Prep for 350 Miles on a Small Boat

Get a feel for some of the thoughts, considerations an prep that go into my upcoming 350 mile C-Dory adventure!
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[@RICHat22]

Make sure you have/check any lockable storage. If you leave your boat to sightsee, you'll want all your stuff to be there when you get back. Have fun.

[@riverakers]

Check out the spoil ground islands on the Indian River,there are some designated as campgrounds with no reservation needed.Fist come first serve and two week stay.

[@taythorn]

Thermostat is definitely something I’ve neglected. Thanks again!

[@TripSmith]

Aw man, nothing can hurt the Taylor Whaler!

[@user-zk3og4zt3o]

CONGRATS ON THE HONDA/SCOUT Boat Test Video!!! Looks like Mr. Trip Smith has hit the BIG TIME!

[@TripSmith]

Thanks man! Working hard

[@viaoutdoors]

I can’t wait to see this trip. Thank you!

[@viaoutdoors]

Also, St. Augustine has a Spanish Fort and an alligator farm.

[@TripSmith]

Hey cool! Thanks for the info!!!

[@wrcatron]

Ponce inlet lighthouse is beautiful. You can dock your boat at down the hatch, and enjoy a great meal with incredible scenery.

[@perfectfitboating]

Let’s goooo! So hyped for this trip! St. Augustine is awesome! You can see all of it in two days! That lighthouse is incredible! We can’t wait! 🤙

[@jacksyoung2]

Super stoked you’re gonna be coming through Jacksonville (and Northeast Florida in general)! Can’t wait to see all the footage & content you come up with around these parts. Hope to somehow run into you on the water 🤙🏼

[@jamesj8965]

I love St augustine! You can make a video about just that place? Look into launches too. Might be an awesome view from the water

[@TripSmith]

It was a cool spot! I have some decent shots from then ;) Coming soon!

[@matthewpoteet2339]

Restaurants on the water with dock to stop and eat if interested. Jacksonville by Blount Island Port, Palms Fish Camp Restaurant. If stopping near Orange Park FL/ Fleming Island at Doctors Lake stop in at Whitey's Fish Camp. Don't forget to stop at Salt Spring at Lake George. You can back your boat right up to the springs. Also, there is a Camp ground there with ramp on right if you need a bathhouse or restroom to use. Good place to Camp over night instead of on Lake George ot of wind and waves. Also SIlver Glen Spring Run on Lake George just south of silver springs, both on west side of the lake. God Speed!

[@TripSmith]

Thanks for the suggestions!!!Much appreciated. A lot of people suggested Whitey's... I need to stop there one day I guess.

[@user-jd4uc4xm2k]

1:35 My man has some backup sardines in the toolbox. Never know when you'll need them!

[@bweikie]

I am so exited to see this trip! This is exactly the kind of thing I'd love to do with our 2008 Cruiser! And St. Augustine is one of my favorite towns!

[@TripSmith]

Me too! Hope you have a chance to do something like it soon. I've only quickly passed through St Augustine on a boat once... Looking forward to seeing it in the daylight as we arrived at night and left before dawn I think.....

[@BackyardDad1]

I can’t wait to see this video! I’m excited for you! Enjoy!

[@Captain_Clark_CDoryAdventures]

Always happy when you upload Captain but I'm especially happy for a good Dory adventure. Thanks for taking us through your planning process. Hope you had a nice Easter. God bless ya buddy. 🙏❤️😎🤙

[@deepdivesc]

Glad to see you back on the tube and getting some salt on that boat! Have a great trip (Trip)!

[@TripSmith]

Heck yea!! me too!!!

[@joe_townsend]

Going to be a killer video! Between the river and ICW it will be 2 totally different atmospheres!

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Joe! I haven't thought of that but you're absolutely right!

[@7obeone76]

Looking forward to seeing your progress. We have just set out on a long narrowboat voyage in the UK. Hoping to get our central heating system sorted tomorrow. Different issues from you guys in warmer glimes. Love the way you have set your boat up. Have a great trip

[@TripSmith]

Hey how cool!!! I've watched narrowboat videos and they seem pretty cool!

