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

Pulled into Ed Stone a few mins after 5 and numerous parking spaces open. Launched a hair past 6 and ramp was slowing down and after we got launched only a few still loading! Our timing worked out great. Now anchored in the second oxbow north of Ed Stone. We’ll run up to Blue Creek tomorrow and should be at Hontoon by early afternoon . Tom you may beat us in. If not, I’ll be waiting for you. :)
 
Probably close to 20 boats here at Hontoon tonight. And some rain... But before I got here, I did go place my geocache in Blue Creek. For any geocachers out there, this is the identifier: GC9MZ9J However, it is a premium member cache. (That means you have to have a paid membership to see the cache page.) Here is a photo of me placing it, and one after it's placed. Tyboo, can we get a thread album?

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And a few photos of the C-Dory's at Hontoon as of this afternoon. The bottom one being a panoramic taken from the end of the T shaped dock.

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Our little Treasure 23 venture will not be attending this year’s Hontoon we are sorry to miss one of our favorite places But life got in the way Hopefully next year. Jim and Loree (jennykatz) [/u]
 
looks like a bucket of fun. You all have a great time, and stay safe.

Colby, Thanks for posting the pix.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Sure enjoy the view from my computer screen compared to the two feet of snow out my window. Thanks, Colby, for sharing "Gathering" photos for the rest of us snowbound folks. I miss seeing all of you, hope the auction is a rousing success.

Pat Clow
Meri Aura
 
Thanks too, Colby, for sharing the pix. I can feel the warm right on my screen. NO 24 inches of snow here, but we are a long way from the 80's (F). The good news, Spring is on the way, I have 2 yellow flowers blooming in my yard --> a Daffodil and a dandelion. Both are good signs.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Hi Pat, A few of us where wondering about you. Hope all is well. The auction had a lot of good stuff in it again. (But I didn't see any of your great knitted winter caps! I may need it Sunday night when it gets down to 34 degrees. Glad I brought my blue one along from several years ago!) But this week we're dealing with mid 80's, plenty of sun, and some rain.
This morning Tom started off giving his captains briefing. The stuff we all should know about boating around manatees and just basic good C-Brat common boating sense! He then introduced Dr. Bob who gave a speech, uh, I mean talk :mrgreen:, on C-Dory Modifications and info on LIFI PO4 batteries. Following that, John (Cat-O-Mine) gave a seminar on Trailerable boats on the American Great Loop. The annual silent auction was held from 10-2 with the usual interesting assortment of stuff. Chicken, Cole Slaw, Potato Salad and Cake was on the menu this evening from Publix. And more rain....

Some photos I captured from today.

Tom's captain's breifing
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Introducing Dr. Bob
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Dr. Bob Seminar
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John's Seminar
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Silent Auction (I missed getting a photo during the last few minutes when it really gets hectic...)

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Where's the Chicken!
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No description needed!
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Joyce getting ready to cut the cake.
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Ah, supper!
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Thanks for the pics. What a great place to boat and gather. Only about 3 feet of snow here and still coming down. Ready for spring and softer water.

Jay
 
Today is the last day of our gathering here. Several boats pulled out today, several more will leave tomorrow. And a few of us will continue to cruise the St. John's River until life beckons us back home. Today's main event (besides more rain...) was the Galley Gadget and Boat Gear Show and Tell. Rosanne and I, and many if not most others, always learn of some new made or purchased product to make our lives on the boat a little simpler. The rest of the day was mostly one to visit and socialize. Or at least stay out of the rain. I'm not complaining, since I still don't have to shovel it. :mrgreen: Those that joined in for a C-Brat supper, ate cold leftovers, or used the grill to warm them up. (Both them selves and their supper. :lol: ) I didn't count the boats, but believe at least two dozen. And Bill on Mystery Girl, the Ranger Tug. (He used to have a 22. Once a C-Brat, always a C-Brat.) Of course can't forget Dr. Bob and Marie either. They came with their RV and stayed at the local KOA, and also had a boat with them that they used to get back and forth to Hontoon. Also had a visit from Joyce and Wolfgang of Dragon Fly fame. (They sold their boat for a Ranger Tug, but didn't have it with them during their visit.) We also have a few other boatless folk stop by to learn more about C-Dorys. All in all, even with the rain, another great C-Brat gathering in the books. Thanks Tom and Joyce!

Some photos from today:

One of the C-Brats showing his favorite Boat Gear
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Rosanne showing her favorite galley gadget
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Another galley gadget
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Eileen totaling up the votes for the best gadget or gear. You can also see most the gadgets/gear displayed on the table
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One of the winners picking out his prize
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Reheating leftovers over the grill
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Last supper of the gathering
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Colby, Thanks for posting all the pix. Fun to see them, and, with the captions.

I did see a C-Dory model on the table. Cool.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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I did see a C-Dory model on the table. Cool.
Click to expand...

