03/05 - 03/07 - Hontoon Island, Florida CBGT

We'll be there for most the week! Hopefully somebody can teach me how to use all these fancy gadgets (radar and auto-pilot) on this new to us Venture 23.
 
Hi All
Its great to see the sign ups. Lots of previous C-Brats that have been to Hontoon before and a good amount of new folks. I can't promise great weather but I can promise a great time. Lot's of manatee in the area already and many species of birds. The water level has been excellent. I have even been able to easily make the run to Deleon Springs three times this fall. At home we had about 8 inches of rain the last couple of days.

Congratulations to those that have acquired "new" boats recently. You will pick up a lot of ideas and knowledge at the gathering. After almost nine years of owning C-Dory's I am still gathering hints and helps at the CBGT.

If you haven't signed up yet be sure to do so on the web site and also on this link.

https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

I'll have more information after the first of the year.

Have a Merry Christmas....Tom and Joyce
 
Grace Full we be there Monday thru Saturday. We are a 26 Venture. We were there a couple of years ago and hope to meet old and new friends.

Leslie and Flint Firestone
M/V Grace Full
26 Venture
 
Always a joy at any gathering and many laughs. Working some neurologist appointment issues with VA after another mini-stroke in Sep18 but Im doing real good. Ive lost about 50 pounds...eating better, exercising more and have found and bought another CD...a 22Angler this round so a FL gig would be great. I cant commit till I can get VA to set and stick to an appointment date. Next...Im going to try walking across Lake Okeechobee as Im attempting some moderation and if out of the channel I should be able to make it. More calls n emails with VA today and should know something before end of next week. And...that Key West gig sounds fun too. Ill be in the SE until returning to Mt. Vernon WA around April thru October this year. CHEERS TO ALL.
Byrdman
 
Up date....It’s exciting to see all the signups. Hontoon is where we get together with old friends and meet new friends.

Please be sure to signup on this site and the link below....Thanks

https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

Remember also to bring any “boat treasures” that you would like to donate to the silent auction that will be held on Wednesday morning. The proceeds of this auction are donated to Hontoon Island State Park. We have used previous donations to fund benches, grill, office furniture, tool boxes and audio visual equipment. I’ve already been setting aside a box of goodies.

On Tuesday we have hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner and Wednesday we have Publix fried chicken. Please bring a dish to pass. All other meals are on your own.

We have some talks on Wednesday morning. If anyone would like to discuss a subject please let me know. Time to share knowledge.

By popular demand, Thursday will be the Boat and Galley Gadgets show and tell. The men have joined the fun! Prizes will be awarded. Bring your favorite or unique item you feel others will enjoy.

More news next week....Tom
 
Our major donation this year will be a Refurbished, Standard Horizon 2200 VHF radio--Ais Receiver, hailer, etc.--in the box.

My talk will be on batteries, types, systems, chargers and monitoring etc. Perhaps also on VHF antennas if time permits.

Looking forward to seeing all of the folks--some we have not seen for a few years--Pat looking forward to seeing you!
 
thataway":16f8k5it said:
Our major donation this year will be a Refurbished, Standard Horizon 2200 VHF radio--Ais Receiver, hailer, etc.--in the box.

My talk will be on batteries, types, systems, chargers and monitoring etc. Perhaps also on VHF antennas if time permits.

Looking forward to seeing all of the folks--some we have not seen for a few years--Pat looking forward to seeing you!
Click to expand...

Bob-

Just an idea-

Why not record the talk on video and post it on YouTube for all of us that can't attend the get-together to see and hear?

A lot of those ideas are brought up over and over again here, and this might be a nice springboard / reference.

Complications?

