03/05 - 03/07 - Hontoon Island Gathering St. John’s River

TadandTobyJackson · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:52 am Post subject:

Hi Tom,
Toby and I be coming this year! Do we have to reserve a slip to use during the day since there will be no overnights on the docks? Or do we just us e first come first serve? Do you think they will allow overnights by the time of the CBGT?
We’ll be cruising up the ICW to Jax and then upriver to Hontoon and then probably up to Jekyl Is before heading home or. At least up to Fernandina Beach.
Tad

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:43 am Post subject:

Hi Tad
Glad you and Toby will be back at Hontoon for 2024. We are going to be on the St. John’s during Thanksgiving week and will stop at the park to get an update from Devin. If they don’t have overnight slips there will be no need to reserve a slip. I’ll know more next week and will let everyone know what’s up.

Miafun1 · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2023 9:40 am Post subject: Hontoon Gathering

So far, our reservations have not been canceled. Hope that continues!
Dan

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2023 11:20 am Post subject:

Dan
Our reservation has not been cancelled yet either. Last year they canceled it a month before. I’ll know more next week. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Tom

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2023 4:14 pm Post subject:

Happy Thanksgiving to all.
We are out on the St. John’s river for a few days enjoying the trip greatly. Joyce found a couple of new animal species that she had never seen before. One is the round tailed muskrat….only found on the St. John’s watershed. The other was greater white fronted goose. It doesn’t take much to make her happy as long as we are on the C-Otter.

Water is high now with flooding in Astor. Great time to make our was down to the Econlockhatchee river. We have been trying to explore the Econ for years and finally made our way through the skinny water on Lake Harney. No problem for this trip. The Garmin had no mapping of the area but Navionics did. Good thing as the entrance can be difficult to find especially with deep waters. We’ve been boating the area for years and are still finding new side trips.

As for Hontoon…….still no definite answer as to the docks being available for our gathering. The buildings are in the same condition as last spring. Supposedly the contractor is supposed to start in January. It takes the state awhile to get things done but then that’s a problem most places. No worries! We had a great time last year and we will again in 2024.

If you haven’t made plans to join us be sure to consider it. The St. John’s makes a great winter getaway with much to explore.

Tom and Joyce

Molly Brown · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2023 6:05 am Post subject:

Unfortunately the crew of the Molly Brown will have to bow out in 2024. We have committed to doing the Great American Loop with a departure date of March 11. I had hoped to incorporate the Hontoon gathering but Betty's work needs and prepping the house for an extended absence are making that difficult.

I've no doubt it will be another fabulous time for those that make the effort to attend, and, highly recommend it if your on the fence about going or not. The St.Johns River is a national treasure and a unique cruising area.

Fair seas to all,
James and crew

FLTripper · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2023 10:19 am Post subject:

Hey everyone, I'm new to the site. I just bought a 2003 19 a couple months ago and I'm planning on coming out to the gathering. Excited to learn more about my new boat from some experienced C-brats!

thataway · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2023 10:43 am Post subject:

Welcome aboard! You will get a great "taste" of the extended family of the C Brats!

Great to have a 19; not many show up for the Hontoon gathering.

Also you are very fortunate to live close by the St. John's River. It is our favorite River in N. America. Also you have the Econlockhatchee River (when you can get into its mouth off Lake Harney) to explore if you have not done it in a human powered boat of some type

colbysmith · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2023 1:39 pm Post subject:

We'll miss you James, and Betty. But have fun on the Loop! It was on my bucket list at one time, but think I forgot about it after doing the Inside Passage of Alaska. Maybe someday I'll still put it back on the list. Hope you guys had a good time last month on the Cumberland! Was good to see you there. Colby

FLTripper · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2023 1:47 pm Post subject:

Thanks, yeah we’ve been exploring up and down the St John’s from Hontoon down to Harney since we got the boat. Lots to see and do it’s been so fun.

I’ve spent a lot of time on the Econ river by canoe. Some of the biggest gators I’ve seen in the wild in there.

thataway · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2023 6:48 pm Post subject:

Your knowledge of the Econ will be priceless. We got our boat up as about as far as we could water depth. We have some guests with us who have Kayak/ paddle boards, and I will talk to them about it when they get to the St. John's.

Miafun1 · Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:47 pm Post subject: Hontoon Gathering

Just received our cancellation at Hontoon this spring.

Dan and Peggy
Lake Effect

ssobol · Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:47 pm Post subject:

Got an email today saying my state park reservation for the Hontoon Gathering has been cancelled.

The notice said that campgrounds at Hontoon Island State Park are closed though 10/31/2024.

Mtkitchn · Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:47 pm Post subject:

I just received an email that my Hontoon reservation was canceled.

colbysmith · Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 6:55 pm Post subject:

Same here. Reservations canceled by the Park. Colby