Exploring the Ocklawaha River | Excel F4 & Turbo GatorTail 1754

Hey everyone, Kevin here. I figured I’d start a KZbin channel that felt a little more personable as I brought you all along on my adventures. Florida can be a tough state to camp in. I usually camp twice a week from November until March with friends. I still camp through the summer, just not as frequently as other adventures seem to take up the long summer days. I work rotating 12 hour shifts that allow me to have off 14+ days a month. Combine that with my sense of adventure and I'm able to see what the states really have to offer. So please, go ahead, subscribe and follow along for some fun outdoor adventures!
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[@larryspiller6633]

Been there! Never get tired of the place. So beautiful until you get to the canal construction areas of long straight ditch on the south end.

[@chrisdaniel1339]

Quite some time ago I commented that you should check out the Cross Florida Barge Canal, Eureka Lock, and the Ocklawaha River. Thank you for making this video, I have not been able to explore it yet as my boat engine has a spark plug snapped off and stuck in the head. I am looking forward to seeing you go through the Buckman Lock. Here is another suggestion: Transit the Lake Ashby Canal/ Deep Creek(LAC confluences w/ Deep Creek) from the lake to the St. Johns River. You will go through the pilings of an old railroad trestle over the canal just south of Osteen Maytown Rd, gators and wildlife aplenty. Bring a chainsaw trees fall over occasionally and need to be cut.

[@OverlandFlorida]

Thank you. I do plan on going through the rest of the locks. Thanks for the suggestions.

[@chrisdaniel1339]

@@OverlandFlorida Forgot to mention Lake Ashby Canal/Deep Creek is in Volusia County the lake is off SR 415. I know there are many Deep Creeks in FL

[@HousePhone-t2x]

You gonna need a saw for ocklawaha and weedeater when you get to the lake.

[@gregktm]

Thanks Kevin. It's a cool place for sure. The dam is at the end of it's life. Cheap to remove vs. rebuild. Lots of manatees have died at the dam. Free the Ocklawaha!!!

[@OverlandFlorida]

I wish they would just remove it already. Free the Ocklawaha!

[@breatheinbreatheout8372]

Duck duck Goose is a pretty dog...

[@OverlandFlorida]

He’s a good boy!

[@breatheinbreatheout8372]

@@OverlandFlorida I can see that.. 🙂

[@FDDave1]

Several years ago, myself and 2 buddies, on jet skis put in at the ramp at Mt Dora and ran the chain of lakes to the Oklawaha River, to Rodman Pool, thru Buckman Lock out to the St John’s, and South to the Ramp at Sanford. Took 3 days! What fun!

[@OverlandFlorida]

That sounds like quite the adventure!

[@blockaid]

Nice trip. Thanks for sharing.

[@arthurmanderson4892]

Another awesome video and great adventure. I love northern Florida and the Nature Coast. Can't wait to be there fulltime soon. I have a piece of property in Dunnellon and cannot believe the nature and beauty of "Old World Florida" Keep the great river trips coming.

[@OverlandFlorida]

You have some prime real estate if you have property in Dunnellon. You are close to many great springs and rivers in Florida. Thanks for watching!

[@mikebsbd]

It used to be better on the river just below lady lake.

[@exploreoutthere6678]

My favorite video so far! I've always wanted to do that run. Can't wait to see the rest of your journey.

[@OverlandFlorida]

Glad you enjoyed it. That’s probably the worst of the 3 sections as far as downed trees and obstacles in the water.

[@Bradington]

We like to put in at Mossbluff north and do the 15mi run to Silver river. Awesome scenic run there and back with the ultimate prize being the beautiful clear water swim at silver river.

[@OverlandFlorida]

That is a beautiful fun! They springs are so clear right now since we haven’t had rain in a while.

[@charlesroberts6965]

Amazing trip and some cool history as well. Looking forward to seeing more on this historic river. Appreciate you sharing your adventure.;)

[@OverlandFlorida]

Thank you for watching, there really is a lot of history with Florida’s rivers and springs.

[@jimnash526]

Your best vid to date !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!

[@OverlandFlorida]

You’re welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@shanediggers2156]

that gatortail is awesome!

[@OverlandFlorida]

It really is. Hopefully, that will be my next upgrade.

[@acmecompany]

Nice video, take me for boat ride with ya, im at Flagler Beach area

[@richardcotten8789]

Who is the maker of the boat? that 50 Yamaha moves.

[@OverlandFlorida]

Excel makes the boat. The model is Viper

[@jamesa9lpiopatton419]

Cool boat setup

[@OverlandFlorida]

Thank you.

[@frj7a]

thanks for this. you go to place i want to but cant.

[@OverlandFlorida]

You’re welcome, I’m glad you found the video.

[@scottburgle2169]

Super cool run. Been dreaming of doing this in my flat bottom jet boat. I am exit to see the section from the Harris chain to where are you started.

[@OverlandFlorida]

It was a lot of fun. A get boat would be much better. Just watch out if it’s a fiberglass hull. Harris to the ocklawaha is pretty wide open. Should be a pretty ride.

[@AmberWhiskeyRGS]

Nice German Shorthaired Pointer.

[@OverlandFlorida]

Thank you, he’s 2 and a handful!

[@killr0y]

Awesome video! I see Goose is as spastic as ever 😂... Which lock was that? Only one I'm aware of is Buckman lock but that is actually a working lock (and how the manatee get into the reservoir). I've read about the riverboats that would take citrus and tourists all the way to/from the Harris chain. There are some old abandoned steamboat docks along the upper Ocklawaha and really old Indian shell mounds with artifacts and such.

[@OverlandFlorida]

Goose is always a hyper boy! That was a lock they never actually completed for the cross Florida barge canal. It was reported that there were around 91 steamboat stops along the Ocklawaha river, almost 1 every mile. We did see some of the old stops along the way. We love the history of that area, but there’s not too many videos that talk about it. We really want them to draw down the damn this year so we can see all the old springs in the Lake.

[@thomasberik698]

What is the make of your boat. Looks to be very nice. Tom

[@OverlandFlorida]

It’s an Excel F4 Viper.

[@dallasabbott6665]

How long did it take to get to gores landing from rays. Also how long from the lock did it take to get back to rays. I have a 15hp but want to make the trip soon I’m sure I would have to double the time it took you if not more 😂

[@OverlandFlorida]

Just plan for a couple hours one way.

[@lwhited1]

What boat are you in? Looks fun!

[@OverlandFlorida]

Excel F4 1754

[@toddknox685]

Boats aren't just for fishing. Exploring is great.

[@OverlandFlorida]

That’s right!

[@f86sabjf]

Amen

[@kareng7777]

Do you ever worry about hitting manatee going fast ? Just a respectful question as I'm a paddler but as I age a boat with motor is being considered

[@OverlandFlorida]

It’s crossed my mind. You can usually spot them pretty well.

[@katiebellaire2195]

Going too fast down rkver how u supposed to see any wildlife plus the large wake disrupts all the wildlife was hoping to see more action on the river

[@OverlandFlorida]

Ok.

[@carlthomas4267]

Kevin , my concern for your speed is not for the visual , but for your safety ! I've been on that river from Moss Bluff to Rodman many times ...you hit one submerged log at that speed , and your in the woods ! That wouldn't be good ! Please slow down ..stay safe !

[@johnmeinertjr6565]

You might see monkeys 🙈

[@OverlandFlorida]

I’ve seen them a few times!