Any insights on St. Augustine FL?

[2kwik4u]

We booked a house with 2 other families back in October. Going to be staying in St. Augustine in the Anastasia area for a week at the end of June. The house comes with a dock on the Matanzas river. We're about 2mi south of the St. Augustine inlet as best I can tell.

We have plans right now to take the boat with us, and leave it docked at the house. Current thoughts are to launch at either LIghthouse Park Boat Ramp, or at Vilano Beach Boat Ramp. Going to keep the trailer at the house, so no issues there. Figured the boat could just live in the water for a week, and we wouldn't have to launch/retrieve it every day.

For recreation, we're thinking we can "ferry" people over to Vilano beach for hanging out there during the day. It's right on the inlet, but I'm not sure if that is or isn't an issue. Looks like they let people drive out on the beach, so I can't imagine beaching a boat (or backing in to knee deep water) would be an issue. Not sure where we can go to do any watersports stuff like tubing/skiing. The other guys might want to fish some, but I'm leaving that up to them to figure out. No idea if there are "boat up" restaurants anywhere, or what the rest of the boating scene looks like. Some quick googling finds a few place on the Matanzas that appear to have docks for boat up style eating.

I'm pretty committed to taking the boat with us, but need some help from locals, or anyone that goes there often on how good/bad the boating is in the area. it's right at 1,050miles from Buffalo to St. Augustine so it's no short task to haul the boat down there. Only about $200 in additional fuel cost, but there is some additional risk (as proven by this weeks tow from Louisville to Buffalo), and I want to make sure the tow is worth the effort.

 

[VitaminSea]

I haven't taken my boat up to St. Augustine, but typically boat just a little further south at Ponce Inlet.

Your suggestion of Vilano beach, and trying to approach it from the inlet, or the Atlantic is not something I would try. When boating in the ICW, we typically find a sand bar to hang out at. Per Google Maps, it looks like Salt Run Beach (just south of the inlet), might be a better option. During anything outside of slack tide, the Inlets will have significant currents and depending upon the direction of the wind potentially building waves.

I will look, as I recall a user posting up their VRBO on here that was located close to where you are headed. I would image they would have some suggestions as to where to dine/cruise to. IMO, cruising the ICW and just taking in the landscape is a good time.

 

[VitaminSea]

@dels is the user, but it doesn't appear they have been active in quite some time here....

https://jetboaters.net/threads/our-airbnb-in-st-augustine-fl.40973/

 

[Btsnhos]

Make sure you hit caps on the water for lunch/dinner. Be careful just south of the Vilano cswy it gets real shallow at low tide, there is a sandbar right in the middle. Avoid beaches at Vilano restaurant the service is trash. I would highly recommend hitting up salt springs or silver springs, it about an hour tow from st Augustine to palatka. I live in Jax so PM me and I can give you my # for more things to do. Bottom line-bring the boat

 

[TeenGee]

YOU MUST visit The Columbia Resturant.
Tapas!
1905 salad with turkey!
Mojitos!
Sangria de Cava!
Warm white chocolate bread pudding!

Columbia Restaurant · 98 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084

★★★★☆ · Spanish restaurant

www.google.com

 

[2kwik4u]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the info!

Keep the good suggestions coming!

 

[2kwik4u]

OK crew, help me out here. We're leaving in 7 days for the tow from Buffalo to St. Augustine. Need some help picking a route.

This one through West Virginia is what Google tells me is the fastest (~16hrs). There is a section of "not interstate" between 79S and 77S just south of PA. Not sure how I feel about that. I also know that the route through there is both hilly and curvy. Drove that section over Memorial Day weekend. Not terrible, but enough to keep me awake while towing. Plan on this one is to stop just north of Charlotte for the night. That would put us ~9hrs on Fri and ~7hrs on Sat for drive time.



If I reroute just a bit to the east I can stay on the interstate the whole way through. This is ~17.5hrs of driving, but might keep me out of the mountains a bit. Does put me going through/near DC though, and I know traffic can be a mess there. Not sure if 90min more driving is worth skipping the mountains though. They weren't that bad from what I remember. Guessing I would stop somewhere around the NC/VA border for the night on this route. Would have to see what hotels I could find.



Going to be myself, wife, and 2 young boys in the car for two days to make it happen. Surprisingly, even counting food, fuel, snacks, and hotel, it's still ~$750 less expensive than flying and renting a car while down there; AND we'll have the boat with us!

Anyone have any good information on either route? I'm open to all forms of advice here!

 

[NoFla21]

Local here. You have a ton of options. There are several areas to anchor up and hang out in the water. Porpoise point is a good spot on the intercoastal side. For a nice cruise, take the intercoastal north into Ponte Vedra/South Jax.

Make sure to visit Caps (pricey but great food), Conch House, Kingfish Grill in Comanchee Cove. You can absolutely do some water sports/tubing, just be weary there are some oyster beds if you get close to the shore.

Also recommend trailering the boat over to the St John’s River (about 20-25 min drive from Anastasia to the closest boat ramp) and cruise south to Palatka and stop at Corky Bells. can also cruise north into Downtown Jax, which is a long ride but beautiful views when you get into downtown JAX.

Let me know anything in particular you’re looking for and I’ll send you in the right direction!

 

[Coult45]

The most important part of the planning is reminding yourself the whole way..."it's worth the drive".

But - you already know this - driving through PA sucks (apologies to our PA members) almost regardless of the route. They could throw in a rest stop or a gas station once in a while and it wouldn't kill them. DC is 100% dependent on day of the week, and to a degree, time of day. So, late afternoon on a weekday is going to be slow for a while. We always try to go through DC on a weekend, but it's not always possible. Weekends are pretty quiet through that stretch. Use the "depart at" option in the routing, and it will take into account the average traffic pattern along the way. it's usually pretty accurate.

