03/08 - 03/10 - Hontoon Island CBGT DeLand Florida

Good question....where to launch. Most C-Brats launch and park at Ed Stone Park on HW 44 on the east side of the St. John’s River. Hontoon Island is 5 or so miles south of there. So far in the last 8 years that the gathering has been held no damage or theft from vehicles left there. In fact one nameless C-Brat left his keys in an unlocked truck for a day or so and no problems! If you launch there be sure to park your rig as far as possible from the ramp towards the highway.

I have left my rig there dozens of times. Looking forward to seeing “newbies” and “old timers” in March.

Tom
 
I’m new to the c-brats and have not attended a get together yet, but want to attend this one. I have reserved a slip at the park, and a hotel in town. Is there any more scoop on this event besides this thread?
Would like an overview on what to expect. Thanks much for any gouge you can share, Appreciative new guy:)

Following, C’s, 22Angler
 
Welcome to the group Burt. If you go to the main C-Brat page look at the header bar. Second from the left is titled Forums...click on that. Second line down click on C-Brat cruises and gatherings. Then 12 lines down will be the thread from last year's gathering, all 9 pages that have an amazing 41,736 views. That should help give you some idea how it all plays out. Tom and Joyce do an amazing job putting this event together and are masters at getting volunteers to help out, all the while keeping the whole thing very casual. If you have specific questions you'll find many willing to answer.
Look forward to meeting you,
James
 
I have a few items I’m bringing for the silent auction. One of those items is the commode and integral 9 gal tank I pulled out of C-Traveler’s head. However unless anyone says they would be interested in it or bidding on it, I may decide not to haul it all the way down out of space considerations.
 
I bought one of those for my son's 25 Cruiseship about 4 or 5 years ago--Always a possibility that someone would want it...

If I owned a 2002-2004 25 I would put this in, rather than the aft holding tank.
 
Tom, form is setup, same link. Looking forward to the gathering, going to motor in from Kissimmee River.
 
Ken, one suggestion for the form. Don't make the home phone a requirement if that can be changed. I was going to leave that blank since my wife and I just use cellphones. However, the form wouldn't load unless I put a number in the home phone spot. Also, I just noticed on the email notification I got after filling the form out, that it is saying 2021 for the gathering. (But the form did show 2022.) Colby
 
Both things were fixed
 
Thanks Ken for setting up the Jot Form. If everyone that is planning on coming signs up on the link it makes it easier for our volunteers. Also be sure to sign up on the C-Brats website. After the first of the year we will be looking at supplies and need a accurate count. Thanks

I called Dr. Bob today and he will do a presentation at the gathering health permitting. Id like to see a couple more if possible so ….let me know.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the gathering. Just a few notes. We will be having our fund raising auction again this year so bring your nautical treasures with you for sale. All proceeds will go to bettering Hontoon Island state park. The auction will be held under the trees this year for everyones safety. Bring your own pencil or pen. Schedule for auction will depend on weather.

We’ve decided for simplicity this year to not have potlucks, as much as I’ve enjoyed them in the past. We will plan on Publix chicken, buns and potato salad on Tuesday night and do Pizza on Wednesday evening. Joyce and the other ladies will get a consensus on what pizzas are to be ordered. Thursday night will be leftover food. Bring your own additional food, dishes and silverware.

If anyone wants to grill out you’re welcome to do so. Bring your own meat. I’m not a fan of Pizza so I’ll have a charcoal fire going on Wednesday.


Boat gadgets and galley gadgets has become one of our favorite activities and not to be missed.

Of course if state rules for Covid change we will have to comply. We had NO problems last year and look forward for the same in 2022.

More after our current boat trip on the St. John’s river here in sunny Florida. Tom
 
The countdown is on for the 9th Annual Hontoon Island C-Brat get together.
A few reminders are in order.

