Boat Ramps

M

marvin4239

New member
I started to start a thread on boat ramps but thought I'd get opinions of others before beginning. My thought was since I'm in Florida I could start a thread entitled "Florida Boat Ramps" so it would be easy to find. Perhaps others could add to it and some could start threads from other areas say "Oregon Boat Ramps", "North Carolina Ramps" etc. Have directions, condition of the ramps and maybe security. What are others thoughts? Maybe even a forum called "boat Ramps?"
 
This site lists Florida Ramps
http://flafin.blogspot.com/2007/07/guid ... ramps.html
Many Florida ramps are free and the ones I'm most famliar with in NE Florida are Sisters Creek, Mayport, Fernandina, Cedar Creek, Big Talbot Island State Park, St Mary's City Ramp(Georgia). All these are free offer overnite parking and are pretty secure. Sisters Creek, Mayport and Fernindina have security and overnite parking.

Cedar Creek is somewhat remote and I wouldn't advise overnite parking. It's about a mile from the ICW through a shallow creek with as little as 2' of water in places.

Another site I use is south in Indiantown Marina. It's privately owned has minimal lauch fee and reasonable long term parking and transiet docking. It is on the Okeechobee Canal just a few miles east of Lake Okeechobee.
 
I have also thought we should somehow organize our collective local knowledge in a way to share it in an accessible manner. Insider info on ramps, marinas, etc., is really helpful in planning a trip. Info on local food, sights, etc., would be interesting to me. We might not agree on conclusions, but details would be valuable aids.

For instance, in the Keys I would say that the marina at Pennekamp is a best kept secret. The ramp is beyond excellent, and the dockmaster is a great guy. Doc's Diner is home to the most decadent, artery clogging breakfasts on the planet. If you swim, Jacobs Aquatic Center is the most amazing outdoor facility I have ever used.

As another example, Flaming Gorge from my point of view: Lucerne Marina puts you in the water at the head of the rugged, forested, and in my opinion, pretty part of the lake. Locals call it the Utah scenery as opposed to the Wyoming scenery that might be preferred by others who might be better off launching at Buckboard. From the north, provision at Green River as you come through; its a long drive back. Manila -- a lot closer to Lucerne -- is small with limited groceries available. The staff at Lucerne could not be nicer. There are pumpout facilities but hit the lake with an empty tank; you cannot depend on the pumpouts to be working -- but they are free. The ramp is outstanding. Carter Creek is a beautiful anchorage. Etc.

I have more details on these places and Tahoe and San Francisco Bay -- there is now a new guest dock for free daytime usage hidden near the Ferry Building. While my info is limited, some of you are treasure troves. I think what I am saying is I like the idea. :)

Regards to all,

Greg
 
Marvin
When we were researching where to leave our truck and trailer in Jan. the Dockmaster at Fernadina Beach told us that they had a problem with boat trailer tires & parts being stolen. We left our rig in St. Mary's it's a beautiful little town, it was there for a week with no problem's. Thanks again for taking me fishing. Larry
 
this is a very helpful thread. I wonder if it would be even more useful if it were organized by state so that when searching for good info it would be easier to find. What do you think? If a few of us agree we might be able to get poobahs tyboo and danag to set up threads for launch ramps, etc. by state. All in favor signify by saying so here, opposed as well.
 
The site Marvin posted is very good for our area. Security and long term parking are always an issue.

I think that Active Captain is the best resource, and it is best that we put out attention to improving this rather than starting a new site or thread. Active captain can be annotated and updated as necessary, plus good information on other services.
 
journey on":1a6h568j said:
Please tell me how to find launch ramps in Active Captain.
Click to expand...
Here's a good way to narrow down the display to show only boat ramps:

1. Go to: http://www.activecaptain.com/X.php

2. Click on the Markers card on the left side.

3. Click on the arrow near Settings to open the Settings panel.

4. Uncheck the check boxes for everything except "Show local knowledge".

5. Click on the Filtering tab in Settings and uncheck everything in the Local Knowledge types except for "Boat ramp".


Now you can zoom out. Whatever blue markers are displayed are boat ramps. Note that it will remember these settings if you come back to the site so you might want to undo the filtering, etc. or else when you're later looking for a marina, it won't find it.

It takes a few settings but it can greatly speed up the search when you know you're looking for a specific type of marker. With X, you can also display the markers on nautical charts if you have navigation/depth questions about the area. X also uses Microsoft's satellite imagery which is a little better in most areas than Yahoo (used in the Interactive Cruising Guidebook section).
 
All and any info in areas we boat is great, but, like Nan-C pointed out, there is nothing like a little feed back from a local. I enjoy looking up C-Brats in areas when I go there, with or without a boat. I also enjoy helping others when they are in our local waters. It has made many of my trips much easier, especially for that initial launch and getting the tow vehicle moved to a safe location out of the way for extended stays.

Would not think of launching in Pensacola without first consulting w/Bob and Marie. Same is true in the Oak Harbor/Stanwood area of WA state , without SENSEI/Dusty/Starcraftom....or in the Chessepeak area without some of the folks I have boated with there...or, when some day I finally make it to Lake Tahoe...talking with the C-Brats that have made launches/gatherings there.....or, if going to TX... there is Jim and Joan.

That is what makes this site cool....all the info that blankets our Nation.

Sure looking forward to my trip next week from Brandenton/Tampa FL to Ft. Pierce FL.....even if it is not in a trailerable boat. See some of yall along the way.
 
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