2026 Hontoon Island Gathering. March 3,4,5. DeLand Florida on St. John’s river.

Avidmagnum12

Avidmagnum12

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C Dory Year
2011
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25 Cruiser
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C-Otter
Announcement. After 3 years of no camping on the island I am happy to announce that we will be able to make reservations at the park
The last years have been a little challenging for our gathering however we always had a great time. C-Brats are always ready to be part of the adventure. Joyce and I are looking forward to visiting with friends…both old and new. Hontoon does NOT have an onsite park manager at this time so I am not sure what tables and chairs they will allow us to use but we will work things out. We are going to spend 5 days on the river by Hontoon starting Nov. 14th and will gather additional information.

To make a reservation you must call this number. 833-953-2583 THE FLORIDA RESERVATION SYSTEM DOES NOT COVER HONTOON AT THIS TIME. If this changes I’ll post here.
Please do not say this is a group reservation. I was told that they were not set up for groups but we can make reservations as individual boats. There are only about 30 slips available and it’s first come first served by reservation.
Slips are $23.00 per night with power available for $9.00 additional per night……plus tax.

Will be posting more in a week or so. Looking forward to seeing C-Dorys and other trailer trawlers on the St. John’s.

For anyone having questions needing a quick response please send me a personal message with a phone number and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

Thanks …Tom and Joyce on the C- Otter

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Reading the Hontoon Landing State Park web site seems to indicate there is a manager, and some staff, plus camping seems to now be open again--and perhaps overnight boating is again allowed? If so, that bodes well for the gathering. We wish we could be there--but age and health dictates otherwise. We will be there in spirit and thinking about all of our C Dory friends. We miss you all. If you are traveling to Hontoon via I 10, remember that we are only about 20 minutes off the Freeway at exit #7, have a place for you to park your boat, and free lodging at "Camp Thataway". If coming by boat, we are near the head of Perdido Bay on Bayou Marcus and always have space at our dock for C Brats. We would love to see old friends, and meet new ones.
Safe travels!
Bob and Marie
 
Sounds great. I’ll get on it.

THANKS TOM & JOYCE!

Jackie.
 
Tom,
I got sick last year a week before the 2025 gathering, and was bummed we couldn’t make it! Anyway, we are bringing our CD-25 (the ‘Skimmer) down next week to Tampa as we have an appointment at a custom marine canvas shop in Crystal River to get a full enclosure fabricated. We’re excited to meet everyone at Hontoon in 2026 and test out our new camper-back! I’ve seen some C-Dory’s that had rear enclosures cut by this shop in Crystal River and I loved them! I’ll call the number you gave us and lock our slip reservations in for Hontoon.
 
Rosanne and I will be bowing out this year. Rosanne is planning on going on a medical mission to El Salvador during the same time frame, and we both chose that I stay home during this time, rather than coming solo to Hontoon. This gathering is definitely one of my favorites, and the perfect opportunity to get out of Wisconsin for some warmer air! Not sure when C-Traveler's season will start since this is usually our start of the boating season. If plans for El Salvador fall though, Hontoon will go back on my calendar. It's exciting to hear that the park is back open with reservations and all. For now, unless we see any of you during the summer somewhere, we'll see you back at Hontoon in 2027. Colby
 
Joyce and I are having a nice cruise and GREAT weather this weekend on the St. John’s. We visited Hontoon and were able to meet with some of the members of the concession that is managing the campground, store and boat docks. I feel they are diligently working to improve conditions at the park and will do whatever they can to work with us. They do however have some rental boats in some slips so I encourage anyone who is interested to make reservations ASAP. They even have a few cabins available at this time for anyone looking for one. Campsites are also available. The store has basic camping items and they are working on expansion.
I will be posting some photos when I get home as my internet connection is limited today.

Now…..here is the number to call. 833-853-2583

Looking forward to seeing you at Hontoon.

Tom
 
Frankie Ann and I are considering attending. We normally spend a month in Kew West at this time but I had a stroke in June and don't think we can make that far this year. I"m a bit handicapped with only light duty on my right side but ok once the boat is in the water. Can one of you fill us in on the details: where it starts, where to leave trailer, etc. Virginia is our home base. Thanks
 
Here are a few photos I took this weekend at Hontoon. The first one shows the docks. The second photo shows the pavilion that is available. We then have the diagram of the slips with numbers. They only had one copy of the diagram so ignore the notes. This does give everyone an idea of the layout. Lots of aquatic growth by the docks but they are working on cleaning things up.
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Most C- Brats launch at Ed Stone park located at HWY 44 near DeLand Florida. Lots of good parking and a protected launch area. We encourage everyone to park as far away from the ramps as possible. It’s a short trip up river (south) to Hontoon Island state park. I will be launching on Monday March 2nd in the morning. Glad to help launch if anyone is there at the same time. The gathering starts on the 3rd but many arrive early.

Traditionally we have boat tours, group trips, group lunches and discussions. A lot of dock talk to be sure. Every gathering takes on a life of its own. The river flows freely and so do we.

Looking forward to seeing you at Hontoon.
 
Avidmagnum12 said:
Most C- Brats launch at Ed Stone park located at HWY 44 near DeLand Florida. Lots of good parking and a protected launch area. We encourage everyone to park as far away from the ramps as possible. It’s a short trip up river (south) to Hontoon Island state park. I will be launching on Monday March 2nd in the morning. Glad to help launch if anyone is there at the same time. The gathering starts on the 3rd but many arrive early.

Traditionally we have boat tours, group trips, group lunches and discussions. A lot of dock talk to be sure. Every gathering takes on a life of its own. The river flows freely and so do we.

Looking forward to seeing you at Hontoon.
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Should we make reservations now?
 
There are a limited amount of slips. I’ve made our reservation and would recommend making yours soon if you plan on attending. Hope to see you there. Tom
 
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