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

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Here are my after Hontoon cruising plans, subject to change without notice.. Water depths and weather conditions must be taken into account.

Friday March 6th morning cruise to DeLeon Springs to visit the park and hopefully see Ken Torres, the park manager. He used to manage Hontoon and looks forward to seeing the C-Brats. Anchor out for the night.

Saturday for those that want, we will have breakfast at the pancake restaurant at the park. Everyone seems to enjoy this. Planning on returning to the Hontoon area by a different route. Anchor out or stop over at Hontoon for another night. Skipper’s choice.

Sunday, boat down the Hontoon dead and over to Blue Spring for those that want to stop and visit. Then we will go off the main river south to our anchorage at Butchers Bend.

Monday, I’ll continue south to Sanford and pull into the day parking area downtown. If anyone forgot things, you can check out the dollar store. Many restaurants in the area. I’ll leave in the afternoon to anchor out somewhere south of Sanford for the night. Others in the past have stayed at the Marina in Sanford.

Tuesday we go up river to Deep Creek to anchor out for the night. This route takes us “boating with the cows” You’ll see what old Florida looks like.

Wednesday, weather permitting, we will try to find our way to the Econ. Ranger Rick and I tried to find the route a little while ago and finally had to admit defeat. Ever since the big flood a few years ago I’ve not been able to make my way further than the end of Lake Harney.

I’ll use my inflatable to investigate a route as long as the weather is calm. So we’ll see what happens. If we find our way, I’ll spend some time on the Econ.

Return trip .....back to Hontoon.....whenever. Join us if you want and return when you want.

Tom and Joyce on the C-Otter

The River flows freely and so do we.......
 
Regarding the "Hontoon Loop" as we call it, where we go down the main channel of the St. John's past Blue Springs, then thru the "cut" to the Dead Hontoon River, stop and weed anchor for lunch, then back up the Dean Hontoon back to the State Park, this is usually one of the cruises offered during days of the gathering. (I've been one of the leaders on it the last two years, and will plan again if we make it to the gathering.) I usually point out where Blue Springs is, then anyone is welcome to drop out of the cruise and enjoy that park, or come back to it later on their own. Blue Springs is worth spending several hours at, but usually not time on the Hontoon Loop trip, which takes about 3 hours on it's own, with a brief lunch stop. (Bring your own lunch.) Lots of birds and turtles, and if not so cold, Aligators, and maybe some Manatees, to be seen. Colby
 
Just finished talking to Mike Hayes and he is willing to do USCG inspections at our C-Dory gathering. He says each one will take about a half hour or less. Always good to make sure we have current and proper safety equipment. If you would like to have your boat inspected at Hontoon send me a PM so that I’ll have an approximate number for him. Bill and Becky Smith on Blue Days met Mike at Hontoon this weekend when he was doing inspections.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

Also be sure to bring your favorite galley or boat gadget along for our contest. Prizes will be awarded. Sorry.... Golfcoast John.... I’m sure I will win with my “Acme Boat Stretcher “ but you can enter anyway. Wylie Coyote approved!

Tom
 
Howdy, I just met David and Teri, great folks from Spring Hill, FL, (on the phone) and got the chance to introduce them to the C-BRAT site and and the Hontoon CBGT. They have a 23 Cape Cruiser and we got them signed up for your event at the park. Dave says the St John's is one of his favorite places. It's late back there so he will sign in tomorrow and introduce himself.

You all give him a nice C-BRAT welcome for me, and Thank you.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I want to bring a couple of items to the Auction. Do I need to prepare anything special or just bring the item? I have a couple of extra-large fenders that I am not using.
 
Just bring the items. The folks who set up the silent auction will decide where and how to price and display. There basically is a sheet by each item, so you can sign your name and price. It is a lot of fun. I have sold a number of items, with the proceeds going to the park--and bought a number of items. Items which show up, include new radios, inflatable boats, on down, to used paper back books...
 

C-Brats 2020 Hontoon Island Gathering
Tuesday:
Continued arrivals. Check in and then Check out other boats. Plus, there’s exploring the island, canoeing, kayaking,
cruising or just plain relaxing on the beautiful St. John’s River.
Dinner: 5:15 Be sure to sign up
Have your dish to pass on shore at the serving table at 4:45. Burgers and hot dogs will be ready at 5:15.
Campfire after dusk: Bring your chairs and enjoy the company and stories of fellow C-Brats. There will be a 50/50 raffle.
Wednesday
8:30 bring items to the tables for the silent auction. Auction begins at 10:00. Ends at 2:00
8:45 Skippers’ Meeting -- Cruising options, manatee protocol and more
9:30: Anchors and anchoring ; Led by Dr. Bob
10:30: What’s in your Ditch Bag?
2:00 End of Auction, pay and pick up your winnings by 3:00
Dinner: 5:15
Have your dish to pass at the serving table at 4:45. Chicken will be here and ready to eat at 5:00 – 5:15
Campfire after dusk: Bring your chairs and enjoy the company and stories of fellow C-Brats. There will be a 50/50 raffle
Thursday
9:30 Nature presentation by Jim Morris, Park Services Specialist
10:45 Galley Gadgets & Boat Gear Bring your favorites to show and tell. Vote on the best ones. Prizes!!
1:00: Guided nature hike led by Becky Smith
Dinner 5:15 – Share left overs and use up what’s in your boat.
Have anything you want grilled at the grill by 4:45. Other dishes to pass at the serving table at 4:45.

