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

you can then park your truck (no trailer) at the Hontoon State Park parking lot at the ferry landing.
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The Ranger at Hontoon discourages us from parking in the relatively small parking lot at Hontoon Landing. The reason is that it takes up valuable space which is used for other guests at the State Park. The exceptions are Tom's truck for emergencies and grocery runs for all. Also I believe the volunteers are allow to park there.

Also the number of passengers allowed on the pontoon boat, Hontoon Ferry, to the mainland is limited to 6 persons plus operator. (and perhaps Park personal in certain cases.). Often park volunteers are driving the ferry.

I agree that I would not leave an unattached trailer at Ed Stone Park.
 
All good points Bob. It’s going to be spring break at the same time we are going to be at Hontoon. The park will be full! Please do not bring your trucks to the park parking lot. The area is very limited and we need to leave room for the campers, volunteers and day use. We have about 33 signed up and if many bring their vehicles to the park we may not be able to go back to Hontoon next year.

If however someone wants to volunteer to bring their vehicle to make multiple runs to the store I will be glad to leave mine at Ed Stone. Vehicle will need to carry 5 people and a large amount of groceries. Figure at least 3 trips a day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. One on Friday.

Thank you for your cooperation.........Tom
 
In another thread John writes:
We reserved B-8 at Hontoon and suggest that whoever is next to us have at least 12, 36 inch diameter fenders out when we approach. We carry chunks of concrete in our rub rails as a badge of honor!
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When I looked just now, I didn't see anyone reserved for 8A yet. Perhaps they knew you were going to be in B, John. Or it could be most don't want to be next to the Hontoon Alligator, as that is the slip he/she likes to crawl up on boats to sun on. Or maybe it's the Water Mocconsin that also slithers around in those two slips. :mrgreen: I wouldn't worry about those two critters too much. I think the alligator likes dog meat, and most the dog owners park several slips away also. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

On another note, I think I only saw 4 slips available on the west dock. As of right now, I see 21 slips open from Monday-Friday, most on the east dock. Not sure if it's C-Brats reserving slips, or spring breakers. But if you are coming and haven't reserved a slip yet, it might just be worth doing so this year.
 
It looks like we better play it safe and reserve one tomorrow. Any recommendations on a good dock number that is available?

Thanks,

Nick
“Valkyrie II”
 
Hello fellow a CBrats. We are recent new cones to c Dory with our purchase of a 255 Tomkat. We are planning on attending the Hontoon event in order to meet fellow Doryites and gain a bit more knowledge about our purchase. We won’t be dragging the boat this time.
Can anyone enlighten us to what we need to bring in order to participate as much as possible in all the festivities?
We would love to go on one of the day cruises if anyone is willing to take on two pirates! More than happy to help pay for fuel and beer!!!
Looking forward to our first CDory gathering. Thanks in advance for any info,
Rick and Anita Hallman
 
Hi Rick and Anita, and welcome to this friendly and helpful club!

We’d be glad to have you guys aboard for any day trip at the Hontoon Hoot. And to tell you everything we know about this great boat, which won’t take long.
We’re always learning. And laughing.

If you have an adequate tow truck and trailer, don’t be afraid of trailering to Ed Stone ramp, which is deep and steep. The river is mostly idle speed in the interest of the manatees for our group. It ranks among the least challenging boating conditions in the eastern part of the continent, in our (no doubt poorly informed) opinion.

We’ll defer to our host Tom on C-Otter (Avidmagnum) re what you should bring. This Gathering is unique in that Hontoon Island State Park Marina has a small parking lot across the narrow St John River, where you take a park ferry (captained mostly by volunteers) across the river. The last ferry is at 6PM, which is close to bedtime for many if not most of us. Depending on where you are staying, it might be OK with Tom and the Park to park in the small lot. Ed Stone county park is a 3-4 mile hike away with no sidewalks and lots of fire ant mounds.

We are at Calusa Island Marina in Goodland, less than 2 hours from Coral Gables across Alligator Alley. PM me for my cell phone number if you’d like to visit us here before the Hoot. We might load up Friday before dawn (tough tides), or Monday. Whatever.

This Gathering is a fantastic forum for sharing tips and trips among those who cruise the nations’ waterways on small trailer boats and make the best of it. Glad you’ll be joining us!

John and Eileen
 
Rick and Anita

Like John said if you have a trailer bring your Tomcat. Close lodging can be a problem at this late date but there should be some lodging in DeLand. I posted a schedule a page or two back so check that out. We have a few pot luck dinners so bring a dish to pass for those. Day visitors can park in the Hontoon lot. Be sure to sign up under the events on the C-Brat website and also at https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

If after looking over the Hontoon Gathering link you have any further questions please send me a PM and I’ll give you my phone number. Glad to talk......

See you at Hontoon! Tom
 
One correction to the Ferry schedule; although the last "Official Ferry" is somewhere around 5 or 5:30 PM this time of year. One of the Volunteers always takes a group back to the mainland at the end of the campfire. If not, then one of us can take you back in their dinghy anytime (within reason).

Park hours are given as open until Sundown (March 3 Sundown is 6:26 PM EST,)The official statement is an hour before sunset is the last ferry, except the last Ferry at 6:30 in summer hours.

Often people who do not have boats or Ice chest/refrigerator, bring a desert or a speciality bread or hors d’oeuvres to be shared. "Dinner: 5:15
Have your dish to pass at the serving table at 4:45. "

There is always a place to put a boat, if that is a concern.

