03/04 - 03/06 - St. John's River, Florida 2016
- Thread starter Avidmagnum12
- Start date
colbysmith
Active member
Special Brat get together! 
colbysmith
Active member
Don't know about that, unless we are using some other abbreviations... Lol
Avidmagnum12
Member
Jim and Jeanine...you have the number 35 spot. That fills us up again for now.
Your Blue Rose is a beautiful C-Dory. If you have not visited the St. John's yet you are in for a treat. If you have any questions give us a call. Our number was on the list for the Mississippi Gathering.
Visited with Cliff on the Ocklawaha Queen today on Haines Creek on the Harris Chain. Cliff will talk about the Ocklawaha River on the Saturday morning of our gathering. Don't miss it. Gulfcoast John will be giving a talk about bottom painting your boat. All this talent.....I just can't wait.
Sitting on the hook with two other C-Dorys in view.....it can't get much better than this.
Tom and Joyce
Your Blue Rose is a beautiful C-Dory. If you have not visited the St. John's yet you are in for a treat. If you have any questions give us a call. Our number was on the list for the Mississippi Gathering.
Visited with Cliff on the Ocklawaha Queen today on Haines Creek on the Harris Chain. Cliff will talk about the Ocklawaha River on the Saturday morning of our gathering. Don't miss it. Gulfcoast John will be giving a talk about bottom painting your boat. All this talent.....I just can't wait.
Sitting on the hook with two other C-Dorys in view.....it can't get much better than this.
Tom and Joyce
TadandTobyJackson
New member
Hi Tom and Joyce,
Toby and I were up in East Point and Apalachicola this week and met with Marc Grove to test drive C-Tide. We loved it and put down a deposit. Marc will deliver to our house on Saturday the 30th and pick up the Comfy Dory to take back and sell on Wefings lot! He's the Best!
I hope there is some help on the dock when we land cause this boat seems like it is twice as big as Comfy. We're going to cruise up the ICW to JAX from Merritt Island and then up the St Johns to Hontoon to get a little drive time experience on C Tide. We'll be there on Wednesday or Thursday.
T and T
Toby and I were up in East Point and Apalachicola this week and met with Marc Grove to test drive C-Tide. We loved it and put down a deposit. Marc will deliver to our house on Saturday the 30th and pick up the Comfy Dory to take back and sell on Wefings lot! He's the Best!
I hope there is some help on the dock when we land cause this boat seems like it is twice as big as Comfy. We're going to cruise up the ICW to JAX from Merritt Island and then up the St Johns to Hontoon to get a little drive time experience on C Tide. We'll be there on Wednesday or Thursday.
T and T
Avidmagnum12
Member
Congratulations Tad and Toby!
It's exciting to hear that we'll have one of only six 25' "Cruse Ships " at our CBGT. I'm was surprised that the C-Tide was not sold by now but now know that it was waiting for you. The learning curve in handling a 25 after owning a 22 is small. I've always had a problem backing into a slip and still do!
There will be someone on the dock to give you a hand if needed.
Marc at Wefings is one of the "good guys"! He will find a good home for the Comfy Dory. I sold the Out2C myself to a gentleman from Illinois that drove down to Florida to look at it. If he had not bought it the Out2C was going to take it up to Wefings. Marc told me last week that if he could work it out he would stop in at the St. John's gathering.
So happy for you....Tom and Joyce
It's exciting to hear that we'll have one of only six 25' "Cruse Ships " at our CBGT. I'm was surprised that the C-Tide was not sold by now but now know that it was waiting for you. The learning curve in handling a 25 after owning a 22 is small. I've always had a problem backing into a slip and still do!
There will be someone on the dock to give you a hand if needed.
Marc at Wefings is one of the "good guys"! He will find a good home for the Comfy Dory. I sold the Out2C myself to a gentleman from Illinois that drove down to Florida to look at it. If he had not bought it the Out2C was going to take it up to Wefings. Marc told me last week that if he could work it out he would stop in at the St. John's gathering.
