03/06 - 03/08 St. John's River Florida CBGT

Colby,
Today it's 86 degrees and sunny here near Cape Coral. We're scoping out the marinas by car, and crashed the SW Fl Ranger/Cutwater Rendezvous.
If you can't un-freeze the trailer tires when the time comes, well, that's what flame-throwers are for. See Amazon for Prime shipping, order 3 days in advance.
PS when they found out we're C-Dory people, an ugly mob formed and chased us waving pitchforks and flaming torches all the way back to the hotel, where they nailed a dead fish to our door.
Other than that, they're really nice folks.
Best,
John
 
Hey John, I was about to say Free Fish also. lol! 86 degrees. Sounds like Phoenix the entire time we were there a week ago. I must have something wrong in the head to have come back home, or to even continue living here. (That or a working wife I love who has a pretty good job that keeps us here... :roll: ) We got about 7" of snow a few days ago, then another 2 last night. But we are suppose to get all the way up to 40 by Wednesday! Think I'd better break out the shorts and t-shirt! I've been keeping the boat plowed out, so when the time comes, I should be able to just back my truck up to it in the back yard, go into 4WD and give it a good yank! Praying for some warmer weather the next few weeks, then one good cold spell at night to freeze any ground thawing the middle of the last week, then some 40+ temps so I can run the boat on the muffs (to make sure all works) and get it loaded for the trip south. Don't think I'm asking for too much do you? :mrgreen: Colby
 
Beautiful day here today as it got up to just a bit above 40 degrees! A little envious seeing a few Facebook postings from fellow C-Brats at Hontoon or in the area. I did pull Midnight Flyer out of the back yard today and parked her out front next to my driveway. Put the new registration stickers on and changed out the leaky seals on the outboard's hydraulic steering ram. Loaded back up most the stuff I keep inside over winter, and made the V-Berth bed. Then ran the motor. Started up and all good! I'll load the rest of the liquid stuff the day before heading out for Hontoon. Two more weeks and we'll be on our way! Colby
 
Everyone....Please remember the silent auction on the Wednesday of the Hontoon Gathering. The Clow’s run this to raise needed funds for Hontoon Island State Park. Look through your “boat stuff “ and donate those unneeded treasures.

Just some of the things that we have already. A new Suzuki 14x19 aluminum prop for a 90HP. A tachometer for a 90 Suzuki with only a few hours. T-Bag, rod holder, throw ring, a nice propane boat grill and lots more.

Basic schedule of event....Tuesday arrivals with hot dogs and burgers provided at 5PM. Please also bring a dish to pass. Fellowship around the campfire at sunset.

Wednesday.....Captains meeting at 8:30 AM with programs starting at 9AM running till noon. I will post the list in a few days. Lunch and breakfast are always on your own. Afternoon go for a cruise if you wish. I’ll get some leaders for those that may need a guide. Publix chicken and potluck at 5 PM, campfire at sunset.

Thursday.....Captains meeting at 8:30 am. Followed by favorite galley gadgets show n tell. Prizes will be awarded. Group hike led by park ranger. For any that have trouble hiking a van tour is available. Possible more programs or group discussions after. Leftovers and potluck for dinner at 5:00 PM with a campfire later.

Friday afternoon I’ll be heading up river with any that want to reach Lake Harney and hopefully beyond. Please note, this will be a nature trip that could last as much as 10 days but anyone can head out early. Slow and easy with most nights at anchor.

This gathering is very low key...participation in any activity is optional. No Rules...Just be nice! That about sums it up.

Important for docking safety.....the docks are short at Hontoon and most require backing your boat in. We will try to have helpers on the dock at all times. Please wait till someone is in position especially if you’re docking next to another boat.

We are going to use channel 69 at the docks. Please be mindful of your wake and keep a careful forward watch. Many manatees in the area.

I’ll be posting updates every few days. Be safe traveling.

Tom
 
.Captains meeting at 8:30 AM
Click to expand...