Campfire after dusk: Bring your chairs and enjoy the company and stories of fellow C-Brats

See you there....Tom and Joyce
 
Remember to plan for temperatures from 30 to 90 degrees. NO... I am not kidding! The bugs can be from none to "O MY GOODNESS" plan accordingly. Yes ....it rains in sunny Florida. Tom
 
Its warmer than Wisconsin right now--and will be! Right now, Hontoon is 79 and it looks like it is 17 degrees in your neck of the woods, Colby! (Of course the cold front has not yet hit Hontoon.

One of the joys of many of the areas we explore is the history. The St. John's river is one of the most important waterways in the South. There are several books on the history, and one of my favorites is "River of Lakes: A Journey on Florida's St. Johns River " I have read it several times.

One free brief history I discovered today:is a 50 or so page PDF history of the Early St. John's river.. I believe it is worth a read. The St. John's was "discovered" by the European World in 1562, or perhaps a few years before.

This history jumps around a bit, but gives some of the essence of the importance of the St. John's River in our early history. Another very interesting read is the "Travels on the St. John's River"; a narrative In 1765 by father and son naturalists John and William Bartram explored the St. Johns River Valley.
 
Thanks for uploading that link Bob. I also have a book at home about the St Johns River. (I’ll have to look the title up later) Also a great read. There is a lot of history to the River and quite scenic to cruise!
 
Everyone coming to Hontoon remember there’s hundreds of Manatee in the St. John’s River. Please go slow in the minimum wake zones and always maintain a watch.

Here is a resource for manatee awareness. https://www.savethemanatee.org/how-to-h ... r-boaters/

They have a lot of information on this unique mammal. Watch the the top video. It’s a little more than a minute and could save a life.

You don’t want to be like the guy that bought a new John boat and took his kids out to see manatees. Thunk,thunk,thunk,thunk and thunk. Let’s just say that this was a trip that the kids will NEVER forget.

We will use channel 72 on the River in addition to 16. When docking at Hontoon most boats will be backing into the slips due to length. There is usually someone to help. We have not had a scratch in a C-Dory....yet.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the greatest C-Dory gathering in Florida.

Tom and Joyce
 
One last reminder for signing up for those that may have missed it.

1)If you have not signed up on the C-Brats Event signup please do so.

2) fill out our Online registration on this link. https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163
This will save time at the gathering.

Also....If you want to reserve a site you can do so at Reserve America

https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/ ... 8/overview

There will be ample docking available but if your looking for a favorite dock...

11 spots reserved as of today.

Get your auction items together.

Check your trailer tires, drive with care and see you soon......Tom
 
Tom:

If you should have occasion to speak with anyone involved with the rowing teams out on the river please ask them what they prefer we do when overtaking them outside of slow speed zones. I always slow to no wake when I encounter them no matter if it's slow speed or not. Passing in opposite directions is no problem but when they are headed in the same direction they row as fast or faster than I can pass them at no wake speed. Eventually I just get on plane and pass them since at some point I need to move on and I produce less wake on plane than if I try to power pass them at a slower speed. No one has ever complained that I know of but I've always wondered if they realize the quandary......

James
 
Molly Brown":37p7nawd said:
Tom:

If you should have occasion to speak with anyone involved with the rowing teams out on the river please ask them what they prefer we do when overtaking them outside of slow speed zones. I always slow to no wake when I encounter them no matter if it's slow speed or not. Passing in opposite directions is no problem but when they are headed in the same direction they row as fast or faster than I can pass them at no wake speed. Eventually I just get on plane and pass them since at some point I need to move on and I produce less wake on plane than if I try to power pass them at a slower speed. No one has ever complained that I know of but I've always wondered if they realize the quandary......

James
Click to expand...

James, I frequently do safety boat service for rowing/paddling races and in some cases part of my job is to make voice contact with the rower or paddler. For approaching and leaving it is best to be at an acute angle to their travel direction, closer to 90 the better. For passing, obviously as much distance between you and them as possible, and angle so your wake is not parallel to their boat.

My work is with open water racers, and they are generally pretty accomplished at dealing with waves and wakes but it is still good to be respectful on the water.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
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