[@runltdan]

Good for You! Live every day my friend. I’ll watch every leg of the trip that ya post. Be Safe🛟

[@TripSmith]

Doing my best!

[@digitalskill]

Good luck Trip! Excited to see what you find and get into on this adventure!

[@sigmsctt8130]

Really doing a hands on, personal service, third person perspektivo😂

[@shot-overshot-out3476]

Great plan! If you need anything while in Volusua or Flagler counties, just call. Remember on the first skiff rally I told you of the manatee speed zone markers, make sure you look at them from the direction your traveling not from opposite direction. Tomoka river is neat side trip just south of Volusia/Flagler county line but it is all dark water even where it turns to freshwater and it’s all slow or idle speed, so it will take a few hours down and back. Tomoka state park is at the mouth of the entrance to the river. Watch for shoaling inside Ponce Inlet around disappearing island, all sand though. Good fuel docks in Jax, St. Augustine and Daytona municipal marina. Slim pickings from St. Augustine to Daytona. Hope to see you on the water. Bryan, out.

[@jq2911]

Sounds like a grand adventure. May I recommend a few things? Bring your water filter for when you're in fresh water to reduce weight. Many springs feed the St Johns River. As said by others, stay in some of the Spoil Islands so bring your hammock (and noseeum spray). When fishing in the Mosquito Lagoon (one of the absolute best in the world), make sure to put on some bottom rigs to catch stingray. My favorite marine food. They are found all over the Indian and Banana Rivers. Oh, when you're near Haulover Canal be ready to see the luminescence at night on a moonless night. Have fun and be safe. Your in my neck of the woods. Floridahanger

[@TripSmith]

Good suggestion with the water filter! Unfortunately, that will only be the first couple of days of the trip... If they were later on, I may plan on filling up at them. I look forward to seeing the spoil islands. I've heard a lot about them. Cool, thanks for the luminescence alert! Good to hear from you jq!

[@franckroxanne_9560]

Very much looking forward to seeing this trip. I have plotted out this trip on Google maps many times lol

[@TripSmith]

Glad to hear you are excited about it.... It's good one!

[@BrandieMyers-lm8jv]

You definitely need to stop into Ponce Inlet on your way down. Check out Disappearing Island and have lunch at Hidden Treasure. Check out the light house and be on your way.

[@boatrvme8478]

I dated a lady who's father owned outboard motor shop in Dothan....Hmmmm😅 That will be a good trip. I've done some of that loop mostly Jax to St. Augustine. Remember St. John's is only river that flows North❤

[@TripSmith]

Haha! She was a good old gal huh? Sorry you missed her! Great area and great river

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Master chef been on tuat loop

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

I've never been on a trip like that I would love to go

[@rosssmith7782]

Aot of no wake Sanford to blue springs so keep that in mind . Some places to stay and eat in Astor if you can't get to Silver Glen to camp on day one. Water is plenty high right now. Keep an eye over head for Navy they like to say hello near bombing range. .

[@adamnelson2524]

Heck yah! You’ll be passing by. I’m always on mosquito lagoon maybe I’ll see ya!

[@TripSmith]

Maybe so Adam!

[@joemccranie8613]

Check out st Augustine municipal marina. When I lived in Jax we’d take the intracoastal down and tie up there for a little bit. Right down town.

[@johnh9888]

Am I the only way checking in daily for part 2 😂

[@TripSmith]

Today is the day John ;)

[@maxwellflorey4101]

Yo stop by fort Matanzas, there’s a small jetty there I caught a couple sheepshead’s off of about two weeks ago. Also Ponce inlet and Marine land are cool spots

[@TripSmith]

Nice! I saw that jetty, someone was on it fishing from their boat.

