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Area 2A in Palm Beach/Broward County

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FloridaQuaker1027

Well-known member
Depending on weather water management is F***ING! the water levels up there is usually the perfect amount of water to run the trails. The is around 20 camps out in this area with generally nice people that you can stop and have a beer with. If you venture out there make sure to check out Wilard's Camp...... The king of all everglades camps. Make sure u bring a GPS if you do not know the trails because it is easy to get lost at night.
 
As soon as I get my new boat built I want to go down south and ride to see what it's like,looks good by all the pictures i've seen.
 
make sure u check the water levels before you ride.....last year they let it do dry in the spring and early summer....the late summer and fall it is start getting high again......then when duck season rolls around u could run a bass boat to camp.... around this time last year it was so dry you could take a 4 wheeler out to camp
 
I was in 2A last Friday. There was plenty of water in the southern end. We had no problem in the trails.
 
My buddy went out over the weekend....he said there was plenty of water but i can tell from looking at the landing its goin down.....i am hoping they dont drop the water like they did last year.....it got so dry we actually hiked to Wilards camp on solid ground....then for awhile the water after the hurricanes the water was up and touching the dock
 
Use this website to monitor the water levels in WCA-2A:

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/reports/r-wca2.txt

While I don't know exactly where the measurement sites are, I believe that 2-17 is near the bend of the main east/west trail (probably near where you go straight to go to Boar's Nest), and 2-19 is near the levee halfway between the end of Lyle's area and Wiles Road.

Note that there are different readings between these two measurement sites. My experience, after watching these readings over the last four years, are that when the levels get around 11 feet, then you'd better be real careful (like, bring the ATC!!!).

I've also got a map that I'll upload to my picture gallery. We got it nearly 4 years ago when we first started cruisin' the area. I don't know how much help it will be, but it's better than nothing. I have a 3'x5' version in my office, marked up with camp locations and trails that I've found, so if you have any questions to detail, I may be able to help out.

WCA-2A is a great area to airboat. Just be careful when you're running the trails, as there are a number of places where you wind through trees and there's no place to go if you meet another boat. I personally like running the area at night, where you usually get a heads-up that another boat's coming by the headgear lights.

And when you're really looking for a thrill ride, take the hairy trail home. It's the trail that kinda goes northeast from Ramblin' Rose. It should put you out near the southwest corner of Lyle's trail, if you're lucky!!!!

I haven't been out this year yet........boat needs some metal work, and I've not yet come to the conclusion that I'll fix something that my bud's only going to destroy again (it's his boat, parked in my driveway, that we both kinda share). But I am gettin' the fever!!!!!!!!

Doc
 
Hey Doc nexts time u are out in the area stop my Kevin McDaniel's camp out there ( Bob Townsens old Camp ) I knew u fish but didnt know you ran airboats. With last years experience you could not make it down the east west trail from whiles road for most of june and july.... but you could make it US 27. It all depends where they are letting water in from and where they are draining it..... I think i Know the map you are takling it about....it shows all the trails and camp sites....Its on our bunk house door inside the kitchen of the camp.....if anyone gets lost and finds our camp.......check out the map and it will lead you home
 
I am trying to find a way to see what areas are open and closed along with possible maps of boundarys.We used to go with the old man when he worked for game and fish commission ions ago,but been to long ago for me to remember, plus things change.
Im looking to ride almost any where not 500 miles away.LOL
We have to drive forever ayways to go have some fun from southwest fl.
But i would like to find as much info as possible.Just Finsished boat and NEED to RUN .any info will be helpfull. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP
DAVID J.
A.K.A TWISTED DIAMOND
WORDS OF WISDOM

"RIDE HARD TREAD LIGHTLY,ALWAYS HELP THY NEIGHBOR FOR ONE

DAY YOU MIGHT NEED THY NEIGHBORS HELP"
 
David,

Welcome to Southen Airboat!

Neighbor I am!

Private message Southern Airboat members Larry, Airboat4Fun, Doc Holiday, Graywolf. They are a few of our closest members down here. I'm also waiting on the word of the glades re-opening, (I've rode there 3 times since we've had the boat). Can't get enough of the Everglades in one day though! Bring lots of extra gas, food, and drinks for the ride. Also don't forget the GPS cause everything does look the same down here!

Basketcase
 
Hello David, Welcome to the best airboating information resource on the web (maybe anywhere for that matter). If you've got a question just ask it here and more than likely you'll get your answer (maybe more than one) in a day or two. CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. I called FWC yesterday, as I do a couple times a week until I get the answer I'm looking for, and their answer is the same as it has been for months, NO offficial date when they will re-open the Everglades. Right now ( since july 18 ) the majority of the Everglades Conservation Areas are closed to the public due to high water conditions. The state is trying to reduce stress on the whitetail deer populations that remain. The only place that is still open is Area 2A (East of US-27,West of the Sawgrass Expressway, North of the L-35 levee, South of the designated EAST/WEST trail) As soon as I hear when they are going to re-open the otther areas I will post and let everyone know. If you want a bigger copy off this map that shows better detail, email me and I will forward it to you.

gladesclosure.jpg
 
I was out in 2A last night. Came in from the North side (Lox Road). Lots of lilly's and weeds in Lyles trail, which actually made for some pretty cool riding. Watch out for the speedboat on the sw exit from the ramp area (that's right.....an 18-20' speedboat...no engine....go figure). It appeared that most of the trees had been moved out of the trails. We went south on the west part of Lyles trail, and picked up the main trail at the second entrance. This took us by Ramblin' Rose camp, which lost the Honeymoon suite. From there we took the southwest trail and made a left to go to Willard camp. Lots of shingle damage and the patio doors had been damaged, but otherwise as grand as ever. Back to the ramp to pick up the boys, and on to Reflector camp, which lost it's roof covering and bunches of other stuff. Finally, from there we headed back to the ramp, and I drove out to the Memorial on the entrance to the East/West trail, which was still standin'.