So happy for you....Tom and Joyce
On our trip to the St. Johns river we launched at the Holly Bluff Marina . www.m.hollybluff.com It's very close to Hoontoon State Park. They have fuel and nice showers laundry etc. They know about the local area and are very good about sharing things to do etc. They rent house boats if you wanted to check out the area and needed a boat to do it. The launch ramp is fine. We left our truck and trailer there and kept the boat there for a few days before the SBRAT event. It was nice to have the truck close by to check out the surrounding area. We rode down to Sanford (went to the German restaurant as recommended) and went to a nice Biological Preserve along the way. Deland is a pretty big town with plenty to see. What I thought was amazing was that 45 minutes from the gator you just got done looking at you could be in Daytona Beach having a bite to eat with a cocktail on the beach. Talk about culture shock. Just a couple ideas for the out of towners who are getting there early or sticking around after Tom and Joyce's well organized event. All the people we ran into in the whole area were nicest you could imagine. You will really like Cliff he is amazing. If you can find some of that Jiffy Pop popcorn for the fire it's always a hit to pass around after it becomes like a tin foil Martian's head and share with your new friends. They call them redneck fire alarms.(Casey) Having a small crock pot for the potluck can be handy to have along. Great area have fun lots of great memories.
D.D.
D.D.
Avidmagnum12
Member
Hi Jim
The park has about 40 slips that are available on a first come first served basis. (We need to get the slips B4 the locals drop in.) Never in a million years did I think we would have this many boats coming! We are going to make it work. Yes...best that you and everyone else check in at the park on Thursday or earlier. I'll put down Mike as attending on my list but if he could sign in on the C-Brats sign up if he has not done so I would appreciate it.
Dave .....You are right Holly Bluff is a great Marina. I have stored my truck and trailer there in the past. It's a recommended facility in my opinion.
Everyone.....Because of the number we have coming, please try to check in at the park on Thursday or before. If you absolutely can't PM me and I'll do what I can to "take over" what we need. Also...if you have not signed up on the C-Brats web site yet please do it now. I will PM more information and you will not get it if your not signed up.
With everyone's help this is going to be the BEST C-Brat gathering...EVER.
Tom
The park has about 40 slips that are available on a first come first served basis. (We need to get the slips B4 the locals drop in.) Never in a million years did I think we would have this many boats coming! We are going to make it work. Yes...best that you and everyone else check in at the park on Thursday or earlier. I'll put down Mike as attending on my list but if he could sign in on the C-Brats sign up if he has not done so I would appreciate it.
Dave .....You are right Holly Bluff is a great Marina. I have stored my truck and trailer there in the past. It's a recommended facility in my opinion.
Everyone.....Because of the number we have coming, please try to check in at the park on Thursday or before. If you absolutely can't PM me and I'll do what I can to "take over" what we need. Also...if you have not signed up on the C-Brats web site yet please do it now. I will PM more information and you will not get it if your not signed up.
With everyone's help this is going to be the BEST C-Brat gathering...EVER.
Tom
gulfcoast john
New member
looking forward to it, plan thurs am arrival at Ed Stone ramp.
Cheers!
John
Cheers!
John
colbysmith
Active member
I plan on departing the Madison Wi area Monday morning. If all goes well (as in no major weather or trip delays), I hope to be launching Wednesday so as to make it to Hontoon before it gets dark. Otherwise, sometime Thursday. Initially I was set to launch and park at Astor Marine. Then it sounded like Ed Stone would be a safe place to leave the tow rig parked for a week or so. Now I'm hearing about Holley Bluff.... I'm still leaning towards Ed Stone Park, if no one has anything bad to say about the park, and if every one that is familiar with it believes it to be a safe place to leave a rig unattended for a week. Colby
colbysmith
Active member
Just another thought, with so many boats coming and unable to reserve slips at Hontoon. I've never been there, so no idea if this is a good suggestion or not. But if Holly Bluff is a great marina, and if slips could be reserved there, what about moving the gathering to there, or just using it for overflow if Hontoon fills up? Colby
Moving to Holly Bluff is a creative idea, but I don't think it's really viable.
HB is across the river, and I doubt they would have enough slips either - and splitting the group would be sad.