And Richmond...there will be construction and traffic. Unless things have changed, there's always construction and traffic.

 

[TeenGee]

I-95 in South Carolina is a NIGHTMARE most of the way it is 2 lanes. Be prepared for screeching tires as people brake hard. Avoid as much of I-95 in SC as you can. in the past, got off of I-26 in Orangeburg and took 601 to 321 and joined I-95 in Hardeeville which is only 5 miles from GA. Just don't speed. It was much more relaxing than the stop & go on 95. As soon as you enter GA 95 is at least 3 lanes for the rest of the way.

 

[YSOSerious]

Go the first route. 77 isn’t bad at all and it will put you on 26 out of Columbia to 95S and you’ll dodge half of the SC 95 the person above referenced.

find some sand bars, I have friends local and am moving to St. John’s area in July and planning to buy a boat. I will get some of the locations they take there’s.

I’ve been to the beach I think you’re referencing. Leave the boat docked and drive on the beach if that’s where you want to go that day for a few hours. Stay on the inners, lakes, and rivers with the boat is my .02.

enjoy!

 

[BlkGS]

I did the NC-FL part of that trip semi professionally for a long time. A few thoughts...

Avoid I-77 through Charlotte. Where 77 hits 40 south until it hits the south side of 485 is terrible. Since you're stopping for the night about there, you should go visit my old stomping grounds in Hickory, stay the night there, then take 321 to 85 to 485 and 77.

95 in SC is either a boring empty stretch of road, or a parking lot. In my experience, the worst part for traffic is just before you hit GA and it goes to 3 lanes. The best part is once you hit GA and it goes to 3 lanes it's a speed trap, specifically looking for out of staters. So that's fun.

95 through Jacksonville will be your final boss. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT GET THERE NEAR RUSH HOUR. It's wild through there. It's bad enough in a car, it's downright miserable with a trailer. If you're gonna get there near rush hour, take the L time wise and take 295.

 

[2kwik4u]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the feedback. Whole plan is in jeopardy at the moment. Upon loading the boat yesterday I found a broken bunk board. It's not broken all the way through, but is obviously cracked and no longer as "structural" as it used to be.

SO.....Plan A is to still take the boat. We have a dock to tie to to, and it will spend the majority of the week OFF the trailer. This presents a golden opportunity to have both time and availability to replace that bunk. One of the other families is showing up in a 2500 pickup. Talked to him last night and he's more than happy to help with a home depot run for some new bunk boards while we're there. Some tools packed along with us, and some quick ordering on carpet (or even sourcing locally), and I could have a hand while fixing on a non-rushed schedule. This assumes the boat will make 1k miles with the bunks looking like this (pics below)

Plan B is to abandon the boat tow, and just drive down like normal. This will save a few bucks in fuel, a lot less hassle, and no real time table to get the trailer repaired. Makes the vacation less work oriented, and likely less stress overall. However, I won't have the boat. We enjoy boating and exploring new places, and that's kind of part of the fun of vacation for us. Plus we had a two "no kids, boat to a restaurant/Date Night" type evenings somewhat planned already. We can still do that, but we'll drive instead, and it loses some "neat factor".

@Babin Farms @BlkGS Know anyone else that has travelled long distances with a boat that might have some thoughts here?

Pictures of the offending bunk

 

[TeenGee]

My brother replaced his bunks with plastic lumber. He did not cover them with carpet. The plastic lumber has less friction so loading and unloading is easier. IDK if the Gellcoat likes the plastic lumber.

 

[2kwik4u]

My brother replaced his bunks with plastic lumber. He did not cover them with carpet. The plastic lumber has less friction so loading and unloading is easier. IDK if the Gellcoat likes the plastic lumber.

I was considering trex or similar as the substrate just to keep decay/rot from being an issue.

With that said, this is our 8th season with this trailer, so it's not like I didn't get my use out of these.

 

[Babin Farms]

I plan our vacations around boating so I would do what I could to take the boat. I used a floor jack and 2x4 to lift the boat off the broken bunk, take the carpet off the existing board and use it on the new board. Didn’t take long and was just the cost of the lumber.

 

[2kwik4u]

I plan our vacations around boating so I would do what I could to take the boat. I used a floor jack and 2x4 to lift the boat off the broken bunk, take the carpet off the existing board and use it on the new board. Didn’t take long and was just the cost of the lumber.

Leading thought in the friend group chat is to take a 2x4 and put it on edge. Scab that to the broken bunk for the trip down. Then replace both bunks and carpet while down there.

I like the premise of lifting and replacing before the trip though. We'll have to see what the week brings and how the wife feels about it.

 

[Btsnhos]

I-95 in SC is horrible, i would fix that bunk before you drive it. Additionally, check out matanzas inlet south of st augustine.

 

[Babin Farms]

@2kwik4u here's a thought….
Just patch it together, bring it down to my place, I’ll help you make the needed repairs and then we can hit the ICW, Robinson island area, Pelican island, Crab island & the Gulf?

 

[2kwik4u]

@2kwik4u here's a thought….
Just patch it together, bring it down to my place, I’ll help you make the needed repairs and then we can hit the ICW, Robinson island area, Pelican island, Crab island & the Gulf?

Dude, that sounds amazing.

If we weren't neck deep in this trip with 2 other families I would absolutely pitch that idea and.could likely get it done. We've been planning this St Augustine trip since October last year, kinda hard.to back out at this point.

Did get the wheels off to take and get balanced tomorrow at lunch. Also measured the bunk to see what I can find as a replacement. Any recommendations on a quick place to find new carpet locally?!