03/09 - 3/11 - Hontoon Island CBGT DeLand Florida
- Thread starter Avidmagnum12
- Start date
colbysmith
Active member
Rosanne and I will be there with C-Traveler. Not sure what exact dates we'll be able to stay, however I just reserved 9B for arriving on the 7th and departing on the 12th. Also, if anyone is interested, I still have my radar arch for sale that I pulled off of C-Traveler when I first brought her home. I believe it's stainless, and I'm looking to get $500 for it. I won't bring it along unless I have a buyer. Lots of other stuff I'm inclined to put in the auction, such as a 6 gal water heater, and the marine toilet. (Both also pulled off of C-Traveler.) Colby
Fontanacdory
New member
Just made my reservation, see you all there. Mike
Ed & Linda
New member
Just reserved slip 12a from 7th thru 12th. Looking forward to being there with the Pelican this year. See you all in March![/img]
Hi Guys--
Had my first summer with 1986 22 foot angler "Hazy Lou" and loved it! I live on Orcas Island, and was out crabbing and visiting friends on Stuart Island all summer. One big question for you guys: How the hell do you keep rain water out of the stern? Is there a clever way to install a bilge pump when there is no bilge? Bought a pump with built-in float switch, but it still allowed 2-3 inches of water to collect (and grow algae) before the switch triggered...help!
PS: Look forward to the first post-covid get together in Friday Harbor!
Pete
petemoe@gmail
Had my first summer with 1986 22 foot angler "Hazy Lou" and loved it! I live on Orcas Island, and was out crabbing and visiting friends on Stuart Island all summer. One big question for you guys: How the hell do you keep rain water out of the stern? Is there a clever way to install a bilge pump when there is no bilge? Bought a pump with built-in float switch, but it still allowed 2-3 inches of water to collect (and grow algae) before the switch triggered...help!
PS: Look forward to the first post-covid get together in Friday Harbor!
Pete
petemoe@gmail
C. A. Derivas
New member
Serendipity has signed up for 2a from March 7-13. Look forward to the event in 2021 and to seeing and/or meeting C-Brats in the wonderful St. John’s setting. Hope to see you all in the happier more relaxed setting.
C. A. and Bettie
C. A. and Bettie
colbysmith
Active member
With only two months to go, maybe now's a good time to think about how this year's gathering will compare to past years. This has been my most favorite annual event, and I start looking forward to it the day after I'm heading back home from the "after cruise". That being said, I want to be honest that Rosanne and I may elect to skip the main event and take off on our own or with a very small group, to cruise. Covid is still creating havoc and I don't think many of us will be vaccinated by then. Nor do I think we'll be anywhere near the clear of the virus. I don't know about others, but I find it very hard to socially distance when with folks I only get to see once a year or not very often. Both Rosanne and I take the whole Covid thing very serious, and we do prescribe to the advice of the medical experts. So much of our social life has been affected by the virus, and thus far we've both managed to stay healthy. As much as I think there can still be a gathering with reasonable numbers, I think folks will need to follow the advice of the medical experts, including the wearing of masks and social distancing. I think this will prevent or at the very least, restrict eating together and meeting together. with any large group. This would affect the talks, potlucks, campfires, auction, boat visitations, etc. So in essence I'm just not sure we can maintain the same past atmosphere of the gathering while remaining compliant with the pandemic guidelines. I'm speaking only for Rosanne and I.
Again, the Hontoon gathering is my first opportunity of the new year to get out of frigid Wisconsin and get the boat back in the water. The gathering has always been two events for me. The actual 3 days at Hontoon, then the week or two of cruising mostly after the gathering.
I haven't canceled our reservations yet, and at this time still plan to be on the St. John's River in March. But I did want to put this out there to see what others thought, and to give Tom and Joyce some input for planning.
Colby
Again, the Hontoon gathering is my first opportunity of the new year to get out of frigid Wisconsin and get the boat back in the water. The gathering has always been two events for me. The actual 3 days at Hontoon, then the week or two of cruising mostly after the gathering.
I haven't canceled our reservations yet, and at this time still plan to be on the St. John's River in March. But I did want to put this out there to see what others thought, and to give Tom and Joyce some input for planning.
Colby
Colby and all. I have talked with Tom and Joyce about our concerns which are very similar to yours. As many know I have very serious heart disease and consider a COVID 19 as very serious threat. At 84 apparently I am considered elderly.
We hope to have been vaccinated by March--but the way it is going--no one knows.
