mrtopknight
New Member
Any Florida members out there? I am always up for suggestions on new destinations or to organize a get together trip.
Florida Members?
- Thread starter mrtopknight
- Start date
Kaug23
New Member
Kaug23 checking in from Altamonte springs. My wife and I are out on the boat regularly. Usually over on the west coast, Tarpon/New Port Richie area, but also on the St. Johns. We did an overnighter to Hontoon park saturday, and will probably go again next weekend.
Kurt
Kurt
Firefly
New Member
Florida Keys here. My wife and I live in Key West, but consider Marathon to be our base camp. We go boating most weekends. When it's to bad to go out, we just stay in the slip.
captainbismark
New Member
- Jan 11, 2007
- 9
New Smyrna Beach
Mike,
Hontoon park and the St. Johns is o.k. if you like trailer parks and noseems (bugs) and going slow all the time. Take your boat to New Smyrna Beach, the public ramp is just before the north causeway. The destination everyone goes to on nice days is Dissappearing Island (we call it dirtbag island, not disrespectively so you just have to see it on a hot summer day) The are several other tidal islands including Squishy island just north of the north causway. On a nice day you can go out the inlet (Ponce that is) and there is great fishing both inshore and around the breakwater at the inlet. There is a fun restaruant just north of the inlet called Down The Hatch which has dockage and usually live music. There is another popular restaurant callet Inlet Harbor just north of Down the Hatch, we don't like the food and the atmosphere is a little too commercial. You can get to Daytona in an hour or so and go to fancy Charthouse, or more crazy Caribean Jacks with pool and hot tub. There are many other places on the way. If you stay in New Smyrna at the Riverview you can get a slip for the night. New Smyrna night life can be a bit crazy, especially if you hit the local spots like Merks or the Surf Lounge. On the shore side there are interesting Restaurants like Maloneys and Romesco's. Romesco's will freak you out it is so cool (but expensive). Anyway we have our all three of our boats in Smyrna and loved it some much we bought a house that we will retire to in a beautiful older (1940's) neighborhood on the west side (land) of the ICW. We live in Maitland and cannot wait for the next 8 years to retirement. Anyway, try the Maitland chain of lakes and the Butler chain if you want to stay in fresh water. If you put your boat in at Smyrna remember to flush your engines asap. It is not hard, just important.
good luck and have fun.
Captain Bismark
Mike,
Hontoon park and the St. Johns is o.k. if you like trailer parks and noseems (bugs) and going slow all the time. Take your boat to New Smyrna Beach, the public ramp is just before the north causeway. The destination everyone goes to on nice days is Dissappearing Island (we call it dirtbag island, not disrespectively so you just have to see it on a hot summer day) The are several other tidal islands including Squishy island just north of the north causway. On a nice day you can go out the inlet (Ponce that is) and there is great fishing both inshore and around the breakwater at the inlet. There is a fun restaruant just north of the inlet called Down The Hatch which has dockage and usually live music. There is another popular restaurant callet Inlet Harbor just north of Down the Hatch, we don't like the food and the atmosphere is a little too commercial. You can get to Daytona in an hour or so and go to fancy Charthouse, or more crazy Caribean Jacks with pool and hot tub. There are many other places on the way. If you stay in New Smyrna at the Riverview you can get a slip for the night. New Smyrna night life can be a bit crazy, especially if you hit the local spots like Merks or the Surf Lounge. On the shore side there are interesting Restaurants like Maloneys and Romesco's. Romesco's will freak you out it is so cool (but expensive). Anyway we have our all three of our boats in Smyrna and loved it some much we bought a house that we will retire to in a beautiful older (1940's) neighborhood on the west side (land) of the ICW. We live in Maitland and cannot wait for the next 8 years to retirement. Anyway, try the Maitland chain of lakes and the Butler chain if you want to stay in fresh water. If you put your boat in at Smyrna remember to flush your engines asap. It is not hard, just important.
good luck and have fun.
Captain Bismark
mrtopknight
New Member
We do the butler chain often as a friend of mine has a home on Lake Down. I like the ICW but only go on a Sat. so I can have Sun. to wash off all the salt. Where is Riverview? We have been looking for a real upscale hotel on the ICW with overnught slips. Do you know of any?
captainbismark
New Member
- Jan 11, 2007
- 9
up scale hotels on the ICW
Hi Mike,
The Riverview is a hotel and spa, very intimate with a separate restaurant. The hotel has the docks. The hotel is located on the Southeast side of the George Munson Bridge which is the new name for the old Coronado Bridge (people still call it that) known locally in New Smyrna as the "North Causeway." See it at www.riverviewhotel.com
Other great locations to go with hotels is St. Augustine. They have fantastic B&B's and hotels. Put your boat at the St. Augustine City Marina (Great people, they will even give you a dock mat) and the new Hilton is right accross the street. Night life in St. Augustine is fun and great restaurants. The bar right right across the street from the marina “A1A“ is the hub.
