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View Full Version : Am I all alone out here? (S. Cal)



yorkey
06-16-2004, 08:23 PM
I have a 1992 22' Classic, and I'm having a ball! But it seems as though I'm all alone out here. All of you seem to be thousands of miles from here.

Are there any classic owners in the Orange County area? Even LA would be cool.

Most people have never even heard of Donzi out here, any custom license plate I wanted was available!! (That's a bad sign)

Just tryin' to make friends and arrange outtings.

I'm Jeff... nice to meet ya!!

yorkeystyl@hotmail.com
949-289-8711

ToonaFish
06-16-2004, 08:31 PM
You've just started a stampede to license tow vehicles in California!

Welcome aboard, there are a handful of y'all out there, maybe they'll venture out of the perfect weather and sit down at the computer long enough to say hello!

Bunches,

Celene

Scott Heidt
06-16-2004, 09:59 PM
Hey Yorkey!

Well you're just going to have to move then and come into the fold. Might I suggest Florida. You can become a S.E.A.D.O.G. :)


WISH YA LUCK! KEEP LOOKING. I'M SURE THEY ARE OUT THERE!

Lenny
06-16-2004, 10:03 PM
My gal Deneen is in LA for two weeks, she'd love ride :D She is going to Havasu for the weekend to play as well. All water sports, no land based stuff, other than sleeping.

MOP
06-16-2004, 10:18 PM
Guy! You are never alone with the Donzi Net! And Welcome to the Clan!

I for one and I am sure many more enjoy the pic's hearing about the escapades of our fellow Donzites no matter where they are! Keeps us in line and working on our toys. Take a look into the Registry see who may be out your way, there are a few and help to build a stronger Western contingency.

MOP

P.S. A few pic's of SoCal will be watched for!

David Ochs
06-16-2004, 11:46 PM
Hello Jeff, I'm just down the road a piece in Vista. There's not many of us in CA, every once in a while we speak up. Are you an ocean cruiser?

RickSE
06-17-2004, 10:48 AM
Your not the only one. Stan is around, somewhere in S. Cal. with a 22-Classic. I'm in Flagstaff AZ with a 22-Classic-SE and there's also an 18-Classic here in town. I haven't made it to Havasu yet but plan to this year. My main lake is Powell. That's about it for board members, we're few and far between out here. We tried a get-together this year but so far it's gone nowhere.

harbormaster
06-17-2004, 10:52 AM
I had once started putting together a Lake Tahoe get together but the logistics did not cooperate.
There is a marina on Tahoe that is interested in hosting something.
Anyone interested in a Lake Tahoe or Powell Event?

txtaz
06-17-2004, 11:24 AM
It's a drive but I have time to do it.
Wes

Eugene Nahemow
06-17-2004, 11:28 AM
Tahoe is good for me.

boldts
06-17-2004, 12:05 PM
Jeff,

Welcome to the Registry! I know there are 3 or 4 owners up in the Northwest area and Formula Jr is in Oregon.

I'm hoping to come out SanFran next year and if I can schedule it along with a Donzi gathering, ALL THE BETTER :biggrin.:

Pick the place - If there is a Donzi dealer in the area, that's a plus! Prepare for more than you'll need in accomidations. On the lake is a plus! Docking at the site is another. If that is not available, pick a place that only takes a few minutes to get to the launch ramp. Most important, try to keep everyone coming in the same place. It makes for more commordary and the general goal of holding a gathering in the first place, meeting other boat owners.
Pick the dates - Stick to it! Rain or shine, Donzi owners will come, but be prepared should the weather not be the best with optional items to do. (If you build it, they will come) I try to not over-lap another Donzi gathering happening somewhere in the country. Dates are getting more and more difficult to schedule. Especially once the summer season gets rolling. Poker Runs, Holidays and such all can keep someone from attending. You'll find though that if someone really wants to check the gathering out, they might miss the first year, but it will be on their calendar the next year.
Invite everyone! This is just my own personal preference, but you stand to have a whole lot more attendees if you don't exclude any of the Donzi models. Of course, which lake your using and size may have an effect on this theory, but if someone tows a 33ZX to KY from other parts of the country, by god I'm going to make sure we're at a place that can accomidate their Donzi. This also goes for someone with a 14' or 16' Donzi. If they are going to be beat to death on a weekend traffic lake, you might want to look at what else is available. This is where your dates to hold the gathering can help you. If the lake is ruff on the weekend, plan weekdays into the dates. While like I said, you can't always please everyone, my goal is that when an attendee leaves AOTH, they've enjoyed running their Donzi on the lake even if they opt to ride in a bigger boat on Saturday or Sunday.
Try to pick a name for the gathering that relates to the location - AOTH stands for: The Awakening of the Horses - We hold the gathering in May - Awakening for many North winter owners - Horses falls into the mix in 2 ways - Horsepower in a Donzi and being held in KY, a place known for race horses at the Kentucky Derby. Anyway, you get the drift.
Then, get the word out - Josh Stickler at Donzi is always looking for information on gatherings happening so that he can get it posted on the Donzi website. Put it here in the Events and Gathering sections of the Registry. Maybe try contacting local boat dealers to see if you can leave a flier at there location. BoatTrader is a great avenue for getting an announcement out in your area. If you have a dealer working with you, often times they'll help you with this.
I have an event t-shirt created each year. It's not necessary, but you'd be surprised how many people have walked up to me and said they owned a Donzi after seeing me wearing a Donzi shirt with a big picture about the AOTH gathering on the back. I only order these shirts after taking requests from folks who want them. One, you now have the dollars to pay for them and two, you don't have a bunch of shirts and sizes you don't need. Changing the design each year also makes them a collectors piece. You'll find that even folks who are unable to attend the gathering will buy your shirts to support the gathering.
Try to keep it simple! You don't have to have a plan for every minute of the day and most attendees really don't mind going out by themselves on the lake or to grab a bite to eat.
Last, be prepared to have to put a lot of time into it. Especially if it gets big! You might only have a couple owners show up the first year, but you might also be surprised at how many owners are looking for someplace new to take their boats and play.


