Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

[Jonnybbad]

Hey folks! My wife and I are a fairly laid back early thirties east side couple that have really caught the boating bug over the last few years. We're not the go fast, show boat, or party types. We're just regular folks. We now own the two older boats in my signature and both are trailered and wrechened on by this here frugal guy. Maybe we'll cull the herd after a little more time feeling out the new to us cruiser.

But anyways.... I would like to discuss the activities and locations that you like to do. So far this is what we have discovered: If we want to cruise we like to run the Mississippi and St.Croix rivers and do some sightseeing. If we plan to do some swimming we like to roll into the ever so clean and at the right times quiet Lake Elmo. We have yet to get any real use of the cruiser, but would like to do some overnights this "summer". (The summer boating weather really blows so far I must say)

So.... Please share your thoughts
.....and will somebody please tell me.... Whats the deal with this here guy? --> :kev:

 

[Icyharp]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

If we can ever get out on the rivers around here I will keep an eye out for ya on the St Croix or Mississippi. This waiting for the water levels to lower is ticking away the summer.
As for ideas, well cruise the river and there is a lot to do, not enough time in a weekend to enjoy it all.

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

Well... looks like that pesky wake ban has gone away :eagerness:. Thanks for your reply. Maybe we'll see ya around.

 

[LandOf10KLAKES]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

I like your two boats of choice... western suburb minnesnowtan who saw every boat imaginable while living on 'Tonka for over 12 years (place is a zoo now)
my dream boat still to this day is a Century 5000 (83)
when i first moved to Tonka my roommate had a Regal cigarette style cruiser I don't remember model but was about 27 footer.

I envy the ability to get on the St. Croix easily. My indoctrination as a teenager was going out on the croix with a friend and his dad on the weekend and island hopping. Very scenic memories.
I just bought a 1983 boat and am pleased to not have to restore it at all!
Enjoy the crisp fall like weekend we are going to have here in Minny. its going to be boating heaven!

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

Thanks for the kind words 10K. Neither of my boats are real head turners up close (particularly the fairly worn out upholstery in the Century), but it does not detract from the joy they bring to the wife and I one bit. They both seem to be very solid pieces. I've always been a form over function kinda guy myself anyways.

I'll also admit to ogling the Century 4000/5000. I can't say that I know the difference between them though. I've been admiring a couple on Craigslist lately. One just happens to be an '83 model year too.

Yes, I certainly have taken a shining to running the river. I'd like to see the Minnesota river a little next year maybe too. Its great exploring my town from a new angle and all these boat-able rivers hooked together makes for a lot of wild new frontier. It really puts a whole new view on things. And as far as Lake Minnetonka.... I hear its a full on zoo out there on weekends, but I would like to run over there sometime and see for myself. I also hear there is a fair amount of hidden obstacles out there, just waiting to eat my outdrive up. For these reasons I've been a bit apprehensive on making it over there.

Enjoy yourself this weekend now. :thumb:

 

[LandOf10KLAKES]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

Having always dug unique boats (never wanted a searay on tonka, for example,10k of those ) my silverline and crestliner crusader were unique in there class. So is the century 5k. for a termed 23 footer it is different from a 4k with a unique mid-cabin "sleeper" under the cockpit area, a nice v-birth w/ galley and head (cant remember if they crammed an enclosed shower in there too:faint2 like my Larson & Silverline nantuckets you give up a ton of usable aft space but i have always liked the layout. I used to see a lot down by Mankato when i was looking.
in spite of knowing Tonka like the back of my hand, do not be intimidated by its topography. the lake regardless of minor lake level fluctuations, is so well marked w/ buoys, u would have to go out of your way to ding a skeg. (depth finder still essential)
your river talk is making me wish I had an appropriate towing vehicle for my new Nantucket purchase!!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

And as far as Lake Minnetonka.... I hear its a full on zoo out there on weekends, but I would like to run over there sometime and see for myself. I also hear there is a fair amount of hidden obstacles out there, just waiting to eat my outdrive up. For these reasons I've been a bit apprehensive on making it over there.