I checked Airbnb, and there are many places which are very close to the Hontoon landing, at bargain prices. I don't know about availability.
 
Molly Brown has been on the water since Monday. We’ve only seen C-Otter but didn’t have a chance to visit since they were on a schedule with family in tow. We headed north from Ed Stone so apologies to Blue Days, Hontoon hosts, for not coming by but we’ll see you soon. Currently in the Haw Creek State Preserve at the southern end of Crescent Lake. Friday mornings low to be 35 but next week is looking better every day....80’s for high and 60’s for lows so that should make our northern brethren happy 😃

Getting excited for the meet up,
James and crew
 
We managed to get out of Wisconsin after the big blizzard forecast fizzled. However, that's because the track moved south. Not what I really wanted to hear. Still, I made a good decision thinking that we would be going thru that area while it was rain rather than snow. And that's exactly what happened. So we are on schedule to launch at Ed Stone on Friday right after lunch. For those of you that are already there, hows the water level looking? I'm still thinking about heading to DeLeon Springs as soon as we get launched if it's not too late in the day. Colby
 
Colby,
Water level has come up a little over the last week or so. I think you should be able to get to DeLeon with your 22. Might even be doable in a 25.
Bill
 
Here’s how we decide if it’s OK to go to DeLeon Springs. When you launch at Ed Stone check out the clearance at the HW 44 bridge. 16’ or less you are good to go. More than that you’re at risk. We had 15’8” on Monday and it was an easy trip to DeLeon.

For everyone coming to Hontoon. Please get your provisions before you launch. The camp store has snacks but not much more. There is a deli across the River. A couple restaurants near the HW 44 bridge and some near Sanford.

Saw a dead manatee in the river but we don’t know what happened. Lots of birds and gators 🐊. Watch out for the minimum wake zones especially by marinas.

We have 9 signed up for boat inspections starting on Tuesday. Any other takers send me a PM.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon. Tom
 
We plan on launching at Ed Stone tomorrow before noon, so that we can hopefully steal Colby's favorite parking spot before he gets there.

Otherwise we wouldn't get up that early.

Come and enjoy the very best C-Dory Gathering in all of Florida!

John
 
Luck for me John, I've got two or three favorite spots. lol! If we have that bridge height less than 16', I think we will do the DeLeon Springs thing. (Bill & Becky, thanks for the PM. Like you, I do that last dash at hull speed. And if I have to, I may run it on the kicker. Rather muck that one up than the main! :mrgreen: ) Plan to leave Tallahassee tomorrow morning by 8am. So if all goes as planned, still looking at Ed Stone at 1p. If anyone else is interested in following me up to DeLeon Springs, if we do decide to do that, let me know by text or FB messenger. (I won't be checking email again before tomorrow night or possibly Saturday.) Or just be in the area of Ed Stone park when we launch. Not a definite decision yet, but leaning that way. Colby
 
I have just listed my 16' C-Dory Cruiser on the "for sale" page of this site. I live only about an hour from the Hontoon Island state park. Come see us, pick up our almost new C-Dory and join the rest of the C-Dory folks at this coming March get-together. :D
 
I'm sure the answer is in the previous eight pages

Do y'all do any cooking off your boats?

Is there a grill and do we need charcoal?

Are there any combined meals that I need to bring something for?

Got to fire up my stove on the boat and see how the thing works I suppose.

Is coffee going to be available on the island side?

Or do I bring my kayak and paddle over to the deli?
 
Yes
Yes
Yes No
Yes
Good idea
Yes
You can do that...😇


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
 
I count 17 C-Dorys plus Honorary Waterbill on his R-23 here tonight at the Hontoon hoot, which doesn't even start til Tuesday. I am often purty good at counting numbers under 20 as long as I am barefoot.

I stole Colby's fav parking spot in an effort to force him into the UnWanted Migrants Overflow Parking Lot, but it didn't work. Drat.

Host Tom on C-Otter was not WAY too far wrong when he said to prepare for 30 degree weather as well as 90 degree weather. 34 degrees low so far and only 89 predicted next Wed, so he needs to learn to be MUCH more precise for attendees to get properly prepared.

We're all sorry that Jack from Alaska couldn't make it this year, but at least it gives some other boat a shot at the Who Traveled The Furthest Award. In past years, no one else ever had a chance. Now it's Billings, Montana vs two from Illinois so far as I know.

It's almost 7:30 PM, so within the next 6-8 hours Dr. Bob's new dance strobe lights and techno-rock music will stop and we can all get some sleep.

It still disturbs me how hundreds of vultures circle over this Gathering at dusk every evening, but Pat Clow (The Bird Lady) says not to worry about it, so we won't.

Happy Adventures!

John
 
John, I'm not sure, but I think Billings MT is farther than Illinois. :mrgreen: My bet is the distance thing goes to CatClaw!

I stole Colby's fav parking spot in an effort to force him into the UnWanted Migrants Overflow Parking Lot, but it didn't work. Drat
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Actually, I got my favorite spot, right between you and Bob. Nobody will even think about messing with my measly F150, when there are two honking real trucks on each side of me! :mrgreen:

As for the Turkey Vultures, you'll probably have more problems with the Hontoon Alligator and Water Moccassin, since you took their slip! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

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