St John's River Boat Traffic????

[LuvBoating]

Crossed the Buckman Bridge (Jacksonville, FL) yesterday and seen 4 boats on the water. St John's River don't get the boat traffic like it use to? Drove by Goodby's Landing Ramp and only a handful of vehicles/trailers (less than 1/4 full) parking lot! See a lot of boats in Dry Storage at Goodby's, Julington Creek and Mayport, but on the water???? Don't even look like boats in the marina's are going out on the river! Just wonder what has happened to boating on the river??

When we first moved here in Jan 2009, that summer Goodby's Landing Ramp parking lot seemed to always be full on the weekends! Today........where the heck is everyone going out of now AND is it even onto the river??

Any ideas?

 

[jkimball]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

Not sure about the Saint John's I've seen a pretty huge decrease too... But what I have seen is that Black Creek has become the new hotspot.
Any given day you have to fight for parking at the ramp on 17 in Greencove. Last time I was there we went down to redneck beach and there were probably close to 45 +/- boats rafted off down there, and still tons going up and down the creek. Also all of the rope swings along the way.
Black Creek is pretty fun, but there's no "destination" to get to. It's all protected water, and doesn't really go anywhere, it just flows into Middleburg. That's what I like about the St. Johns is that you can go downtown, to the Jetties, the ICW. Pretty much anywhere you want to provided you have the time/ Fuel. I guess others don't see it that way, or maybe if their like my Preggo Wife, the chop in the river scares them uke:

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

Only thing is, we still see a lot of boats sitting in Dry Storage at both Goodby's (San Jose @ Baymeadows) and at Julington Creek. Even when we stop at the ramp at Mayport (just east of the ferry) we see a lot of boats in that Dry Storage and very few boats in the ramp parking lot there. We never seen a boat leave the docking area (behind the restaurant on the south bank) right across from Jax Landing.
I remember one time when we launched out of Goodby's, got just outside of the channel into the main body of the river, it was fairly choppy and we turned around and went back to the ramp and went home. Don't know if it's our age or not, but our bodies just can't handle too choppy of water! If the wind is above 10 mph, we don't even hook up the boat! Sometimes, between 5 and 10 mph can be too much for us. We are "fair-weather" boaters and totally admit it.

We've tied up at Jax Landing a number of times since buying our boat in 2009 and have only met two couples in our age area (65) twice! Wonder where the older couples w/boats are???

 

[Harritwo]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

Only thing is, we still see a lot of boats sitting in Dry Storage at both Goodby's (San Jose @ Baymeadows) and at Julington Creek. Even when we stop at the ramp at Mayport (just east of the ferry) we see a lot of boats in that Dry Storage and very few boats in the ramp parking lot there. We never seen a boat leave the docking area (behind the restaurant on the south bank) right across from Jax Landing.
I remember one time when we launched out of Goodby's, got just outside of the channel into the main body of the river, it was fairly choppy and we turned around and went back to the ramp and went home. Don't know if it's our age or not, but our bodies just can't handle too choppy of water! If the wind is above 10 mph, we don't even hook up the boat! Sometimes, between 5 and 10 mph can be too much for us. We are "fair-weather" boaters and totally admit it.

We've tied up at Jax Landing a number of times since buying our boat in 2009 and have only met two couples in our age area (65) twice! Wonder where the older couples w/boats are???

I launched Sat and Sun at Lakeshore Ramp on Doctor's Lake. Sat the water was like glass and the ramp was full. People were fishing all up and down Doctors Lake, Swimming Pen Creek, and towards the Buckman. Yesterday, We launched around 0800, and there were 8 trailers in the lot, the water was rough and we thought about just putting back on the trailer. Around 1000, the water calmed down and in Doctors lake there were probably 10 of us tubing, skiing, and wakeboarding, down in Swimming Pen creek there were several fishing, Whiteys dock was about half full at 1200, There were a few fishing out in the St Johns towards the Buckman.

I live in Orange Park and Work at NAVSTA Mayport, There are a lot of boats on the road in the mornings, a lot fishing out by the little jetties, but the Morning Star Marina looks like the dry storage is full. I know what you are saying about the boats, I come across the Buckman this evening around 7:00 and didnt see a single boat on the water.

