10/19 - 10/21 - Second Annual Gulf Coast Gathering

thataway · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:12 am Post subject:

We will be shoving off in about an hour--in less than ideal conditions. Heavy rain this AM, with thunder storms, and tornado watch in the Santa Rosa Sound area--it will take us 2 hours to get there, allowing for fueling etc. So hopefully the severe winds will be gone. Should be an interesting run. Thank heavens for modern navigation systems--just follow the magenta line~!

Edit at about 10: 30 we had a serious toronado in down town Pensacola--with damage to Pensacola Yacht club. Fortunately we had not left yet--and Marie was at the hospital for a check up--she kept getting put into the hallway--so it has delayed our departure--but we are still on track to be heading out, assuming no further toronados.

Take care,

cajuncanoe · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:23 am Post subject:

Well, Dab-nab-it! I couldn't arrange a shift swap for this weekend, so Joan and I will miss the GCG. We were really looking forward to attending and meeting the folks who've written/responded to our posts, as well as the other Brats at the Gathering. We hope to return to the Eastpoint area soon and take a closer look at the C-Dorys. May everyone enjoy a fantastic weekend and please post some photos of the Gathering. We'd like to see some of the fun we're going to miss.

Jeff Brigner · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject: Gathering

Well, Mr Bill and Brenda... I'm glad you dodged the storm bullet this year and are in the comfort of the new hot spot in Apalachicola enjoying the sites. I remember last year when you two rolled in like you had spent the day in a washing machine.

Dr Bob,
Glad to hear you and Marie were not out on the water during the storm. Do be careful ! Sue and I were on the phone talking when you gave us your update about not having left yet. We were both relieved. She was informing me that C-Pearl was not in the direct line of fire of the tornado and was still fine.

Cathy and I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. We may not have a boat. Rain and the storm has delayed getting the work completed I was having done. Cry

Wefings · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject:

Well its never a dull moment here in the Panhandle . We have had very little in the way of storm action so far . Bill and Brenda made it , Bob and Nancy are here and the Duck/Papillion contingent are tied up and enjoying them selves . More are on the way and we will fill in the blanks tommorow .
Marc

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:22 pm Post subject:

Just saw the report of the damage and the toronado in P'Cola on the National News. You guys and girls keep your heads down!

Hope you have a great weekend, wish we could be there!

Charlie

aephilli · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject:

Can prospective owners come look? Maybe pay for gas for a ride? Buy some beer to pick y'alls brains/gather opinions?

DaveS · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:01 pm Post subject:

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:07 pm Post subject:

aephilli · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:07 am Post subject:

Thanx for the invite, but I guess I should have cleared it with SWMBO before asking. Rolling Eyes

(thought for sure she wanted to go to the blues fest and I could talk her into a side trip for an hour or 2) I guess I should be happy she wants to watch the football game this PM. (go Noles)

Wefings · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 11:39 am Post subject:

Please come down ! WE are having lots of fun and there are lots of boats to play on ! And brains to pick and BBQ to eat ..........
Marc

thataway · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject:

We need a photo album!

Thanks to Marc and his lovely wife Anita, and our host--the other partner in Wefing's--John Bone and his lovely friend Sherry. When we get the album I'll post some photos of all!

I was asked several times if radar is a good electronic item to have on a C Dory. We left Pensacola on Friday at about 12:30 PM (shortly after the Tornado watch was lifted for Pensacola--and with a watch still on Santa Rosa sound)--filled up with fuel and got to Pensacola NAS by 2 PM--we made Fort Walton by about 4 PM--and decided to go on to Panama City. We tried to get a slip at St. Andrews Marina--but to no avail at about 6PM--and ended up at Panama City Marina at 7 PM--where a night guard was very co-operative in fixing us up with a side tie behind a 100 foot Brevard and a 75 foot Azmuith! We had rain almost the entire run--with visability often at less than 1/2 mile. We ran the last 90 minutes at least under dark--The Radar and two chart plotters were essential for this type of running.

