HOF Rendezvouz

[Freebird]

Okay everybody, I made mention of this on a couple of other threads but I thought I would make it a topic of conversation with a dedicated thread.

I have personally met many members of this forum during recent trips to Florida resulting from my purchase of the 58TC and the wife kicking me out of the house on numerous occasions (yeah, I know!). There have been the shows and the CDR, but most trips were just self-preservation on my part and the chance to meet new friends. Truth is, I've yet to meet anyone whom I felt was not worth my having made the effort to meet in person. This typing back and forth and talking on the phone is okay, but meeting in person is much more rewarding.

Many of us have been able to meet up at FLIBS and MIBS, but how about trying to do a little rendezvouz on Lake Okeechobee someplace, maybe Roland Martin's marina, sometime this spring or latter this summer. I know the lock closure at Ortona will become a factor in the timing, but what do you guys think about trying to organize a little get together like this?

Lake Okeechobee is as central as it gets for east and west coast FL members to meet. Besides, it would do everyone's Hatt good to soak in a freshwater bath for a few days or so. We could even take turns throwing each other off our respective boats! Just watch out for them Gators, they would just love to sink their teeth into a Tennessee boy or anyone from Miami or Tallahassee!

Let's hear your thoughts on this idea and see if we can make it happen. It is doubtful at this point that I will be able to attend on a Hatteras of my own, but hey, what are friends for?

 

[eclipsarkanna]

I think that is a great idea and when I used to sail on my sailboat (35 years ago) we used to have these 'sail-ins' and they were great. I am not yet a Hatt owner but maybe by the date of the "Hatt-in" you are suggesting I just might have my own. Count me in with or without my own boat.

Bill

 

[34Hatt]

Well that sounds like Fun but what about us geographically challenge members that can't make it that far South.
I am happy to hear the Gators don't like N.Yers

 

[Freebird]

Hell son, nuthin' or nobody likes New Yorkers, even other New Yorkers!

You geographically challenged fellers would have to drive or fly in and come along on another members boat who will be able to make the trip. Either that or meet us at the dock at Roland Martin and we'll pick you up.

I can guarantee you a spot if you are interested.

 

[Pascal]

i wonder how many large hatts these little fishing marinas can accomodate, plus at the rate Lake O is dropping, i also wonder how safe it will be for our props until hurricane season kicks in.

 

[34Hatt]

I can guarantee you a spot if you are interested.

You got my Interest
No how do I pack 20 bottles of Goose in a suit case and not have those Airline workers break them
I did have that happen to a bottle of Absolute once

 

[Freebird]

I can answer that question with three letters, UPS. Send them to 1700 Oak Hills Drive, Kingston, TN 37763. Just don't send them COD!

Breaking a bottle of Absolut is fairly common, but Grey Goose is a terrible thing to waste! For every bottle of Grey Goose you break, the law requires you to drink two bottles of Popov!

 

[Freebird]

i wonder how many large hatts these little fishing marinas can accomodate, plus at the rate Lake O is dropping, i also wonder how safe it will be for our props until hurricane season kicks in.

I would suggest Roland Martin as simply a point of reference where we could dinghy in from our Hatts which would be rafted together like a private island.

I'm sure we could find a fairly well protected spot somewhere, maybe closer to Indiantown if the weather is bad where we could do the same thing at a smaller marina. When we brought the 70 across in January, we came through the middle with a six foot draft. Granted we did a bit of bump and run stuff, but most of our boats don't draft 6 feet.

We had planned to dock at Roland Martin, but our timetable got screwed up with all the mishaps. I know they can obviously handle a 70, but I don't know how many big boats they can handle. I'll certainly check with them if there is enough interest in this idea.

 

[thoward]

Lake O is not an option for us with the water level. We would be willing to drive in though.

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

That sounds good to me I have never been thru the Lake O and was planing on a trip for early April or June to wrasel some gators and do a nice fresh water wash down /soak....

thoward I think you draw a few more inches than me at 5'1" but can't we go in slow or am I looking at another CDR bump and run

 

[Freebird]

Lake O is not an option for us with the water level. We would be willing to drive in though.

Todd, are you telling me your 60 drafts more than a 70, or is the water level in Lake O less than it was in January?

Either way, I'm sure we could find a boat for you and/or Ginger to hang out on for such an occasion.

Worse case scenario, I'll be there with a single engine 58TC with three staterooms, three heads, and five AC units to keep you cool!

It is very likely that I will move my boat to the Ft Myers/Naples area if in May unless I sell it before then. If that is the case, it is also possible that I may make the trip on my 41DC to collect the $500K Sam's will offer for furthest distance traveled in a Hatt to attend this function!