 

[noclutch]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

I've been caught out in the rain or storms 7 out of the last 7 days in the last month on the St Johns south of Palatka and ICW St A to Ponce . One storm at Ponce inlet 2 weeks ago was severe enough to necessitate riding it out docked at a restaurant. Yea, I know Florida weather, but getting hosed every outing and the prolonged boat dry-out is getting a bit old :facepalm:

Maybe this weather pattern is what has the "participation rates" down? Hasn't affected me though

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

When we lived south of Denver, CO and would go on Chatfield Reservoir/Lake at 9AM on Sat or Sun, the parking area was already getting full of trailers. When we would get off of the lake, the Park Rangers would have to close the parking lot due to no spaces left. Of course they only have about a 6-month boating season compared to us here. We've stopped by Vilano Boat Ramp in St Augustine on either a Sat or Sun and the entire parking lot was full of trailers. Now that is one VERY popular boat launch area! We have never launched from there, but may sometime in the future.
Just don't know what has happened to the boat traffic on the St John's though. Like already stated, the Dry Storage at both Goodby's and Julington Creek look completely full most of the time...........just don't understand why people aren't taking their boats out onto the river. Shoot, even see a lot of boats in Dry Storage on Beach Blvd that most don't leave there. Looking from the top of either JT Butler or Beach Blvd bridges down to the Intercoastal, just haven't seen many boats on that body of water in that location either.

Cost of gas, cost of repairs.........something sure has slowed the boat traffic here in the Jacksonville area!

 

[jkimball]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

Cost of gas could play big in it. With marine fuel being almost $5 a gallon, it's become a very expensive hobby (never really was cheap)
I know, my tank is only 26 gallons, and it's nearly $130 from empty, which it never gets there because I always cap it off after each outing, but those with larger boats... I feel sorry for them having to fill them up. Then the tow vehicles eat it up too.
One thing I have noticed though, is that there almost seems to be a larger police presence on the rivers now too. Any given day I either see 2-3 Clay County Sherriffs or get pulled or checked at the ramp for a safety check/ inspection. Which, don't get me wrong, I appreciate that they're doing their job, but I suppose it could rub other boaters the wrong way?

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

I think our tank is around 70 or so gallons. We use Regular Exxon gas. Since we only go from Goodby's Landing to Jax Landing, we use very little gas. When we go, it's only for a two to three hours. And, since we are definitely "fair weather" boaters, we only go out on pretty much "perfect days" and only on either Saturday or Sunday. We prefer Saturday so we can have Sunday to rest up (our age/bodies talking again).
It's just that we see all of these boats that are just sitting on racks in dry storages and not going on the water (no river boat traffic). When we lived in North Carolina, close to Lake Norman, we stopped by a Dry Storage and talked to the owner/manager. He told us that about the only times he see's a lot of boats go out on the water is on Memorial Day, 4th of July and Father's Day. He told us that the rest of the summer, most of the boats are just sitting in the racks. People pay the monthly cost of Dry Storage, which isn't cheap, and just let there boat sit there. Now, from what we understand, there is more boat traffic on the river when the Jags are playing at home. Metro Park Marina can get pretty full.
Just seems like there would be more boat traffic than there is!

 

[sphelps]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

I'm thinking the weather may have something to do with it . Its just flat out hot out there sometimes . Cost of fuel maybe . There seems to be no shortage of jetski's though ! Me personally , I like it when it's not crowded ..

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

High heat can definitely keep us off of the water. But, so can too much wind, prediction for rain/t-storms and tide times. We've seen 20% chance of rain turn out to be a full-blown t-storm/pour down! We do like it when we can go down to Jax Landing and find a spot open to tie up at.

It's just, for the amount of boats (16' and bigger) in Dry Storages, on trailers in R/V-Boat Storage Lots (like we are in) and sitting in rented slips, the Jacksonville area doesn't have much boat traffic on the river or Intercoastal compared to St Augustine and Daytona Beach areas.

 

[mcginnal]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

I'm surprised that there are so many people responding to this post! I have yet to find a group/community of boaters in which to do activities or meetups. We usually just cruise solo (but still have a blast)! I launch from Arlington Marina and head south to the basin (where the river opens up, south of the Farmers' Market). Gas is definitely a kick in the nuts to the wallet. Doctor's Lake & back (plus some tubing en route) is about $100. I'm cool with that, though.

