Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

[Home Cookin']

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

They say "flat, boring land makes for flat, boring people." I'd say same applies for bodies of water.

 

[moosehead]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

Yikes - if you boated on Chatfield and Cherry Creek, you weren't on especially "friendly" lakes. I prefer Horsetooth, and Pueblo (not to mention Blue Mesa and Powell). I would love to try the ICW or a river some time, but those both require "full time navigation", where you can be a lot more relaxed on lakes.

+1. We call Cherry Creek Res by a different name due to the odor and warmth of the water: Goose Poop Lake.

I would otherwise vote lakes, but we are spoiled up in Grand County. Plenty of challenges even in CO.

Cheers.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

Well, one thing is a definite FOR SURE........we DON'T have the boating experience that a lot of you who have replied to this Thread have! Before moving here to Jacksonville, FL, we had never put a boat on a large body of water or been around all the navigational stuff that is found here on these waters.

Both of us were only use to lake boating. We believe that "age" does play a part in boating. 10, 20 or 30 years ago, we would have been more "adventurous" and willing to learn new things than we are today in our mid 60's! We are much more cautious [/B when it comes to boating than years ago. Years ago, either of us could have jumped into the water and pulled ourselves back into the boat with ease..........NOT today! Neither of us are as thin as we use to be! We've got stuck in the murky bottom of the river here a couple of times and sort of freaked out. We were able to get out, but it sure frightened us! When we found out that we had a major water leak in our engine while underway, we both got scared. We took care of the situation, but still..............

We do love boating, but going out during windy conditions, when rain/t-storms are predicted sometimes during the day or going out when it's hot enough to fry eggs on the deck..........NOPE, that sure isn't us!

On the ICW here (ramp at Beach Blvd), going either way, there is absolutely no place to stop and tie up for miles. The closest public docking area is St Augustine and that is a long boat ride from Beach Blvd. The same goes for the river here.......Jacksonville Landing is the only place we feel comfortable going to and relaxing.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

I hear they have good golf there; it's pretty safe....

 

[emilsr]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

All of the above.

All have good points and bad points, but the worst day on the water is better than the best day on the golf course. Give it time; you'll get used to your surroundings soon enough and it won't be any big deal to navigate through all the tides and channel markers.

For those that have a specific preference, especially if it's something you don't THINK you'll like, try it. You might be surprised.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

For those that have a specific preference, especially if it's something you don't THINK you'll like, try it. You might be surprised.

That's a great suggestion!

Please divert the ICW, so it runs through Denver, Colorado!

 

[emilsr]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

That's a great suggestion!

Please divert the ICW, so it runs through Denver, Colorado!

I'll get right on that....right after I make the Rio Grande navigable all the way to Brownsville, TX so I don't have to boat on a tiny lake in the middle of the desert.

My "boating childhood" was pretty evenly split between coastal and lakes. I didn't understand why anyone would want to boat on a river....until I did some river boating, and liked it. Ditto for sailing; my sister got hooked on it and now we all enjoy it.

Everyone has their preferences of course, but Kenneth Grahame got it right in "The Wind in the Willows": "Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING--absolute nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." The rest is just details.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

We don't golf, except for playing the Wii Game:laugh: As far as the "worst" and "best" goes.....if we did play golf on a course, getting some Eagles and Birdies would be much better than getting rocked around by whitecaps, getting our butts in before totally Low Tide happens, getting stuck in mud or a sandbar, etc., etc.

Now, we do LOVE boating, but have found out that we love it MUCH MORE on a lake where navigating is so much easier!

All of the above.

All have good points and bad points, but the worst day on the water is better than the best day on the golf course. Give it time; you'll get used to your surroundings soon enough and it won't be any big deal to navigate through all the tides and channel markers.

For those that have a specific preference, especially if it's something you don't THINK you'll like, try it. You might be surprised.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

We don't golf, except for playing the Wii Game:laugh: As far as the "worst" and "best" goes.....if we did play golf on a course, getting some Eagles and Birdies would be much better than getting rocked around by whitecaps, getting our butts in before totally Low Tide happens, getting stuck in mud or a sandbar, etc., etc.

Now, we do LOVE boating, but have found out that we love it MUCH MORE on a lake where navigating is so much easier!

sounds to me like the boating you love is low-impact super protected small body boat-riding, since the things that concern you now--white caps, sand bars, channel markers, water level changes, inconvient and remote ramps, all occur just as easily in a lake or river. To me, all of those things, and more, and mechanical issues to boot, are an integral part of boating, and I love boating--that kind of boating.

It's as if someone who thinks he loves driving has only been on small quiet rural low-speed roads, and then encounters the Jersey turnpike, Manhattan streets, Georgia dirt roads, a west Texas long haul and Maine mountains in winter--now that's driving!