Friday, we took about 2.5 hours to run to Apalachicola in the morning and arrived about noon their time (I keep forgetting that that part of the Gulf Coast is on Eastern time). It was a relief to have a fairly easy run that AM.

On the way home Sunday, we left Apalachicola about 9:15 AM, and arrived at our home--just about 200 statuate miles by 5:45 PM. 7 1/2 hours--an average speed of 26.6 miles an hour. There was debris dodging on the ICW--a number of illegal "no wake" zones, and fishing boats we slowed down to 5 knots for--and picked up 80 gallons of fuel at Fort Walton Beach. The when we got to Santa Rosa Sound the seas had built 3 to 4 feet behind us, and when we turned up into Perdido Bay we had head seas of 2.5 to 3 feet. In the Pensacola Beach to Perdido Key area, we had visability down to 100 feet, with heavy rain and fog. Is radar necessary on the Gulf Coast--it sure is if you run like we do! The radar picked up every boat and bouy along the way, and allowed us to run at speed most of the run.

The time in Apalachicola was as wonderful as last year. Mark has a second career as a chef. I had made a remark about heart healthy food. Marc not only had plenty of heart healthy food, but it was delicious!
The other real virtue of Marc--and Wefing's--is that all of the folks are real boaters. They know what makes boats work--and why. As important is the honest approach they take to boat sales and their customers!

Little mention is given to John and Sherry--the owners of the property. They were constantly attentive to the needs and confort of their guests. It is tough to find better hosts anywhere!

Not only was it great to visit with all of the boaters--but to see the boats and modifications. For us, seeing the "origional" cruise ship--which Wefing's has for charter--was a real treat.

Great fellowship, great boats, great food--and a perfect day on Saturday!--hard to beat!

Bob Austin

Wefings · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:49 am Post subject:

Bob, thank you for the exceptionally kind words and as always your presence[ and Marie] makes out gathering that much better . I will look forward to the photos ! I also want to thank everyone who came to spend time with us . And how about Capt. Kieth from Crystal River in the 25 C Dory who just happened by on the intracoastal [ on his way upriver to Columbus Ga.] that passed the railroad bridge and must have thought he was hallucinating with C Dorys everywhere ! He stayed with the group Sat night and met some new friends and ate and drank with us . Thats what its all about ! We will look forward to next years event ! There are a lot more thank yous that we owe our guests , after all it wouldnt happen without all of you being there .
Marc

Ashley Lynn · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject:

Here's a great big thank you to everyone involved with this years gathering.

Nancy and I both truly enjoyed the gathering, the cruise over and back...and especially meeting all the fun loving people that enjoy boating and just having a good time. John and Marc made us truly feel welcome.
We really thank you!! I hope we can return the favor someday.

We ate, drank, and had some good laughs. Great food. Made new friends. Saw some great boats. We enjoyed hearing the stories and tales of the seasoned C-Brats. (I loved the description of the lady coming out of her house to watch Brydman and crew crash land---chew and all)!

A wealth of good information was absorbed. Thanks Buzz, Dr Bob, Jim and Mike--

A great dinner with Bill and Brenda--great people----Brenda, Don't press "S" too much.

We look forward to seeing everyone soon...I hope we don't have to wait until October 2008. If anyone is traveling or boating in our neck of the woods....give us a shout.

Ps. Nancy even found time to shop....thanks Loree, Judy and Brenda.

Skip Hood · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

Marc and Anita, John and Sherry, many many many many thanks and then some. Had a fantastic time this year as last. Even better as I began to realize it's more about spending time with the people than time on your boat. That's my excuse for never bothering to launch, anyway Cocktail

.

But really, I did especially enjoy getting to know those of you from last year better as well as meeting the new folks.

Next year - hoping there will be another - we'll take a couple extra days off to come by water and make our own salty tale of hardcore nautical adventure, ala Bob & Marie, Bill and Brenda, and Captain Keith. Unless, of course, it looks like less than perfect weather Teeth

.

Wefings · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:05 pm Post subject:

I think your martinis deserve a separate thank you post Skip ! Maybe next year we can go noodling for stone crabs !Or sooner !
Marc