How long does it take to travel St Johns River through Ocala

rpengr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:56 am

Dana and I and Ginger (dog) are starting to plan a boating trip starting in Sanford Florida. We are wondering if it is reasonable to go as far as Palatka in one day. I usually cruise at 27-30mph, or 5-6mph in no-wake zones.

Launch at Sanford (Lake Monroe)
Travel down the St Johns River (north) to Palatka, to stay at a waterfront hotel.
Return trip the next day.

Here is the path:
Sanford (Lake Monroe) mile 0
Hontoon Island State Park mile 20
Continue through Ocala National Forest
Towns of Astor / Volusia mile 40
Pass through 10 mile long Lake George... marina at mile 57
Town of Welaka (which is alternate overnight spot) Mile 67
Town of Palatka mile 89

Has anyone travelled this trip. Does anyone know how much slow/no-wake zones there are?

ric · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:18 pm

http://www.monroeharbour.com/mile_chart_print.htm

I always drop in at Astor to boat Lake George for Memorial Day Weekend at Silver Glen Springs. I was thinking about dropping in at Lake Monroe (only 20min drive away) and going all the way up to Silver Glen next month. I did the math one day and it was like 6 hours from Sanford to Jacksonville, so there shouldn't be a problem with you going to Palatka in a day.

The farthest I've been from Lake Monroe is Blue Springs. Didn't take that long, it was beautiful that's why I'm figuring just boat all the way from Monroe to Silver Glen for Memorial Day. Plenty of places to stop for food/gas/beer. Just be careful though because the St John's is heavily patrolled by Local Sheriffs, FWC, and Coast Guard. There's also Sea Tow on the river just in case.

rpengr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:38 pm

ric wrote:

http://www.monroeharbour.com/mile_chart_print.htm

I always drop in at Astor to boat Lake George for Memorial Day Weekend at Silver Glen Springs. I was thinking about dropping in at Lake Monroe (only 20min drive away) and going all the way up to Silver Glen next month. I did the math one day and it was like 6 hours from Sanford to Jacksonville, so there shouldn't be a problem with you going to Palatka in a day.

The farthest I've been from Lake Monroe is Blue Springs. Didn't take that long, it was beautiful that's why I'm figuring just boat all the way from Monroe to Silver Glen for Memorial Day. Plenty of places to stop for food/gas/beer.

Thanks Ric,
How long do you think it takes from Monroe to Silver Glen? Everything north of that looks like easy cruising.

ric wrote:

Just be careful though because the St John's is heavily patrolled by Local Sheriffs, FWC, and Coast Guard. There's also Sea Tow on the river just in case.

I have just enough grey hair to not get hassled by the man.

Glad to hear that Sea Tow is on the river.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:50 pm

Maybe 3.5 hours give or take 30. My neighbor tells me to always put in at Deland ramp @ Highway 44 and the St Johns. It's 2.5 hours from there. No "no wake" zones north of 44 unless it's a bridge or marina.

halb35 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:59 pm

My family and I launch at hwy 44 on St Johns north of Hontoon Island by about 1 mile or so, and we go to Silver Glen springs, which is across lake George, and it only takes us 1hr to 1 1/4. Nice trip

you'll love it.
Hal

ric · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:03 pm

See Ya'll at the Glen Memorial Day weekend! I think I'm going to camp out in the springs Sat/Sun night with the rest of the crazies.

rpengr · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2014 7:57 am

Thank's for your answers Ric and Hal.

Sounds like approx times are:
Sanford to Hwy 41 is about 2-1/4 hours
Hwy 41 to Silver Glen 1-1/4 hours
Silver Glen to Welaka 1 hour
Welaka to Palatka 1 hour

I think we will launch at Sanford and cruise to Welaka, an spend a couple nights in a cabin at Welaka Lodge and Resort. The alternative is stay at Quality Inn Waterfront in Palatka.

Questions:
Do you know the name of the launch site in Sanford, and do they allow multi night parking of truck and trailer? Is it safe to leave there?

What are the "must see" spots in this area?

Ray

joet · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:38 am

Here are 3 marinas, one at each end of Lake Monroe and 1 by downtown Sanford. I rented a pontoon boat from Monroe Harbour in 2000 when I lived there but that is my only experience with any of them.

http://www.monroeharbour.com/

http://www.boattreemarina.com/

http://www.sanfordboatworks.com/aboutus.php

ric · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:53 pm

The one that allows overnight is this one. Very nice ramp for big boats.

http://www.volusia.org/services/communi ... -park.stml

rpengr · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2014 2:07 pm

ric wrote:

The one that allows overnight is this one. Very nice ramp for big boats.

http://www.volusia.org/services/communi ... -park.stml

Great -- Thanks.

DaleG · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2014 8:59 am

Wow Ray

You guys really do get around
I applaud your efforts ---

Dale

ric · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:54 am

I'm on the hunt for new rims/tires for my trailer, running out of time. The park I posted is $2 a day for overnight parking. Two week maximum. I'm putting in at Sanford on May 24th and motoring to Silver Glen Springs. Coming back Monday the 26th. Camping out in the Springs! I do have some buddies staying overnight at a campground in Astor right next to the marina if land services are needed.

rpengr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2014 12:23 pm

DaleG wrote:

Wow Ray

You guys really do get around
I applaud your efforts ---

Dale

Thanks Dale. We need to meet up in the Intracoastal one of these days.
Ray

rpengr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2014 12:44 pm

ric wrote:

I'm on the hunt for new rims/tires for my trailer, running out of time. The park I posted is $2 a day for overnight parking. Two week maximum. I'm putting in at Sanford on May 24th and motoring to Silver Glen Springs. Coming back Monday the 26th. Camping out in the Springs! I do have some buddies staying overnight at a campground in Astor right next to the marina if land services are needed.

Sound like fun. I will be using the Lake Monroe Park to launch in September, and stay at the Welaka Lodge & Resort. We will check out Silver Glen also.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2014 1:03 pm

rpengr wrote:

ric wrote:

I'm on the hunt for new rims/tires for my trailer, running out of time. The park I posted is $2 a day for overnight parking. Two week maximum. I'm putting in at Sanford on May 24th and motoring to Silver Glen Springs. Coming back Monday the 26th. Camping out in the Springs! I do have some buddies staying overnight at a campground in Astor right next to the marina if land services are needed.

Sound like fun. I will be using the Lake Monroe Park to launch in September, and stay at the Welaka Lodge & Resort. We will check out Silver Glen also.

This will be my first extended stay on the cuddy. Should be exciting!

www.iFourWinns.com

How long does it take to travel St Johns River through Ocala

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