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

I am making name tags for Hontoon Island gathering. There are quite a few new names coming this year. These are no charge. These are the ones I have so far. If you do not see your name can you message me if you would like a name tag for the gathering. I need name of boat. Your first name and boat accent color. These have a magnetic backing. So no hole in your shirt. Can’t wait to see everyone again.
Rick & Berni on Willow.
Less than 4 weeks till the Hontoon Gathering…..just a few notes.

First …If you have not signed up for the gathering on top of this page be sure to do so. Joyce will be ordering Publix chicken and other food for Tuesdays evenings meal on Monday and we need a count. I know the signup was put up late because of the new website.

Second…be prepared for temperatures that can be between below 30 degrees to over 90 degrees…..plan accordingly.

Third…plan on lots of manatees in the river. Be mindful of speed restrictions and keep a careful watch.

Forth…use channel 72 around Hontoon. Have lines and fenders ready and we will help guide you to a slip. Most slips require backing in.

Fifth…Dr. Bob always gave us great boating advice in years past. Unfortunately due to health issues he is unable to attend. Please let me know what subjects you may be interested in and I’ll find someone to share. I’m planing of sharing information on my favorite National Park, Isle Royal. I’ll also share some anchoring tips.

Sixth…We will be having our galley and boat gadget contest. Share your best ideas and pick up some new ones.

More later….Hontoon here we come…Tom
just to be sure, Frankie and Mike have reservations and look forward to coming.
 
I have had my reservation in for a while. Hoping to make it this year with the new boat.

In the meantime, I have perhaps some items of possible interest to an esoteric few.

ENDEAVOR Salvage Sale

Best to All
Dale
Thought I would be the only Marinault but....hope to see you there. We love ours.
 
I have had my reservation in for a while. Hoping to make it this year with the new boat.

In the meantime, I have perhaps some items of possible interest to an esoteric few.

ENDEAVOR Salvage Sale

Best to All
Dale

I have had my reservation in for a while. Hoping to make it this year with the new boat.

In the meantime, I have perhaps some items of possible interest to an esoteric few.

ENDEAVOR Salvage Sale

Best to All
Dale
Thought I would be the only Marinault........hope to see you there. We love ours.
 
Well it’s Mardi Gras here for the young folks. I’m installing a rooftop heat pump..
Only a couple weeks to finish my projects… and (shameless plug) only a few weeks left for free shipping (to Hontoon) for the remaining items from the 25. So far the Bimini enclosure and all the cushions are spoken for.

I’ve added some items with fresh photos:
https://www.c-brats.com/threads/cd-25-cruiser-endeavor-salvage-sale.33148/

See you in Hontoon.
Best
Dale
 
As you see on our tentative schedule that we have moved meals to Wednesday and Thursday. My wise wife reminded me that we would not have a more complete number of people till Tuesday. There is a sign up on this site at the top of this link but it’s somewhat difficult. Please use it if you can.

Please prepare for weather from 30 degrees to 90 degrees. Provision before arrival. There is a camp store but not well stocked. Yes it can rain but you don’t need a snow shovel.

If there is anyone bringing a vehicle to the park let me know if you can make food runs.

Im interested in adding a power station. If anyone wants to share information at Hontoon on this subject it would be great.

Only about two weeks to go……see you at Hontoon!
 
As you see on our tentative schedule that we have moved meals to Wednesday and Thursday. My wise wife reminded me that we would not have a more complete number of people till Tuesday. There is a sign up on this site at the top of this link but it’s somewhat difficult. Please use it if you can.

Please prepare for weather from 30 degrees to 90 degrees. Provision before arrival. There is a camp store but not well stocked. Yes it can rain but you don’t need a snow shovel.

If there is anyone bringing a vehicle to the park let me know if you can make food runs.

Im interested in adding a power station. If anyone wants to share information at Hontoon on this subject it would be great.

Only about two weeks to go……see you at Hontoon!
I'll be arriving via vehicle since I'm just a curious onlooker for now but I'd be happy to make a stop on my way in if there's something that would be helpful for me to bring
 
Look forward to meeting you Dan. Probably won’t need anything on your way over. I’ll bring my truck over to pick up food if needed. Enjoy the gathering!
 
Less than a week to go till we get together for the “Hontoon Hoot” as John Highsmith calls it. If you have not done so be sure to let Ricky Diemidio know what your names and boat name are so he can make name tags. Thanks Ricky for doing this!

Weather is looking good for next week…..cool at night and warm during the day. Still it’s best to be prepared for temperature changes.

Joyce and I plan on boating a few days after the gathering down toward Sanford. If anyone wants to join us let me know at the park.

Reminder….If you park at Ed Stone park….. please park as far away from the ramp as possible.
Channel 72 at the park.

Looks like we will have about 20 boats plus a few individuals looking to learn about our type of boating. Good times for all!

Be safe on the road. See you at Hontoon.😁 If anyone needs additional information PM me with your phone number and I’ll get back to you.

There are some new park rules and I’ll pass them on at Hontoon. No worries,
 
I am making name tags for Hontoon Island gathering. There are quite a few new names coming this year. These are no charge. These are the ones I have so far. If you do not see your name can you message me if you would like a name tag for the gathering. I need name of boat. Your first name and boat accent color. These have a magnetic backing. So no hole in your shirt. Can’t wait to see everyone again.
Rick & Berni on Willow.
If it’s not too late:

Kathryn
Green
Bob & Jackie Hall
 
Only a couple days until the Meet :) can't wait. I received my Reservation Summery, coming in Monday the 2nd.. still no slip number :) I installed my Halo 20+ and I'm very excited to see how it works. (I did turn in on in the driveway lol) although I've been boating my entire life, this C Dory is all new to me :) See you soon :) Greg Láska1772284025976.png 1772283741971.png
 
Hi Greg
I originally had a slip assignment but my confirmation did not have an assignment. The new concession may be doing things differently. No worries.

Last minute notes to everyone. I will be bringing some charcoal for anyone that wants to grill.

Please be sure to wear your name tags at all times. We have a lot of new folks that we want to get to know.

If anyone has a handheld radio please bring it along. I have one but a second would be nice. Channel 72!

Bring beverages that you want to consume. The park does not allow alcoholic consumption in most areas. You can consume it on your boat. Of course no one knows what’s in a solo cup.

In the past the park would lend us chairs if needed. Not this year so be sure to bring one for each person.

All the docks at Hontoon are floating which is nice but they are short. Best to back in with help from others. Have your fenders prepared. Nuff said.

The C-Otter is ready to play…..see everyone soon!
 
Only a couple days until the Meet :) can't wait. I received my Reservation Summery, coming in Monday the 2nd.. still no slip number :) I installed my Halo 20+ and I'm very excited to see how it works. (I did turn in on in the driveway lol) although I've been boating my entire life, this C Dory is all new to me :) See you soon :) Greg LáskaView attachment 129654 View attachment 129653
Hi Greg,
Oddly the written marina slip reservation does NOT include your slip number. You have to call them for that if you misplaced it after your call.
If you think that a guvmint Reservations system should include the room number you paid for, then you have a full lifetime of dissatisfaction ahead of you. Get a grip Lol!
Safe Travels!
John
 
We had to call to find out our slip number. They said we would find out when we checked in and we explained that we needed to know where to dock in order to check in. 🤦🏻‍♀️ They transferred us to someone who told us. Otherwise, it wasn’t on any information the sent.
 
You can arrive at Hontoon at any time. iIf you don’t have a boat slip we’ll find you one. Call on 72. Be sure your volume is turned up. Tom
 
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