Welcome to Florida!
Florida interstates and Turnpikes have Road Ranger patrols that provide free emergency spare tire changes, jump starts etc and most importantly park a big truck behind you with a giant flashing “<<<< MOVE OVER” electric sign. They carry more red pylons than you ever will. The FIRST thing to do if you’re on the shoulder is call *347 (for FHP) which will dispatch a Road Ranger.
FL State Law requires you to merge left (when possible) for any emergency vehicles on the right shoulder. State law also requires that you stop for pedestrians who are waiting to cross the street at a marked crosswalk.
If you plan to take the Turnpike in your travels, get a Sunpass windshield transponder ($4.99). You’ll save up to 40% vs Toll by Plate option when towing any trailer.
If you have the time and inclination, detour to Weeki Wachee SP for the ‘Little Mermaid Show’ based on the Hans Christion Anderson story. It’s a hoot! Boat rides down the springs etc are options with plenty of free parking for your rig away from the main entrance.
Weeki Wachee is an enchanted spring to see live mermaids, take a river boat cruise, see Florida wildlife, and swim in Buccaneer Bay.
weekiwachee.com
It’s illegal to touch a Manatee ($50,000-$100,000 fine per AI), unless you detour to Tarpon Springs with one of the official ‘swim with the manatees’ tours under supervision ($95 but the only time and place you can get that close in crystal clear water), wet suits and gear provided.
Here are the various manatee zone restriction types: The most often violated is SLOW SPEED MINIMUM WAKE, which is defined as your boat's waterline being completely settled in the water. Since there is no way you can see your boat from the side, it can be difficult to tell if you are exceeding that. Just limit your speed to 6-7 MPH and RPM under 1500. At our Pink Shell dock in a SSMW Zone, 99.9% of boaters are exceeding it.
https://www.Soboat-ed.com/florida/studyGuide/Boating-Regulatory-Zones/10101002_36329/
Hontoon Island SP Marina can not be reached by vehicle, only by your boat or the free Park Ferry (on demand, hours posted). It’s not safe to walk several miles from the marina back to Ed Stone county park boat ramp and parking (closest to HWY 44) due to no shoulders, no sidewalks, knee high weeds etc. So bottom line, come prepared with enough onboard provisions to last your duration. Nearest gas and self-service $5 pumpout is at Holly Bluff Marina. There is generally good Deland cell hotspot coverage at the SP marina. Bring folding camp chairs for dockside use. We think the most effective biting insect repellent is a MR300 Thermacell system, which is often available in larger WalMarts.
https://www.thermacell.com/products
Safe Travels and hop to see you there!
John
