Need some STX boating advice

Hi Migiz

You are coming to the right place to be a boat lover. I work at St. Croix Marine and the diesel prices here are $3.35. The boat ramp is just down from Gallows BAy which sits just east of Hotel on the Cay. The little island off Christiansted on the map. There are fishermen who park their vans and trucks with the trailer right there at the ramp. You just have to be careful driving up and down hills and stay left mon!

Marine diesel at $3.35 is dang cheap!

I think the ramp at Altona Park is free, does anyone know different?
mike

I have a few minutes so will try to answer most ?. As mentioned, there is a ramp at the gov't owned area in altoona, right at Gallows Bay. No charge. We have left our truck there in the parking area occasionally. This area, and the other ramp out west, are used primarily by local fishermen who tow their boats. Probably by leisure boaters, jetskiers etc too. Ramp is just fine. There is another big ramp out west, and this is closer to Hovensa, if that is where you will be living. It is called the fisherman's pier...is new, again gov't owned. We have never used it, so can't comment, and I have no clue as to where you would park your truck/trailer, but perhaps just down the street, as there is no lot as far as I can recall. I have never looked as we would never drive that far with our boat. You would be launching just south of F'sted, so it depends perhaps where you want to use the boat, or how far you want to drive. There are other boats on trailers at Hov., so you could speak to some of those folks after you arrive.
We've brought down all of our vehicles as used, but almost never bought one just for here. Some folks (actually lots) have big trucks here, but the price will be more than in the states. We're going to bring our biggest gas guzzler truck here to tow our boat more easily. Not an issue re size on roads, just be cautious when towing. We moor so we only tow when we are putting it in/pulling it out.
St Croix Marine sells evinrude, and others. Give them a call re warranty ?/service ?. The owner put e-tecs on his boat about 18 months ago. Ours are out of warranty, so we would use Bryan's Marine for any service needed. He will come to you or you tow to him (out west).
No clue about ins--except that co's from the states don't write here, for the most part. Don't know about the ins through BoatUS. If you need hull coverage you will need to check around. I'm sure anyone with a note on the boat has insurance.
Storage/docking/hauling is expensive. Some put tie-downs in the ground, similar to a sand screw, and fasten the boat to them...you need it well anchored for sure.

we've used the boat ramps at:
1) Altoona Lagoon just past St. Croix Marina in C'sted
2) Fisherman's Pier in Frederiksted
3) The public boat ramp by the Molasses Pier just west of Hovensa

All were paved and easy to launch and reload both of our 14' pontoon dingies and our 24' Searay. I know there is another small ramp on northshore road just east of the Salt River Marina. It looked more difficult to use as you are right in traffic on the road while launching or re-loading.

There is quite a bit of parking near the three boat ramps listed above that we have used, but not as much available at Salt River. We haven't had any break-ins while leaving our vehicles at any of these sites, despite our concerns. I believe there is also a boat ramp by the Yacht Club at the east end, but we haven't looked that one over. Parking there probably belongs to the yacht club and they may not be amenable to non-members using their parking area.

There are also assorted places where people launch small dingies from sandy shore areas. I've done that just east of the southshore salt pond and a few other locations along the south shore.

Thanks all for the great information - much appreciated 🙂

Good to hear diesel is available at the marinas. How about at the gas stations on the island - do they stock diesel as well? (I may buy a 3/4 ton diesel p/u truck here in the Seattle area and ship it there for a tow rig.)

Sounds like I won't have a problem finding a suitable ramp or two which is a relief. Looks like I need to do some homework and call some insurance companies for quotes to see what I'm in for.

Thanks the recommendation for securing the boat to the ground - looks like I'll have a 'fun' list of to dos after I get there 🙂

beachy or anybody - how far out do you need to take your boat to get on the fish? Is it common for boaters to make runs to STT or even Puerto Rico or do the seas tend to be too rough?

Thanks.

Are you asking if people go to Peurto Rico or STT by boat to fish? I know fishermen who fish in St. Croix and have license here but sell in STT. Looking for one in particular....needs to pay his bill...enough said.

We have a few fishing excersion companys here on island. They have a spot just outside the reef from C'sted harbor.

My husband has only gone out fishing a few times---just got the boat in the water a year ago, and has been too busy or off island since them--but they went a good way--toward STT I think. You just have to watch not to go in BVI water--One son used it a bit but who knows where he went...used a good bit of fuel though!
I believe one man from STX Marine "commutes" to another marina in STT on occasion---in his open boat.

Thanks Marlene and Beachy.

Yes I was just curious as to whether it's common practice to head to another island to find fish or whether they are relatively close in to STX. I called the insurance company (Progressive) today and found out that they do cover the US territories just like the US. As long as I stay within the 75 mile coastal range of a US territory it seems I'm covered for insurance. From looking at a map I think that means I can cover a good bit of ground from West of Puerto Rico all the way East of STT - more than enough for any fishing trip I would plan.

Next week I need to get a street address from the relo folks to see if it's going to cost me a good bit more for an insurance quote vs. CONUS - we'll see...

Okay, migiz...You use the acronym CONUS is most of your posts. I am familiar with POTUS, etc, but what the heck is CONUS?

Sorry, CONUS is the term used in military/government environments for 'Continental United States' also called the 'Lower 48 states' in many places (all states minus Alaska and Hawaii.)

Is that pronounced CON - U.S. or one word....conus? And EE, what is POTUS?

It's pronounced all as one word like: cone us (not like: con us)

POTUS equals President of the United States (first letter of each)

President of the US.

Thanks for the great info all - please keep it coming 🙂

Here's another question - does anybody know if there is 'ultra low sulfur' diesel offered in STX? I ask because I'm considering buying a new Ford Superduty F350 diesel but these new Powerstrokes seems to be made for the new ultra low sulfur diesel only from what I've read. If there's no low-sulfur diesel I could opt for the V10 gas engine I guess.

Any info. is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Hmm, you can really learn a lot on the internet...Thanks for bringing me up to speed! 😉 Now I have to feel sorry for Alaska and Hawaii being ignored like we are...

migiz,
The low sulfur diesel is an EPA requirement. And unless the VI have obtained an exemption, I am betting that is what is at the pumps.
If you dig into it further you will find that the truck will run on either.
The change over can not be "cold turkey" rendering millions of vehicles useless.
And the fuel sataions are not likely to install seperate pumps and holding tanks to sell both.

Thanks heepajeep. I did some research earlier on the EPA's site but didn't find a definitive answer. The closest I found was this: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/rfg/420f07061.htm

As I understand it Ford's new PowerStroke diesels would puke up a lung on the older high-sulfur diesel (issues would be analogous to running leaded gas in a modern engine.)

Looks like I need to find out the name of a gas station or two that provides diesel there or speak to someone at Hovensa as I think they are the source.

Wahoo!!!

The umpteenth time is a charm! Looks like after using a few different email addresses and waiting a couple of weeks I was finally able to get a confirmation email of my own.

I originally started this thread under my wife's account name of 'MiGiz' but my alias hence forth is 'GoodToGo.'

Looking forward to being a little more active on this forum now.

Thanks.

To answer my own question I did speak to a Hovensa employee who confirmed that they are indeed selling ULSD to one or more stations on STX.

Hi Marlene-

I am a certified Yamaha outboard tech moving to STX, (preferably) next week. Can you provide me any leads on finding a job in a marina?

Thanks,

Jack

Jackie
Right now we have not been busy enough and the guys we have will not be leaving soon. We have guys that have been here for 10-15 years. It is a great place to work, but right now they aren't hiring. Right now we have 2 great mechanics. 1 really great welder. And the rest are learning as they go.