We trailer our 21 foot HydroSports everywhere and have stayed in some pretty nice and some pretty rustic locations. In Jupiter where the water is crystal clear on incoming tides we have stayed at the Jupiter Inn (actually in Tequesta) a nice family run resort with mini suites and nice pool and hot tub. They have a dock to fish from and they allow you to tie up but it is a climb. Nice thing is they let you park your trailer on site. see www.jupiterwaterfrontinn.com
In Fort Lauderdale there is Pier 66 and the Lago Mar - both exteremly high end hotels. Pier 66 has dockage, I am not sure about the Lago Mar but their are nearby marinas. Lago Mar is very family friendly.
www.lagomar.com Pier 66 used to be owned by Philips Petroleum and used by their top execs. now it is run by Hyatt Regency and Donald Trump and his yacht are frequent visitors. My wife and her sister were invited onboard for a visit but they wisely declined - Donald is no gentleman. We have had our sea ray and our hydro there, they look like support tenders. see www.pier66.com
On the west coast is South Seas Island Resort on Captiva - very snobby. but family oriented. It is a complete village of shops restaurants and villas. We visited on the sea ray and had a great time ($75 for docking in lieu of $200 on up for rooms) when we stayed in the villas with the hydrosports it rained the whole time so we did not enjoy it as much. Lots of great places to explore by boat including a little restaurant on Cabbage Key where Jimmy Buffet wrote Cheeseburger in Paradise. I don't remember the name of the restaurant but it is the only thing on Cabbage Key. see www.southseas.com
A little closer to home is the Palm Coast Marina. They have a resort with restaurants, pool, spa, etc. And if you like golf there are several opportunities there. see www.oceanhammock.com We have overnighted there in our sea ray many times. It is also a great hurricane hole.
Anyway, if I think of more I'll follow up.
be good,
Captain Bismark
Hi Mike,
The Riverview is a hotel and spa, very intimate with a separate restaurant. The hotel has the docks. The hotel is located on the Southeast side of the George Munson Bridge which is the new name for the old Coronado Bridge (people still call it that) known locally in New Smyrna as the "North Causeway." See it at www.riverviewhotel.com
Other great locations to go with hotels is St. Augustine. They have fantastic B&B's and hotels. Put your boat at the St. Augustine City Marina (Great people, they will even give you a dock mat) and the new Hilton is right accross the street. Night life in St. Augustine is fun and great restaurants. The bar right right across the street from the marina “A1A“ is the hub.
We trailer our 21 foot HydroSports everywhere and have stayed in some pretty nice and some pretty rustic locations. In Jupiter where the water is crystal clear on incoming tides we have stayed at the Jupiter Inn (actually in Tequesta) a nice family run resort with mini suites and nice pool and hot tub. They have a dock to fish from and they allow you to tie up but it is a climb. Nice thing is they let you park your trailer on site. see www.jupiterwaterfrontinn.com
In Fort Lauderdale there is Pier 66 and the Lago Mar - both exteremly high end hotels. Pier 66 has dockage, I am not sure about the Lago Mar but their are nearby marinas. Lago Mar is very family friendly.
www.lagomar.com Pier 66 used to be owned by Philips Petroleum and used by their top execs. now it is run by Hyatt Regency and Donald Trump and his yacht are frequent visitors. My wife and her sister were invited onboard for a visit but they wisely declined - Donald is no gentleman. We have had our sea ray and our hydro there, they look like support tenders. see www.pier66.com
On the west coast is South Seas Island Resort on Captiva - very snobby. but family oriented. It is a complete village of shops restaurants and villas. We visited on the sea ray and had a great time ($75 for docking in lieu of $200 on up for rooms) when we stayed in the villas with the hydrosports it rained the whole time so we did not enjoy it as much. Lots of great places to explore by boat including a little restaurant on Cabbage Key where Jimmy Buffet wrote Cheeseburger in Paradise. I don't remember the name of the restaurant but it is the only thing on Cabbage Key. see www.southseas.com
A little closer to home is the Palm Coast Marina. They have a resort with restaurants, pool, spa, etc. And if you like golf there are several opportunities there. see www.oceanhammock.com We have overnighted there in our sea ray many times. It is also a great hurricane hole.