Hopefully we can secure enough slips to accommodate our group. Hontoon is a Perfect spot for CBGT's (...oops SBGT) and we'll make it work one way or another.
I seem to recall some CBGT's where the marina was simply overloaded but we got by. With some 'creative rafting, possibly anchoring outside the harbor area, whatever ... we'll make it work.
Best,
C&M
HB is across the river, and I doubt they would have enough slips either - and splitting the group would be sad.
Hopefully we can secure enough slips to accommodate our group. Hontoon is a Perfect spot for CBGT's (...oops SBGT) and we'll make it work one way or another.
I seem to recall some CBGT's where the marina was simply overloaded but we got by. With some 'creative rafting, possibly anchoring outside the harbor area, whatever ... we'll make it work.
Best,
C&M
Casey,
I mentioned Holly Bluff as a place to launch and use as trailer storage as you can't find anything that is much closer. We stayed there before the C-Brat get together to be close to our truck and to be able to do some laundry. I was not recommending to split up anything.
D.D.
I mentioned Holly Bluff as a place to launch and use as trailer storage as you can't find anything that is much closer. We stayed there before the C-Brat get together to be close to our truck and to be able to do some laundry. I was not recommending to split up anything.
D.D.
colbysmith
Active member
Sounds good to me Casey. Dave, it was my "wondering" suggestion. I'm really looking forward to the gathering. I've never been in that area, other than Disney World, and I'm looking forward to getting the boat out of "cold" storage early! Just praying we don't have some major storms come thru that make traveling with boat in tow not a good idea! Keeping my fingers crossed that I can get there by Wednesday evening or first thing Thursday and get a good spot! 8) COlby
Avidmagnum12
Member
Casey has it right on the money! WE WILL MAKE IT WORK! Hontoon Island State Park is the ONLY Marina in the area that can possibly have room for us. They are going to move their boats off the docks and make sure we have an end dock so that rafting is possible..... IF NEEDED. The staff at Hontoon are the greatest! Another small marina is just across the river that has some slips available if anyone desires. That is Hontoon Landing Resort and Marina 386 734-2474 @ $50 a night plus tax there. $20 plus tax at Hontoon...less if you are a Florida resident....$10 plus Tax.
So Colby...... just stay out of the Winter Storms and get your butt....that is BOAT down here.
Safe Trip....Tom
So Colby...... just stay out of the Winter Storms and get your butt....that is BOAT down here.
Safe Trip....Tom
Hello C-Brats.. Hoping you all don't mind a boat that is not a C-Dory. We some times confuse people. We came into Hontoon Island last year just after your St. Johns River get together on a side trip of our Great Loop journey. We were welcomed by Lisa and Randy on Dunworkin, Judy and Rich on Ynot and Hank and Pat on Mari Aura.. After close inspection of our Bluejacket 28 they thought we would fit in and invited us to return this year. Just an overgrown C-Dory. To help fit in to your group we will add a "C" to our boat name... De De... We are also a trailer able boat powered by an outboard. Hopefully we can find a slip to slide into. Diane and I will try to make the scene mid-week. Any thing else we should know, please send it on.. .
Avidmagnum12
Member
I sent this by PM to everyone on the sign up list. If you did not get it read it here. If your plans have changed and you are not attending let us know ASAP.
Greetings C-Brats Please Read Carefully!
Time for further information about our Third Hontoon Island CBGT for Special C-Brats.
Preliminary Schedule :
Early arrivals are encouraged.
IMPORTANT…Signing up guarantees you may attend the gathering. It does not guarantee you a slip. Last year we had 21 boats and there were lots of slips available. This year it looks like we may fill up. With everyone’s cooperation it will work out.
You may arrive any time before the gathering. Most will get there on Thursday or before. This will be “on your own time”. Go for a cruise, hike the island, rent a kayak or just chill out with fellow C-Brats. Just make sure you pay for your slip for the full time you plan on staying. We should have full docks. If you wish to anchor out, you may do so and we will do our best to get you to a dock during the day or raft up, but I do encourage everyone to join us in staying with the group on the docks . Please…shallow draft boats pick a slip near the shore. All docks are floating docks. Most will have to back into the slips as anchors are prohibited over docks. You may of course remove your anchor. If you have a challenge with this…. like I do, please wait for assistance especially when another craft is in an adjacent slip. (Bring extra fenders) Slips have water and 30 amp power. NO WIFI!
