Finally spent a weekend on the water

[floriduramax1]

We departed New Smyrna boat ramp Friday evening and headed north. Spent the night in Rock House Creek. Saturday...made our way north, sightseeing of course, all the way to Saint Augustine. Came back and spent the night in Matanzas Pass. Got up early and made breakfast on the grill griddle..always better on the boat..lol. Headed back south for a lunch stopover at Caribbean Jacks. The only trouble was at the boat ramp! Wind was 15-25, tide was out and I think everyone with a boat was there trying to get out at the same time! You can't believe how much gelcoat damage was done last night. Any way, we had a great time all except the clean up when I got home! I might have to move my business to Fort Lauderdale so I can use the big boat on the weekends. This trailering is a lot of work...lol.....


Had to get enough gas to get to marina with non-ethanol gas

Rock House Creek

Eggs and Applwood bacon

Halifax River heading to Saint Augustine

Manatee zone

My favorite restaurant

Waking up in Matanzas...

Here's a cool set up!!!!

 

[susanandlance]

You suck Donnie!!! LOL. Looks like u had a great trip, I always stay at The Counch House or St Aug Municipal

 

[floriduramax1]

You suck Donnie!!! LOL. Looks like u had a great trip, I always stay at The Counch House or St Aug Municipal

I wanted to stay there but she wanted to be away from people for a weekend! Needless to say, we didn't step on land much and it was too cool to get in the water.

 

[Bucit]

I wanted to stay there but she wanted to be away from people for a weekend! Needless to say, we didn't step on land much and it was too cool to get in the water.

Water temp is above 77 here in the Bay. I was out all day Saturday and spent it floating around in the water.

 

[floriduramax1]

Water temp was 72-76 but wind had a chill to it!


Can you guys stay on plane at 25mph? I can stay on consistent at 27 but not 25??

 

[susanandlance]

25 is borderline for me Donnie, usually cruise 26-30 , my props are tweaked though

 

[floriduramax1]

25 is borderline for me Donnie, usually cruise 26-30 , my props are tweaked though

My most comfortable cruise was outdrives trimmed to 2, 29mph 3475-3510rpm 7.8gph per side. Light chop and strong east wind while heading south and a little tab to keep level. Oh, and I had my camper sides and front isinglass on with the center snapped to arch. It was "buggy" Friday night so I just left it all up, except the aft curtain. Top speed with all that up was 40 and I could see the gas gauge needle move. But the speed limit is 25mph and the patrols were out in force! I tried everything and I just couldn't hold 25.

 

[susanandlance]

I probably couldn't hold 25 either...

 

[Bucit]

Witht the tabs fully down and the motors tucked I think that's about the breaking point to hold her on plane especially with the boat loaded.

 

[floriduramax1]

I wish I would have taken pics of the new "Manatee Zone" speed signs. They are really confusing people this year! As I was heading north somewhere around Flagler I ran up to a sign with a lot of writing on it. I cruised over to take a closer look and it read "Manatee Zone 25mph May 1st-Sept 7th" in very large letters and at the very bottom of the sign in very small letters ""slow speed minimum wake". So I read it that it is slow right now since it is not May 1st. I'm being passed by everything including Kayaks! Then I get up a ways further and the wording changed to "Manatee Zone slow speed minimum wake May 1st-Sept 7 and 25 mph in channel. Now I get on plane and everyone else is idling and giving me the one finger salute:huh: I pulled in for fuel at Palm Coast and asked the dock master and he just laughed and said how I read it was right and it is becoming a real problem with the locals. It is a very strange way to mark when you take into account all the different types of boaters in the ICW around there.

 

[Bucit]

Donnie, the markers are like that when we head south to Sarasota. Really confusing for sure. They state 25mph in the ICW marked channel and minimum wake outside the channel. Problem is that the writing is so small that if you're not right next to it you don't have a clue as what to do.

 

[susanandlance]

That's by design guys, they want our money, it's the same going north to Savannah Ga. too.

 

[Voldad]

Well this just sucks that you guys get to enjoy your boats - by this time last year we were able to get our boats out - but this global warming has us about 20 degrees below normal for the past 2 months. BTW - very nice place for the chart plotter . . best I've seen on a 280. I'll head to the boat tonight to see how I can do this. Glad you guys are having a great time . .

 

[floriduramax1]

BTW - very nice place for the chart plotter . . best I've seen on a 280. I'll head to the boat tonight to see how I can do this. Glad you guys are having a great time . .

Thanks! It would be even better if the steering wheel wasn't there! Sometimes its a PITA! I'm constantly tilting the wheel up and down. I was thinking about fabricating a pod or glassing it in a little higher, but they change designs and sizes too regular. So I will leave it.

 

[Hai Nhi]

I hate you guys!

Still waiting for a survey, which won't come soon enough (tomorrow morning).

Is a full tank of gas enough for a 3 days cruising round?

Thanks.

Nhi

 

[floriduramax1]

I hate you guys!

Still waiting for a survey, which won't come soon enough (tomorrow morning).

Is a full tank of gas enough for a 3 days cruising round?

Thanks.

Nhi

I burned just over a tank and a half this weekend, but I traveled a good distance and ran hard when I could. Ran the gen two nights and part of two mornings. Not too bad but 4.99/gal sucked!

 

[Hai Nhi]

That's almost a grand right there, just for boat gas!

I would probably be just cruise around and anchor for the kids & wife to paddle around, messing with water and what not. Not sure yet. Haven't been out on my 1st yet.