Anyway, if I think of more I'll follow up.
be good,
Captain Bismark
mrtopknight
New Member
Thanks!! :thumbsup:
We're also planning a trip to Crystal River this summer. Have you ever been there?
We're also planning a trip to Crystal River this summer. Have you ever been there?
Amberjack01
Member
The "Cheeseburger in Paradise" place is on Cabbage Key. On the ICW (essentially Pine Island Sound) just north of North Captiva and West of Useppa Island. The food is so-so, the atmosphere: :thumbsup: Google "Cabbage Key" for more info. A fun "must see".
captainbismark
New Member
- Jan 11, 2007
- 9
Never Been
Hi,
I have never been to Crystal River. Where is that? Let me know how it is.
Hi,
I have never been to Crystal River. Where is that? Let me know how it is.
240 Sundeck
New Member
You guys are killing me. First time on the board in a while and everyone is talking about vacations. We just produced our first mini-me and will be missing our vacations for a while.
Don't get me wrong he is worth it. :thumbsup:
Don't get me wrong he is worth it. :thumbsup:
mrtopknight
New Member
Our baby is due in March and we are ready for weekend getaways. :smt017 Lets see.... March to June = 12 weeks.... 12 weeks = old enough for the grandparents to watch for the weekend. :thumbsup:
Since you live in Orlando maybe we can hook up some time.
Since you live in Orlando maybe we can hook up some time.
240 Sundeck
New Member
We should get a few boats together and raft up somewhere. It seems we have more than just boating in common. I'll chat with the wife about letting the grandparents do their grandparenting duties. :thumbsup:
devilrays
New Member
I'm in Odessa which is between Tampa and Oldsmar. I'm still on the hunt for a 260DA or another brand, but I won't mention that here.
Aquia185
New Member
Another Brand? :smt018
Just kidding Devilray... I am curious what other brand/model you are looking at, if you don't mind.
Just kidding Devilray... I am curious what other brand/model you are looking at, if you don't mind.
devilrays
New Member
Four Winns 268. I really like both brands and it will all depend on which one I can get with the options I want on it. I've owned a Searay before and really like them, but I need to keep my options open.
Aquia185
New Member
Thanks... and nothing wrong with keeping options open.
craig240DA
New Member
- Apr 27, 2007
- 94
New Port Richey/Tampa area
We are brand new to boating, had the boat out to Caladesi Island on our first overnight trip, just awesome. Met great people, beach was amazing. Hope to do some diving nearby.
We are brand new to boating, had the boat out to Caladesi Island on our first overnight trip, just awesome. Met great people, beach was amazing. Hope to do some diving nearby.
Caladesi is a great place to go. It gets real shallow up in the back corner, and buggy too. Stay more towards the ferry area.
Once the "daytrip" folks leave on the ferry, that is one the most peaceful places to spend a night that I've ever been.
Just a great time, and everytime out there, I meet new, great people.
ps - sign up for Customer Appreciation Weekend through MM - it is May 18-20. You will have a blast then - 100+ Sea Rays in the marina.
Once the "daytrip" folks leave on the ferry, that is one the most peaceful places to spend a night that I've ever been.
Just a great time, and everytime out there, I meet new, great people.
ps - sign up for Customer Appreciation Weekend through MM - it is May 18-20. You will have a blast then - 100+ Sea Rays in the marina.
Morpheus
New Member
- May 7, 2007
- 2,450
- Boat Info
- 2006 SeaRay Sundeck 240
- Engines
- 5.0MPI Mercruiser w/ Bravo III
devilrays said:
Greeting's there fellow Floridian's and a speciall hello to devilrays whom appers to be a close neighbor.
I too live in Odessa, we purchased our first boat back at the end of October from MarineMaxx, 2006 SeaRay 240 Sundeck.
A few questions I have being a newbie. Where does everyone put in at? I like staying in the bay and have been using the Safety Harbor ramp which has been ok as long as the tide is not to low. First trip out tried the park down the street that was funny won't do that again (tried it never got anywhere).
I like staying in the bay and have gone as far as just past the skyway because of visible land marks. I was able to get a deal of the lifetime on ebay, a Garmin 3205 GPS new for $400 just havn't wanted to stomach paying to get it installed and not sure if I want to attempt it myself, once I have that going though I'll venture out farther and into the gulf.
So tell me what everyon's favorite ramp is, and if anyone has any experience wiring up a GPS.
Thanks,
Chris
Morpheus 2006 Sea Ray Sundeck 240