I tell you what Harvey, that was a pretty impressive gadget. Mark (I believe his name) of Waypoint, made that. I didn't get a chance to look at his boat, Waypoint, but sounds like he is a wonderful wood worker! The motors (twins you'll be happy to know), even moved up and down on that model! He also showed us his new Honda 2200 generator, in the first photo. I'm not sure which one won him a prize, but he's the one in the photo picking out his prize. Colby
 
Further comments on Mark's amazing model. He carved a prototype from wood, then made a 3 piece mold from that, then cast the model he showed (and others) out of resin (that his chemist wife helped with). Very creative and labor intensive with impressive result!

Thank you Tom and Joyce for organizing this great gathering once again.
Thank you Colby for posting the great pics.

This may be of interest to any motor heads. Last year I ran my boat from Savannah to Hontoon and back with my old 2009 twin 115 Tohatsu TLDI 2-strokes. Average fuel economy was 2.4 NMPG. This years trip from Savannah to Hontoon was with new twin Mercury 90 Seapro 4-strokes. Average fuel economy was 2.45 NMPG. (Trailered boat home this year due impending bad weather. My old tow vehicle and old trailer made it with no issues thankfully.). Although not a good apples to apples comparison, my observation is that if you are comparing fuel injected outboards, fuel economy is more about the boat than the model or brand of motor.
-Jeff-
 
Had a Wonderful time at Hontoon Island! Best Gathering ever.....but I say that every year! Thanks to all those that volunteered to help with the many tasks associated with a gathering. That was just about everyone! THANKS ALL. Special thanks to Dr. Bob who shared hours of information on everything C-Dory.
Gulf coast John gave a great presentation on doing the American Great Loop on trailer trawlers. Ken doing the Jotform list. Colbys great photography is enjoyed by all and those that followed him on the Hontoon Loop were all smiles. Personal thanks to James and Cathy who were there for me when I needed them most.

It was great to get back together with old friends and make new ones. Love our boats but even more the C-Brat family! We had folks from distant areas come to see what C-Dory boats are like. Most of us traveled 100 miles or more to look them over before we bought one.

This is the first year that I did not do an after gathering trip. It was hard to leave this morning and not say goodbye to everyone but trust that we will see you all next year.

We will confirm next years dates soon. That will make 10 years.

I’ll be posting again in a day or two. We appreciate the thanks that we receive for doing this. Remember.....it’s not a “JOB” if you love to do something and we love the gathering.

Tom and Joyce
 
colbysmith":39gq3fm6 said:
I did see a C-Dory model on the table. Cool.
Click to expand...

I tell you what Harvey, that was a pretty impressive gadget. Mark (I believe his name) of Waypoint, made that. I didn't get a chance to look at his boat, Waypoint, but sounds like he is a wonderful wood worker! The motors (twins you'll be happy to know), even moved up and down on that model! He also showed us his new Honda 2200 generator, in the first photo. I'm not sure which one won him a prize, but he's the one in the photo picking out his prize. Colby
Click to expand...

Yes, they are pretty neat models and YES they have TWINS. So Cool.
Gotta make this trip next year. Thanks for the pix, the notes and for putting it together again. Going for the 10th Anniversary Hontoon Hoot. What a challenge.

You all travel safe, stay healthy and see you next year.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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As all seem to agree, all of the gatherings are not just about the boats, but it is about the people you come to know and love as an extended family. We will keep coming back as long as we are able.

We had our 25' Winnebago "Via" RV, and towed our 18' Caracal Cat. On the way down, we lost power on the RV (Mercedes Sprinter 3500 chassis). (Long ago I had sworn I would never own another Mercedes product---but the RV layout was "perfect" for our uses...We could average about 45 mph on the level, dropped to as low as 18 mph up hill on bridges, and going downhill might get to 55mph.) We had the unit looked at in Deland by an independent Mercedes mechanic. There was a problem with the common rail module, a short, and we were not getting proper fuel pressure--thus less than 50% of the hp (probably about 70 hp). A repair would take over a week. John and Eileen (Cat o Mine) offered us a ride back to Pensacola, and Tom and Joyce (C Otter) pulled out boat out of the water to avoid risks there--and invited us to stay with them if we had to stay. Wonderful extended family!

As it was, we took back roads (Senic! and we have vowed to return to some areas), average speed going home 35 mph for 450 miles. But we made it home, and the Sprinter chassis goes to the local Mercedes dealer ASAP!

The Caracal Cat worked well, and was fun (we had a slip near the RV at the RV park next to Ed Stone launch ramp.) However, sine there were bouts of heavy rain--a couple of times I had to drive the boat back to the RV after dark in the rain--next time I will be sure to have my best foul weather gear aboard, rather than the light jacket I took. The Caracal Cat cruises nicely at 25 mph, and is an ideal boat for "bird" photography, and sight seeing! The ride is close to being as good as the Tom Cat.

Thanks to all who made this gathering such a wonderful and memorial affair!
 
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