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

WeekiTiki · Posted: Sat Feb 29, 2020 10:10 pm Post subject:

Should have just come over myself I suppose

Can't believe...

there's that many of y'all already there

WeekiTiki · Posted: Sat Feb 29, 2020 10:22 pm Post subject:

One of the things that I enjoy most about the St. Johns during the summer

are the wild hibiscus along the banks

colbysmith · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 4:44 pm Post subject:

Tyboo, can we get a photo album for this thread? Thanks. Colby

gulfcoast john · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 7:46 pm Post subject:

Since we launched at Ed Stone for Hontoon on Friday, Feb 28 on the Spring Break weekend, I couldn’t find my truck keys. Eileen and I looked in the fridge (like the dementia commercial) and all the other places that happily demented elders like me typically leave the keys. No joy.

Today we hiked the 4.7 miles back to Ed Stone ramp to see if I had left them in the truck, which with 70k prepaid maintenance and extended warranty and stupid un-avoidable millineal options like the ability to start the truck engine from your cell phone was an 80 Boat Unit item with TT&DP. (I already butt-dial India twice a month and do NOT need or want to start the truck engine that way).

I found the truck with all the doors un-locked and the keys in a console cup-holder easily visible from the outside. If anyone had driven it off with the Wefings Bob Austin TC255 Edition EOH trailer we would have had a tough time getting the boat back home. (This truck is so smart it won’t let you lock your keys inside...when you press the ‘lock’ button and close the doors, it quietly un-locks the doors when they close).

So when host Tom says keeping your rig at Ed Stone ‘historically seems fairly safe’ don’t keep it unlocked with the keys on the console.

Just say-ing.

Happy Cruising!

John

Fishstix2 · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 8:03 pm Post subject: Hontoon

We will be seeing you guys tmrw sometime after 230. Is everyone staying at the marina or swinging on the hook??

gulfcoast john · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 8:25 pm Post subject:

All are at Hontoon Island State Park Marina, as far as I know, and I do not know very far, except 2 or so exploring.

Welcome aboard!

(They say they don't have a trailer and did not bring the boat).

When you come over on the Park ferry just stroll down the far right docks and introduce yourselves as visiting owners and you will welcomed into the family. c

Cat O' Mine is well marked near the end of the far right dock.

Looking forward to meeting you!

John and all the Brats at the Hontoon Hoot[/list]

WeekiTiki · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:05 am Post subject:

I sure do hope all y'all's boats aren't polished to the hilt

Have a feeling there's some extremely bright days ahead

Alan

DavidM · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:26 am Post subject: Can't come

I had registered, but this weekend when I greased up the trailer bearings and put more hydraulic fluid in, I noticed the fluid pouring out of the wheel cylinders. So the brakes are shot.

It will take several days to get it fixed so unfortunately I can't make the get together this time. Maybe next.

Y'all have fun.

David

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 8:42 pm Post subject:

David
Trailers are often the weak point of trailer boating. Take care, get it fixed and hope to see you next year.

Tom

29 boats here tonight and one that had to leave. Great time at the camp fire talking about tow rigs and silly, dangerous incidents. I visited a lot of boats the last few days and have picked up lots of great ideas. Great people with great boats.

hardee · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 11:02 pm Post subject:

Tom, You are doing great there. What a turn out. Enjoy and stay safe. Hope to see you all next time around.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Kathryn · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 8:52 am Post subject:

Hope you are all having a wonderful gathering at Hontoon Island. Bob's hand will NOT require surgery--it should heal with immobilization by brace--so we are leaving today to head south. We will probably launch Saturday morning. Is there a group we could meet up with at that point?

I have a particular interest in seeing and stepping onto C-Dory's with the cockpit cover. I believe your 25' has one. I've been wanting one ever since I've seen them! For Christmas this year Bob gave me the promise of one for our 22' C-Dory, IF I could get in and out safely. He afraid I won't be able to step down into the boat from a dock with the fixed frame. It won't unzip like a bimini. My knees are compromised and I'm not too agile!

Question--will anyone (especially a 22') with the fixed cantilever top still be around by Saturday? We could meet up anywhere.

Another question--this one probably too late since we leave in a few hours
We put the 2 cubic foot (really 1.7) Norcold fridge in our C-Dory, then liked it so much that Bob rebuilt the helm seat to hold the next size up. We have a nearly new fridge complete with the door for the cabinet under the helm seat, that I would love to sell to someone who needs it--half price! All it needs is to attach the door to the cabinet, hardwire the fridge to the battery, and brace it in place.
Is anyone interested? We could bring it down with us. This time or some other time we came down.

Thinking of you all there. Enjoy your last day!

Jackie Hall

I am sending this privately to Tom as well, in case no one gets messages at the gathering.

TyBoo · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 10:07 am Post subject:

Good morning! I hope you are having a good and warm time. It is frosty here on the west coast.

We set up a photo album for all your pics. I will be watching for them when you are able to show us.

Have a great cruise!

hardee · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 6:14 pm Post subject:

Molly Brown · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 7:35 pm Post subject:

To all attendees!
Outstanding gathering! After a four year hiatus the crew of the Molly Brown could not be happier.
Thank you,
James

colbysmith · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 9:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks Mike (Tyboo). I'll probably wait until I get home to upload quite a few photos, unless I find some internet before then. Already over my limit for data on my smart phone, and the wife will soon start saying something to me about it! Sad

I believe we had like 30 boats here this year. The majority of them here a day or two before the gathering even began. To the Brat asking about folks still here, yes there will be a number of us still cruising on the river, but I'll let Tom get back to you privately about the group he's leading. There may be a few others on their own... It was a great gathering, once again, and the weather cooperated beautifully this year. Tom and Joyce do a great job putting this together and leading it. Several great "seminars" as well. Also just learned we broke our past record for donation to the park. I don't want to take Tom's thunder away, so I'll leave that for him to post about. Colby