[@user-zk3og4zt3o]

Greetings from the Wiregrass! Smashed the like and subscribe! Super pumped to follow someone who hails from the "Circle City". Even more excited to listen to a person who doesn't uh, well uh...you know uh, uh, uh, makes me uh, uh, uh crazy. Two pieces of gear I strongly recommend are a satellite communicator for a cell phone and a decent thermal monocular. For someone who spends as much time in the backcountry as you do the ability to send messages to anywhere, from anywhere might be a real time saver as well as an additional layer of safety. The coverage is a reasonable monthly or annual fee. As far as the thermal, fishing the Chattahoochee exclusively at night for big blues, I will not put-in without one!

[@TripSmith]

Hey what's up?!?!? Thanks for the support neighbor. Sometimes I do that but I uh, edit those out if they come up lol I've thought about both of those at times. Haven't invested in either yet sadly... No doubt good suggestions. I really just need a FLIR camera that links to my Simrad or on a seperate monitor. I don't cruise much at night though. If I do, I go basically idle speed if I'm not familiar with it or confident it's clear ahead. If I know the area and can see, sometimes I'll uh, let 'er eat!

[@user-zk3og4zt3o]

​@TripSmith Hey Trip I'm thinking a proper marine flir will have a refresh rate that would provide real time imagery at planning speed. But that's some serious cash and can only be used when your aboard. For let's say 500 to 1000 you can buy a very good thermal monocular that will be fine for no wake and be compact enough you will find yourself adding it to your bag of must haves while outside enjoying nature. Please, keep making videos of stuff us regular folks can afford!

[@charlesroberts6965]

Safe adventure my friend... preparing is key to a flawless trip...great how to content.😎🛥️🛠️👨‍🔧🇺🇸😇🌞

[@TripSmith]

Thank you Charles!!!!

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

Make sure you stop at the fort down there at the south side of Saint Augustine I swim Maya in the current was so strong like you would not believe

[@reillysmith1947]

I’m excited for the trip best of luck to you have a safe trip no pun intended

[@jbbbda]

Astor was a safe place for my truck and trailer two years back. Nice ramp, big parking area. Enjoy the trip, don't skip Silver Glen Springs during the week, it's awesome. Don't bother on weekends if the weather is nice unless you enjoy decibel contests with bad tunes.

[@TripSmith]

I'm starting a ways south of Astor, but thanks for the suggestion. Might be a good backup! 10-4 on Silver Glenn ;)

[@johnverhoeven6819]

Trip Smith knows Boating!

[@TripSmith]

Haha! Thanks cuz!!!!

[@philipedwards8762]

This should be interesting. I grew up near where the trip begins and ends.

[@TripSmith]

Hey cool!!! It was a great trip!

[@harlandvaught1177]

I'm really wanting to see part 2 of this

[@TripSmith]

Glad to hear that! It went live a couple days ago, hope you got to see it!

[@MrGratefulEd]

Perhaps a few videos on KZbin? I expect full documentation! LOL! I enjoy your content and your always upbeat, positive attitude. Have fun Trip and share what you will.

[@TripSmith]

Yes indeed! Thanks Ed!!!!

[@mjredfisher1]

If you have time and want to head even further north you can head to fernandina and Cumberland Island only about a 45 minute boat ride from the Port of jax. Great area wild horses on Cumberland a fort (fort clinch) in fernandina plus incredible seafood as shrimping is a huge industry in fernandina

[@TripSmith]

Wish I had time.... Would love to see all of that! Maybe one day!

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Wltric outbard

[@MrJoshuahendrickson]

I live near Blue Springs on the St. John's, always dreamed of doing something like this... it flows north real slow... make sure to swim at all the springs

[@TripSmith]

All the springs? I know a few.... Which ones might I be missing?

[@williamshelton9688]

Epic dude….totally awesome….right on

[@TripSmith]

Rock on!

[@88888gerald]

coincidentally I have been reading an adventure on the great loop...shanty boat...good website....good luck on your trip

[@TripSmith]

Hey nice! Thanks!!!!

[@shanedobbins]

Get ready to see some big alligators on the St Johns

[@TripSmith]

I saw a few ;)

[@doncollins786]

Have fun!

[@TripSmith]

Will do!