1)if you park at Ed Stone park do so near the highway where they have the oversized parking if possible.
2) The area near the park is slow minimum wake and a manatee zone. No one wants to harm a manatee.
3) Be sure to be well provisioned for your time on the water.
4) Bring your “treasures “ for the silent auction and lots of cash or your check book for purchases. Sorry ....no Visa or Master Card.
5) We use channel 72 for communication.
6) We will have a nightly fire ring for those that wish to join in.
7) Bring your own chairs, writing instruments and eating utensils if possible.
Cool No potlucks again this year, but we will be serving food on Tuesday and Wednesday night. In order to simplify things, we will not have condiments. Tuesday we will serve Pizza and Wednesday Publix chicken, coleslaw, potato salad for those that wish to get together. Also a special cake on Wednesday!
9) We will have paper plates and disposable utensils available.
10)We will again take an offering to cover expenses each evening with any additional funds donated to the park.
11) Bring name tags if you have one, otherwise we have some on hand.
12) Limited ferry service to and from the island.
13) As in the past, volunteers will be needed and a signup will be upon check in.

I’ll be posting full schedule next :)
 
C-Brats 2022 Hontoon Island Gathering
Monday:
Early arrivals.

Tuesday:
Continued arrivals. Check in and then Check out other boats. Plus, there’s exploring the island, canoeing, kayaking,
cruising or just plain relaxing on the beautiful St. John’s River.
Dinner: 5:15 Be sure to sign up in the morning for Pizza choice.
There will also be hot coals on the grill for anyone that wants to grill out.
Campfire after dusk: Bring your chairs and enjoy the company and stories of fellow C-Brats.

Wednesday
8:30 bring items to the tables for the silent auction. Auction begins at 10:00. Ends at 2:00
8:45 Skippers’ Meeting -- Cruising options, manatee protocol and more
9:45 Dr. Bobs presentation “C Dory Modifications”—safety and convenience. Information on LiFi PO4 batteries.
11:00 Gulf Coast John’s talks about trailer boats on the American Great Loop
2:00 End of Auction, pay and pick up your winnings by 3:00
Dinner: Publix Chicken dinner w/potato salad, rolls and cake for dessert!
Chicken will be here and ready to eat at 5:00 – 5:15
Campfire after dusk.

Thursday

10:00 Galley Gadgets & Boat Gear Bring your favorites to show and tell. Vote on the best ones. Prizes!!

Dinner 5:15 – Share leftover chicken and pizza.
Have anything you want grilled at the grill by 4:45.

Campfire after dusk....

Friday......Departure Day.....or not!

Head out or stick around. Go up river or down river. It’s always fun to break into small groups and go explore side rivers and creeks. You might go to DeLeon springs for pancakes or Sanford for German food. Lots of choices.

About two months to go.......looking forward to seeing you there.

Tom
 
BTW.......we have only 12 signups on the official C-Brat website. I’m sure that more are coming but please be sure to signup.

Only 6 Jotform signups..... please also use this link to make it easier for contacts. https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

Thanks Tom
 
Thinking nobody wanted to be #13 to sign up. Just did it, so now we are past that. I will take extra precautions of not departing on Friday and keeping bananas off the boat. Cindy and I are looking forward to it. (I have 2 new motors this year so I can't blame a botched docking on motor quitting like last year.)
-Jeff-
 
We’ll be there in slip 8b. At least I hope to make it fir the gathering this timw—they say “3rd time’s charm”.

I have a couple of questions:

1. We are down on the St John’s right now for a week. Then we want to leave truck, trailer, and boat in FL until the gathering in March while we fly back north. Any suggestions for affirdable and SAFE parking for 8 weeks?

2. We’re heading down to Sanford tomorrow. Any suggestions of where to explore and/or ANCHOR between Hontoon Island and Sanford?

What about beyond Sanford? We’ve never gone further south.

Thanks for any suggestions. See you in March!

Jackie (and Bob) Hall
 
1. We are down on the St John’s right now for a week. Then we want to leave truck, trailer, and boat in FL until the gathering in March while we fly back north. Any suggestions for affirdable and SAFE parking for 8 weeks?