In our first year, I was hoping for 5 to 10 Donzi boats to show up. One other than me would have been a sucessful gathering to me. I was amazed to find over 30 boats including Formula Jr from Oregon in attendance. Every year since, the gathering just keeps getting bigger. New folks attending, past attendees, new Donzi models that we've not seen in the past, and more friends made. I depend on volunteers who know the lake and the area. Our first year, I had no idea what was available at Lake Cumberland. We learn more and more each time we go back.

Hope this helps a little bit. I had a lot of help from other Donzi gathering leaders. Feel free to ask if I can help you get a West Coast Donzi gathering started. The Internet is a wonderful tool. :yes: :smile:

hottub
06-17-2004, 05:16 PM
Tahoe would be great. Was up last weekend and the weather and water were fantastic. Probably saw 10-12 Donzi's of assorted models and sizes on the west shore both on bouys and out on the water. Poker Runs West organizes a decent size event that has been growing in recent years and headquarters out of Tahoe Keys. Would be a pretty good spot for us as well..... Lots of lodging, dockspace and casinos within walking distance..... http://www.pokerrunswest.com/events.html#firecracker
Biggest boat event up there is the Concours de Elegance which is held on the North Shore http://www.sierraboat.com/events.html
The Boat show is usually the first or second weekend in August. Unbelievable boats. Big Crowds in August.......Must plan early.

David Ochs
06-17-2004, 11:01 PM
As Hottub mentioned the Concours d'elegance at Sierra Boat Works is a fantastic event. Sierra Boat apparantly was at one time a Donzi dealer. I can remember they had, for several years, an old Donzi for sale that they had sold originally. Funny, it was the only fiberglass boat they had.
We go to the show almost every year and would love to meet with others Donzi owners', should the schedule coincide.
For those that have never been to Tahoe, it is gorgeous.

Eugene Nahemow
06-17-2004, 11:47 PM
I am heading up to Tahoe this weekend.
Unfortunately we will not be towing a boat.
I just bought a house at the base of Heavenly Valley Ski Resort. I am using it as a rental property and pretty much most of the summer is already booked. If we plan something for next year I can hold some time open for an event. The house sleeps 12 comfortably but has plenty of room. We are just up Ski Run Blvd, which is a mile from the lake.

I also have a home on Clear Lake that I use almost every weekend during the summer. Events can also be held there.

Lets try and get something planned.

Lenny
06-18-2004, 12:25 AM
Eugene, TAHOE, ???... I am in :) . Next summer. I pretty much have my summer planned with a couple more events and a TON of work. Next year, YES. I have skied, gambled, been drunk and everything else in Tahoe and it is a GREAT place to party. Water in the off season is colder than a *&&^^&%$ ...IT !!! Summertime it is BEAUTIFUL, warm and a wierd blue.

I would be in and it is "reasonably close". 1000 miles or so.

The scenary is worth it !!! :)

Maybe we can coax a couple of Texans', sans BUGS:eek:, to join us next year. Not that bad of a haul for them either, nor Tenessee or 'Tucky or Ohio. Make it a 4 day thing... :D

Also, in order to make it a LEFT COAST DONZI OWNERS GATHERING ( DOG ) why not promote it a bit more EAST, say Parker or Powell. Or even the Shasta Lakes.

The midwest club is actually the mid east club as Scott B and I discussed. The middle of your Country is about Kansas City, Kansas. or northward a bit to Salina, KS. I have broken down in most all of the states you have. :)

This will be no different.