St Johns river, Florida

[jblake206]

I'll do my best to keep it to the point.

We bought a boat (Columbia 27) and need to sail from Satsuma Fl to Jacksonville. We've not found a marina as of today but we are looking into joining the Rudder Club. I've taken sailing lessons and have been out a few times on my own sailing so I'm comfortable sailing it downriver. I have a few questions.

1) Should get a chart plotter or just a paper chart.
2) Has anyone sailed the St Johns River, about how long do you think this trip will take?
3) I would like to sail as much as posable but how do I calculate fuel?

Thanks from the FNG

[Chotu]

Paper charts are fine. It's a short trip and very protected waters. Just watch where you are relative to the markers and shoreline and run in the daytime only. There are channels but outside the channels in the St John's is notoriously shallow.

Fuel wise, just fill her up and go. You can't run out of fuel on that little first trip.

This will be a great introduction to the boat. Sail when practical.

2 day trip max. At a leisurely pace.

[skipmac]

What Chotu said. There is commercial barge traffic up the St Johns so there are well marked channels but a couple of places where mid river is very shallow. A paper chart will do fine if you know how to DR with paper.


Not familiar with the Rudder Club but kept my boat for a few weeks at Mandarin Holiday marina, other side of the river and a couple of miles south. Price was good, close to stores, marina manager very nice guy and very helpful. Also a ways off the main channel and generally very calm.

[model 10]

Holiday Marina is pretty cool. We broke down leaving Green Cove Springs Marina and there was no way I was going back. The manager at Holiday was very helpful and it's in a good location.

[jblake206]

There was no availability at Holiday Marina. Since we’re new to sailing I’m hoping the rudder club has a little more to offer in terms of classes and teaching Thanks for the help

[gonesail]

there is one spot in the St. Johns where I have run aground before. it is hard to find but nonetheless it is there. the sand bar is east of Green Cove Springs and marker 20 .. right in the middle of the river with around 2 or 3 feet. you can see it on the charts. there are a couple of other marinas near Mandarin Holiday .. Bull Bay and Pier 3 .. where I have docked in the past.

[sailorboy1]

[QUOTE=gonesail;2958967]there is one spot in the St. Johns where I have run aground before. it is hard to find but nonetheless it is there./QUOTE]

guess it wasn't

[Caribbeachbum]

We were very happy at Palm Cove Marina. It's a couple of miles south of the St. Johns River on the ICW. Easy walk to groceries, booze, bars, and restaurants, and quite reasonably priced.

[Salty Possum]

Check Ortega River Marina. Nice community of sailors.

[adlib2]

Originally Posted by jblake206

I'll do my best to keep it to the point.

We bought a boat (Columbia 27) and need to sail from Satsuma Fl to Jacksonville. We've not found a marina as of today but we are looking into joining the Rudder Club. I've taken sailing lessons and have been out a few times on my own sailing so I'm comfortable sailing it downriver. I have a few questions.

1) Should get a chart plotter or just a paper chart.
2) Has anyone sailed the St Johns River, about how long do you think this trip will take?
3) I would like to sail as much as posable but how do I calculate fuel?

Thanks from the FNG

REYNOLDS PARK YACHT centre is a good economical marina with good facilities and security. I've been here for years and there is space available.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, jblake.