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View Full Version : Florida Gathering in October, Another Ditch Run?



Tidbart
08-19-2013, 12:09 PM
I am gauging interest in a weekend run in October. The dates I am looking at are the 18th-20th. I am also thinking of a run from WP Franklin, east to Lake Okochobee and staying two nights at Roland Martin's Marina and Resort.

This would be a fresh water run of about 60 miles e/w and would allow us the option of playing out on the lake if weather permits.

We have been to the resort for a lunch stop on our cross-Florida trips and it is clean, has plenty of boat parking, fuel, pool, and a great outside bar/restaurant. Smokediver and I have been discussing this for a couple of years and I think it is time to make it happen.

Let me know of any interest?

Bob

biggiefl
08-20-2013, 10:56 AM
I'm in of course. Just no hell rides to lunch this time. :screwy::screwy::screwy::screwy::screwy::screwy:

If no interest in the lake I would like to do Lake Jackson in Sebring where it is crystal clear.

fegettes
08-20-2013, 11:01 AM
We have a reactor scheduled to be shut down for refuel that I will be supporting. I am going to be stuck at work for the whole month of October.

Tidbart
08-27-2013, 01:12 PM
Spoke with Bud, he is in with Denese. :rlol: Oops, put it in the wrong post.

biggiefl
08-27-2013, 01:57 PM
I responded to the wrong thread...

He said that in October as well. :shocker:

smokediver
08-27-2013, 04:12 PM
Count me in !! I will talk to mark and it sounds like a good time !!!

smokediver
09-04-2013, 08:56 AM
Bob , would the weekend before work ?

Tidbart
09-04-2013, 09:26 AM
Not sure, as of now, John. I am supposed to be in San Diego that week. I am working on finding out if trip is on or not. I will get back to you.

Bob

Tidbart
09-04-2013, 09:43 AM
Also, John, the week before has a large fishing tournament there. The best weeks available would be the 18th-20th or the following weekend 25th-27th.

B

biggiefl
09-04-2013, 11:05 AM
I am not feeling the love Bob from both the sites and my wife. She wants to go someplace "fun". Many of you guys like the long run and making the most out of bringing your boat. Most of the women want to go for a boat ride(hour?) and then go for a swim in a nice natural spring or sit on a beach, etc. I understand both desires but if she has to take a day off of work....I might have to pass.

smokediver
09-04-2013, 05:46 PM
Ok Bob. Just asking

Tidbart
09-11-2013, 03:19 PM
All,


We are doing this trip, one way or another. :biggrin.:

I have blocked off some rooms (5) at Roland Martin's for October 18-20th. More available, if needed.
Rooms are $78 or $88 plus 8/nt for the slip for the small boats, I forgot what sizes. I think up to 25'? A little more for a larger one. Call 1-800-473-6766, tell them you want one of the blocked rooms, Donzi Group, Bob Wilson.

Book a room now. It costs nothing to reserve your room. They are filling up fast. There is some reunion booked there this weekend, but they are not boaters, so there is plenty of dock space.

You have the option of room types, regular or efficiency.

There is a band playing that weekend at the Tiki Bar. :party::lobster::pizza:


You also have other options of coming on Friday, with me and others or you can do 1 night and come on Saturday. (hint, Nick). :yes:

I have some names of people who plan on attending:

John, Smokediver
Mark, Naplesdonzi
Me, Tidbart
Budmann and Denese
OneSubDrvr, Wayne
VetteLt and his brother Eddie

Buiz, Jim ...?????
BiggieFL, Nick,....????

Any others>?????

Will have more details later. Bob

biggiefl
09-12-2013, 09:47 AM
I have to fly out to New Orleans with my wife sometime in October for her deposition. Don't know yet what weekend plus the cost so I am out.

Tidbart
09-13-2013, 09:38 AM
I have to fly out to New Orleans with my wife sometime in October for her deposition. Don't know yet what weekend plus the cost so I am out.

Sorry you can't make it Nick. If things change by then, you are always welcome.

If you are around and want to drive your car over, that is always a cheap option.

B

biggiefl
09-13-2013, 11:26 AM
Heck if I am gonna swing down I might as well splash her in the lake and give it a healthy flush :boat:

Jeremy E
09-17-2013, 09:02 AM
Hey guys

Hope all is well with every one.


I had my boat detailed and the plan was to put it away for the summer. And some guy came in to the show room asking about my Donzi so I gave him a stupid price and the next day he came in with cash. So need less to say I sold it. But if I get a go fast boat in before this run and if you guys will allow a non Donzi owner to join I'm 100% in.

Tidbart
09-17-2013, 09:27 AM
Hey guys

Hope all is well with every one.


