03/07 - 03/09 - St. John's River, Florida Gathering

gulfcoast john":32jmtmd8 said:
Also no Facebook for us.


My Bob Austin Custom Commode Special Radar Mount is a custom hgt over the AC and really looks good for the $30 in parts from Lowes plus the Krylon Fusion spray paint. I can't wait for Bob to autograph it.

Happy Boating!
John
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Picture please?

We are fast heading towards 8 degrees in Oklahoma so please no comments about balmy Key West! Pretty Please? :xnaughty
 
Happy New Year Hontoon Island C-Brats!
It's only about 2 months till our big gathering at Hontoon Island State Park. Lots of signups but we do have room for a few more. Joyce and I covered the area between Palatka and the Atlantic on the St. John's over Christmas and had good time testing out our new Garmin radar in the morning fog and our new to us AIS receiver came to life...a lot...around Jacksonville. Over five years exploring the St. John's and this was our first adventure north of Palatka. Fun but we still like the south and central areas better and that's what I will do after the gathering this year.

For those that did not catch this before please also sign up on the link below in addition to the C-Brat sign up. This information will only be used for our group. In the past we gathered this information at the CBGT and then Ken would have to type this in after. We hope this year to give every attendee a list right away. This can only happen if everyone helps by filling out their own information before hand. If you have already done ✅ so ...Thanks!

https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

Got a call from the park manager yesterday and they are anticipating and looking forward to our our arrival. Remember we are going to have a silent auction to benefit the park. Last year's auction was fantastic! I already have a pile of boat stuff to donate.....no kitchen sink but there will be a "head",macerator, Y valve and other treasures! Look around....your junk could be someone's treasure.

I'll be posting more in the weeks ahead so stand by. It's time to think Florida!

Tom, Joyce and Cotter on the C-Otter
 
Due to my recent prostate cancer diagnosis, it looks like a treatment plan will make it impossible for us to attend.

Sometimes life gets in the way of having fun.

As the Cub fans always say "Wait till next year".
 
Bud and Nancy
So sorry that you will not be able to make the gathering at Hontoon. Life can get in the way. I've had physical ups and downs but looking forward to the "next boating adventure" always gave me light at the end of the tunnel! Look forward to better days. As you said "wait till next year". We will save you a slip and pray for your speedy recovery.

God bless....Tom and Joyce
 
St John's River Gathering March 7, 8, 9th, 2017

Brenda and I will arrive early again this year to help with preparations but Tom and Joyce have always outrun us so we will just pitch in where needed.

Last year, after the gathering, we cruised the Atlantic ICW to Savannah, GA. experiencing extreme high tide that stranded us in the grass on a mud bar, firm aground, bow down at 12.9° while we were asleep around midnight, no escape. The tide came in the next morning and we continued but chose our next anchorages more carefully.

This year we are considering an overnight cruse to Sanford, FL., 25 miles south, up river. We sure would like to follow a convoy of other C-Dory boats.

Bill and Brenda Russell 2 Lafayette 24, Stamps, AR. 71860 870-533-2663
 
Bill and Brenda--so glad you will make it again! Hope to see you there. We have been debating arriving late Sunday, vs early Monday, and hope to stay at least a week to 10 days after the gathering. We enjoyed Sanford last year; there are some fantastic places to get stuck up there too--but no tidal excuses!
 
Rosanne and I plan to arrive the afternoon of the 3rd, so would be available to cruise with anyone from then until the gathering. Then stick around after the gathering until the 13th for some more cruising. We're happy to tag along with anyone else during those days. Would love to show Rosanne some of the Springs we anchored in last year, or the restaurant we made our own pancakes in. But heading south would be fun also. Colby
 
Bill and Brenda....Glad that you are planning on joining us for the gathering again this year. The run up River to Sanford from Hontoon is one of my favorite. Joyce and I are planning on going that way after the gathering. The "Econ" river being our ultimate goal but that depends on water depths.
Hopefully we will receive some rain in the next month to make that possible. We had the C-Otter out last Friday and visited with Bill and Becky at Hontoon Island. They said that the River was going down a bit each day. No problem on the main channels but runs to DeLeon Springs State Park for pancakes mite not work out. We will see.

Colby....Glad you're able to bring Rosanne with you this time. She will love the springs. There is so much to explore. I'm sure someone will contact you for some early travel.

I can't wait to get together with everyone! Tom
 
HI guys Valkyrie new 25ft c-dory will be up on the St.John's River this week . Hopefully staying at Hontoon a few nights .
Nick/Jim( jennykatz Little Treasure)
 
Counting down the days till our 4th annual Hontoon Island CBGT. Nice to hear that the Valkyrie 25 is exploring the St. John's river. Say hi to Bill and Becky at Hontoon! Can't wait to see the new boat.

I've had a couple new sign ups on our information link.

https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

Thanks....if everyone signs up on this we can supply a list when you arrive at the gathering.

Till next week.....Tom
 
Hey am I on fire detail this year ? If so what night ? if not no problem I just need to know whether to bring my fire stuff, remember I'm on a 16 its a back pac with a 50 Honda :wink:
 
Howdy Cliff,
I can bring wood from Texas but only to the other side of the river from Hontoon Island since my dinghy doesn't float.
Ron
 
Cliff...I can put you down for "Fire Man" on Tuesday or Wednesday evening .....take your pick! I have some good dry wood. Sounds like Ron is going to bring some Texas wood for me to dinghy across! How cool is that.

The fire pit was removed because some jerks burned up some park chairs. The park manager promised it will be in place for us. If anyone else has any good dry spare fire wood bring it along and we will burn it up!

See you at Hontoon!
 
I'll take whatever fire night Cliff doesn't.
 
Cliff will do Tuesday fire
 
OK ....Jimicliff.....Tuesday
Almas Only....Wednesday

And it's been pointed out to me that fire 🔥 wood can not be brought in from out of state. So Ron you are off the hook for fire wood. Thanks for the offer and we will see you at the gathering.

Florida fire wood only.....Thanks ....Tom
 
"Jerks burning up park chairs"... Just really makes you wonder where some "campers" come from. ... :roll:
 
Howdy Brats,
I was told that firewood is available for sale in the park. I usually carry a few sticks of kiln dried oak lumber when I travel. But will be glad to contribute to purchasing there so we "buy it where we burn it".
 
Tom,
I didn't find a "Schedule'--we met with our friends and new C Dory owners, CA and Bettie Derivas last night, and outlined what we could remember.

Still hamburgers and hot dogs on one night, and chicken the other, with pot luck for side dishes, dessert and salads?

How many days planned and general routes for post gathering cruises?

Thanks for your leadership and all of the hard work we put into this fun gathering.
 
Rosanne and I are still planning on arriving and launching at Ed Stone Park on Friday, March 3rd. Hoping to maybe head up to the Springs place with the pancake restaurant the next day and spend a night, if water levels allow it. (Perhaps Tom or Bill can let me know in a few weeks what they think.) Then check in to Hontoon a day early on the 6th. Spend a few days after the gathering as well, but then have to pull out on Monday the 13th to get Rosanne back in time to work... Colby
 
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