02/27 - 03/01 - St. John's River Gathering

Just signed up. We've done the St. Johns once before, but are looking forward to doing so again, with the group. Launched at Savannah before, and will probably do that again, as the cruise from there to Jacksonville is wonderful.
 
Last year we had to put in at Holly Bluff marina in Deland due to a last minute overheating alarm problem. I replaced the thermostats the first day and it still wailed. Ended up putting tape over the alarm and checking the motor frequently with a temperature gun. Turned out to be a bad sensor.

Going to try putting a few more hours on her this year. Since we got a nice party barge for local day cruising we don't get out on our CDory enough anymore.

We plan on launching Blues Cruiser from Palatka this year, possibly leaving the Saturday before The Gathering. That should be enough time to explore and hopefully meet others traveling by boat at one of the marinas or springs along the way.

Looking forward to another adventure on the river with the C-Brats! I'd like to take that trip as far south as we can go.

Please let us know what we can contribute as we are fairly local. That being said we only have limited experience on the St. John's but I'm confident we can find Hontoon Island from Palatka.

New Years resolution: CRUISE MORE!
 
Blues Cruiser
I like the new Year's Resolution!!!
 
How far is it from NAS JAX to Hontoon State Park ? is this a single day trip or with the wake zones is it two days ?

I am looking at the mileage from California and it looks like 5 days towing my 22......was thinking I could leave my tow rig at NAS (retired Navy)

Joel
ENCS USN Ret.
SEA3PO
 
Joel,

I just checked our NOV2013 mileage from Hontoon Island SP to NAS JAX: 113sm. I don't recall too many manatee (wakeless) areas on the St. Johns, but there are a few. From what I remember most of the wakeless areas seem to be on the ICW. Someone else can probably clarify that....

We were just dawdling and taking our time, so after we departed Hontoon Island SP we stayed at Silver Glen Springs SP (30sm) for two nights, then to Welaka, FL (19sm, and a free town dock), then on to Pelatka, FL (19sm, and a free but noisy town dock [but there is a quiet anchorage nearby]), then on to NAS JAX (45sm and $9/night incl elec). You could do it in one long day ... but why rush?

You might want to consider trailering to the Hontoon Island Resort and Marina (TEL: 386-734-2474). The marina is directly across the waterway from Hontoon Island SP. They have a paved launch ramp, and plenty of truck/trailer storage. I don't recall what they charge, but it was quite cheap (maybe $5/day?)

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
Joel...It can be done in a long day but after driving 5 days cross country you may want to break it up in two at a minimum. My suggestion would be to zip from Jax to Palatka and then take it easy from there. The best part of the river is Palatka south. I know a few are going to cruise the river between there and Hontoon prior to the gathering. The worst of the slow speed/idle zones are near Hontoon, especially around Blue Springs.
 
Joel I have done that run many times, it is a two day run not unless you have two drivers and have recovered from your cross country drive.
 
Joel I have done that run many times, it is a two day run not unless you have two drivers and have recovered from your cross country drive.
 
sounds like good time, will try to make it, been out on the bay last 8 out of ten days, getting a little cool in Va. , thought about a trip that way in Jan. a few nights on boat a few in a room etc. Bought 22 cd in Nov worked on it a couple weeks only had 49 hours on it, now has 96, what a great little boat,
 
C&PBerkeley":1hvo5b2c said:
sounds like good time, will try to make it, been out on the bay last 8 out of ten days, getting a little cool in Va. , thought about a trip that way in Jan. a few nights on boat a few in a room etc. Bought 22 cd in Nov worked on it a couple weeks only had 49 hours on it, now has 96, what a great little boat,
Click to expand...

C&P, Great, found a diamond yet to be cut.

This sure looks like a fun gathering. :mrgreen: Looking forward to 2015-6.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
So, how is everybody? Been actively thinking about our St.John's trip this year and starting to get ready for it as well. Some other postings have me wanting to propose a couple of things.

One would be that for those on the river before and after the event we agree to monitor channel 72 for hailing other Brats or whatever channel the local attendees might suggest as a better channel.

Two is to put out a request that if any of you have or know of someone with a musical inclination to invite them to the gathering. Lonesome Bert and the Skinny Lizzards have me a toe tappin' :-)

Thoughts??

James
 
Molly Brown":m9vfjuqt said:
Two is to put out a request that if any of you have or know of someone with a musical inclination to invite them to the gathering. Lonesome Bert and the Skinny Lizzards have me a toe tappin' :-)

Thoughts??

James
Click to expand...

