Another New Jet Boater From MN

[Jerlane]

I’ve been waiting to chime in here until the deal was actually done. I kept waiting for things to fall apart, but they didn’t and my new to me ‘14 AR190 was delivered yesterday.

This is my first boat and I couldn’t be more excited! I’ve always had the pleasure of having friends with boats, but have always wanted my own. After giving serious thought to it over the past few year, I’ve finally taken the plunge.

I’ve been lurking on here for a bit and that’s what helped convince me to get a jet. I love the layout of the Yamahas and their reliability helped seal the deal. I already have a list of mods I’m looking forward to. I love to tinker and this should keep me busy for a while!

 

[Plpbecks]

Congrats and welcome. Unfortunately you’ll have a few long months waiting for boating season!

 

[ZGhost]

Hey fellow Minnesotan, spring is in the air and summer is around the corner but as you know, don’t blink because summer usually disappears here quickly. Make the most out of it and go out every weekend if not midweek too. Enjoy and welcome to the forum!

 

[Fish]

Grew up in Minnesota but live in southern Cal. I feel your pain waiting for the ice to go out, but your post 6 months from now will be about the extreme head, humidity and mosquitos on the lake... but at least you will be in your boat!
Congrats on the purchase!

 

[Jerlane]

Grew up in Minnesota but live in southern Cal. I feel your pain waiting for the ice to go out, but your post 6 months from now will be about the extreme head, humidity and mosquitos on the lake... but at least you will be in your boat!
Congrats on the purchase!

Ha! Never a complaint here! I'm looking forward to exploring the local lakes. We live in Minneapolis and will be trailering the boat for now. I grew up boating on Lake Minnetonka, but am interested in other lakes and rivers as well. I'd love to here where other locals like to go.

 

[Fish]

Ha! Never a complaint here! I'm looking forward to exploring the local lakes. We live in Minneapolis and will be trailering the boat for now. I grew up boating on Lake Minnetonka, but am interested in other lakes and rivers as well. I'd love to here where other locals like to go.

I grew up in Bloomington and had friends on lake Minnetonka so I was to there a lot. Minnetonka is one of my favorites!

 

[ZGhost]

I grew up in Bloomington and had friends on lake Minnetonka so I was to there a lot. Minnetonka is one of my favorites!

I second that. See ya fellas on the water ....

 

[Sublime195]

Hello from down in Rochester. We have yet to get on Lake Minnetonka. Definitely want to. We have been on Lake Zumbro (600 acres) ,Lake Byllsbe (1600 acres) in Cannon Falls. We nave been on at least 70 miles of the Mississippi and we went from Prescott to Stillwater on the St. Croix. Having the 19 footer is nice for trailering everywhere. We took ours to Missouri last year. Mark Twain lake. That one is over 16,000 acres.

Dave

 

[Fish]

Hello from down in Rochester. We have yet to get on Lake Minnetonka. Definitely want to. We have been on Lake Zumbro (600 acres) ,Lake Byllsbe (1600 acres) in Cannon Falls. We nave been on at least 70 miles of the Mississippi and we went from Prescott to Stillwater on the St. Croix. Having the 19 footer is nice for trailering everywhere. We took ours to Missouri last year. Mark Twain lake. That one is over 16,000 acres.

Dave

Been on Byllsbe in Cannon Falls many times!

 

[RightStuff]

Congrats on the boat purchase! Always nice to see another MN boater on here, so welcome to the forum as well.

 

[biffdotorg]

Welcome from another Minnesotan! We considered ourselves lake gypsies for many years before buying a lake home. There are just too many cool lakes to explore to stay in one place.

As my avatar reminds us, it's the home of 10,000 landings and sandbars. It's cool to meet up with new folks floating. There are some good Yamaha dealers in MN, so there are a few a around to connect with. We spent a day on Ottertail this past summer, and I was amazed at how many I saw in one afternoon!

Enjoy the snow, until April when spring fever will kick into high gear!!

 

[Jerlane]

Great to hear from all you local boaters! Are there any local resources you guys can suggest to get more info about local destinations?

 

[RightStuff]

What are you looking for when you go out boating? Cruising, somewhere to anchor and hang out (crowds or not), restaurants/bars to check out, spots to do water sports, etc?

I'm sure a few of us from around the area can help with a lot and direct you to some spots to check out.

 

[Jerlane]

we’re open to exploring lots of different things. Party days are pretty much long gone. Looking to go cruising some. Looking for places to hang out and swim. Also places to tube, wakeboard, and ski. Probably not as interested in crowds.

I know very little about boating on the Mississippi and St. Croix, but I hear there is a lot to explore there.

Any tips on what public access points are good and maybe less crowded would be very much appreciated as well.

 

[pmustico]

I’ve been waiting to chime in here until the deal was actually done. I kept waiting for things to fall apart, but they didn’t and my new to me ‘14 AR190 was delivered yesterday.

This is my first boat and I couldn’t be more excited! I’ve always had the pleasure of having friends with boats, but have always wanted my own. After giving serious thought to it over the past few year, I’ve finally taken the plunge.

I’ve been lurking on here for a bit and that’s what helped convince me to get a jet. I love the layout of the Yamahas and their reliability helped seal the deal. I already have a list of mods I’m looking forward to. I love to tinker and this should keep me busy for a while!

Congrats! Enjoy it. Start looking for your next boat now because that's how it goes. lol

 

[PJ73]

 

[Daren and Heather]

Congrats! We're also from MN and this is our first boat too so I'll be interested to hear other good places to boat other than Minnetonka and Big Island. Prior Lake can be fun as its one of the only lakes other than Minnetonka where you can dock at a restaurant (Charlie's on Prior). I don't know of any other lakes with restaurant docks near the twin cities though.

 

[Rammrodd]

Welcome! We live in the southeast metro and boat on Prior and the Mississippi. Prescott has boat docks on the river downtown with access to bars and restaurants. You can also take a nice cruise down from Hastings/Prescott to Treasure island marina.

 

[Daren and Heather]

I didn't know that, I will have to check out Prescott this year!

 

[RightStuff]

Congrats! We're also from MN and this is our first boat too so I'll be interested to hear other good places to boat other than Minnetonka and Big Island. Prior Lake can be fun as its one of the only lakes other than Minnetonka where you can dock at a restaurant (Charlie's on Prior). I don't know of any other lakes with restaurant docks near the twin cities though.

The good thing about Mtka is how big it is, you can be a part of the crowd (Big Island) or not depending on what you are looking for on a given day. That being said It's easy to see how it's not for everyone, that's for sure! I love it most days, and some are downright frustrating (I'm looking at you Mr. Lake Mtka Regional Park boat launch!).

Waconia is one that has a couple options to boat to for restaurants/bars. Not as many options for that, but still a pretty decent lake...

Welcome! We live in the southeast metro and boat on Prior and the Mississippi. Prescott has boat docks on the river downtown with access to bars and restaurants. You can also take a nice cruise down from Hastings/Prescott to Treasure island marina.

Tell me more about this trip? Where do you launch from, how long does it take (Hastings to Prescott to Casino and back)? Any beach stops along the way worth checking out? How's the navigation in the stretch of the river?