Our philosophy is that we are planing to go, to face mask (N95 or equiv) and social distance. I will not be shy about asking for social distancing. I agree that there is no chance of visiting aboard other's boats. Camp fires are still a possibility. Meals can be run one of several ways. Eating on our boats with our own food is safest. There are some other options, including distribution of cooked burgers or Publix Fried chicken--and a few may want to do separate barbecue and eat socially distanced. Pot luck has more challenges.
Auction may be possible, but again requires rigid control of social distancing. Talks also could be done with the distancing--inclding Joyce's best gadgets. All of these activities require innovation from what has been done in the past to meet with standards.
I am concerned about the restrooms if crowded. That is an area which has historically been an issue of spread of virus in studies. This will mean on board use of head facilities much of the time.
Risk exposure equals virus load (number of virus particles in the expired air/droplets, which is also mitigated by masks and distance) X length of time exposure. Passing on the dock is relatively very safe. Talking 2 feet apart for 30 minutes is not.
There are plenty of activities to do. Walks, dinghy and boat trips from the base of the Hontoon Marina. We especially enjoy dinghy trips to the Hontoon Dead River with bird and wild life watching..
We are planing arrive on Friday with reservations each night because this will be the first boat trip with the new dog. If there is violation of the social distancing or masks, we will move on to do our own cruise, and if like minded wish to join us and stick with the rules that is fine.
If all is going well, we plan on staying another week and doing a cruise with a few of the other boats as we have done in the past.
We hope to have been vaccinated by March--but the way it is going--no one knows.
Our philosophy is that we are planing to go, to face mask (N95 or equiv) and social distance. I will not be shy about asking for social distancing. I agree that there is no chance of visiting aboard other's boats. Camp fires are still a possibility. Meals can be run one of several ways. Eating on our boats with our own food is safest. There are some other options, including distribution of cooked burgers or Publix Fried chicken--and a few may want to do separate barbecue and eat socially distanced. Pot luck has more challenges.
Auction may be possible, but again requires rigid control of social distancing. Talks also could be done with the distancing--inclding Joyce's best gadgets. All of these activities require innovation from what has been done in the past to meet with standards.
I am concerned about the restrooms if crowded. That is an area which has historically been an issue of spread of virus in studies. This will mean on board use of head facilities much of the time.
Risk exposure equals virus load (number of virus particles in the expired air/droplets, which is also mitigated by masks and distance) X length of time exposure. Passing on the dock is relatively very safe. Talking 2 feet apart for 30 minutes is not.
There are plenty of activities to do. Walks, dinghy and boat trips from the base of the Hontoon Marina. We especially enjoy dinghy trips to the Hontoon Dead River with bird and wild life watching..
We are planing arrive on Friday with reservations each night because this will be the first boat trip with the new dog. If there is violation of the social distancing or masks, we will move on to do our own cruise, and if like minded wish to join us and stick with the rules that is fine.
If all is going well, we plan on staying another week and doing a cruise with a few of the other boats as we have done in the past.
gulfcoast john
New member
For those Brats who are not familiar with state park reservations made through Reserveamerica.com...it’s not easy to find their cancellation policy, but for cancellations 14 days prior until right up to the day of your reservation, it boils down to $16 plus the first night’s state park fee. If you cancel before the 14 days prior, it’s only $16 to cancel. Cancellations can be done online.
https://www.reserveamerica.com/showPage ... ntact%20Us
I figure we can all stay mellow while we see how things including vaccination progress plays out. There are no big reservation fees at risk.
Speaking of reservation fees, we’ll be heading down to Marathon in the Keys Jan 20 and staying at Faro Blanco Marina and Resort, then heading up to the Hontoon Hoot around March 6 (Jan 30-Feb 6 we have a rental house with dock). Marathon has a good bike/walking path along Ocean Highway and a Publix, Home Depot and West Marine nearby with Amazon Prime 2 day shipping. Due to the occasional Artic blast from the north (avg 2 days out of every 7-10 days), you can not count on every day being a CD boating day. Weather:
https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/18 ... 1af493ef92
Make a reservation here
https://www.faroblancoresort.com/
You can cancel with no fee 72 hours prior, but you pretty much need a reservation this time of year. I believe it was $1900/month flat rate for up to 29 feet plus power. Launch at the 33rd street ramp (no overnight trailers). We’ll have to arrange trailer storage. I found a new resource for finding rig storage...Neighbor.com, select boat trailer or vehicle storage for informal parking in back and side yards, negotiation is much more tolerated than at commercial storage businesses.