Is this east coast time, or MY TIME! Come on Tom, I need my beauty rest otherwise I'm a grouch! LOL. :smilep :monty :smilep

Sign me up anyway to follow you south. But we have to be pulling out at 9 days. :wink:

Regarding the silent auction, not anywhere near nice as the other stuff you posted, but I'll be bringing these items:

An old but still useable type IV throwable life ring.
Two cup holders that are suppose to clip on camp chairs.
A homemade muffler for Webasto type heaters.
A 2006 copy of the Wagoneer Crusing Guide.
A package of those Parchment liners for the stove top oven.
A large orange daylight distress flag.

Looking forward and counting the days. 10 till we leave here! Colby
 
Sealed Garmin Plug & Play Bluchart G2 Vision SD card for the Mid-Atlantic VUS512L. (This may not be upgradeable by Garmin x1 for half retail price of $339 as may be a copy, hard to tell).
2 genuine Garmin baseball caps (Garmin gives you one free for every $5,000 of their stuff you buy. We have 4).
30 Amp shorepower cord.
Bag of 4 Pelican Verslights and 4AA flashlight.
2018 C-Dory calandar.
other stuff to follow.
John
 
cwericsson":3gnt1r18 said:
Is there any registration required for Hontoon State Park? All I've done is join this discussion. Do I need to do more? Carl
Click to expand...

There is the "Event Sign up" at the top of the C Brat page: That gives Tom and Joyce a good idea of how many people for food supplies.

Also there is a sign up so we can all have the names, boat names, phone numbers and address spread sheet:

https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

Look forward to seeing all there...
 
Carl on the home page of the main website here, is a link for event signups. Click on that, look for St. Johns River and sign up there. Also, a few pages back is a link to a page that collects everyone's address, phone number, etc, just for personal use to share with each other at the event. Colby
P.s. Actually, I"ll see if I can post the links below:


http://www.c-brats.com/groupcp.php to sign up

and

https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163 form to fill out with personal information
 
Since we will be boatless for the Gathering we're staying at the Hontoon Resort just across the river from the Park. The deli that opened last year is still there and offers breakfast and lunch as well as good quality deli meats and cheeses.

For those of you who are "stumped" for auction items, don't feel they must be boat oriented. A bottle of wine or small sized arts and crafts items always provide active bidding.

See you all soon.

Hank and Pat
Meri Aura
 
We have a mermaid marine air conditioner that I removed from the boat when I bought it. I never plugged it in, so I don't know if it works. It operates on 110 and uses floating water for the heat exchange. I have most of the pieces except those that I still use as ducting and water intakes. Assuming it was installed when the boat was new, it dates back to 1998.

It is heavy and I cannot deal with it on the boat for any length of time at all. If anyone wants it or it is good for the silent auction, we would need to figure out what to do with it meantime.

I can get it to FL. Ideally, if anyone knows what to do with it, they could pick it up wherever I leave the pickup and trailer.

Any ideas?

John
 
We are returning for the gathering but we are also boat less and staying at Hontoon Landing. It has just harder to come South for the winter and get the boat back back up to the St. John’s river. Wendy and I looking forward to seeing all and enjoying everyone’s friendship. Maybe looking for a boat ride on Wednesday. See everyone.

Larry and Wendy Krabach
 
Hey Larry. Glad you guys are coming again. Sorry you won't have your boat. I'll be happy to take you out for a ride! You too Hank and Pat! Colby
 
Two Bears will be leaving home tomorrow, Thursday Feb 22. Weather looks "iffy' for first few days. We're guessing it will take about 8 or 9 days but just getting out of northern Idaho to southern Idaho will be interesting.

I'm going to try to do a blog but I doubt it will be up to the standard set by Pat Anderson in his Great Loop last year. Find it at twobears2018.blogspot.com

Chuck
 
I regret to say we're not going to make it this year after all. Responsibilities getting in the way of leisure time. I can't wait to be retired, "adulting" is tough some times. I'll look forward to seeing and meeting you all next year and hope things are a little less hectic for us.
 
Back
Top