New Smyrna Florida boating advice

[proaudioguy]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

We are heading out there. Getting in and out at low tide is easy. There is a deep chanel right through the middle. Low tide is after 12. We are heading out now. We should be there just in time to beach the boat. High tide is around 5 or 6 today so plenty early to get the kids back in time.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

Well then it has changed. We were stuck back there for about 2 hours in Spring this year. We even tried to walk the boat out and still couldnt get out. The mouth of the channel was only about 3" deep. We will give it a try next time we are there.

Either way, we are beat from last night's party, so a nice ride up the river will be nice. Be back here by 5 or 6 and not have to worry about cleaning the salt water.

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

Had a blast out there today. Got there about the time the island was completely uncovered. There was a shower before we got there and one more after, and that was it. Partly sunny the rest of the day. I got a little burned.

Yea, there are no issues on the South side. Not sure what was different in Spring. The deep part of the channel is VERY narrow. We ran over a spot for about 10 seconds that was just a few feet. The way to guarantee you will avoid that issue is to come around from the back side instead of the inlet side. If you show up at around low tide and beach your boat, there is little chance you will get stuck. When the tide comes in you won't be beached anymore. Of course the opposite it true too. Park near the beach as the tide is going out and you could very well be stuck there until it comes back in, that's why it has that name.

I'd like to cruise the river but my wife hates alligator infested water. She says she'll take the sharks. I told her she could stay INSIDE the boat. Not going for it.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

We have been going there for years, and the last couple years the backside of the island was not accessable at low tide after that string of hurricanes went through a few years ago. The sand changes so much right there, so anything can happen. We got stuck right between the channel markers a year or so ago. A new sand bar had formed.

We havent seen a gator in a few weeks on the river. Funny, we have had people on the boat the last few times that are from NY and wanted to see a gator in the worst way. LOL Not sure where they went. We had fun too though. A little rough for skiiing though. We didnt make it to the Glen, but when the gators dont come too far into the glen, the water is too cold. Had a nice lunch at Castaways and met up with some friends in their Hattaras and hung out for a while. It was a good day. Maybe next weekend for DI.

 

[mikeneal]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

We boated over there last Saturday, launched at north causeway ramp and rode up to DI. Anchored on south side for a bit then went for short boat ride and when returned anchored on north side closer to inlet. Had a great time. Following day cruised around lakes in Winter Park and did some wakeboarding. Overall less boats then I expected and I looked for a couple of the posters and didn't see anyone boat I recognized. It was pretty windy and maybe people stayed home.

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

We have been going there for years, and the last couple years the backside of the island was not accessable at low tide after that string of hurricanes went through a few years ago. The sand changes so much right there, so anything can happen. We got stuck right between the channel markers a year or so ago. A new sand bar had formed.

The south side of DI has NO channel markers. The ICW goes no where near it. Sounds like you were on the south side of the area south of DI. It's true the channel there is messed up according to local reports (big boats getting grounded near the RED marker). What you want to do is go straight past where the channel bears left and head toward the inlet, then make a left around that piece of land. The picture I'm posting is an outdated satalite view. The island never seems to get this large, and the shallow spot on the south side near the inlet is not as bad as the picture would indicate. Like you said it changes a lot.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

The south side of DI has NO channel markers. The ICW goes no where near it. Sounds like you were on the south side of the area south of DI. It's true the channel there is messed up according to local reports (big boats getting grounded near the RED marker). What you want to do is go straight past where the channel bears left and head toward the inlet, then make a left around that piece of land. The picture I'm posting is an outdated satalite view. The island never seems to get this large, and the shallow spot on the south side near the inlet is not as bad as the picture would indicate. Like you said it changes a lot.

