Florida in the Summer

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:13 am

Doug, That's too bad, I had a feeling that was the case for several of them. Perhaps' we just need to email everyone and tell them about it when it is all set and see what happens. Perhaps, David can change the form so that you have to put your hailing state in, and also that we could sort members my States (or at least by the Mason-Dixon line) [:D] 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:36 pm

Great idea and lots of options. unfortunately not an easy solution with everyone so scattered.I would guess it would have to be a time when the kids are not in school for most of us.From what i see we have to pick a location first.I think we have 6 options since we only have 2 ways for east coast to meet west coast.Through the ditch or through the keys. My first thought is the keys somehere because it is beautiful and there is diving and fishing However for ed or anyone north of fort meyers it is a long haul.The next option would be to meet at fort meyers or stuart or jimmy houstons midway between.If we really want to plan something maybe we should plan a cruise to Bimini or West End Bahamas. 1. midway in the ditch....the most central location and can be done anytime of the year.However not much to do florida wise no fishing diving or beach.not much for hotels or food. 2. fort meyers sanibel captiva.....lots of marina choices ,bottom fishing ,great beaches and good hotels and restaurants(close for me i can go anytime even if the kids are in school.) 3. stuart.....lots of marinas great offshore fishing( i could plan on the way to or from the Bahamas) 4. the keys...a long haul but probably the most complete location.great fishing ,diving beaches and bars.(I am going in july or august anyway) 5.The Bahamas awesome trip great everything however it is a major trip.(I am planning on going in June so i would be up for this option if others are.) 6.Naples. I did not want to look selfish but i would be a gracious host. May and june are good months to avoid storms and the fishing is good too. aug and sept are crap shoots for weather. october is nice but kids are in school. memorial day,labor day? I would be more than happy to help with planning .if we can get everyones thoughts. I guess we need a role call for those interrested. im in Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:29 pm

All excellent points Tim. Why don't we poll what people would like to do, then plan a location and time around those activities? As Florida has so much offer, and so many wonderful locations to visit and enjoy, it is not an easy task. [8D] Count me in too! 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:49 am

quote:Originally posted by photo finish 6.Naples. I did not want to look selfish but i would be a gracious host. Tim, Don't forget that I'll be in your area in March and that I've already got tix for the baseball game on Sunday the 12th (vs. Twins). We shouldn't have any trouble getting some scalper's for you and Tanya. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:50 am

I am pretty familiar with all Marinas south of West Palm Beach. just a few to think about that would have room and things for people to do other than ourselves. A beer , fishing pole and somebody to BS with suits me fine. 1. Sailfish Marina, Singer Is. Rooms, Pool, Fishing Diving , Peanut Is. Would require pretty advanced notice. 2. Bahia Mar, Ft Lauderdale. Across from Beach, Pool on the roof, Hotel, Diving , Fishing , next to Lauderdale Strip. Tons of room in summer..pricey nowdays. 3. Miami Marina, just inside Gov't cut. Fishing , Diving , South Beach for the "beautiful" people. 4. Plantation Yacht Harbor, Islamorada (Keys) It ok and in the Keys. need a car. I go here a lot. 5. Hawks Cay, Marathon, (Keys) Resort, pricey, small Marina. We booked the whole thing a couple of years for a week for a crusing club I belong to. Need a car, Key West day trip. Swim with Dolphins , etc etc. You can look all of thise up on the internet. BTW, on a sad note..the Complete Angler in Bimini burnt to the ground last weekend. And Don the Dockmaster at Bimini Big Game was on that Chalks Plane that crashed in Gov't cut right before Xmas. Don't know if I could handle Bimini this year. So sad. Gene Dugan

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:24 am

Gene, that is very sad news Bimini is so small that those unfortunate events affects everyone on the island. Doug, I have you booked for a cruise on the 11th and scalping on the 12th Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:58 am

quote:Originally posted by photo finish Doug, I have you booked for a cruise on the 11th and scalping on the 12th Outstanding! Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Post by **Admin** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:23 am

For the New England trip, we spent most of our time at the Marina (PCYC) on the boats or in the clubhouse. We went shopping and eating in Salem. We had a big group dinner at a steakhouse one night, and we intended to take the boats out for a sightseeing cruise one day, but the weather would not permit it. So in essence, we didn't do too much, as most of our time was spent just socializing and getting to know each other well. Since Admirals and kids where there too, there was a lot of people to talk to, and the time flew by. For this reason, I would suggest a light activity load, and focus more on just having the group be together. So a location that has good bars, restaurants and plenty of marina space would be ideal. That is my two cents anyway. It is sounding like Easter time might be the best time as traveling on Labor/Memorial Days is not as forgiving. It might not happen this year, but maybe we should keep that in mind for next. David Sumich 1986 SF - 33 Megabites Huntington Harbour, CA Forum Administrator

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:32 am

Before a date can be determined we need to find out who is interested and where the preferred location would be. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:35 am

I'll be there, wherever and whenever you guys decide. I agree that Ed's idea for the Okeechobee waterway is a good idea but we should pick one end of it, anywhere in the middle isn't going to be too exciting for those who aren't here all the time. I don't know the west end too well but have stayed at Pirate's Cove Marina in Manatee pocket, was very nice and a short 30 min cruise out to the inlet. There are several marinas and waterside bars in that spot. However, I think everybody would like the keys too. Long haul for me in the boat but I'll do it, hopefully pick one of the northerly islands. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:47 am

I forgot to say that Manatee pocket is in Stuart for those that don't know. Gene- do you mean Sailfish Marina in Lake Worth? We're planning on staying the night there this March after the first leg of a planned trip to Lucaya, but I've not been there before. Is it a nice place? Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:49 am

Sean, You got me thinking.... How about we do both....The west coast guys head over to the east side of the canal we spend a night then we take all the boats on a cruise back to the west side of the canal and you guys spend a night.Anyone from out of town can take the cruise from either coast. even if this isnt the main event it could be a separate cruise to plan. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:17 am

I don't think it necessarily has to coincide with either a school vacation or a long weekend. We started the NE rendezvous on Friday afternoon and wrapped it up on Sat due to inclement weather. As David pointed out, had the weather been nicer we would've done a cruise on one or both days. No matter what it would've ended on Sunday. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 9:01 am

That sound like fun. Traveling the ditch as a group would be a lot of fun for those visiting Florida. Perhaps we could do it as a day trip, or overnight to the other coast, returning the next day. 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 2:09 am

Sean, I was thinking Pirates Cove in the Manatee Pocket. Nice little place, but they run several tournaments there. Memorioal Day being one of their bigger ones. Sailfish, WPB. You can almost drop the lines and float out the PB Inlet. Easy stop, nice place with restaurant, small pool and a few rooms. Got a bit crowded on trancient slips because CannonSport and a few others got wiped out in hurricanes. Book it as soon as you have your dates. A friend has a mooring about 100 yds in front next to Peanut we use when we are up there. Usually fish up, stay overnite, and fish back. Gene Dugan