Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

The wife and I will be vacationing on the St. Johns river with the Ferrys and the Koskers this holiday weekend. Dean and the faminly had such a great time last year at Hontoons, we decided to join them this year. Dean will bring the Nordic, John will bring a ski boat and we will bring our 302 Baja. To bad we can't talk John Kosker into taking the LongLite. That would really be some fun.
Anyone else planning on being in the area???? I hope we can get together with some OSO members. Cuda, you going to be in the area???

Thanks,
Dail

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Yup, we'll be around. I saw Dean going under the bridge at Hwy 44, but we were in the truck then.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Yes, it will be a blast! I can't wait to take the kids sking and tubing behind the Coskers Ski boat. Hopefully, I'll have my Nordic's engine situation figured out by then! :eek:
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

This will be a great weekend and the more OSO's the better. I have never been on the St Johns', so this will be a new experience for us. Dean Has been talking to some other guys and we may bring a few more. Really looking forward to it.

Thanks,
Dail

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Yep, it will be a GREAT TIME!
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Assuming I don't break anything on the FPC Daytona Run, I'll be there.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Andy,
Cool, the more the merrier! Do you have a new boat? :D
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

You guys gonna be there for Just the weekend? I'll be living about a mile from the Debary ramp in a couple of weeks so it shouldnt be a problem for me. Maybe a barbeque and a dip in the pool ? if you get tired of the river or will you be moteling it?.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Is everyone planning to be at the Glen (outside)? I was there last Mem day, had a lot of fun.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Dan,
This is where we are staying. We'll be there from 5/25-29

http://www.hontoon.com/resort.htm

Are you moving on to the river in Debary?
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Unsane,
We will probobly make it up there some time over the weekend. I'm not real comfortable taking my 35' boat in the Glen when it's packed on holiday weekend! :eek: Do you guys just hang out @ the entrance to the Glen? I take it, you will be in your 29 Fountain, let's see a pic! :drink:
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Yes I was talking about the outside so they don't bother you with your beers and stuff. Plus, you're right, the inside is more crowded than a Chinese subway at rush hour. The Fountain is arriving Thurs. morning!!!!! :evilb: :evilb: :evilb: I'll take some pics as soon as I get it on the water!

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Andy,
That will be great if you can make it. As Dean said, the more the merrier. This is my first trip, so we will stay with Dean and family. I think it would be great if we could meet somewhere for lunch or dinner and the pool idea sounds like a winner. This could be a really good OSO weekend.

Dail

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

How's the dockage at Hontoon? I might want to snag a room now before the rush. Also, how far from the nearest/best ramp? I've only launched from Astor before & it's not my favorite with all the current there.

"New" boat is a 2001 Cig Playboy, I haven't used it since I picked it up in November. :( Tres has been through it with a fine tooth comb, so I plan on running it as much as I can this year.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

The best launch on the river is at the county park where 17/92 crosses the river. It's a couple miles south of Hontoon.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

You mean 17/92, right? Or I'm all f'd up... :D

Roughly how long of a ride is it from there to Astor or Lk George? If the ramps are nice, with little current & plenty of parking, it might be worth the extra 1/2 hour or so drive down from 40. I really don't like the Astor ramp; fast moving water, no dockage & plenty of a-holes to go around. I had one guy hit my boat with his 30'+ cruiser while I was getting the truck & the g/f didn't tell me about it until he was gone. She didn't want me to cause a scene..... no doubt I would have beat his @ss in front of his family.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Do you mean from 44? 40 is Astor.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Andy,
I believe every room in "River side Resort" comes with a slip that is right in front of your room. Here is hontoon's Ph. # 1-800-248-9743, make sure about the slip for every room gig. :cool:
Hontoon's has a SMALL boat ramp, John Cosker will be the only one who can use it with his ski boat. I go to the SR 44 boat ramp which right up the river, ~ 2 miles north of Hontoon's. Last year, I left the truck and trailer there @ the SR 44 boat ramp the whole time, this year I don't know about that, (Got a new 2006 F-350 :D ). Hontoon's can store smaller boat trailers, I don't know about your, mine and Baja Bennett's trailers? :rolleyes:
As far as the Manatee Zones between 44 and 40 I believe, the only ones are @ each bridge! Cuda, help me out here.
I do know that the river run between 44 and 40 is the most awesome part of the run up to Lake George! :D
This is going to be a GREAT Time, we are probobly going to make this an annual boat trip for us! :drink: Hope to see you there.
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Nope, your right it's 17/92! Cuda had a brain fart. :D Cuda, is that the ramp just north Lake Monroe where Callan Marine goes to test in Monroe?
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Andy,
Congratulations on the new boat. Can't wait to see it. Since this is my first trip I will have to defer to Dean on your questions. When I made my reservations at Hontoons, I did inform them that I would need a slip. You might want to make sure when you make reservations.