I have two questions, for the most part:

1) Has anyone found an online/offline [power] boating club around the jax area that is *active*?
2) How might I find good landing locations (i.e. restaurants, boat gathering spots, etc) along the St. John's, other than Jacksonville Landing?

-Alex

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

Actually, we don't think boating "activities/meetups" are popular at all here in the Jacksonville area. Since buying our boat here in April '09, we haven't met anyone who would be interested in those two things. But, then again, we do only look for couples in the age bracket of 60 and older. Right now, it seems to be too HOT to go out. At our age, mid 60's, being in HOT weather isn't good for us. When we do go, we've been going out of Goodby's Creek Ramp, but will be going to Julington Creek Ramp due to how shallow Goodby's Creek area is. We head over to the Landing, relax for awhile, then head back to the ramp. Don't use that much gas at all.

Want Jax info about boating? Go to Florida by Water.com or Boat North East.com. I'm in both of those and they give a lot of info.

 

[sphelps]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

We went out today .. Hung out at FGI .. And a little tubing ..

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

While out today, traffic on the ICW in Flagler County was light. Marine Patrol was out giving warnings due to all the new Manatee zones. It's getting to where you can't go for 5 minutes before you have to slow for another zone. I said to my wife, "We need to find a place where they don't have Manatee zones."

The new zones they put in place here have to have an impact on boaters putting in here. Could that be a reason in your area?

 

[sphelps]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

I don.t know of any new ones up here but there are a few . Is it because the ICW gets narrow at the new zones ? They are usually posted around ramps and bridges from what I have seen.

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

Is it because the ICW gets narrow at the new zones ?

No, I would say not. I believe it is more politics and pressure from property owners who simply want no wake zones.

 

[Harritwo]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

I'm surprised that there are so many people responding to this post! I have yet to find a group/community of boaters in which to do activities or meetups. We usually just cruise solo (but still have a blast)! I launch from Arlington Marina and head south to the basin (where the river opens up, south of the Farmers' Market). Gas is definitely a kick in the nuts to the wallet. Doctor's Lake & back (plus some tubing en route) is about $100. I'm cool with that, though.

I have two questions, for the most part:

1) Has anyone found an online/offline [power] boating club around the jax area that is *active*?
2) How might I find good landing locations (i.e. restaurants, boat gathering spots, etc) along the St. John's, other than Jacksonville Landing?

-Alex

I would love to meet up with anyone in the JAX area that is interested in a boating club.

There is Whitey's Fish Camp in Swimming Pen Creek (Off of Doctors Lake), There is Hooters, off of Baymeadows and San Jose which is accessible by water south of the Landing off the St. Johns, Down the ICW, (Havent been there in a few years) there were several restraunts that were accessible by water, One was down off of Beach and the ICW, other than the Landing I am not to familiar with any others. If you head south on St. John's towards Green Cove Springs, You can tie up at the Public Docks and walk into the square, there is wings and something else within walking distance of the pier.

 

[Harritwo]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

Actually, we don't think boating "activities/meetups" are popular at all here in the Jacksonville area. Since buying our boat here in April '09, we haven't met anyone who would be interested in those two things. But, then again, we do only look for couples in the age bracket of 60 and older. Right now, it seems to be too HOT to go out. At our age, mid 60's, being in HOT weather isn't good for us. When we do go, we've been going out of Goodby's Creek Ramp, but will be going to Julington Creek Ramp due to how shallow Goodby's Creek area is. We head over to the Landing, relax for awhile, then head back to the ramp. Don't use that much gas at all.

Want Jax info about boating? Go to Florida by Water.com or Boat North East.com. I'm in both of those and they give a lot of info.

I have been interested in an active meetup/activities like a poker run or anything in Jax for a while. While i do not meet the 60 age limit, I am only 50, I love doing things on the water with myself, the Boy, and occasionally the Admiral. The Admiral likes to go for a cruise where we can see Manatees, Dolphins, etc....

 

[sphelps]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

No, I would say not. I believe it is more politics and pressure from property owners who simply want no wake zones.

At least until they get past their dock ! :lol:

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: St John's River Boat Traffic????

At least until they get past their dock ! :lol:

Exactly. (and they don't even have a boat at the dock)