03/03 - 03/05 - Hontoon Island CBGT Deland, Florida

Avidmagnum12 · From 03 Mar 2020 to 05 Mar 2020 (included)

It's time again to make your plans to join fellow C-Brats at Hontoon Island State Park located on the magnificent St. John's River near Deland Florida.
2020's dates are from Tuesday March 3 thru Thursday March 5. But many cruise the river and its tributaries before and after the gathering.

If you have attended in the past you know we have some day trips, some C-Dory seminars, evening potluck meals, great fellowship around the campfire, Colby S'mores, Lee's ice cream, Clow's fund raiser auction and much more. Good parking for your rigs at nearby Ed Stone Park on Highway 44.

More information to come in a few days.

moderator please set up event signup and album...Thanks

Added to Calendar
Signup list
-TyBoo

thataway · Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:42 pm Post subject:

Thank you and Joyce for again putting this gathering together. It Is a highlight of a year for us. We will be there a few days early, and stick around for 3 weeks after--if all is well in the world!

Miss Angel is looking forward to seeing her doggy friends. I. have already started my pile of items to donate for the auction. I promise I'll not fall overboard! Plus we have a couple of new "kitchen gadgets" to share this year.

For those who have not come to the St. John's river there are a lot of great features. One of our favorites is the wild life. Plenty of crocs, Manatees, and wonderful birding! For those who come early or stay after--the time with Tom and Joyce is an amazing experience!

colbysmith · Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2019 10:26 pm Post subject:

As Bob said, thanks for putting this together, and it's also a highlight for me! Rosanne and I will be there with Midnight Flyer. Assuming we're not snowed in up north. An early request. After Hontoon 2020, how about we shoot for the second full week of March. The last two years it's been pretty early in March, with cold and/or rainy days. Plus, we're still dealing with snow and ice in the midwest. Seems like in the past with a little later in March, the weather has been better. Anyway, just my two cents.
I'm also stacking up a few things for the auction. Not sure yet if we will be down more than a few days before the gathering, but very likely we'll hang out for a good week afterwards. Colby

jennykatz · Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2019 9:39 am Post subject: Hontoon

We are hoping to be there Monday-Friday and this year we have heat and AC We look forward to this every year Jim

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2019 1:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks Dr. Bob and Colby for the kind words. This is also the highlight of our winter boating season. The reason this works so well is the EVERYONE pitches in. Where else can you find a group like this? Colby.... we can check with the park and then see if the majority want to move back a week for 2021.

We are also getting some boat things together for the Clow auction to raise money for the park. Our project last year was to install a washer and dryer for volunteers at the park. I am happy to report that they are up and running. I was at Hontoon yesterday and a volunteer was doing a load of laundry and thrilled that they did not have to run to town. I was told that C-Brats are more than welcome to do some loads at the gathering. Your generosity is appreciated.

Laundry Building

Laundry Machines

Looking forward to see everyone....Tom

gulfcoast john · Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2019 6:54 pm Post subject: Hontoon

Always a hoot thanks to Tom and Joyce!

Will there be any more locks?

I see Three Rivers Marine has a new 2020 TC255 just in case Colby wants to do a trade-in en route and show up on a new ride.

The new 15,000 BTU rooftop Coleman AC really blasts out some cold air. The installers who took off the old 13k seized unit said "4 big bolts through the roof hold it on. Two were broken off and the third one was bent. Don't go out in seas like that with this new one because the warranty won't cover it." We didn't pay extra for the 'off road' or 'marine' edition. $850 for the unit and nonducted ceiling assbly from PPL, $115 truck shipping and $300 cash to swap out the units...what's another Boat Unit to stay cool?

Cheers!
John

colbysmith · Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2019 9:51 pm Post subject:

Valkyrie · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2019 7:12 am Post subject:

Hi Brats,

That’s great news! Marcia and I will be attending for the duration and probably a few days before, as well.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Nick and Marcia
“Valkyrie II”
C-Dory 25

hardee · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2019 3:45 am Post subject:

Already looking forward to the 2021 session. I like to plan a head --- long story. Anyway, will be following this one this year too.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Micahbigsur@msn.com · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2019 10:42 am Post subject:

This sounds like a lot of fun. Dana lived in Key Largo for years with her Pennekamp dive charter business, she want's to head across the country to do a circuit of Florida for the winter of 2021 (she did it in the early 70s and hopes it will still be fun). March may be good before heading back across the Okeechobee to the west coast.

C. A. Derivas · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2019 3:39 pm Post subject:

Tom and Joyce, how generous of you to do this again. Thank you so much. We’ll be there, I promise with all my heart. We just gotta make it !
We’ll be spending more than the three days to enjoy the folks and the scenery.
Gives us a goal to conquer!! Thanks again

cdory25 · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 10:57 pm Post subject:

We'll be there with our Venture 23 SHOAL MATES!

John, Karen and Meadow

Kathryn · Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 7:31 am Post subject:

Tried to cancel this one.

Kathryn · Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 7:33 am Post subject:

This gathering has been high on my "first year of retirement to do" list
for years now.
However, we cannot come this early in March.
My husband and son (and grandsons) have to ski the Birkebeiner
in Wisconsin the last weekend of February.
Maybe if it's a little later next year???? : )

Hoping for 2021!
Jackie & Bob

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 3:54 pm Post subject:

Hi All
It's fun to see the early sign ups and look forward to seeing everyone at Hontoon next March. I will check with the park about dates for 2021. If they are agreeable to go a week later for 2022 I will put it to a vote at this years gathering.

There are usually C-Dorys on the St. Johns a couple of weeks after the gathering. Don't miss the river just because you can't make the gathering.

Jackie......hopefully the guys will have enough snow to ski the Birkebeiner. You never know for sure. I sure loved to cross country ski in the day. Now I'm content to "boaterhome" up that way in the summer.

Joyce and I are going to take the C-Otter out for a few days and will be stopping at Hontoon.

Later....Tom