03/09 - 3/11 - Hontoon Island CBGT DeLand Florida

wisport":xkkmc4yc said:
It would be nice if a gathering could organized in centra/mid US to minimize trailer travel.
WISport
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Wisport, I believe you have owned your boat for a number of years. There have been "meet in the Middle" on the upper Mississippi River. for a number of years. We have traveled there, as have many from all over the USA. Ken (who was the main organizer) passed on several years ago. There are several C Brats who have considered hosting, but COVID got in the way this year.

Are you interested in being the host? If so, I suspect there will be a number of C Brats who will come.

You can go back to the events, and see the photographs, and read about them in the archived forums and photos.

Also we have several other Brats from your neck of the woods or further, who come to Hontoon each year. (to relate this to Hontoon gathering--come on down). It is a fantastic place, warm, and lots of things to do even with COVID.

Keep warm!
 
After or before the Hontoon Island gathering do most boats take a cruise North or South on the St Johns ? I'am looking at ordering a couple paper charts.
 
You want the "Kingfisher" maps. Noth and Central will cover most of what we do. If you want to go to Jacksonville and The Atlantic Ocean, then also get South.

You can get free NOAA maps, to keep on your computer or print out th booklet. I have both.

Also Navionics covers tis area well for a tablet or I pad. (which we also use). Plus there are some secrets which Tom and Joyce have taught us all along the way...Don't cut corners. There are a lot of secret places to go. Remember that most of businesses in FL are open--and many have outdoor dining.

You have a long drive--but its worth it---just like driving to Lake Powell is worth it for us Flordians. If you are going a few days early, stop by our house for the night. We are only 7 miles off I 10, with full accommodations for C Brats. We will be leaving Pensacola on March 4th and stop for the night at Casey Jones RV park just beyond Lake City on I 75, for the night. We arrive at Ed Stone Park about noon on the 5th, getting to the State park mid afternoon.
 
Bob, thank you very much for your generous offer, we might take you up on it if dates fall into place. Our own date of departure now depends on vaccination of course, my wife, Mary, just turned 75 and I was able to get an appointment for the last day of this month for her to get her 1st shot, We would not be able to leave until she gets her second one (28 days later?) As for me, who knows, I am not 75 quite yet, I am willing to hit the road without the vaccine since it clearly looks like it will take a while until my turn comes (65 and over). i ordered some of the N95 masks for this trip.
You say:
"You want the "Kingfisher" maps. Noth and Central will cover most of what we do. If you want to go to Jacksonville and The Atlantic Ocean, then also get South"
I thought Jacksonville was North of Deland?
 
"You want the "Kingfisher" maps. Noth and Central will cover most of what we do. If you want to go to Jacksonville and The Atlantic Ocean, then also get South"
I thought Jacksonville was North of Deland?
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OOPs, you are correct! St Johns river runs North. Up river is South and down River is North. Just the reverse of what I stated. Thanks for catching that...!!

We have our second vaccine on the 6th of Feb. However we will still continue to socially distance and wear N 95 masks.
 
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.

I’m looking for volunteers to give some C-Dory seminars. They can be on overall subjects, trip planning, boat problems or you name it.

Boat gadgets and galley gadgets has become one of our favorite activities and will be part of this years fun time. Prizes will be awarded!

That’s all for today. My typing finger is wearing out. Be safe!
 
At this time, we are still planning on being at the gathering. Looks like we'll be launching around the 1st of March, and cruising on the river prior to the gathering. Then cruising for another week or so after the gathering. As Bob mentioned earlier, we will hold to the social distancing and masking up when in proximity of others. If folks don't want to follow those habits, we'll plan on departing from the gathering early and continue enjoying the river in more isolation. Rosanne gets her last vaccine this Monday, but I have not yet gotten the vaccine. (Rosanne is a nurse, so was able to be in the first group. I may get mine in the second group as a substitute school bus driver, but haven't gotten any dates yet.) I also plan to bring some items for the auction. Specifically the marine head, macerator and Y-valve I pulled from C-Traveler. If the 6 gal water heater doesn't sell on ebay, I'll also have that. A 15x13 3 blade aluminum prop with one tip bent but didn't notice any vibration at various speeds. A couple of air filters for the Merc 115 4 -stroke (old style with foam element), and a used starter motor for that Merc. And possibly a large bow anchor roller. If anyone is interested in any of this stuff before the auction, let me know. I would expect a donation to C-Brats or the Hontoon gathering in lieu of putting it in the auction. :D
Definitely looking forward to getting out of Wisconsin's cold and snow and trying out the new Load Rite trailer I just had C-Traveler set on. Colby
 
