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

We are reluctantly admitting to ourselves that we won’t be going to Hontoon this year- we kept thinking maybe? We are especially sad because we had such a great time last year. Hontoon was actually the start of our adventure/experiment where we upgraded to a 22’, quit our jobs and sold nearly everything we wouldn’t need while traveling with our boat and our dogs. We kind of knew we wanted to settle on the Gulf Coast when we finished our travels. We made it to Pensacola and decided we were done roamin’. What a great place this is- great people and water everywhere!! Unfortunately new jobs require attendance, so no new travels for awhile. We will miss seeing everyone again and meeting the new C-Dory people- but we won’t miss it next year! Have a great time everyone!!
Steve and Tina
oh yeah Dexter and Eddie too!
 
The long term weather forecast for DeLand (closest town to Hontoon) is showing a strong cold front passing that area Tuesday afternoon bringing some rain and very cold temperatures. The area clears on Wednesday but the high on that day is 57 and the low that night is 39. Brrr!

So keep an eye on the forecast. The front could slow or speed up and might not be as strong as currently forecast, but given its current strength it is unlikely to stall out before it gets there as some do this time of year.

Bring extra blankets and dress warm.

David
 
Just to show how imperfect the weather prediction is: The weather David cites is pretty much what we are expecting in Pensacola. (West and North of Deland.

Accuweather gives:Tues 67/48, Wed. 63/41. thurs. 67/41. Weather underground shows one day high of 57, but lows about the same. Either way this time of the year we take cloths for highs in the 80's and lows in the 30's. We also have an electric heater on the boat, which on low keeps even the 25 decently warm.

We go with layered fleeces: 3 seems to do fine in most things we find around here. Some prefer quilts or sleeping bags/systems.
 
Getting ready to pull out of the Madison Wi area in about an hour. Currently 18 degrees with a forecasted high of 20. Tonight 2 degrees. We hope to be in Mattoon or Effingham IL this evening at a Cracker Barrel. Forecast there is 22 tonight . I ended up loading the boat with freezables also, so the heater is running, and I'll leave it so until we get south of the freezing weather. I'm not happy about the forecast I've been watching for Hontoon when we get there, but it's still a lot better than the icehole we're leaving! :wink: But I'm sure it'll warm back up for those of us cruising afterwards! Tom, April next year for the gathering? :wink: Colby
 
We use channel 72 at the Hontoon dock. The docks are short ....no anchors over docks.....most back in. We usually have dock helpers.

Lots of manatee in the river. Maintain a careful watch and respect the speed zones. This is their home.

Those like me that are launching at Ed Stone please park in the grassy oversized area near the road. We’ve been treated well here and want to maintain the good will. Weekends can be busy.

We bring everything from shorts to stocking caps. (Thanks Pat!)

Drive safe...be safe....Tom
 
Seeking info on the Hontoon Island Gathering. Never Been. Don't own a C-Dory, but trying to decide on one.
Could y'all elaborate on what goes on. When. Where would you stay if you don't have a boat (seems all cabins on island are reserved already).
Would you miss a lot in the evenings since you would have to take the ferry off the island before dark?

Any information would be helpful especially from the standpoint of not having a boat there.


Thanks,

Larkin
 
You are welcome to come to the gathering. There are many places of lodging in Deland. On Tuesday we have registrations and visit, dinner with burgers and hotdogs with a dish to pass. Wednesday starts with discussions about boat systems. Some attendees go cruising. Chicken for dinner, with again a dish to pass. We have a silent auction of donated Marine items to raise money for the park. Nature hikes, Campfire every night with lively talk and song. There will be a late ferry for those not staying on the island so you don’t need to miss a thing. There are already some C-Dory’s there with more arriving every day.

If you’re thinking of getting a C-Dory be sure to make the Gathering! There will be at least a couple of boats there that are for sale. You can look at most of the different sizes and we have some boats from other manufacturers at Hontoon.

If you need more information send me a PM with your phone number and we can talk.

You’ll also get to know some of the nicest people in the world....C-Brats!

.....Tom
 
Larkin a gathering is the best way to get information on the C Dory. You will be welcome to visit aboard most of the boats--at least one from every size should be there. The owners can give your real life experience. Very good chance at getting a ride on one. We like to "dinghy cruise" in our inflatable, with the electric Torqueedo outboard motor. There is fantastic birding right at the Island.

Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina. 2317 River Ridge Road DeLand FL 32720. Is right across the river from the park--folks will have dinghies in the water to take you there. (There is a canal between the resort and ferry to the marina--but if you want to take a walk. ). You can PM several of us, who would come and pick you up in the dinghy. Sent me a PM for my message #. Tom is a great resource and the guy who knows the area. There are close to a dozen resorts or motels in the Deland area. Drive your vehicle to the ferry landing where there is parking.