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

Basically, if anyone is on here and reading this, then they obviously love boating (or their boat broke down and they were looking for a different section of this forum - haha). It sounds to me like we all boat where we can, which is the body of water where we live. I know there are areas where you have lakes, rivers, and salt water, but if you are in coastal Florida, then you are in salt, if you are in Colorado, you are in fresh. If you are into boating, you are into whatever is best and closest.

I boat in salt water, but I love taking a ride in fresh sometimes. I feel like my engine gets cleansed. I vacationed in North Carolina before and rented a boat and loved riding in the mountains. I couldn't believe how deep it was so close to shore.

Anyway, Luvboating, I would recommend getting a good towing service for your boat (like seatow, vessel assist, ect or whichever one you prefer). That way, if something happens, you are a cell phone or radio call away from getting help. (if your cell phone works where you boat)

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

One thing that is definitely a FACT and TRUE....... freshwater treats the engine and drive a LOT better than saltwater does!
It's also true, and we both admit it, that we are "fair-weather" boaters! Both here and in Colorado, our boat doesn't/didn't go out if we didn't like what the weather was like that day.

Besides all the navigational stuff here, the launching/retrieving of our boat is getting to us physically. Hopefully, later, if we are still into boating, we will be able to afford to put it into Dry Storage. That would sure be a lot easier on our "old" bodies! Yes, to some, mid 60's isn't that old, but past surgeries, some arthritis and body weight can take their toll. And, we are only 30 pounds overweight! Shoot, last year we talked about getting an electric wench due to the lack of strength in my wife's hands now.

One thing we have noticed, both in Colorado and here, haven't seen that many folks in our age bracket with powerboats. We know there are older folks out there, but not nearly the amount as the young folks. We've talked to older folks that gave up boating b/c their kids went to college, they had kids, etc.

BTW, captkid570, we do have SeaTow and have had since moving here in 2009. Last year they towed us back to the ramp after our engine got a major water leak in it. We also both have a cell phone, but now it's a iPhone.

Basically, if anyone is on here and reading this, then they obviously love boating (or their boat broke down and they were looking for a different section of this forum - haha). It sounds to me like we all boat where we can, which is the body of water where we live. I know there are areas where you have lakes, rivers, and salt water, but if you are in coastal Florida, then you are in salt, if you are in Colorado, you are in fresh. If you are into boating, you are into whatever is best and closest.

I boat in salt water, but I love taking a ride in fresh sometimes. I feel like my engine gets cleansed. I vacationed in North Carolina before and rented a boat and loved riding in the mountains. I couldn't believe how deep it was so close to shore.

Anyway, Luvboating, I would recommend getting a good towing service for your boat (like seatow, vessel assist, ect or whichever one you prefer). That way, if something happens, you are a cell phone or radio call away from getting help. (if your cell phone works where you boat)

 

[emilsr]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

Besides all the navigational stuff here, the launching/retrieving of our boat is getting to us physically. Hopefully, later, if we are still into boating, we will be able to afford to put it into Dry Storage. That would sure be a lot easier on our "old" bodies!

Try to do that sooner rather than later. It was MUCH easier to boat, and we used the boat a lot more when it was stored on a lift and we didn't have to launch and recover every time. I'm told that rack storage is even better but haven't tried that (yet).

How can you see this in your back yard and not want to go for a boat ride?

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

Yes, Dry Storage is NICE, but can be costly as well. Our nearest Dry Storage, on the river, is $210 per month plus $50 for our trailer. The owner told us that he could buy/sell our trailer for us, but when we decide to sell the boat, selling it without a trailer isn't easy to do. And, Dry Storage on the ICW definitely isn't cheap. Our storage (outside spot) is $133 per month. There is a gate and someone lives on the property, but theft still occurs. Also, I don't know how a Dry Storage handles cleaning the engine/drive with clear water, when the boat comes out of the river here (brackish water) or the ICW (salt). At our storage, we simply take the boat/trailer over to the water hose and clean it with muffs on. Daytona Beach Marina has a "rinse off" area w/water hose that we put our muffs on when we came off of the ICW there. Now, that is a BEAUTIFUL marina!

Actually, we were told by one couple who has there boat in Dry Storage......"we take out twice as much now than we did when it was on a trailer."