[@joeponder9668]

Where are you taking out at? I can see you’ll have to trailer unless your starting in the salt end ending in the river. You can go a little further south in the river than the map shows. Entering into lake Washington head south there is a levy w/air boat provision only. I live on pointsette. If you need a hand launching or shuttle you rig as well as parking I can help.

[@geoffreywallace9432]

Safe voyage.

[@vladfish]

Super cool

[@TripSmith]

I hope so!!!!

[@TNiss54]

Awesome trip! Cant wait to see the video! Are you still a firefighter?

[@youtubespanishfishingchann6575]

Let me know when u get to Daytona or Ormond Beach we can have some dinner at river grill rest they have a deck for boat

[@TripSmith]

Hard to remember who to let know when I'm where.... Best suggestion is to follow my instagram and hit me up there ;)

[@youtubespanishfishingchann6575]

@TripSmith will do brother

[@scheutteknight]

There are several locks that will likely not be passable along the St johns. Didn't see exactly where you were starting but there is one at the north end of lake Washington in Brevard county. Only passable by airboat or kayak.

[@TripSmith]

Yea.... I started just south of Lake Harney ;) Not locks fortunately

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Wrong that has moon raker yaght

[@adamtedder1012]

Your starting and finish is by my house. I'm in North Titusville about 2 mins to the ramp.

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Eltric trolling miter. Loner ranfe on ful hybride boat

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Searay 350 subdacer draft 29 inch draft vest shapower water drsft

[@TripSmith]

Alrighty then lol

[@Bradington]

You gotta stop at Silver glen!

[@TripSmith]

Planning on it ;)

[@reillysmith1947]

I’m pumpedddd

[@Jeremy123-y3q]

Awesome!

[@stephen-collins]

Well it ain't the Bahamas but sure looks like a blast, esp if you get to see that rocket!

[@TripSmith]

Agreed, it's not the Bahamas! Consider this a "test run" for filming the Bahamas. I'm going to try to make this into 2-3 videos since it's such a long trip. After that, I'll be ready to properly capture the Bahamas I believe.

[@michaelpagliaro]

I can’t see you on Argo Trip!

[@TripSmith]

Yes... I have heard that from a number of people. I'm trying to find a fix for it.... Try again tomorrow... They said they were working on it.

[@dward667]

Where are you starting? We have done this trip a few times, we started in Ormond Beach then around to Astor. Fun trips

[@TripSmith]

Quite a bit farther south. Just south of Lake Harney

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Here. The 350 miles smal boat

[@TripSmith]

Yep, here it is ;)

[@brokeandbored85]

you look in good shape, do you eat carbs? what kind of workout do you do? thanks

[@AudySpell]

Have you scheduled your adventure yet? We are fellow C-dory owners in Gainesville and cruise St Augustine frequently. Could be a chance we'd cross paths.

[@TripSmith]

Caught your comment to late... I completed it last week.... Would have loved to have crossed paths!

[@BottomLineBassin2]

This would be a better journey on the Gheenoe 😅

[@TripSmith]

Haha! That would have been wild. I would have needed a few lives for each time it sunk it though! Faced some nasty stuff that it wouldn't have made it through.

[@JohnMallory]

You need any tips? I know the entire route from Fellsmere. Obviously you can run a large boat from there cause you got to pull over the dikes. That being said I have ran all 310 miles of it. You commented on a video I made of it a few years ago, but I have ran it again from the very beginning of it. I went out again the year before last.

[@JohnMallory]

I also know the icw. I’ve gone over the entire St. Johns because I had to memorize it for my trips because of the 12-15ft boats I’ve ran and limited space. From puzzle lake where you put it at harney the nearest gas station is not always open. Call them and find out their hours. Once I had to cut it close and go across lake Monroe on fumes. There is also a good spot to park and camp before the bridge into lake Monroe. Just before you leave the swamps it has a shelter, I like to have dinner at the bar near by after I setup camp.

[@TripSmith]

Hey John! All good info and I think I remember commenting on your video ;) I finished the trip a week or so ago and it was awesome!!! Sorry I didn't catch your comment earlier. Just not catching up

[@daltonchilds7432]

When are you doing this trip? I'm goin April 19,20,21

[@outdooradventureswithjason6275]

Trip, in one of your earlier videos, you talked about a dock line system. Can you tell me what the name of that system was called? Thank you.