As much as I love this gathering, after some more discussion with Rosanne, I think we are going to back out this year. Just feel it's probably not in our best interest with Covid still raging, and with all the new variants. We still plan to be on the St. John's River, cruising, and always a slight possibility we could pop in for a night to take on water or get a good recharge on the batteries. This gathering is one I look forward to each year, and it's been a great time socializing with fellow C-Brats. But take away the socializing, for us anyway, we've already seen the park, so would rather spend the time on the water and with how our time allotment falls, we can extend our range quite a bit without a break in the middle. So we may still see some of you on the river somewhere. Otherwise, it'll be back on our calendar for 2022. Colby
 
Good Morning C-Brats
We are still scheduled to hold our Hontoon Gathering as planed. Florida allows outdoor groups of up to 50.

With that said ......if anyone is concerned, not feeling well, has COVID or will not do the best they can to maintain a safe environment....do not attend. Everything in life has risk and we will do everything we can to keep it to a minimum. Enough said.

Socializing can be done at a distance. We will space out tables and chairs. Bring your own chairs and eating utensils. Plan on at least a couple of seminars. Dr. Bob will hold an open discussion on boat mods and I will go over what I learned about tow vehicles. Anyone have something else to bring up let me know.

Anyone that will not be coming please remove your name from the signup list.

Everyone that is coming also signup on this link.

https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

This is a way to share contact information.

Thanks 🙏 looking forward to a great gathering!
 
We are still moseying around Florida on our way to Hontoon. I think 99% of us have a VHF radio and I bet over half of us have portable radios too. We could always talk via radio and if you see me on the river mine is on and ready. It's about time I learn to use the ship to ship feature. My MMSI is 338191919. By the way, what is the official channel this year?

James, Betty and cat Luna (first cat ever and soooo much easier than a dog :lol: )
 
Hi James, I'll stick your MMSI in my radio's call list. I've also got an AIS transceiver, and during the days and for about an hour after I anchor for the night and then about an hour before we pull anchor, I have it transmitting. My MMSI number is 338131849. The DSC calling works pretty well, once you figure out just how it works. lol. There is also a general C-Brats MMSI group number. That number is 036697831. You can enter that in your group page. Great for putting out an all call for any C-Brats within VHF range. But only works for those that enter that in their radio under the specific group entry. (Not to be confused with your own personal issued MMSI number.)

Colby
 
James the last few years we have used channel 72. Also any of the boaters nearing the marina, monitor channel 72. There will be people there to help guide you to your slip (just remember the number!).
 
Thanks Colby and Bob. Channel 72 it is. No AIS but I'll familiarize myself with the radio this time around. I remember being on the Econ with Bob and Marie when some kind of MMSI emergency signal went off super loud. All I could do was to turn off the radio. Currently in Vero Beach headed that way! Since we left early January the excitement for this year's gathering is simmering, lol

James
 
Molly Brown":11s10mah said:
Thanks Colby and Bob. Channel 72 it is. No AIS but I'll familiarize myself with the radio this time around. I remember being on the Econ with Bob and Marie when some kind of MMSI emergency signal went off super loud. All I could do was to turn off the radio. Currently in Vero Beach headed that way! Since we left early January the excitement for this year's gathering is simmering, lol

James
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On most VHF radios, When that DSC Emergency or Call signal comes in, (the loud screech/beep) all you have to do is push any button and look at the VHF display. It will tell you what button to push next, either accept or ignore. Take your pick.

You're Welcome :wink:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Thanks Harvey!
I imagine your probably as close to an expert since you have 3 radios at your helm and a portable too. When you make it to Hontoon some year I’ll nominate you to give a talk 😃 With that screeching going on I couldn’t think clearly so I just made it stop. Not much help for the guy in trouble though. If I recall correctly we later found out it was a false alarm.

James
 
James, I'm probably a long way from an expert (Oh, well depending on the definition. I've heard that an "expert" can be defined as "X" "Spurt" or an unknown drip under pressure :roll: Well that might fit :?

I know the feeling when that first DSC "Screech" goes off. I checked all my alarms, inside and outside, and it just kept going . . . and going . . . and going :twisted:

After I learned, it's not soo bad, but it is not something one would sleep through. Guess that is why they made it that way. I have learned that when I call the big ships out here for visualization confirmation and crossing clearance, they do prefer a call on 13 for the ship name instead of the DSC. BUT, that DSC does work if an audio call is ignored too many times.

Take care and stay safe,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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