10/02 - 10/06 - “Meet in the Middle” C-Brat Gathering

Trying to contact Tiffany all day no luck . Just called the office and made my reservation. 15 dollars a night . Why did they have to make is so difficult. Tiffany would be looking for work if she worked for me. Looking forward to seeing all . Rented a wife for this trip.
 
Hi all. Not a C-Dory owner just yet, but was finally able to get into one last night. Big "thank you" to Texasair for inviting myself and my daughter on their boat to chat a while. All I can say is I'm sold on wanting to get one of these.

Hopefully I'll get to the "Meet in the Middle" gathering someday where we can meet some other fine C-Dory owners.

Not sure if anyone here is into history or reading at all, but up there in the Land Between the Lakes, there's a really interesting Civil War story involving a farmer who's sons are killed in a terrible manner by some passing troops, so he takes it upon himself to be a one-man army against them. It's relevant because much of the setting of the book takes place on/around the waterways up there, and how he used certain bends and edys in the river to help him get his shots. The book is called "Jack Hinson's One Man War" on Amazon or in print. It's possible you'll find some of the waterways familiar up there while visiting. (If this isn't appropriate to this subject, please let me know and I'll take it down)

https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Hinsons-One-Man-Civil-Sniper/dp/1589806409
 
Keith was able to get his reservation and Prizer reversed their decision and is allowing packages for him to be delivered there. All worked out….Tom
 
Sharon and I were on the French Broad river in Bixby's Cub above Knoxville today.
Headed down the Tennessee River now, If thing go according to schedule, we hope to be at Prizer Point Tuesday or Wed.

Showed a C-dory to Dave in Knoxville on Tuesday.
 
Keith,

If you haven’t already, try to approach the back of the tach from behind the helm. Disconnect the wires (likely gray or gray/yellow and black), thoroughly clean, and if there is a selector dial on the back note its position and give it a few twists then return it to the original selection.

A new tach for your boat is about $102. Don’t even think about trying to get mom and pop marinas like this one to accept items…instead touch base with the next AGLCA Harbor Hosts (like Goose Colony) to accept your package and bring it to you.

99% of C-Dorys have Teleflex Baystar or SeaStar steering fluid. We keep a quart on board; if you have not solved this issue by Oct 1 just PM me and I’ll bring our quart.

There are literally hundreds of good folks following your travels and wishing you the best and willing to help out any way they can (including us).

You are in the South. These small family marinas are ‘laid back’ informal and may seem very unresponsive with iffy cell coverage, but once you show up both Mom and Pop will greet you and help you any way they can.

Our advice is to lean back and relax more. Remember that the C-Otter crew were on a 45 foot boat at each marina. Don’t think that does not make any difference in whether they are willing to accept a package that you later expect them to forward to you later for no charge (no offense C-Otter crew, it is just the way the real world works in my opinion…a 22 foot boat is not equivalent to a 45 foot boat in the view of any marina business).

I feel like you are having more stress on your fantastic journey than you should be. I hope not!

Safe Travels!
John
 
John. I talked this evening to Alex at Prizer which was really helpful. Prizer point, besides the marina is a rather large campground that in season is extremely busy. If campers had packages delivered here all the time it would be quite a burden on the staff. When they understood that the items that Keith needed were for repairs they made an exception. Alex’s parents are doing the Loop so he knew how you just can’t run to the store for boat parts. The employee that made the initial decision is new here and did not realize that exceptions could be made.

The marina staff is excited to have the C-Brats here and it’s going to be a grand time.

Thanks to Mike for all the work in setting this up. Tom
 
I haven't checked in for awhile. Sorry to hear about John's trailer. That's very frustrating to lose a season to a trailer issue although I think I remember you saying your boat is stacked at a marina most of the time.

My wife and I are still "casually" c-dory shopping and would love to meet everyone and check out some boats. We will be there for the Monday night meeting and Tuesday cruise. Then back to work on Wed. Does anyone have room for 2 more passengers on Tuesday? Let me know what I should bring. We're both experienced boaters and can arrive early Monday if anyone needs help launching etc.
 
FWIW, I arrived at Prizer's this evening. I have a RV spot for this evening (boater homing) I will launch tomorrow (Sun) and spend the night anchored out. I'll return on Monday for the week in a slip.

The campground is busy, but not full. The boat launch ramp is typical of USACE lakes in that there is no associated dock. Prizer's has their fuel dock near the ramp, but they are not attached.
 
I also arrived this afternoon, got launched, and am in slip D7. We already have 6 boats here in the slips, three anchored out, one motorhome, one trailer, and one camper (who has his boat in a slip.) I think this will turn out to be a nice gathering for those that make it. The ramp is steep, but doable. There is no dock to launch with, but there is a dock 50' away. (Steepness and dockless common for this neck of the woods!) Normal winter pool is 302'. Currently the level is at 305.2. So still a good 3' above winter pool. Water temp shows 78 on the website I'm looking at, but my depthsounder is showing 80 degrees here at the slip, 1' below the surface. Will be a nice sunny/warm week for those that worship the sun. (my wife... :mrgreen: ) Be careful on your drive in. The last couple miles of road off the interstate is narrow and windy. With no shoulder. And a drop off. Typical Kentucky country roads! Hope to see more of you here tomorrow. Colby
 
For those of you who are coming to the “Meet in the Middle” Gathering….
WELCOME!!! WE ARE HERE!!!