Colby, good spot to start a South Florida Loop cruise via the OK waterway! Best marinas with rig storage would be Founders Park Plantation (steep single ramp), Garden Marina at Cudjoe Key, and Garrison Bight city marina, Key West.
Stay safe and well!
John
https://www.reserveamerica.com/showPage ... ntact%20Us
I figure we can all stay mellow while we see how things including vaccination progress plays out. There are no big reservation fees at risk.
Speaking of reservation fees, we’ll be heading down to Marathon in the Keys Jan 20 and staying at Faro Blanco Marina and Resort, then heading up to the Hontoon Hoot around March 6 (Jan 30-Feb 6 we have a rental house with dock). Marathon has a good bike/walking path along Ocean Highway and a Publix, Home Depot and West Marine nearby with Amazon Prime 2 day shipping. Due to the occasional Artic blast from the north (avg 2 days out of every 7-10 days), you can not count on every day being a CD boating day. Weather:
https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/18 ... 1af493ef92
Make a reservation here
https://www.faroblancoresort.com/
You can cancel with no fee 72 hours prior, but you pretty much need a reservation this time of year. I believe it was $1900/month flat rate for up to 29 feet plus power. Launch at the 33rd street ramp (no overnight trailers). We’ll have to arrange trailer storage. I found a new resource for finding rig storage...Neighbor.com, select boat trailer or vehicle storage for informal parking in back and side yards, negotiation is much more tolerated than at commercial storage businesses.
Colby, good spot to start a South Florida Loop cruise via the OK waterway! Best marinas with rig storage would be Founders Park Plantation (steep single ramp), Garden Marina at Cudjoe Key, and Garrison Bight city marina, Key West.
Stay safe and well!
John
colbysmith
Active member
It’s tempting John. But I’d have to leave the bride home to shovel or plow snow and I don’t think she’d be happy about that... :xtongue
Some good consideration regarding gatherings here. We are not past Covid by any stretch of the imagination. Our C-BRAT population is typically on the verge of being high risk, and I think we need to consider n one of us are 10 tall and bullet proof anymore.
Thanks you for your thoughts Colby, Bob and John.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Thanks you for your thoughts Colby, Bob and John.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Avidmagnum12
Member
Happy New Year all.
It is getting time to think about the gathering. At this time Florida State parks are open to outside groups of 50 with restrictions. I personally think we can do this with minimal risk.
Here’s what I’d like to see.
Social distance and masks when with others.
Bring your own chairs and utensils for eating. I plan to go to Publix for chicken, potato salad, buns etc. one night. Burgers, hot dogs and coleslaw one night. We might skip potluck....I’m open to suggestions. One suggestion is that we may ask for volunteers to bring different dishes to share and serve things cafeteria style. Of course you can also eat on your own.
Provision before you come so that personal trips to the store can be kept to an absolute minimum.
When we hold talks again bring your own seating and we will distance ourselves physically. These will all be held outdoors.
Plenty of disinfectant will be made available. Tables will be thoroughly cleaned before and after use.
Boat tours will be at the owners prerogative. Do not ask. Wait to be invited.
After hours ferry runs may or may not be available. The ferries are now run by a concession and so is the camp store.
I do not plan to lead a big group after the gathering this year but will offer suggestions as to where one might travel in smaller groups with a few other fellow C-Brats.
The auction is still on so bring all your “treasures “ on down. Proceeds go to Hontoon Island state park. Special safety prodeedures are being planned.
I know that things will be different this year and if anyone has concerns and feel uncomfortable that’s OK. Hopefully we’ll be back to normal next year and see you then.
God Bless and stay safe.......Tom
It is getting time to think about the gathering. At this time Florida State parks are open to outside groups of 50 with restrictions. I personally think we can do this with minimal risk.
Here’s what I’d like to see.
Social distance and masks when with others.
Bring your own chairs and utensils for eating. I plan to go to Publix for chicken, potato salad, buns etc. one night. Burgers, hot dogs and coleslaw one night. We might skip potluck....I’m open to suggestions. One suggestion is that we may ask for volunteers to bring different dishes to share and serve things cafeteria style. Of course you can also eat on your own.
Provision before you come so that personal trips to the store can be kept to an absolute minimum.
When we hold talks again bring your own seating and we will distance ourselves physically. These will all be held outdoors.
Plenty of disinfectant will be made available. Tables will be thoroughly cleaned before and after use.
Boat tours will be at the owners prerogative. Do not ask. Wait to be invited.