Due to overtime by "super woman", Marie, it looks as if we will be underway some time tomorrow AM.

Colby (and all those from the Frozen North) drive carefully!
 
Colby (and all those from the Frozen North) drive carefully!
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. Got to Mattoon this evening, with no more moisture here in the immediate forecast, so we are out of the ice and snow now anyway! Excited to get to the St. Johns and see everyone. Did come up with an interesting electrical problem on the trailer today, but not a big deal, something that I'll have to figure out at home. I push on the brakes, and along with the trailer brake lights, I'm also getting my trailer back up lights and the trucks aftermarket back up camera (wired into the backup light circuit.) All was fine before I left the house, so I'm assuming somewhere the trailer's brake light and back up light circuits got shorted. I may cut the trailer back up light wires if it becomes more of a problem. But I don't plan on needing the trailer back up lights for this trip... Colby
 
The weather forecast still is saying it will be cold Tuesday and Wednesday and I must admit I wavered a bit but I have decided to tough it out and come. I know that for most of you this weather is nothing, but not for me as I live in Punta Gorda, Florida where it hasn't gone below 40 at night since we have lived here.

So, I know there is a pre cruise up to the north. Anyone thinking about going south after the official get together? I am interested in going just a few miles south and anchoring at the oxbow just before Blue Springs Thursday night. Anyone know how that is. Looking for a nice quiet spot to check out the wildlife and maybe wet a line.

North would also be ok, but I don't want to go far as I want to pull out early Friday morning and head back home.

David
 
Lots of good places to anchor both North and South. We can point out some close ones. Just grab a winter coat and get here. 10 boats already. Great trip to De Leon Springs yesterday.

Tom
 
Greetings from the St John River Hontoon Gathering, Tom says 23 boats here!
Cold front ends today (but kept the bugs down), back to 83 degrees Sat.
Lots of wildlife, birding and Old Florida charm. Easy boating (esp with twin weed-whackers).
Every evening hundreds of majestic bald eagles soar in to roost in the trees. Or maybe they are turkey vultures, I can't tell the difference. The marina alligator gets bigger every year and likes dogs. Best cruising is at 6MPH or less, which is what the "Slow speed, minimum wake" signs mean.
If you're not here, plan on next year, it's a hoot!

John
 
I want to thank Tom and Joyce for putting on a great get together. This was my first time and it was great.

Some of you who attended my talk on solar power weren't able to get my handout (I ran out of printer paper), so here is a link to the Trawlerforum library section where you can download it: http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/down ... o=cat&id=2

In this library section it is titled "Solar Panels for Your Boat". In the same section there are two other articles that I wrote: "Sizing a Large Solar Panel System" which talks about the use of a battery monitor to understand your DC loads and "Designing and Installing a Large Solar Panel System" which goes into the mechanics of the installation.

The latter two articles are appropriate for a heavy DC user. Most of you can just install one or two 100 watt panels which should cover your needs.

One thing I learned in the Q&A afterwards is that Victron now has a line of inexpensive MPPT controllers with or without a bluetooth interface. A single 100 watt panel can be installed with their 15A controller which costs about $88 without bluetooth. You will need their 20A unit for two 100 watt panels which is about $157 with bluetooth.

Victron's new products and competitive pricing with PWM controllers makes it worth considering a MPPT controller even for small systems.

David
 
David-
Thanks for sharing your knowledge on solar charging. Previously, I had found information online on "how" to setup a solar charging system, but your talk really filled in some missing pieces for me on "why" setting it up one way might be a better fit for me then another. You did a terrific job and it was a pleasure meeting you.

A big thank you to Tom & Joyce for another great Hontoon CBGT. We appreciate all that you do. And we have to extend that to include all of the C Brats for making it great!

Safe travels till we meet again,
Jim & Jeanine
 
Dear friends,
Just a quick thank you for your warm welcome and participation in the memorial for Hank.

The Houseboat Harlots had a wonderful time and of course none of it could happen without the hard work and organization of Tom and Joyce.

We look forward to future gatherings and hope to see you at Camp Clow during the summer months.....hopefully, the snow will have melted by July.


Pat and Kathy
 
My fourth trek to this gathering, Rosanne's third, and just as great as usual. Thanks Tom and Joyce for putting on a great one. And as always enjoyed socializing with old friends and meeting a few new friends. Currently in Silver Glen Springs with 11 other boats, led by Tom & Joyce, on our way to Jacksonville. John, those were Vultures. lol. (However, there are plenty of Eagles around the area!) But yes, that Hontoon Alligator is getting bigger! And I think everyone that came with a small dog(s) left with them intact...:mrgreen: Colby & Rosanne
 
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