I'm considering the rental of a houseboat on the St. Johns River in
February/March (The St Johns River in Florida, not the St John in Maine.
It's a houseboat, not an icebreaker) There seems to be several marinas that
rent these units, in lengths from 38 feet up. For a 44 footer w/2 bedrooms
(sorry, staterooms) it's about $2K/week plus gas and supplies.
I've looked at Holly Bluff Marina and River Adventures websites, and
requested brochures. Does anyone here have experience with these companies
or others? Any suggestions for this trip?

You might wait till the end of march or later, gets cold up there!

"gets cold up there!" smile "Up" there?

The NOAA weather site reports an average high of 70° during the last of
February in Jacksonville. We're expecting a wind chill of -27° to -35° this
Wednesday, 70 degrees sounds delightful. It seems to gain about 5° a month
at that time of year, would the extra 5° make a big difference? How about
the fishing?

"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...
You might wait till the end of march or later, gets cold up there!

Hi John,

I heard good things about those people and their boats. I am looking into it
myself as my grandkids now live near Orlando.

They also have small very stable Honda outboard powered fiberglass Carolina
skiffs for rent that you can drag along for fishing.

I know they said they get bugs in the summer.

If you go please give us all a report here.

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA, USA
www.kiene.com

"John Wentworth" wrote in message
...
I'm considering the rental of a houseboat on the St. Johns River in
February/March (The St Johns River in Florida, not the St John in Maine.
It's a houseboat, not an icebreaker) There seems to be several marinas
that
rent these units, in lengths from 38 feet up. For a 44 footer w/2 bedrooms
(sorry, staterooms) it's about $2K/week plus gas and supplies.
I've looked at Holly Bluff Marina and River Adventures websites, and
requested brochures. Does anyone here have experience with these companies
or others? Any suggestions for this trip?

I have dont the St. Johns twice, it is GREAT! highly recomend it. Make sure you
get a dingy to explore the side creek., they are really tropical old florida.

But, even in the summer, it got chilly at nite, and a HIGH of 70 , is too cold
for me.

Sterling

"John Wentworth" wrote in message ...

I'm considering the rental of a houseboat on the St. Johns River in
February/March (The St Johns River in Florida, not the St John in Maine.
It's a houseboat, not an icebreaker) There seems to be several marinas that
rent these units, in lengths from 38 feet up. For a 44 footer w/2 bedrooms
(sorry, staterooms) it's about $2K/week plus gas and supplies.
I've looked at Holly Bluff Marina and River Adventures websites, and
requested brochures. Does anyone here have experience with these companies
or others? Any suggestions for this trip?

The St John's runs from the Atlantic Ocean at Maypost (E of Jax) +-
200 miles south to near Melborne, FL.

If you're looking for someplace about half way in between those try:

http://www.hontoon.com/

Be advised Feb/Mar will have a few days, each month, with cold temps
(at least the locals think so) combined with strong winds which will
make boating rather unpleasent.

Enjoy your trip
--
SJM

Hello John,
Cruising the St. Johns in a houseboat will be one of the high points of
your life. It would take years to see the whole river including its
tributaries. Indeed for me, it has taken a lifetime. I "live" on the St.
Johns (well a tributary, Julington Creek) and love the old waterway. It
is rich with history dating back to the days of the Woolly Mammoth,
who's teeth can be found in the river. History has it that several union
warships lay on the bottom, undiscovered. Pirates plied the river and a
treasure ships belonging to Blackbeard is supposedly sunk in Mill Cove.

Both companies you mentioned are reputable. I have seen their houseboats
on the river many times. The houseboats are flat bottom, shallow draft
vessels, designed to be operated by inexperienced crew. Most employ a
mercruiser with a Bravo II drive.

If you wish, have a look at my website. Especially the St. Johns river
page. Note that most photographs on the website (except abandon ship &
children, pets, life preservers) were taken on the St. Johns. If you
will have your kids or pets with you have a look at that link too.

Feel free to email me for any specific questions about sightseeing,
restaurants, or navigation.

Beware the AJAX.

Regards,

Capt. Frank Hopkins
USCG AUX

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks

John Wentworth wrote:

I'm considering the rental of a houseboat on the St. Johns River in
February/March (The St Johns River in Florida, not the St John in Maine.
It's a houseboat, not an icebreaker) There seems to be several marinas that
rent these units, in lengths from 38 feet up. For a 44 footer w/2 bedrooms
(sorry, staterooms) it's about $2K/week plus gas and supplies.
I've looked at Holly Bluff Marina and River Adventures websites, and
requested brochures. Does anyone here have experience with these companies
or others? Any suggestions for this trip?

Hi again John,

Weather:
It can get chilly. Last night we had 38 degrees. But tonight, at 21:00 I
went out for a smoke in a pair of shorts and slaps. It is a pleasant 65
tonight. I am in Jacksonville.

Below Palatka, it is always a lot warmer. There is a "frost line" which
cuts diagonally across the state. North of the line the temps can be
many degrees colder. Below the line, many degrees higher, and rarely
ever hits the low 40's.

The data buoy in Lake Sanford showed a water temp of 73 deg, and an air
temp of 77.

Any questions email me.

Capt. Frank

John Wentworth wrote:

"gets cold up there!" smile "Up" there?

The NOAA weather site reports an average high of 70° during the last of
February in Jacksonville. We're expecting a wind chill of -27° to -35° this
Wednesday, 70 degrees sounds delightful. It seems to gain about 5° a month
at that time of year, would the extra 5° make a big difference? How about
the fishing?

"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...

You might wait till the end of march or later, gets cold up there!