If you're coming from Naples, it's a straight shot across the Alley. Take US-27 north about 4 miles to the boat ramp on the east side. This is known as the stub canal ramp. From the ramp, go north a hundred yards or so, and look for the trails on the right (east). At that point, welcome to 2A!! Randy (airboat4fun) can fill you in on the southwest side of the area, and if you have questions on the north/east side, I can help you out.

I've put a map in my photo gallery. I don't know if you can download it...if you have problems, I can email it to you. Here's the link to the map:

http://www.southernairboat.com/photopos ... 500/page/3

Doc
 
I really appreciate the info.And yes i would love to have copys of these maps.
Atleast some things never change,
airboat commuunity is still hellpful and generous as always
thank you welcoming me
I new i was in right spot for that question
thank you for everything
now and in future
hopefully i will meet yall on the water at some point
David Johnson
A.K.A TWISTED DIAMOND
by the way,
yall going to out there next weekend, by then ill be legal(lights extinguisher, etc)
any thing else special i need for out there other than "normal" things gps,extra fuel
 
Doc Holiday,

Man, you got me wanting to ride even more now than ever! Gotta work on the RV this weekend for next weekends final cup race in Homestead.

Anybody wanna trade some airboat 93 octane fuel for race tickets?

Basketcase
 
David....definitely bring a GPS if you have one. It's a must whenever you go out to a new area. Not to many street signs or lights out there you know. And two things you don't want to run out of in the 'Glades....beer and gas!!! I don't know how much gas your boat burns, but plan on running 40+ miles if you want to tour the whole area. Give me your email address and I'll send you the map (if you can't get it from the photo gallery). And make sure you have an orange 12x12-inch flag 10 feet above the water line on your boat.

Basketcase....you need tickets or do you have extra tickets?
 
hey guys,
definately know about not having all those signs to help,LOL
boat holds 30gal. in main tank have a 8 gal. spare plus any filled cans i might need.Also have extra 40 gal. tank in the truck i used for extra hurricane gas
running 220gpu 12ft. Rivermaster with 5blade Warp Drive with stock zenith carb.
although i think im going to postpone maiden voyage till week after thanksgiving.Still need to paint cage and stand,I was going to go ahaed and run it without ,but might as well do it right first time and i wont have to take all wiring back apart. Beside if i make my painter do mine,one of my best friends wont have is sled done in time for that weekend.
 
David, it sounds like your boat and my boat are pretty similar. Check out my pictures to see mine. The Zenith carb is not as fuel efficient as the Holley, and I'd expect approx. 2 miles a gallon. With a 40 gallon tank, you could ride 2A all day without worry.

I think a bicycle flag will be fine, though I don't know if it measures 12x10-inches as the law required. I personally have an old orange parka that I cut a piece off whenever my flag gets ragged.

And be careful 'bout drinking too much in 2A if you're driving. FWC knows that it's the only area open right now, and they patrol accordingly.

Doc
 
Ill make sure i bring little extra fuel for first run "just in case"
As far as beer,We will just say I let my alligator mouth overload my jaybird @#$ 1 weekend about 15years ago and i havent touch 1 since
I still love JIM BEAM and MOUTAIN DEW,BUT an airboat aint no place for OLE JIM
So other than normal "coast guard " stuff and gps fuel
I shouldnt need any thing else right???
But dont get me wrong I will probably have everthing but kitchen sink (LMAO) just in case something breaks or I end up riding by myself
better safe than sorry!!!!! right
ILL FIGURE SOMETHING FOR THE FLAG
IF THE MAN SAYS 12X10 THEN THATS WHAT HE GETS( no sence giving him any extra reasons to mess with ya )
I AM going for sure Sat. Nov 19 painter is not going to be able to get to my cage for cple of weeks so i anit going to wait .
I would enjot meeting you and basketcase so if yall can go i would love to ride with yall,Not to mention who better than to ride new area with than some1 that knows it well
and Basketcase I think your looking for an excuse to go ride anyways(dont we all)
also looks like Dec. 1 about 5 or 6 of us from here are ging out
TWISTED'S WORDS OF WISDOM
RIDE HARD,TREAD LIGHTLY BE HELPFUL TO THY NEIGHBORS FOR 1 DAY YOU MIGHT NEED THY NEIGHBORS HELP
 
I haven't been in the woods for quite a while now, but I do keep in touch with Don Kirk from 4 Moons. He said several camps got hit pretty hard in Wilma.
Two things to keep in mind if you are gonna go. 1. This is the only area open right now, so it is more crowded than usual. Some of the trails are hard to get out of if you meet somebody head on. 2. Someone has some type of piping towers set up for research or something. The stuff is not in the trails, but it also not clearly marked unless the Area 2 boys have gotten around to marking them. Just don't cut through any area without a trial. Enjoy. Lots of nice people in that neck of the woods.
 
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