We've seen Lonesome Bert and the Skinny Lizzards in St Augustine. Definitely a "toe tappin" bunch. Maybe we could hire them.
 
Alma's Only will be on the St. John's for most of the week before the gathering. Always available to raft up for a break or provide assistance, and anyone wishing my specific location can hail on channel 72 (or whatever other channel is agreed to). For a longer range connection, just send a DSC position request to MMSI 338020314. This radio is set up for automatic reply to such requests.

Otherwise, looking forward to joining in on Friday.
 
We'll also be on the river before the event starting the 15th and will be initially heading upstream/south to explore down to Lake Harney. Beyond that we have no plan nor itinerary and will bounce around between Sanford and Green Cove Springs, maybe Black Creek. We'll monitor 72 for any Brat traffic.

Out of curiosity I emailed Chris Clark with Lonesome Bert and the Skinny Lizzards. They are available for that date and have a set price for 1-4 sets plus travel expenses. Comes out to about $600. Not being the organizer, nor wanting to complicate things or ask for money, get permission etc...I'll leave it at that. I'm just thankful that Tom and Joyce were willing to set this gathering up again and look forward to seeing everyone in what we consider to be a top cruising ground. We're river bound in another 27 days. Can you tell I am ready?

James
 
I just sent an E mail to the band "Lonsome Bert & the Skinny Lizzards" about the date and price ETC I'll keep you posted. I asked for Saturday night. If they are avilable we need to figure out the money part which I don't have a clew. I'm willing to do the foot work etc. Cliff 352 735 1601
 
Hi All!
I've been busy working on the "Out2C" for the last few weeks and should be finished with all my projects tomorrow. Putting on the Poly Glow finish took a bunch of time but the boat sure looks good. I see that some are interested in having live music at the gathering. I am not against doing so but there are a bunch of details that would have to be worked out.
#1)Will the park allow it? I can ask when we boat down on Thursday to Hontoon.
#2)If they allow it what hours are we looking at?
#3)what happens if it rains? There is no real pavilion.
#4)no public transportation across the St. Johns after sunset so someone would have to transfer all personal and equipment across the river. We cannot use the park dock so we would have to go to Holly Bluff or Ed Stone Park
#5)who would pay? Would someone like to donate the $600 or so? I hesitate to require a fee from attendees.
#6)Someone would have to volunteer to head this up.
#7)How many would be interested in proceeding?

Post your comments and we can go from there.

Thanks......Tom and Joyce Schulke

2004 C-Dory 22 Out2C
 
Tom and Jimi....

The money and logistics are why I just reported my findings and left it at that. I figured this would complicate things and I fear you may regret entertaining adding this to the event. That said, it seems Jimi is willing to be the go between and I am more than happy to contribute money wise and offer up my boat for transport. The big "if" is interest from other participants. Chris Clark (with the band) is aware that being a large group and short of time that I have my doubts we can pull this off in time to secure the date we would need. AND, as you say, the Park would have to weight in as well. The nice lady ranger, whose name escapes me, did mention to me last year that she was interested in having some type of live events out at the Park. You may find she is ameable to this and may even authorize use of the shuttle boat and or the dock for transport. I was quoted $500 for 1-4 sets of music, about a $100 in travel costs, and since it's close enough they would not need lodging.

I suppose going forward let's see what the Park says, what Jimi finds out and whether the group shows any interest.

Sure hope I haven't thrown a wrench in the works :note
 
I guess I'm a little reluctant to put this in the open forum (lest someone think I'm a party-pooper), but although this is a creative Idea, in my opinion it goes well beyond what I think of in terms of CBGT's.

If it's home-grown talent (ie. Jim Bathurst playing his guitar or Pat Anderson on the octarina) that's one thing, but hiring a professional band for a gig at a nice Quiet little state park on an island is Out There in my opinion. What happened to simply sitting around a campfire and enjoyably BS'ing with other Brat's?

That said, Mary and I are currently in AZ trying to downsize the last house and get it on the market. We HOPE to be there for the Hontoon CBGT, but that's still up in the air.

Best,
C&M
 
I was at last years gathering and loved it. That being said I think the band thing is pushing the limits of good taste. The park has been more than accommodating to the C-Brats. This is a park with other people probably coming there for peace and quiet. What really needs to be considered is that this gathering that has been Tom and Joyce's baby and I think they have done a great job. Interjecting or even suggesting changing a quiet gathering to a hootenanny is miss guided IMHO. I think if a musical gathering is what some folks want they should pick another venue and handle it all themselves. I hope the gathering will continue using the current formula for what everyone has been enjoying.
D.D.
 
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