Dail

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Andy and Dail,
Go to Earth Goggle and type in "2317 River Ridge Road, Deland Fl. 32720". It will show the St. Johns river north and south of Hontoon's. We might want to make a trip south down the river one of the days also. I think there are fewer Manatee Zones going south from Hontoon's
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Exactly. It's far and away the best ramp on the river.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

There is a ramp at the end of Highbanks Road where DanB is moving to. I saw BruceK launch is 40 footer there. It's right next to the Swamp House Grill.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Dean, I live about a half mile from the 44 ramp. I don't like it. It's too damn steep. I have trouble getting even my small Donzi's on the trailer there. They want to "stab" the trailer because of the incline. The river is way down right now, making it even worse.

If you go south of Hontoon, there is a LOT of idle zone. I got pulled over there last year. Some of the signs are misleading. I had a water cop behind me for about two miles. I was going at idle speed, then I came to a sign that said "slow speed". I looked on the other side of the sign, and it said "idle speed", so I assumed that meant the 30 mph speed. I jumped up on a plane, and here he came. I told him I thought I was obeying the signs. I pointed out how the signs said two different things. He knew I wasn't trying to be an Outlaw, because he had followed me for two miles. He wrote me a warning.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

I knew I had a shot of Mr Ferry and company somewhere. :) This is at the Hwy 44 bridge in Deland.

Also, my warning.:(

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Cuda,
What do you suggest for which boat ramp we should use?
I used the SR 44 ramp last year, and you are right, it took like 3 trys to get the Nordic on the trailer, plus if was raining like crazy. If the water level doesn't come up, will we be able to use the SR 44 Ramp? I don't think you can leave a vehicle over night @ the 17/92 ramp can you?
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Nope, I'm wondering how far from 40, since I'm coming over from Ocala. I know it's not too far from 40 to Deland, but I haven't driven that far south.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

By river it's about two or three miles to Lake George, and about three miles after entering Lake George to the Glen. Is that what you were asking?

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Oops, just reread the post. It'a about 17 miles from Astor to Deland bridge. There is absolutely nothing along the way, just beautiful undeveloped land The Ocala National Forest on the west side, and Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Sanctuary on the east side. No idle zones in between.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

I'm not sure. If I get a chance, I'll stop by there and ask. There is a nice ramp in Sanford that I think you can park overnight. It only takes a couple minutes to get to the river. No speed limit in the lake. :)

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

I've used the Sanford ramp and its excellent but a bit of a pain to get to thru Sanford. Dont know about overnite parking. Havent used the ramp at the end of my road yet but Cuda says a 40 can get in and out. I would think it would take a 4 wheeler to pull that off. I may have some room at my place to stash a rig or 2 and I'm just up the road. We'll see how it goes at time gets closer.

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DanB,
Thanks for the offer, might have to take you up on it. I'm still thinking about using the SR 44 ramp. Might have to drive up one of these weekends and check it out. I really don't want to launch in Sanford and IDLE all the way to Hontoon's! :mad:
Cuda,
Have you ever launched the Formula at the SR44 ramp?
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Cuda is right, that is one of the most beautiful boat rides I have ever taken! :D Obviously, we are coming back to do it again! :drink:
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Nope, I've only launched it at Astor.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

I've used the 44 ramp for years, its a little steep. but if the water level is down you just load the trailer a little shallower on the ramp so the bow has to come up over the bow stop.I've loaded/unloaded everything from a Baja h2x to a 34ft PQ Vyper and half a dozen boats in between..Just my two cents worth.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Yeah,
That's what I'm going to try also.
Dean

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

I've had no problems at the 44 ramp.... but the biggest thing I've launched there is 32'.

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

I can see that Dean & I will be making taking ride to check out the ramps soon. Thanks guys for all the input regarding ramps in the area. The more the better. The last thing we need is traouble at the ramp.

Dail

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

I just spotted a ramp at the mouth of the river and lk Monroe today. Its on the east side of 17/92 going north. Looked pretty good from the road. Dont know what its called.
If you head for the ramp on Highbanks after apr 4 stop by and say high. You'll be going right past my drive way. Email for the #

Re: Memorial day Weekend on St. Johns River
 

Dan, that's the county park I was talking about. VERY nice ramps there.

There is also a public ramp on the west side of the bridge.