I will be the closest thing to a “Host” this week, so come by site 37 and get registered for:
Monday Night program at 6:30 (Colby “The Cumberland River”
Tuesday Cruise (led by Colby)
Chicken Dinner Tuesday night. (At site 37). Dinner at 5:30, Program 6:30
Wednesday Pizza Dinner (at site 37). Dinner at 5:30, Program 6:30
Thursday Pot luck dinner (at site 37). Dinner at 5:30, bring your favorite boat mods at 6:30

There will be a corn hole tournament (Boat vs Boat. And. Open division)
Register at Site 37 to get your name tag, sign up for the dinners, the corn hole tournament. If you haven’t figured this out yet, I really want you to come by site 37. It is conveniently located by the restrooms at the boat ramps. I have a green “Easy-up” and flying flags, the US flag above a “skull and crossbones”.

Monday night, don’t miss Colby discussing the Cumberland River (the river we are on…..)
 
Dirt yacht “thataway” ( A 25’ Winne VIA) arrived on Sunday, and is in site 34, a few away from site 37. So far we have had 8 Cbrats drop by and saw two others in the store. We will be around the docks and the camp. Nice place beautiful weather. And the best: C Dorys and the C Brat extended family!
 
The Molly Brown crew pulled in Thursday morning last week, and after a 2.87” downpour, launched and spent the afternoon rigging the boat for our month long cruise. Friday morning, right on the agreed schedule, the crew of the C-Otter took us out exploring for a short 3.5 day cruise. A super nice introduction to these new waters and we are appreciative of the opportunity to reconnect with an amazing couple!
Currently still anchored out in the cove just past the marina and we’ll head your way once Betty finishes up a business meeting. Can hardly wait 😂

James
 
First official day of the gathering. I believe 12 boats, 3 campers, 1 cabin and 1 hotel. Good turn out for this revived gathering. Lots of socializing at the slips, then this evening yours truly gave a presentation on the Land Between the Lakes and cruising the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers, along with some brief discussion on trailering and traveling. Think I need to get a new iPhone case. Photos appear to be a bit fuzzy. Colby

015PrizerPoint.jpg
016PrizerPoint.jpg
017PrizerPoint.jpg
010ColbyCumberlandRiverTalk.jpg
012ColbyCumberlandRiverTalk.jpg
013PrizerPoint.jpg
014PrizerPoint.jpg
 
Day 2. Once again, great weather. Warm and sunny. I lead 6 boats up to Lighthouse landing, while C-Otter took a crew and one other boat up to Thirsty Turtle. Those of us in my group enjoyed Patty's 1880's Settlement. Returned back to Prizer Point for a chicken dinner, and then a presentation on Alaska's Inside Passage by Dr. Bob.

019CTravelerPrizerPoint.jpg
Our host, Mike, in the cockpit of C-Traveler

attys1880sSettlementEileenJohnColbyRosanneMikeDale.jpg
Several of us enjoyed lunch together at Patty's.

040DrBobonInsidePassage.jpg
Dr. Bob's presentation.
042DrBobInsidePassageTalk.jpg
 
Day 3. Another lovely day. Not quite as warm, and partly cloudy. Cornhole competition at 3pm. Some fun entertainment for about a dozen of us. 5:30 Pizza. With plenty left over for the potluck and leftovers tomorrow. 6:00, Cat-O-Mine John gave a presentation on Locking. Following that, a few of us shared about the Erie Canal. (A great boating cruise!) Rain in the forecast tomorrow as a cold front comes through this weekend. We may be having to squeeze the galley gadget sharing and potluck in at our covered slips!
I'm a bit upset at my iPhone case. It appears some scratches in the case covering the lens is causing the blurriness! Colby

044Cornhole.jpg
Cornhole competitors

046Mike.jpg
Mike opening our evening meeting

047Mike.jpg
Notice the boxes of pizza left over for tomorrow evening...

048CatoMineJohnPresentationonLocking.jpg
John studying his notes for his presentation on locking

049_G.jpg
John sharing his knowledge on locking

050JohnHighsmith.sized.jpg
Cat-O-Mine John
 
While the first three days of the Meet in the Middle gathering had plenty of sunshine and warmth, today we began with rain that lasted all day. Still didn't dampen our spirits as we had our potluck at 5:30, followed by our favorite gadgets showing. Thanks to Mike and Dana for pulling this gathering together, reviving the great Midwest gathering. I think there is a very good chance this gathering may once again become an annual occurrence. At least I believe it will happen again next year around the second week of October. Everyone enjoyed the time together socializing, and some even did a little cruising during the day. I believe by this evening, we ended up with 15 boats in attendance. Many, if not most, will head home tomorrow, while a few of us hang around to cruise for several more weeks. Following, some of my photos from today. Colby

051PrizerPointCDorys.jpg
C-Dory's on the even side of the slips

052PrizerPointCDorys.jpg
C-Dory's on the odd side of the slips

053CBrats.jpg
Some socializing on the dock under the covered slips.
091CBrats.jpg

095Cbrats.jpg
Potluck
097CBrats.jpg[/img]
 
Many thanks to Mike and Dana for putting this on even though they don’t own a boat. Nice facility and great people. Kudos to you both!

James and crew
 
Back
Top