How zoo like the lake is really depends on where you spend your time. Out in the middle near big island - yes crazy and wavy. The western bays are much calmer and where we tend to do our skiing. Maxwell is a decent place to anchor or beach if you want to walk in the water with less crazyness than big island or boyscout island.

Only prop I've ever dinged at Minnetonka was the result of having to hug the side of the channel at Maxwell when a big guy came through in the middle of the channel.

As far as the River goes, kinnickinnic is a decent place to beach and have a picnic. We don't spend a ton of time in the river since it is pretty difficult to find a ski spot

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

Thanks so much for the info oldjeep. That should prove valuable I'm sure.

I have been trying to find info on overnighting at Kinnickinick. I have found very little, but it sounds like a peson can do so. I do plan to stop and check the place out in person next time I'm over there.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

Thanks so much for the info oldjeep. That should prove valuable I'm sure.

I have been trying to find info on overnighting at Kinnickinick. I have found very little, but it sounds like a peson can do so. I do plan to stop and check the place out in person next time I'm over there.

You cannot overnight on Kinnickinick, you can on your boat - I think a ranger comes around and collects the fee

Kinnickinnic State Park, River Falls WI - The Kinnickinnic, a cold water trout stream, forms a large, sandy delta where it flows into the St. Croix River. | WisconsinGuides.net

It offers boat camping for up to 110 boats on the sand delta where the Kinnickinnic River enters the St. Croix. All boats must be self contained. $15 per boat/per night.

 

[speed4]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

I spend 90% of my time on the Croix. Usually between Stillwater and Hudson. I tend to go out during the week, as my little boat and passengers take a beating with the super cruiser wakes during the weekend. Less people and cops to hassle with.

I'm not one to beach and hang out for the day, but last weekend I met up with a friend with a big cruiser and beached, it wasn't so bad. I was able to take off when the need for speed hit every couple hours.

I'll make a run from Stillwater down the Croix, turn upriver onto the Mississippi in Prescott and head all the way up into St Paul (hitting every gas dock along the way). There is a nice section maybe around 16miles long without any nowake zones.

You can overnight on the islands around Hudson, and it's easy to get into town if you need to resupply.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

How is the water depth by the wall in Stillwater? We used to always tie up there and have a picnic, but last year when the water got down below the walkway it seemed like a whole lot of sand had gotten flushed in and the water was too shallow there to tie up with out the boat getting bounced off the bottom.

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: Twin Cities MN boaters: Destinations? Activities?

Having always dug unique boats (never wanted a searay on tonka, for example,10k of those ) my silverline and crestliner crusader were unique in there class.

I also tend march to the sound of my own beat and tire too of the endless sea of Searays out there.

So is the century 5k. for a termed 23 footer it is different from a 4k with a unique mid-cabin "sleeper" under the cockpit area, a nice v-birth w/ galley and head (cant remember if they crammed an enclosed shower in there too:faint2 like my Larson & Silverline nantuckets you give up a ton of usable aft space but i have always liked the layout. I used to see a lot down by Mankato when i was looking.

Thanks for the intel. I do so like to be a informed individual.

in spite of knowing Tonka like the back of my hand, do not be intimidated by its topography. the lake regardless of minor lake level fluctuations, is so well marked w/ buoys, u would have to go out of your way to ding a skeg. (depth finder still essential)

Its sounding less and less intimidating over there, though generally I tend to find that the locals (land lubbers anyways) are not cut from the same grain as myself. But... who knows maybe I'll brave it anyways once.

your river talk is making me wish I had an appropriate towing vehicle for my new Nantucket purchase!!

You never know what the future may hold.*mad scientist evil laugh* River boating is a whole 'nother experience for me. A brave new frontier to be explored by the kind of men that possess just enough gumption. LOL