (about an hour's drive) then run the ICW north back to Mayport and complete the circle. Peter H23 "Raven"
Hey Mark Major
Haven't heard from you in a while. Got any cruises planned for this winter? Raven has been undergoing a major refit (when time allows). If all goes well she should be back in the water by the end of September. Peter H23 "Raven"
Haven't heard from you in a while. Got any cruises planned for this winter? Raven has been undergoing a major refit (when time allows). If all goes well she should be back in the water by the end of September. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Brian Paul-SV Unicorn
Sailing on the St John's
I sail on the St Johns River and it is a great place to go. The cruising guides that others have mentioned will tell you all that you'll need to know.My marina(Whitney's ) in Orange Park is a great place to stop and you will find that folks around here are friendly and happy to see you!Good sailing!
I sail on the St Johns River and it is a great place to go. The cruising guides that others have mentioned will tell you all that you'll need to know.My marina(Whitney's ) in Orange Park is a great place to stop and you will find that folks around here are friendly and happy to see you!Good sailing!
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Tom Monroe
lower st. johns
There was a thread on this awhile back that you should check, and I'm sure the cruising guides will get to it, but ... Remember, from Mayport to Jax the St. John's is a commercial river with a good bit of traffic. They don't pay much attention to sail boats (refernence discussions on "right of way"). And, the tidal flow is pretty strong. You're not going to buck it in a 23 ft boat with an outboard. Have some way to deal effectively with bugs. They can get intense at times. I've got this picture in my mind coming up the ICW near the St. John's, salt marsh, and about a zillion white sea birds taking flight against a crystal blue sky. Doesn't get much better than that. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
There was a thread on this awhile back that you should check, and I'm sure the cruising guides will get to it, but ... Remember, from Mayport to Jax the St. John's is a commercial river with a good bit of traffic. They don't pay much attention to sail boats (refernence discussions on "right of way"). And, the tidal flow is pretty strong. You're not going to buck it in a 23 ft boat with an outboard. Have some way to deal effectively with bugs. They can get intense at times. I've got this picture in my mind coming up the ICW near the St. John's, salt marsh, and about a zillion white sea birds taking flight against a crystal blue sky. Doesn't get much better than that. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
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Dale I
Arrgh..Thar be gators there...
You'll need to pay attention to the tides from the jetties (Mayport) thru downtown (I-95 / Fuller Warren bridge). The amount of water that squeezes thru downtown from a three-mile wide river in a tidal swing is impressive.....it'll definately affect your forward progress. Beyond downtown is no big deal. The river is brackish as far south as Green Cove Springs. The tannin in the water makes it look like dark tea/coffee. Yes there are sailors here....The St. Johns River was the home of the 50th annual MUG RACE this past year. The MUG is a 38-mile sail race from Palatka, north to the Buckman Bridge.. It is billed as 'The longest river race in the World'... see (www.rudderclub.com). If you were to shine your light along the banks at night you just might spot the reflection of gator eyes. They have adapted to civilization quite well.....world famous bass fishing on the St. Johns as well. The Shands Bridge in Green Cove Springs has a clearance of around 44'-46', but doubt that it would be a problem to you. 'Bugs' are the norm anywhere in FLA....which is why the mosquito is our state bird... As far as winter cruising, I generally expect a dozen or so freezes...enough to knock the bugs in the dirt for a while... We generally have at least a 20-degree buffer over places like atlanta, but follow the temperature trends. This ain't Key West. This river is a great place to be.
You'll need to pay attention to the tides from the jetties (Mayport) thru downtown (I-95 / Fuller Warren bridge). The amount of water that squeezes thru downtown from a three-mile wide river in a tidal swing is impressive.....it'll definately affect your forward progress. Beyond downtown is no big deal. The river is brackish as far south as Green Cove Springs. The tannin in the water makes it look like dark tea/coffee. Yes there are sailors here....The St. Johns River was the home of the 50th annual MUG RACE this past year. The MUG is a 38-mile sail race from Palatka, north to the Buckman Bridge.. It is billed as 'The longest river race in the World'... see (www.rudderclub.com). If you were to shine your light along the banks at night you just might spot the reflection of gator eyes. They have adapted to civilization quite well.....world famous bass fishing on the St. Johns as well. The Shands Bridge in Green Cove Springs has a clearance of around 44'-46', but doubt that it would be a problem to you. 'Bugs' are the norm anywhere in FLA....which is why the mosquito is our state bird... As far as winter cruising, I generally expect a dozen or so freezes...enough to knock the bugs in the dirt for a while... We generally have at least a 20-degree buffer over places like atlanta, but follow the temperature trends. This ain't Key West. This river is a great place to be.
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