FRIDAY, March 4, 2016: Continued arrivals. We can pay to hold a slip for a friend a day ahead. So if you cannot arrive early, contact me so that arrangements are made with the park to keep a slip for you. Thanks.
The Park may have music from 2Pm till 4Pm. This is outside our control but we have heard the style of music they have and it was not a problem.
DINNER at 5:15 Pm
Bring Dish to Pass at 4:45Pm
This is one of two official “Pot Lucks” with Burgers , Hot Dogs ,buns and condiments provided. Bring a generous dish to pass. In the past we have had a fine variety of salads, deserts and vegetables. We will have bottled water on hand but no soda this year. If anyone wants veggie burgers let us know at the sign up table.
CAMPFIRE after dusk: Bring your chairs and enjoy popcorn, the company and stories of fellow C-Brats.
SATURDAY, March 5, 2016: In the morning we will have some practical boating and historical speakers make presentations. Schedule will be posted on the C-Brats web site as we get closer to the gathering.
DINNER at 5:15 PM
Second “Pot Luck” with Chicken and Biscuits with condiments and “real butter”! Chicken will be here and ready to eat at 5:15 PM
CAMPFIRE after dusk: Bring your chairs and enjoy popcorn, the company and stories of fellow C-Brats.
SUNDAY March 6, 2016: Say goodbye to those that need to depart. Some C-Brats will be traveling on with others, some by themselves and some may stay at Hontoon for a day or so. I will be staying till Monday and start north then. In the past, we have had leftover group dinner on night Sunday to use up any extra food and that’s what we plan to do again with a campfire afterwards.
SOME OTHER THOUGHTS:
All other meals are 100% on your own. You may come and go as you please. Feel free to cruise north or south as you wish. A chart is posted on the Island and they usually have some for sale. If you are new, there will be plenty of “old timers” that can show you the way.
When you sign up at Hontoon Island there will be a volunteer sheet to help with activities.
We use channel 72 on the river and at the docks…be sure you are on frequency.
Recommended things to bring: Summer and Winter clothing, insect repellent, a big golf umbrella in case of rain , a folding chair and a sense of humor!
I will be making food runs to Deland daily and can take a few others with me
We have a free will offering for the meals we put together.
The staff at Hontoon Island are some of the nicest people around and they will bend over backwards to help us. We in turn have helped them by donating any money left over after our actual expenses to their improvement fund. A 50/50 raffle is also done on Friday and Saturday evening to help the park. The fees we pay for the slips go to the State of Florida. The park gets wages and about $30,000 from the state per year for everything else. Without donations from others like us it would be impossible to improve and maintain. There is a Camp Store on the Island that also supports improvements. Nuff said!
Looking forward to making new and reuniting with current friends. I kind of look at this SBGT as the old fashioned “Rendezvous ” that the mountain men had…..without the ax throwing competition.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE C-BRAT link for the gathering for further information.
Greetings C-Brats Please Read Carefully!
Time for further information about our Third Hontoon Island CBGT for Special C-Brats.
Preliminary Schedule :
Early arrivals are encouraged.
IMPORTANT…Signing up guarantees you may attend the gathering. It does not guarantee you a slip. Last year we had 21 boats and there were lots of slips available. This year it looks like we may fill up. With everyone’s cooperation it will work out.
You may arrive any time before the gathering. Most will get there on Thursday or before. This will be “on your own time”. Go for a cruise, hike the island, rent a kayak or just chill out with fellow C-Brats. Just make sure you pay for your slip for the full time you plan on staying. We should have full docks. If you wish to anchor out, you may do so and we will do our best to get you to a dock during the day or raft up, but I do encourage everyone to join us in staying with the group on the docks . Please…shallow draft boats pick a slip near the shore. All docks are floating docks. Most will have to back into the slips as anchors are prohibited over docks. You may of course remove your anchor. If you have a challenge with this…. like I do, please wait for assistance especially when another craft is in an adjacent slip. (Bring extra fenders) Slips have water and 30 amp power. NO WIFI!