Heck, if I do indeed end up collecting that prize money, I may even waive my normal appearance/speaking fee!

 

[Pascal]

getting skinny :


Data Ending 2400 hours 13 MAR 2007

*Today's Lake Okeechobee Stage = 10.98

++Today's Route 1 Navigational Depth ÷ 4.92'
Today's Route 2 Navigational Depth ÷ 2.32'

 

[Freebird]

That sounds good to me I have never been thru the Lake O and was planing on a trip for early April or June to wrasel some gators and do a nice fresh water wash down /soak....

thoward I think you draw a few more inches than me at 5'1" but can't we go in slow or am I looking at another CDR bump and run

I'm glad to hear you have an interest because I'm going with you!

As soon as I can figure out a way to post my pictures of the trip across Lake O, you'll see some big ole' gators who I'm sure just love Cuban food!

Don't forget Sea School starts April 16. You may want to check with your travel agent (admiral) to see how much more playtime you are allowed!

If you don't pass the test, you can hire me to play Captain as I have indeed crossed the mighty Okeechobee Ocean and know to watch out for oncoming sportfishermen who may kick things up that are best left unclobbered!

We can even drop by and see if we can find Fast Fred on one of his good days where the Prozac has kicked in!

 

[captddis]

What about the Ft Myers area. Plenty of dock space and easy to get to. Everyone I know that goes to RMM in Clewiston has electrical problems with the dock power.

 

[thoward]

We draw 5' so while I am sure we could cross the middle I am not sure what we would kick up. The drought continues as well, so yes it is lower than Jan. and in a month who knows how low the water will be.....

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

If you don't pass the test, you can hire me to play Captain as I have indeed crossed the mighty Okeechobee Ocean and know to watch out for oncoming sportfishermen who may kick things up that are best left unclobbered!
!

Lets see What was that other thred you did about being an expert
one thing I'm an expert at is passing a test to get a license don't make me count them....

Pascal I hope you can make it so I can set up that swimming pool on my cockpit with some mud from the bottom of the lake so you and FREEBIRD can have a little mud wresaling God knows you guys have slinged enough mud at each other I'm sure in person again you guys can have some beers and bury the hatchet , figrativly speaking that is ....I ran out of smileies

 

[Freebird]

getting skinny :


Data Ending 2400 hours 13 MAR 2007

*Today's Lake Okeechobee Stage = 10.98

++Today's Route 1 Navigational Depth ÷ 4.92'
Today's Route 2 Navigational Depth ÷ 2.32'

I'm not sure what the division signs mean in relation to depth stages but across the middle would be the only option for most of us. The rim route would not be an option.

We got conflicting numbers when we came down on the 70 and ultimately relied on info from the locks and Roland Martin who informed us of depths noted by folks crossing on that particular day. We could have never made it according to the folks who broadcast the numbers you probably got yours from. Nothing beats talking to someone who is on a boat looking at their depth finder on the same day you plan to cross.

As memory serves Roland Martin is accessible through the lock at Clewiston and should have plenty of water to match what is in the middle. I'm sure the water levels will be significantly higher after all the April showers and a tropical system or two.

Obviously, this whole thing would be dependent on a number of factors which we can't control at this time. If water level is a factor, the keys would be the next best place for such a meeting. Like any other boat trip any of us plan, there will have to be a plan B.

 

[Freebird]

What about the Ft Myers area. Plenty of dock space and easy to get to. Everyone I know that goes to RMM in Clewiston has electrical problems with the dock power.

Ft Myers would be an option, but not a very good one for folks on the east coast of FL. Plenty of prime spots on the ICW up toward Captiva as well.

I suppose we'll just need to look at the numbers and locations of members who will PROMISE to attend based on the location we choose FOR THEM. Maybe a non-refundable $500 deposit would work. They don't show, they buy the beer for those who do!

As to electrical problems with RMM, who cares if we all raft up and make our own electrical problems?

 

[Freebird]

Now BubbAmigo, I never said I was an expert, just an experienced 'bird brain whose been there, done that, in regard to crossing the lake on a big Hatt.

Forget the mud, bring on the Jello after getting the recipe from the Jello King himself, paul45c. That way Pascal will come up happy after I hold his head under for about 15 minutes or maybe I'll be the one to come up happy while singing French operas!

 

[captddis]

Instead of charging entry fees, I suggest chaging admission to the mud wrestling. Could be a fundraiser for the HOF. If you get a couple voluptuous women I will mud wrestle too! After all it is for a good cause.