03/03 - 03/05 - Hontoon Island CBGT Deland, Florida
- Thread starter Avidmagnum12
- Start date
colbysmith
Active member
Tyboo, can we get a photo album for this thread? Thanks. Colby
gulfcoast john
New member
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
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
gulfcoast john
New member
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]
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]
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
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
Member
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Molly Brown
Member
To all attendees!
Outstanding gathering! After a four year hiatus the crew of the Molly Brown could not be happier.
Thank you,
James
Outstanding gathering! After a four year hiatus the crew of the Molly Brown could not be happier.
Thank you,
James
colbysmith
Active member
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! 
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
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. ColbyThis appears to have been a really good gathering. It seems to have turned into the east sides equivalent to Friday Harbor. We are going to try & make it next year from here in Wyoming. I do hope it ends up being scheduled just a bit later as our Hunkydory is still surrounded by snow.
Jay
Jay
colbysmith
Active member
Jay, I pushed to get it at least a week or two later, but Tom checked with the park boss, and looks like it will still be Tue-Thu in the first full week of March next year again. Although many showed up by the weekend before, and will hang around for a week or so after. Midnight Flyer had snow all around it also, but I do keep it plowed out after each and every storm. But it's always a concern on what weather will be between home and Hontoon. This year there was a threat of a blizzard, but the track moved south far enough that we were able to sneak thru during the day when it was just rain! But last year I dealt with freezing rain in the same area, and a few years before that I beat a tornado. (Weird year). And several times I've towed up thru some snow showers. (Actually had snow showers this year too, but just wet roads.) This is a great gathering if you can make it! Colby
Another one in the books and our first to attend. A huge thank you to our hosts Tom and Joyce. They both did a ton of work to make the event a success and it certainly showed. Everything was well organized and well thought out
Had a great time and highly recommend not just the gathering of like minded folks but the Park itself is fantastic. If you’ve never been then make plans to ASAP!
Thanks again for a great time. We hope to see you all again soon on the water. Until then, stay safe and get that ditch bag together.
Had a great time and highly recommend not just the gathering of like minded folks but the Park itself is fantastic. If you’ve never been then make plans to ASAP!
Thanks again for a great time. We hope to see you all again soon on the water. Until then, stay safe and get that ditch bag together.
Jay and Colby, This one has been on my radar since I retired, but there seems to always have been some other (often family) conflicts. A SE trip is coming up in the future and Hontoon is going to be part of that adventure.
It sounds like it is huge there and I am looking forward to meeting the group and seeing another whole kind of boating. Sounds exciting.
So, for 2021 it sounds to be the same schedule. Is there some reason given or is it just because it is a traditional weekend? What is it that has it locked in as far as the park ranger is concerned? Or is it some other complication?
For the northern folk, it seems like a week or two later could be advantageous in several ways. Or, does it start getting to hot, too many bugs, or are there other concerns, water level, manatee migrations, or alligator mating days that need to be avoided? :?
Looking forward to the photos.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
It sounds like it is huge there and I am looking forward to meeting the group and seeing another whole kind of boating. Sounds exciting.
So, for 2021 it sounds to be the same schedule. Is there some reason given or is it just because it is a traditional weekend? What is it that has it locked in as far as the park ranger is concerned? Or is it some other complication?
For the northern folk, it seems like a week or two later could be advantageous in several ways. Or, does it start getting to hot, too many bugs, or are there other concerns, water level, manatee migrations, or alligator mating days that need to be avoided? :?
Looking forward to the photos.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Avidmagnum12
Member
Harvey
The reason that we have to stick to the first week in March is that spring break starts the following week. The limited staff at the park would be overwhelmed. The next available dates would be in April and that will be heavy bug season.
Sorry .....Tom
The reason that we have to stick to the first week in March is that spring break starts the following week. The limited staff at the park would be overwhelmed. The next available dates would be in April and that will be heavy bug season.
Sorry .....Tom