FRIDAY, March 4, 2016: Continued arrivals. We can pay to hold a slip for a friend a day ahead. So if you cannot arrive early, contact me so that arrangements are made with the park to keep a slip for you. Thanks.
The Park may have music from 2Pm till 4Pm. This is outside our control but we have heard the style of music they have and it was not a problem.
DINNER at 5:15 Pm
Bring Dish to Pass at 4:45Pm
This is one of two official “Pot Lucks” with Burgers , Hot Dogs ,buns and condiments provided. Bring a generous dish to pass. In the past we have had a fine variety of salads, deserts and vegetables. We will have bottled water on hand but no soda this year. If anyone wants veggie burgers let us know at the sign up table.
CAMPFIRE after dusk: Bring your chairs and enjoy popcorn, the company and stories of fellow C-Brats.
SATURDAY, March 5, 2016: In the morning we will have some practical boating and historical speakers make presentations. Schedule will be posted on the C-Brats web site as we get closer to the gathering.
DINNER at 5:15 PM
Second “Pot Luck” with Chicken and Biscuits with condiments and “real butter”! Chicken will be here and ready to eat at 5:15 PM
CAMPFIRE after dusk: Bring your chairs and enjoy popcorn, the company and stories of fellow C-Brats.
SUNDAY March 6, 2016: Say goodbye to those that need to depart. Some C-Brats will be traveling on with others, some by themselves and some may stay at Hontoon for a day or so. I will be staying till Monday and start north then. In the past, we have had leftover group dinner on night Sunday to use up any extra food and that’s what we plan to do again with a campfire afterwards.
SOME OTHER THOUGHTS:
All other meals are 100% on your own. You may come and go as you please. Feel free to cruise north or south as you wish. A chart is posted on the Island and they usually have some for sale. If you are new, there will be plenty of “old timers” that can show you the way.
When you sign up at Hontoon Island there will be a volunteer sheet to help with activities.
We use channel 72 on the river and at the docks…be sure you are on frequency.
Recommended things to bring: Summer and Winter clothing, insect repellent, a big golf umbrella in case of rain , a folding chair and a sense of humor!
I will be making food runs to Deland daily and can take a few others with me
We have a free will offering for the meals we put together.
The staff at Hontoon Island are some of the nicest people around and they will bend over backwards to help us. We in turn have helped them by donating any money left over after our actual expenses to their improvement fund. A 50/50 raffle is also done on Friday and Saturday evening to help the park. The fees we pay for the slips go to the State of Florida. The park gets wages and about $30,000 from the state per year for everything else. Without donations from others like us it would be impossible to improve and maintain. There is a Camp Store on the Island that also supports improvements. Nuff said!
Looking forward to making new and reuniting with current friends. I kind of look at this SBGT as the old fashioned “Rendezvous ” that the mountain men had…..without the ax throwing competition.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE C-BRAT link for the gathering for further information.
Thisaway/thataway, Marie will bring a Chocolate Cake, with Chocolate Pecan icing for Friday Night.
Saturday, we will have a potato salad.
I thought that since there are going to be so many boats, that it might help if at least the early posters relate what they will bring--and it might even out the types of pot luck vitals...the later signers can fill in the cracks....
I have started reading River of Lakes, and St. Johns River Guide book. I also have printed out the NOAA Charts for the river, (Free on line)
I also have the now pricey (I paid about $20 for it years back) "Boating and Cruising Guide to St. John's River" by Tom Kranz (which also has main sections of the NOAA charts, but not the lateral rivers.
Saturday, we will have a potato salad.
I thought that since there are going to be so many boats, that it might help if at least the early posters relate what they will bring--and it might even out the types of pot luck vitals...the later signers can fill in the cracks....
I have started reading River of Lakes, and St. Johns River Guide book. I also have printed out the NOAA Charts for the river, (Free on line)
I also have the now pricey (I paid about $20 for it years back) "Boating and Cruising Guide to St. John's River" by Tom Kranz (which also has main sections of the NOAA charts, but not the lateral rivers.