MacGregorSailors.com

Anyone familiar with the river? We are wondering if we can get through Lake Dexter to Lake Woodruff and back to the St Johns. It's charted in the cruising guide but the lower end looked like the mast would have to be down.

We put in Lake Monroe on Fri. Sailed Lake Monroe, motored to an anchorage near Blue Springs. Sat we motored to Lake George, had a great day of sailing. Weather was supposed to be good...so a bit of misty rain wasnt a problem. Just as I dropped the hook in a cove near Georgetown..a bolt of lightening and a clap of thunder almost scared my deaf dog into jumping overboard. I got away from the mast almost as quick. The wind, waves and patter of rain made for the best nights sleep out here. Our other anchorages were mirror quiet and I like the rocking. We sailed south across Lake George on Sun. When we got almost to the river entrance we noticed in the guide that Silver Glen Springs was back up the lake. This is where the Mac 26X is nice. Drop sails and motor to the springs. We were hopeing to anchor there for the night but it was full. The water was crystal clear. You could see the white sand 8 ft down. Water temp was 72*. Oh well, next trip. When we left we dumped the ballast and opened her up. You should have seen the looks we got from on coming boats. I'll bet the big cigar boat that came in as we were leaving wondered why it took so long to catch us on the river. We anchored in Adams Lake for the night and motored today to Hontoon Island St Park. Hiked to the Indian Shell Mounds. You can only get here by boat or take the ferry across the river. Pretty neat place. We are only 3 miles by boat from Blue Springs so I'm working on Jim about renting a canoe and going up there in the morning. Cant get in with our boat. The entrance is closed from the river because of the high water but I think you could get in with a canoe.

Actually I'm draggin my feet. I dont want to go home but Jim has a new (to him) '56 Chevy calling his name.

Hate to be dense, especially since MY question guarantees that I'll be no help, WHATSOEVER, in answering YOUR question, but . . . what state are you asking about?

The St. Johns runs north from Central Florida and the mouth is at Jacksonville, Florida - there are many lakes 'on' the river which flooded quite extensively this Fall due to hurricane rains. I have yet to get my Mac on the St. Johns River but hope to do so ASAP.

-Walt

Sorry Frank C..didnt realize until I checked for answers that I forgot to include a very important part of the Q.

We had a great time. Saw 6 gators yesterday. One monster. Jim thinks we need a bigger boat. We only saw a small part of the river. Probably only went 60 miles but it was great. First river cruise we've done and we got two good days of sailing on Lake Monroe and 2 on Lake George. Both small lakes but fun anyways. We really enjoyed the X. We saw some side trips that looked like fun but will have to leave the mast home for those.

Greybird-M ... stop at Hontoon Island if you need a night at the dock. Showers too and a nice hike. They have a small anchorage and it fills up fast. People there were real nice. The rest of the time we anchored out. Where would you be putting in?

We didnt get to canoe to Blue Springs. The entrance from the river is closed due to high water..

Well, I don't have a clue at this point where I would put in. My fantasy is to motorsail up the coast from Port Canaveral, turn into Jacksonville and then head south down the St. Johns. Maybe someday.

-Walt