$.02 needed <long tow to FL advice>

[Tim Archer]

I live in Central Pennsylvania, and I purchased a 2016 FSH stock a couple of months ago. Late next week we are leaving for Daytona Beach. I am thinking about hitching it to my truck and taking it along for the ride. I have some concerns but I am not sure they are justified. I am considering using the Volusia County marina.

We are interested in fishing and spending time on the Halifax River. Would you consider taking your boat along?

 

[McMark]

Hi Tim,

Launch under the Dunlawton Bridge. The ramps are nice and plenty of parking. WaWa on Dunlawton has non ethanol fuel.

Dj's deck and Our Deck Down Under have docks to grab some lunch.

I'm just south of a Pittsburgh. We take our boat there every year.

Be mindful of the no wake areas.

Plenty of Mangrove Snappers to catch. The dolphins in the river will ride your bow wake. You might even see a manatee or two.

You won't run out of things to check out.

 

[Seadeals]

It sounds like a good idea to me! Just make sure to ready the boat and trailer for the haul.

 

[GoVols01]

That's a long way to haul a boat! A buddy of mine here in Nashville hauled his 24' Yamaha down to the FL coast last year to play in the bay and ocean. He didn't understand the bay well at all, which is only 3 or so feet deep nearly everywhere except for the main channel, which has heavy traffic. He blew a tire while trailering, lost the center strip of carpet on the road, kids swam with Jelly Fish, and he did $3,500 of damage to the boat when he hit an oyster bed. Needless to say, he's not doing that again.


If you're going to haul it down there: check your wheel bearings for proper grease, inflate your tires to 60psi, use a good quality trailering cover, empty the fuel tank before your trip (to lighten the load), ensure you have wheel chocks for the trailer and a lug wrench that fits the lugs (my car’s lug wrench is a different size), think about buying a second spare tire.


Lastly, know the waters you’re going to boat in: tides, hazard markers, navigational beacons, etc. On inland lakes, you don’t need to think about these things much, but when you get in the big waters with commercial traffic and giant yachts, you can quickly get yourself into trouble! And for God sakes, ensure you have a functional anchor and rode!

 

[Julian]

I'd take it, but as others have posted....make sure you have a GPS/maps of the area you are going to.

Do not over-inflate your tires max pressure cold is 50PSI, many suggest 45-48 for the best non-bouncy ride. Make sure you have a jack that will lift the trailer and tools. A boat towing is a good idea.

I towed mine to FL and IL this year...no issues at all....but was prepared just in case.

Use the User Map to ping members in your target destination....you might find someone willing to show you around (if they are going out the same time).

 

[McMark]

Around the corner from my place is southside jet ski. They rent jet boats, jet skis, kayaks, flats boats, etc. tell Sean that Mark from 1 Fish 2 Fish sent you.

Southside Jetski. 3226 Riverview Ln, Daytona Beach, 32118.