03/04 - 03/06 - Hontoon Island, Florida 2025

Chris, if you look towards the top of the screen, you'll see a link for event signups. That's the place to sign up. Look forward to meeting you. Colby
Oops, never mind, I see you are on the list there. Consider yourself signed up. lol.
 
Four weeks to go for the Hontoon Gathering! I’m working on the schedule of events and will post it next week. Thanks for all that signed up on C-Brats. It gives us a good idea of what supplies we need to purchase.

Now I’m going to ask everyone to sign up on Jotform. This will give us contact information for attending C-Brats. This information is never to be shared outside the attendees. I can’t tell you how often I find it helpful to contact someone on the list.

https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

I’ll be filling out mine just as soon as I’m done typing this out.

Reminder…. Look around for any nautical treasure that you would like to donate for our silent auction. It’s lots of fun and helps Hontoon Island SP with improvements.

Thanks Tom
 
Hi Friends,

We just made marina reservations at Hontoon Landing Resort, which is 2 blocks west of the Hontoon State Park Ferry pickup point, for $35 per night + $5 shore power. It’s a clean and well run family river resort/marina with fair prices. (However, we are paying $33.80 per night here at the Pink Shell resort, which has (ahem) much better amenities). At our age we like the 24h RR nearby. Someday you will Understand.

We’ve stayed in their lodging with a riverview balcony and full size kitchens that are also nice and fairly priced (for Don, Chris, and Keith FYI).

Looking forward to seeing you all. HLR does not have all that many transient slips, so if you want one perhaps you should look into it now. We’d anchor in the Dead River, but are too lazy to switch over to all propane every night…YMMV.

https://www.hontoon.com/sliprentals.html

This adventure’s blog is here:

https://findpenguins.com/ancient-isles/ ... n?sort=ASC

Should you choose to ‘follow’, you’ll get an email whenever I plant a new ‘footprint’. But after the OWW out and back, it’s pretty boring…beach, pool, gym?

Safe Travels,
John
 
Layman's questions about Hontoon:
-Is the water clear or is it black water like much of the Everglades.
-I realize it is fresh water. May I assume there is no tide?
-The waters near there are listed as excellent Bass and Crappie Waters. Does anyone fish while at this event?
 
Donald Tyson":1rsgk0e6 said:
Layman's questions about Hontoon:
-Is the water clear or is it black water like much of the Everglades.
-I realize it is fresh water. May I assume there is no tide?
-The waters near there are listed as excellent Bass and Crappie Waters. Does anyone fish while at this event?
Click to expand...

It’s dark, except in the springs where it can be crystal clear.

No tide at Hontoon and very little current. That changes as you get closer to Jacksonville and the water becomes more brackish.

I don’t, but know of at least one couple that did and would catch some nice bass.
 
We just made reservations at Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina. Their pool is open, but it is not heated. Slips are cheap compared to St Augustine prices.
 
The tidal range on the St. Johns extends to the North End of Lake George. The furthest up Steam, (South) tidal predictions are officially given for is Buffalo Bluff.

Many rivers in Florida are high in tannins from the decay of vegetation. There are exceptions when you get near the sandy bottom, and tidal influenced river.

The many springs bring water up from very deep aquifers.
 
I read that it is the longest river in FL. 300 and some miles.
I'm hoping to help them with their Crappie issues. Watch me.
Apparently Lake Beresford is renown for good Bass Fishing and Cats.
I don't understand and therefore won't tempt the gators.
 
Donald Tyson":3jfy7jaj said:
I read that it is the longest river in FL. 300 and some miles.
I'm hoping to help them with their Crappie issues. Watch me.
Apparently Lake Beresford is renown for good Bass Fishing and Cats.
I don't understand and therefore won't tempt the gators.
Click to expand...

It is one of the longer rivers, and also known for it's direction of flow. Don't worry too much about the gators. They are more afraid of you. Well, usually... :mrgreen: There are three charts that cover the St. John's. You might pull into Hontoon while you are there early to see if the small store is open and if they have the charts. Otherwise, Holly Bluff or Hontoon Landing probably has them. Colby
 
NORTH:

"It is one of the longer rivers, and also known for it's direction of flow.

GOTCHA:

you are there early to see if the small store is open and if they have the charts. Otherwise, Holly Bluff or Hontoon Landing probably has them. Colby[/quote]

Still ain't get'n near those Gators...GO EAGLES!
 
Attention All
It looks like we have another option for slips at near by Lake Beresford Yacht Club. They have 18 slips available at $30.00 per night with power, water, showers and other amenities. They will also offer truck and trailer parking for $10.00 a night. A boat ramp is located at the marina. Registration and insurance are required as at most other marinas. Please wait to make reservations till I firm things up.