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I don't have a C-Dory yet, but have been following this site for a long time. I'm planning on doing a bicycle tour from Jacksonville to Fort Pierce doing this time frame and would love to stop by and meet the group. I hope to purchase a C-Dory 22 ft within the next year and this would be a great opportunity to get things rolling.
Thanks, Dave
 
Dave this would be a perfect opportunity to stop by and see the C-Dory's. Not just a 22, but usually there are some 16's, 23's, 25's, 26's and Tom Cats. Lots of various modifications, and a lot of experienced skippers to ping questions off of. And Hontoon is a great park too take a jaunt around also. Colby
 
Dave, Hontoon State Park also has some camper cabins you might be interested in. I don't know how full they are this time of year, but might be a nice respite from the bike touring for a few days. Colby
 
colbysmith":11c4w6da said:
Dave, Hontoon State Park also has some camper cabins you might be interested in. I don't know how full they are this time of year, but might be a nice respite from the bike touring for a few days. Colby
Click to expand...
. The campsites are also available or there will probably be some C brats willing to let you sleep in their cockpit--us included.
 
I should be taking delivery of my new 26 venture in 3 week, waiting on the motor and its on backorder. unfortunately I have to work that week, but could come down that weekend if people are still around.
 
Z50,
Congrads on your new 26!
It's pretty much certain that some Brats will be around the weekends before and after March 5-7, including us. Many are coming from all over the country. Tom and Joyce will somehow make it all work out, as they always do.

There is no better place to learn about your new boat than on the slow moving, laid-back, gentle lower St. John river, a good bit with a 6MPH speed limit to protect the manatees.

Hope you can take off more than just a weekend with a fab boat like that.

Whatever electronics you choose, get detailed cartography for the area (for us Garmin snobs, it's G2 Southeast Inland Rivers, about $160 for the 2011 version without Vision upgrade).

Launch at Ed Stone Park, though it's steep and deep for a newbie, you can most likely power off when the rear trailer wheel fender is about awash or 1-2 inches underwater there. If you want help standing by, PM (private msg) us or email me at johnhighsmith9@gmail.com

If you are new to boating and want a more experienced skipper on board with you to dock at Hontoon, I'm sure the group can help with that too, though as long as you approach slowly, there will always be a gaggle at the dock to help you avoid any dings.

Again, congrads on a great boat! You're going to love it!

See ya there!
John
 
If you are new to boating and want a more experienced skipper on board with you to dock at Hontoon, I'm sure the group can help with that too, though as long as you approach slowly, there will always be a gaggle at the dock to help you avoid any dings.
Click to expand...

While I still consider myself a newbie to the C-Brat group, and this will be my 4th year in attendance at this gathering, I've been wanting to address this topic.

While I know everyone has the best of intentions, I think sometimes it's possible to "over help". Something I've learned from my own experience on both ends of this, (not just with boating, but flying and driving as well) is it doesn't help to have several folks hollering directions. And sometimes it's best to not say anything until something needs to be said. Same goes for helping someone to back the trailer. Some suggestions.

Only one person on the dock should be providing guidance. It's very confusing to have several giving guidance at the same time...

If guidance doesn't appear to be needed (ie the captain is doing ok bringing her in) keep calm and wait for the captain's request to take lines.

If guidance is needed, remain calm and provide what's necessary. But speak loud and clear to be heard.

Giving that guidance can actually be harder than driving the boat. (I learned that from my late wife, while backing/positioning a motorhome and boat trailer. She could guide me in very well. I on the other hand got confused trying to guide her dad in with a pickup camper...)

Now for the skipper. SLOW and UNDER CONTROL is the key! If you're not comfortable backing in, pick a dock with no other boat in the slip.

Bow in and talk it over with others. (Just remember, at Hontoon, anchors and bow pulpits are not allowed to hang over the dock. This will just about include anything 22' and longer.)

Ask for guidance from the "dock foreman".

Or just pull up as close as you can to the slips, hand over lines and let the dock help pull you in.

There is very little current at Hontoon to be concerned with at the docks. However, wind and tight space can be slightly challenging. Especially on the far starboard side of the lagoon as you enter.

Be sure to be set up before approaching the dock. Lines ready, fenders out, boat hook at the ready if you have one.

Ok, I know very basic stuff. But it's always good to be reminded once in a while. I'm still learning from those that have been at this longer than me. And hope I can pass along stuff I know.

Colby
 
We'll be there. I didn't want to commit until I was sure we all could get out off work and school, but it looks good! We're planning to come down the Saturday before and leave the following Saturday. Hopefully explore some blue springs and catch some of those humungous black crappie I hooked into there before. Looking forward to it.
 
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