By the looks of your pointers, I would say we usually go past the inlet and around the north end and back in that channel in the back. That is where it is, or was shallow. Where you say to park, I was unaware you could even get back there. Is that the new place to hang out? We have been parking just oposite the inlet on the east side of the island, the last few times. We like the backside when it gets cooler because the water is usually warmer. Probably from all the pee. LOL

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

By the looks of your pointers, I would say we usually go past the inlet and around the north end and back in that channel in the back. That is where it is, or was shallow. Where you say to park, I was unaware you could even get back there. Is that the new place to hang out? We have been parking just oposite the inlet on the east side of the island, the last few times. We like the backside when it gets cooler because the water is usually warmer. Probably from all the pee. LOL

Since we have only been going for a few weeks I cannot say if it is a new place to park or not but that entire side is packed tight with boats if the weather is nice. The waterway to he east of that parking area sometimes has a bunch of big boats anchored too, near the ICW. I've seen up to 30 somethings on that south side though, right up to the beach (at low tide).

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

Backside is fun but it does get skinny.

Did you all see this http://www.down-the-hatch-seafood.com/boatshow.htm

Oct 1,2,3 Antique Boat show at Down the Hatch (right across the river from the island)

I'm gonna post another thread in this section about it.

Craig

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

That looks cool.

Hey is there anyplace else in the area to go hang out? Just want to switch it up a bit so my family doesn't get burned out on DI. We don't mind driving a while.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

We go to a place called ski beach in Edgewater a lot.

It's on the other side of the island from the ICW at marker 57 (across from Cameron's marker 57 Marina)

There are lots of other little hang out spots in the area too. All depends what your draft is.

Some are part of the Canaveral National Seashore Park and you can rent private island campsites from them. Check out the old homes where if you didn't have a boat you didn't go anywhere. Also Turtle mound is cool it's a big hill of oyster shells left by the indians.

http://www.nps.gov/cana/

While your there you should hit JB Fish Camp in Bethune ( New Smyrna Beachside)

http://jbsfishcamp.com/

You can stop by the Marine Discovery Center

http://www.marinediscoverycenter.org/

Stop by Riverview Restaurant

http://www.thegrilleatriverview.com/

dock and go check out Flagler Ave

http://www.flaglerave.com/

or dock at Manatee park and check out canal street.

http://www.canalstreetnsb.com/

Don't forget fishing! They make a lot of tv shows about fishing the area south os the inlet, and crabs and shrimp.

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

I'd like to check out the boat show but can't find any details other than how to enter. How much does it cost to attend? Is it accessible from the ICW?

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

Hey pro audio,

TD called them up it's free to get in and look with whatever you want to donate to the lions club to park.

Here's the other thread.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=441426

I'm not sure about the docking situation, but I might just drive tomorrow and check it out.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

There is normally places to tie off, but if they are doing a boat show, it may be taken up by the show boats. If you are on the ICW, you go north from DI. It will be on the east side of the ICW.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

OK I just called and there will be very limited parking for Down the Hatch patrons. There will be a dock master to show you where to park.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

Boat parking that is.

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

That's great, they told me there would be no boat parking and almost no car parking, but we were welcome to come look at the boats. They seemed like they would be sharing the vent with other companies, that also have dibs on spaces. I was a bit confused. Maybe we'll run up in the after noon and have a look. If there's no place to park, we'll head over to DI and play.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

Looks like we are gonna drive over in a car. Wife's Birthday this weekend, so its her call. The person I talked to was very excited to give me the info, and seemed very sure that there would be plenty of parking for us. I have beeen there with no events, and had a hard time tieing up the boat, so I am skeptical if they will have enough boat parking, however, like I said, she was very excited to give me all the info. It was contingent on us dining at Down the Hatch, so maybe that is the key.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

Plenty of car and boat parking today. Some cool venders, a beer tent, great food, some cool boats(but not very many), cool band. Fun fun day. We enjoyed ourselves. We are going back tomorrow. Probably gonna eat at Aunt Catfish's on our way.

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: New Smyrna Florida boating advice

We managed to get some boat parking, but just barely. The BIG boat was pretty awesome. We had some food at the restaurant and walked around. Not too impressive of a boat show, just a couple cool old boats. I was hoping to see some 80s and 90s boats for some ideas. Still we had a good time and DI was underwater anyway. The band was great, and that's saying a lot from me.
After that we went down south and watched about 15-20 dolphins playing.