After hours ferry runs may or may not be available. The ferries are now run by a concession and so is the camp store.
I do not plan to lead a big group after the gathering this year but will offer suggestions as to where one might travel in smaller groups with a few other fellow C-Brats.
The auction is still on so bring all your “treasures “ on down. Proceeds go to Hontoon Island state park. Special safety prodeedures are being planned.
I know that things will be different this year and if anyone has concerns and feel uncomfortable that’s OK. Hopefully we’ll be back to normal next year and see you then.
God Bless and stay safe.......Tom
Avidmagnum12
Member
Happy New Year all.
It is getting time to think about the gathering. At this time Florida State parks are open to outside groups of 50 with restrictions. I personally think we can do this with minimal risk.
Here’s what I’d like to see.
Social distance and masks when with others.
Bring your own chairs and utensils for eating. I plan to go to Publix for chicken, potato salad, buns etc. one night. Burgers, hot dogs and coleslaw one night. We might skip potluck....I’m open to suggestions. One suggestion is that we may ask for volunteers to bring different dishes to share and serve things cafeteria style. Of course you can also eat on your own.
Provision before you come so that personal trips to the store can be kept to an absolute minimum.
When we hold talks again bring your own seating and we will distance ourselves physically. These will all be held outdoors.
Plenty of disinfectant will be made available. Tables will be thoroughly cleaned before and after use.
Boat tours will be at the owners prerogative. Do not ask. Wait to be invited.
After hours ferry runs may or may not be available. The ferries are now run by a concession and so is the camp store.
I do not plan to lead a big group after the gathering this year but will offer suggestions as to where one might travel in smaller groups with a few other fellow C-Brats.
The auction is still on so bring all your “treasures “ on down. Proceeds go to Hontoon Island state park. Special safety prodeedures are being planned.
I know that things will be different this year and if anyone has concerns and feel uncomfortable that’s OK. Hopefully we’ll be back to normal next year and see you then.
God Bless and stay safe.......Tom
It is getting time to think about the gathering. At this time Florida State parks are open to outside groups of 50 with restrictions. I personally think we can do this with minimal risk.
Here’s what I’d like to see.
Social distance and masks when with others.
Bring your own chairs and utensils for eating. I plan to go to Publix for chicken, potato salad, buns etc. one night. Burgers, hot dogs and coleslaw one night. We might skip potluck....I’m open to suggestions. One suggestion is that we may ask for volunteers to bring different dishes to share and serve things cafeteria style. Of course you can also eat on your own.
Provision before you come so that personal trips to the store can be kept to an absolute minimum.
When we hold talks again bring your own seating and we will distance ourselves physically. These will all be held outdoors.
Plenty of disinfectant will be made available. Tables will be thoroughly cleaned before and after use.
Boat tours will be at the owners prerogative. Do not ask. Wait to be invited.
After hours ferry runs may or may not be available. The ferries are now run by a concession and so is the camp store.
I do not plan to lead a big group after the gathering this year but will offer suggestions as to where one might travel in smaller groups with a few other fellow C-Brats.
The auction is still on so bring all your “treasures “ on down. Proceeds go to Hontoon Island state park. Special safety prodeedures are being planned.
I know that things will be different this year and if anyone has concerns and feel uncomfortable that’s OK. Hopefully we’ll be back to normal next year and see you then.
God Bless and stay safe.......Tom
Molly Brown
Member
Hey Tom and all:
Very pleased to see that this year's gathering will not be cancelled. Either way Betty and I have planned to be there. We launch from Punta Gorda this weekend and will cruise south, spend some time in the Everglades, bounce around the Keys then do a slow cruise up the East coast, hoping to catch 1, maybe 2, launches around the Space coast. Then off to Jax and upriver for the gathering. Betty will be working off the boat Monday-Friday and as long as I stay within reach of a cell tower we are 'good to go".
Also, being a smoker, I have been social distancing for years so I'm safe to be around. I'll be downwind :lol:
James
Very pleased to see that this year's gathering will not be cancelled. Either way Betty and I have planned to be there. We launch from Punta Gorda this weekend and will cruise south, spend some time in the Everglades, bounce around the Keys then do a slow cruise up the East coast, hoping to catch 1, maybe 2, launches around the Space coast. Then off to Jax and upriver for the gathering. Betty will be working off the boat Monday-Friday and as long as I stay within reach of a cell tower we are 'good to go".
Also, being a smoker, I have been social distancing for years so I'm safe to be around. I'll be downwind :lol:
James