 

[noclutch]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

LuvBoating- I wish I lived in/near Jax, but alas I have to drag my boat from Ocala to DeLand/Astor or St Augustine to enjoy the St Johns or ICW. I LOVE those waterways!! While I'm not quite as old as you at 52, and having been off of Lake Conroe (Texas) for the last 25 years till getting a boat 5 years ago here in Florida, I find great e-comfort through my Garmin plot-charter. It can be a bit pricey up front with unit and map purchases, but there is a wealth of navigational aids there to be had that give me peace of mind. Stick to the channels at speed and with time, reading maps and depth sounders simultaneously, you'll get more comfortable poking around out of channels. Yes, the inlets can have some currents, but I don't linger in them either- they do "creep me out" a little. In a 20' boat one can easily go from Jax to St Marys /Cumberland GA in a day up the ICW, or down to St A or even Daytona or further overnight-er. Or down to Sanford in a day trip on the fresh water( it the trip not the destination on this one LOL) For me, knowing where I am is important, even if I'm just a little icon on my chart plotters screen Lakes don't hold anything for me anymore -Fla lakes are just gator kiddie pools anyways

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

if you don't go for stack or a slip, consider a power winch. Also helps your trailer last longer since you don't have to dunk it.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

Yes, Dry Storage is NICE, but can be costly as well. Our nearest Dry Storage, on the river, is $210 per month plus $50 for our trailer. The owner told us that he could buy/sell our trailer for us, but when we decide to sell the boat, selling it without a trailer isn't easy to do. And, Dry Storage on the ICW definitely isn't cheap. Our storage (outside spot) is $133 per month. There is a gate and someone lives on the property, but theft still occurs. Also, I don't know how a Dry Storage handles cleaning the engine/drive with clear water, when the boat comes out of the river here (brackish water) or the ICW (salt). At our storage, we simply take the boat/trailer over to the water hose and clean it with muffs on. Daytona Beach Marina has a "rinse off" area w/water hose that we put our muffs on when we came off of the ICW there. Now, that is a BEAUTIFUL marina!

Actually, we were told by one couple who has there boat in Dry Storage......"we take out twice as much now than we did when it was on a trailer."

There's nothing cheap about boating. I'm paying about $120/month to store the boat inside and it's still on the trailer. If I had to pay double (or more) for rack storage I'd still do it.....and eat ramen noodles if that's what it took.

A few years ago when I thought I might be moving to Fort Walton Beach (wishful thinking) I got a quote from a rack storage place there. Was about $400/month, but they cleaned and flushed the boat each time. Expensive, yes. Worth it, absolutely....but that's just one man's opinion. Anything that gets me on the water more often is a good thing, and if that means cutting back somewhere to pay for it then that's just what I'll have to do.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

I wonder if you could find someone with an empty dock with a lift on it and offer them $100 a month to leave your boat on it. You never know.

Do you have a house? If your trailer was empty, could you stick it in the back yard? There has to be cheaper places to store your boat than what you are paying.

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

I like lakes and rivers, it's more relaxing to me.

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

There's nothing cheap about boating. I'm paying about $120/month to store the boat inside and it's still on the trailer. If I had to pay double (or more) for rack storage I'd still do it.....and eat ramen noodles if that's what it took.

A few years ago when I thought I might be moving to Fort Walton Beach (wishful thinking) I got a quote from a rack storage place there. Was about $400/month, but they cleaned and flushed the boat each time. Expensive, yes. Worth it, absolutely....but that's just one man's opinion. Anything that gets me on the water more often is a good thing, and if that means cutting back somewhere to pay for it then that's just what I'll have to do.

Let me know if you move to FWB, I might know where a dock is about to open. I'll be heading south to FWB in July to pull Grandpa's Scarab out and have it shipped up here.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Preference: Lake, River or Intracoastal Boating?

I've boated every inch of the SJR from Sanford to the Jax inlet and the ICW from Jax to New Smyrna Beach. If you're not comfortable navigating the water way, blame it on Jax. Get into the ICW and make the hour ride to St. Augustine. Dock at the Municipal Marina or at The Conch House Marina and spend the day. Plan your arrival times at the marinas and the return to your ramp when you're in between tides. The dead water will make your docking and navigating easier.

Bypass downtown Jax and go launch the boat near Green Cove Springs or Palatka. Make the run south down the SJR. That's old Florida and a very easy trip.

Ever make the run from Daytona to St. Augustine? I would make that run once a week if I could.

If navigating is your concern, invite someone knowledgable to ride along. Perhaps they canmake the markers easier to understand. Get a GPS chartplotter. It's not the perfect navigation cheat, but it's a visual reference for where you are in the waterway and will show you the channel in detail. It doesn't remove your responsibility to know how to read charts and markers, but it does make it easier.

When in the river south of the Landings, watch out for the crab traps. Those jerks are laying them in the channel now and they are a huge hazard to navigation.

If you have any specific questions, PM me and I'll help if I can.

Safe & fun boating!