2. We’re heading down to Sanford tomorrow. Any suggestions of where to explore and/or ANCHOR between Hontoon Island and Sanford?

What about beyond Sanford? We’ve never gone further south.
Click to expand...

There are several that can respond better than I, but while you wait for their replies, I can offer a few suggestions.

1. Astor Marine may be able to do this for you.
2. The oxbow at Butcher's Bend is really nice. Also, if you take the Hontoon Dead River along the west side of Hontoon Island, there are a couple of nice spots in there. Might be able to find some small coves near Blue Springs State Park, which would be worth a visit while in the area.
3. Gets kind of tricky picking the right channels as you continue on the St. John's immediately out of Lake Monroe for the first couple of miles, but if you can pick your way through there, (which also affords some nice offshoots to anchor in), you can get down to Lake Harney. Just before Lake Harney is Deep Creek, which is fun to explore. The southern end of the St. John's is a little different from the north end, in my opinion. And worth exploring. Sanford has some free city docks along with a marina next door to them. Watch your charts and depths going in. If you have a garmin chartplotter, and can upload routes to it, I'd be happy to send you my St. John's River file that would have all my tracks in the area. Just send me your email address to send them to. (I have garmin, but the file is *.gdb, so if your chartplotter can read those type of files and you have a way to upload it, perhaps it would work.) Colby
 
What about beyond Sanford? We’ve never gone further south.
Click to expand...

Go South on Lake Monroe, staying toward the Western shore. There is a marked channel which you must stay in to continue up the St. John's River. If you don't haven navionics, then use the Navionics free chart viewer--it shows the deep part of the river. It is a nice cruise, once you get on the river. One of our favorite anchorages is Deep Creek--just before you come to Lake Harney. The last few years we have not been able to get any further because of the weeds. However about 6 years ago, Molly Brown and Thataway were able to get into the Mouth of the Econlockhatchee River (Econ). Here is a link to the paddling page about the Econ.

The entrance is shallow and difficult to find. I had used Google Earth to sort out where we went--but that can change. Molly Brown ran aground and we pulled them off--so it is a good idea to have two boats just in case--if not then a dinghy to help kedge off if necessary. Once in the Econ--it is a delight. Deep enough, very few boats--the C Dory is an oddity. The two boats anchored about 5 miles up--and in small oxbow. The next morning Thataway went on up the river. This is Florida cattle country. We got over 20 miles up--near the outskirts of Orlando--we could have gone further I guess--but didn't. It is worth looking at Harney to see if you can possibly get thru--and deep Creek is worth the trip anyway. You anchor along side some wonderful cypress knees.
 
Kathryn,

Several years ago we stored the rig at Astor Marine. Although it’s closed on Sunday, an owner came out and opened the gate for us to leave when our plans changed. She wouldn’t even take a tip.

Transient slips at the Sanford Marina are secure with cipher locks. Tom noted that the open public docks were free, but the adjacent park had a few harmless homeless folks who “might” try to pilfer stuff off the boat if no one was around. Anchor in Woodruff Creek.

The German restaurant is worth a visit!

https://www.hollerbachs.com/

I’m impressed that you’d rather pay for two flights and rig storage rather than tow a 700 mile segment separated by eight weeks of crew rest. I’d rather get a root canal than go through a TSA line these days.

Hope this time it’s The Charm and to see you at the Hontoon Hoot!

John
 
Jackie and Bob....if you prefer not to stay at the marina in Sanford, the second oxbow past Hwy 415 is water management district land with available primitive camping, and they provide 3 fire rings, first come/first serve. We like that spot because you have unobstructed views of the sunrise and sunset. I also like to watch the jets come in to Sanford as the flight path is parallel to the river. You also have a straight shot to view launches from Kennedy Space Center there as well.

Hey Jeff....You coming down on that TC24 on your own bottom again? Congrats on the new motors! We'll have lots to talk about :D
 
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