[@TripSmith]

Here you are - boatlinesanddockties.com/ I carry them with me every trip but just haven't made time to get them out and use them.... Dock lines work most of the time for me but I can see certain situations where I can use them....

[@outdooradventureswithjason6275]

@@TripSmith thank you sir

[@paulbahn33]

Trip I see the Star Board strips around your fuel tanks are screwed into the cockpit deck. Mine were too and I’ve just repaired the water intrusion into the hull from those screws. Don’t really want to repeat screwing the Star Board strips into the epoxy filling repairs in the deck again or do think it might be okay if the screws were set back in 4200 or epoxy?

[@paulbahn33]

Appreciate your videos brother!

[@TripSmith]

Not long after I got the boat, I took those up amd exposed the core for inspection. Has a very small amount of dampness in a few of them. Removed core until I reached clean dry balsa then sealed everything back good before resetting the screws

[@paulbahn33]

Thanks Trip. I did the same. Filled with Total Boat epoxy. Guess I’ll stop overthinking it all and rest the screws into the epoxy. Should last a few years. Definitely stopped the water intrusion that was going on. Safe trip Trip👍😎🙏

[@swiftfishin5680]

Don't forget a pole

[@TripSmith]

I didn't forget one, but I didn't wet a line either lol

[@shot-overshot-out3476]

Can’t find you on the Argo search, search is limited to 100 mile radius.

[@TripSmith]

Yes.... I have since learned that after getting that report from other people. Working on a fix for that!!! Sorry about the hurdle...

[@PoliteChihuahua]

surprised you haven changed the lower to the Yamaha Jet drive.

[@TripSmith]

Really? I don't see many benefits in the way I use the boat. Why should I consider it? From me knowledge, I lose a lot of efficiency and don't gain many advantages other than not worrying about logs/stumps as much

[@PoliteChihuahua]

@@TripSmith I figured as much as you go shallow it would be piece of mind in unknown waters.

[@joshkaiser8583]

I’ve just started using Argo, I haven’t taken a trip yet. Just played around so far. how do you like it so far?

[@TripSmith]

I like it, but like you haven't used it on the water yet. I have gone through and looked at the points.of.interest and read some reviews, learned some things. I also left a couple reviews of my own

[@joshkaiser8583]

I tried to find you to friend you on Argo and couldn’t locate your profile. Also what anchor are you using and are you happy with it.

[@DavidDavid25365]

350. Childs play 2 u. U have done more miles on a floating pencil 😆 🤣 😂

[@TripSmith]

Haha! I hear ya dad!

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

Do you need a co-pilot

[@melodymakermark]

Ha, you beat me to it. I’m about to retire and since I don’t golf I’ve been thinking about a “will work for free” deal with one of these aquatic KZbinrs. I’m more suited to be Gillian than the Skipper anyway.

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Carolina skiff best shalw water boat rude

[@TripSmith]

Agreed, they are goooood boats!

[@ranaaqeel2684]

Hi

[@TripSmith]

Hiya!

[@ranaaqeel2684]

@@TripSmith how are you sir

[@sharonbraselton3135]

C dpoy draft 12 inches same luagea draft best rudeing boat bjg waver shape water draft simme best. Rider slowest draft

[@TripSmith]

Not sure what you are trying to say, sorry.

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Bit buget big not light wight compare too thore stuff same size John boats skiff infare way kight wight. Lits worse

[@alexlahait6715]

What?

[@TripSmith]

You got that right Sharon!!!!

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Shape water biat Handel gid bad weather beed testing hiwcto Handel bad weatger shawkiwr Warr biater

[@TripSmith]

Oh ok, I think I get it....

[@Shaboiiii]

Check out lake panasoffkee, a real gem

[@TripSmith]

I looked it up, looks good. What makes it special?

[@Shaboiiii]

@@TripSmith large and shallow, makes it eerily calm. Springs throughout with clear water. Trip dip!