This can be a handy spot to spend the nights during the gathering. They have an onsite restaurant open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 10pm.

I’ll have more information after I visit the YC on Saturday. They are very excited to help us with our gathering. You can check them out on their website https://lakeberesfordyc.com/

I’ll be posting the schedule early next week now.

All daytime programs will be held at Hontoon Island State Park as in the past. However we cannot use the docks overnight.

See you at the Hontoon Gathering.
 
Avidmagnum12":1h6ofkel said:
Attention All
It looks like we have another option for slips at near by Lake Beresford Yacht Club. They have 18 slips available at $30.00 per night with power, water, showers and other amenities. They will also offer truck and trailer parking for $10.00 a night. A boat ramp is located at the marina. Registration and insurance are required as at most other marinas. Please wait to make reservations till I firm things up.

This can be a handy spot to spend the nights during the gathering. They have an onsite restaurant open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 10pm.

I’ll have more information after I visit the YC on Saturday. They are very excited to help us with our gathering. You can check them out on their website https://lakeberesfordyc.com/

I’ll be posting the schedule early next week now.

All daytime programs will be held at Hontoon Island State Park as in the past. However we cannot use the docks overnight.

See you at the Hontoon Gathering.
Click to expand...
I would love to use them for parking at least!
 
News about Hontoon.
First……starting tomorrow the park will be open from 8am to 6 pm every day of the week. The ferry will be running during those hours.

Second…..the staff at the park is getting the water back on the dock closest to the ferry. The other dock has power and water. That can be handy during the day to top off the batteries and water tanks.

Third…..We still cannot stay at the docks overnight. Plan on anchoring out or make marina reservations. There are many great anchorages in the area and I’ll be glad to help with locations and advice.

Forth…. Good news….there are contractors on the island rebuilding the staff houses. It’s going to take awhile but if we don’t get major flooding next hurricane season the gathering can get back to staying at the park slips.

The staff is looking forward to having us back……see you at Hontoon.

Tom and Joyce
 
Report on Lake Beresrord Yacht Club. We stopped in at the Yacht Club yesterday and looked around. Beautiful clubhouse and dining room. We had dinner there with one of the members and the food and service was great 👍.
The private ramp had a floating dock and should work well for C-Dorys. Most of the docks are in my opinion wayyyyyyy too high for our boats. However there are about 7 that with a little work could make them work. Jay from the club said they plan on doing the job.

So please let me know by PM if you would like a slip and for what nights. The cost is $30 per night. That includes access to the facilities at the YC.

https://lakeberesfordyc.com/

Check out their website above.

You can also launch your craft at the YC and store your truck and trailer for $10.00 per day. This also allows use of the facilities.

This is a very friendly club and one of our group, Danny Grimm is a member there. If you’re interested in joining a YC with reciprocity with a bunch of Florida yacht clubs they have the lowest prices in the state.

Tom
 
Joyce and I will be launching on Monday March 3rd. at Ed. Stone park and proceeding to Hontoon Island. We ask everyone that launches there to park as far away from the ramp as possible.

C-Dory channel is 72 please be on frequency when you arrive at the park. Most slips must be backed into so have your fenders deployed for floating docks. We will help with docking. So far no damage yet.

The C-Otter will be cruising the St.Johns for about 10 days after the gathering and if any captains wish to follow they are welcome to do so.

For those that have not boated in manatee waters be advised there are many in the area. Please keep a lookout and obey the speed restrictions. You can get more information online.

Tom and Joyce
 
Tentative schedule for Hontoon

Tuesday morning arrivals….meet and greet. Signup for volunteer duty.

Tuesday afternoon presentation by Grant Wilson about lithium batteries. You will not want to miss this.

Wednesday
8:30 am bring items to the pavilion for the silent auction. Auction begins at 10 am ends at 2 pm.
Boat tours before lunch.
Pizza lunch at 12:30 or so.
2pm. to 3pm. Various discussion groups
3pm pick up and pay your auction wins
4pm to 5 pm more discussion groups

Thursday
10 am boat and galley gadgets. Bring your favorites for show and tell. Vote on the best ones. Prizes!!
About noon Publix Chicken…yummy
After lunch Colby Smith will lead a tour around Hontoon Island for those that desire to go for a cruise. You’ll see lots of birds and other wildlife. If you’ve never done this don’t miss the opportunity.
For the rest of us chill out and visit.

Friday
Start of our trip up or down river for any that want to join us. You can follow as little or far as you want. Just make sure you are fully prepared and provisioned. And… yes I run my generator.😁

This gathering is like a smorgasbord….partake of the activities that you want and skip the rest.

For meals please bring your own tableware. We are going to leave our rig at Ed Stone and will only be able to bring minimal supplies.

Make sure you sign up on Jotform.

https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

This is going to be the best year ever! Tom
 
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