I had my boat detailed and the plan was to put it away for the summer. And some guy came in to the show room asking about my Donzi so I gave him a stupid price and the next day he came in with cash. So need less to say I sold it. But if I get a go fast boat in before this run and if you guys will allow a non Donzi owner to join I'm 100% in.


The more, the merrier, Jeremy. You are welcome with or without a boat.

Bob

Budmann
10-13-2013, 10:42 AM
Wish more of you were coming!:confused: Should be a nice calm run with tans for the group!:smile::smile::smile:

Tidbart
10-13-2013, 01:54 PM
Weather is looking great. I have a plan for a lunch run on Saturday.:chilipepp::beer:

Bob

biggiefl
10-14-2013, 11:09 PM
Started a new job last Monday...i'm screwed no matter what at this point. Have a great time guys and send me some pics. I am doing an Alafia river(just south of Tampa) run in November if job will let me, anyone interested let me know. Fun day on the river and the springs. Basically a whatever you drive ride, no manufacturer specific. Again enjy and post some

Tidbart
10-17-2013, 03:41 PM
Nick, congrats on the new job. Hope it works out well for you.


Looking at the weather tomorrow, wow, should be fantastic boating weather. No wind means a glass-like lake. Should be great running all weekend:D

B.

Tidbart
10-21-2013, 02:19 PM
Well, we had a fantastic weekend. Didn't get the boats in on Friday as we got there later in the day.

We launched on Saturday morning at about 10:30. We then made the decision to go to Stuart for lunch. The weather was perfect with a slight wind making for good riding on the open lake. Boat traffic was minimal all the way to Stuart. This also made the locks very easy.

We went to a place called Sailor's Return on advice of one of the lock masters. This made a little more sense since the trip all the way to Pirate's Cove would have added quite a few more miles and time to our trip. We had to make sure we made it back to the locks on time as we did not want to stuck.:doh:

This proved to be no issue as we cruised about 45 mph on the way back. We had the waterway to ourselves and it was just a beautiful day. Once going through the Port Mayaca lock back onto Lake O, we saw a flat lake. The slight wind from earlier in the day had disappeared. The lake crossing was absolutely gorgeous. In the distant east sky you could see rays of sunshine showing through some clouds and smoke as the sun got lower in the sky. The smoke was from the burning of the cane fields around the lake. As we got closer to Clewiston we ran into a rain shower. It was just enough to soak us before we got to the ramp.

What a great run. We ran about 120 mile round trip. Sorry more could not attend. We ended up with just 2 boats, mine and Budmann's. Smokediver had a personal issue come up and could not attend. We were joined by Jim (Buiz), who drove up from Miami to join us for the run. Glad you could make it, Jim.

I will post a few photos in the next day or two, as soon as I get some time.

Bob

biggiefl
10-22-2013, 10:29 PM
Glad you had fun guys....next time.

Tidbart
10-23-2013, 05:49 PM
Got some photos together...

Leaving Clewiston, the ride across, lunchtime in Stuart at Sailor's Retreat. Denese, Jim, Me, Heloisa, and Bud......and Margarita.:yes:

780217802278023

The run back along the OWW and across the lake.

78024780257802678027

The end of the run rainbow after the brief shower the cleaned off the boats, evening cocktails after another successful day. Me, Heloisa, Bud, and Denese.

78030780297802878031

fegettes
10-23-2013, 10:23 PM
I didn't realize you were coming to Stuart, and lunch at Sailors Return. I am just a couple of miles from there and even though I am working nights, would have at least met you for lunch. Bummer.

Steve

Tidbart
10-24-2013, 06:58 AM
I didn't realize you were coming to Stuart, and lunch at Sailors Return. I am just a couple of miles from there and even though I am working nights, would have at least met you for lunch. Bummer.

Steve

Steve,

It was a last minute decision to run to Stuart. The original plan was to head to a place in on the lake. After we launched, Bud asked where we were going. We just said, Stuart, and went for it. As far as lunch was concerned, we were going to head to Pirates Cove, but after speaking with lock master at St Lucie, we decided to save a lot of time and go to SR. So, that too, was a last minute decision. Sorry, you couldn't make this trip. Next time.

B

mike o
10-24-2013, 08:42 AM
Pic's :yes:

Hat's off to Bob, he's always ready to have fun :cool!:

Someday :crossfing:

CHACHI
10-24-2013, 10:00 AM
To run in water like that.......

Ken

Tidbart
10-24-2013, 01:49 PM
To run in water like that.......

Ken

We got very lucky that the weather was calm. Lake O can seem like the St Lawrence when the wind is up. A couple of years ago we did this run across the lake and got our azzes handed to us both ways.:bawling: About 15 miles each way..