Mid-Atlantic Summer Rendezvous

mallen · Post by **mallen** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:19 am

I stumbled upon your blog and after reading some of the discussion thought I'd add my two cents. If you're looking for a great cruising and rendezvous destination may I suggest my home town of Cape May, New Jersey? Zagat rated dining, world class beaches, local wineries, unique shopping, victorian architechure, and attractions too numerous to list. If you've never boated into here, our harbor is easily accessed from either the Atlantic or the Bay via the CM canal. Our marina (South Jersey Marina) is the closest marina to the City. Gee, you might not guess this, but we actively promote ourselves as a rendezvous destination. In fact our "B" Dock was reconfigured in 2005 specifically to serve as a site for owner, manufacturer and club rendezvous. See capemaymac.org and capemaychamber.com for more information about the town. Just a thought.[:D]

jcrootbeer · Post by **jcrootbeer** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:48 am

As a Cape May summer resident, and a 33' Bertram owner, I can attest to the great destination point Cape May makes. It is very nice in itself as a small town, with great restaurants, mueseums, etc. Also, if there are kids, Wildwood's boardwalk is only a short 10 minute drive. There are plenty of dock bars, and boat accomidating restaurants within a 30 min boat ride. It would be a great place for a get together. Just my 3 cents (inflation)

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:57 am

I agree about Cape May being a great destination. We stayed there last year on our way to Atlantic City and look forward to staying there again next year. South Jersey and Doc Mike's are now a tradition for me. Also, I've been to the Shark Tournament and seen first hand how well the Canyon Club/SJM can host an event. However I as far as the Mid-Atlantic Rendezvous is concerned, the roots are in Atlantic City and I don't think that will change. I come from Baltimore and it's worth the trip. Sean Manni comes from Cape May, you guys should try and make it next year. Now if another rendezvous is scheduled for Cape May, I'd be there in a heart beat. As a matter of fact If all goes well I'm going to plan on spending the weekend before the Mid-Atlantic Rendezvous in Cape May as part of our family vacation next summer. br, John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:04 pm

John, I second that thought. Don't have to have just one hmmmmmmmmm

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:19 pm

I run the Rendezvous and have looked at other spots. Cape may is high on the list and Chris and Charlie have been working very hard on me. I am not ruling out Cape May in the future. In fact I may even have a vote on future locations. The catch on the vote is it will only be open to folks who attend, Jerry. I make the rules. Now let's talk what the Rendezvous is all about. I attended a Rendezvous in New England 6 years ago. I had a great time. After talking to other owners I came to the conclusion guys running gas boats could never make the trip. Remember that was 6 years ago when gas was almost free. AC was picked as the destination because of the number of slips available. No other marina at the time could hold 50 boats on the same dock. No marina. Now the Rendezvous. First Bertram has given lots of support in the past. One year they brought 6 boats including 115'Fretti. The first year we had a fishing event and several tuna a a blue marlin were caught. The problem with the fishing event was the guys fishing missed all the talking, drinking and seatrials. The fishing event passed into history. Most of us fish our boats all the time. My position is if you can't take a weekend off from fishing and have fun with other Bertram Owners you need to seek professional help. I even know a guy who missed this years event because he was in a fluke tournament. Give me a friggen break. Mike has sought out professional help and is in for 2008. We also have some very nice sponsors. Last year we had Yanmar and Nanni diesel. Superior Diesel was there with a 28B with the new BMW engines. Nanni will have several boats in the show for 2008. Bertram has promised to go all out this year and so is MarineMax. We have a party a really big party. With this in mind most folks could care about a beach or boardwalk or sightseeing. Hell most of us live at the beach. 5 star restaurants. Nice; but we have a pig/lobster feast that is hard to beat at any price. Trump has always put on a good dinner. Plus the Trump or any of the other 20 or so casinos have great dinning. Most folks just don't want to leave the docks. I think the Dents fed most of us on Friday night. We get free run of the dock T-head and set up a couple of grills. Hotdogs, hamburgers, 4 kinds of chicken, london broil, shrimp, filet migon; who had time for dinner? Thanks George and George. It is tough to beat the AC night life. I have to admit I have not spent 5 minutes on the casino floor; but many do. Some guys are even "rated" what ever that means. This year the event will start on Wednesday July 16-20th. Two years I went of a Thursday to chill. A few of us had a great time. This year we went on Wednesday and the early group got much larger. I would recommend coming early. Everything just seems more relaxed. I have a lot on my plate come Friday and it is still a blur. I think as the event gets longer Cape May looks better. Friday and Saturday will always be nuts, lots happening, buy Cape May is a nice destination. Trying to keep an open mind. Don't be counted in the group that missed the Show in 2008. Got a tuna trip set for Nov 9-10. See you can fish any weekend March through December. If you don't have time for a PARTY weekend in July you need help. Just my 2 cents. Charlie

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:14 pm

I am in Cape May and I think it would be a great location for a second rendezvous. We like the trip to AC and, unlike Charlie, we hit the casino floor....... Jerry - you should follow me up next year, it is worth it. The Fluke tournament excuse Mike came up with this year was dissapointing - his group is entertaining and we hope they are there next year. I do agree that Caoe May is a great location with a lot to do - but my viewpoint is skewed - we spend every weekend there (and wildwood). It would be a perfect location and the marina he is talking about, South Jersey Marina, is top notch.

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 3:05 am

I have to check my schedule, I do believe I have a snapper blue tournament that week,lol. I will definitly be there next year, you can count on it. Charlie does a top notch job. Charlie, where are you going tuna fishing? The warmest water is inbetween the hudson and the toms and thats only 66 degrees. You hear something that I did'nt? Let a buddy in on it. Mike

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:26 am

Tuna fishing....What.....come one..We have Mako's and threshers everywhere again - just not a lot of people target them in the fall. We had a large thresher in the slick last week, and a few mako's fly by. And, a few more degrees we'll have Striper all over!

mallen · Post by **mallen** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:24 pm

Hope I didn't stumble too much yesterday. It wasn't my objective to rewrite a proven and successful gameplan, just offer an alternative if your group needs one. Food for thought for those boats coming out of the Chesapeake. We're literally on the way and make a convenient stopoff. If you want to have a small group mini-rendezvous here at South Jersey, we'd love to have you. Putting on my "town hat", Cape May is hosting its 2008 Harbor Fest on June 21st. Starts with a bonfire at the Nature Center, stargazing on Friday night then on Saturday, seafood vendors, live music, blessing of the fleet, nautical crafts and many other activities right here at and around the harbor. If you're interested contact me and I'll get you the details.[8D]

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:01 pm

mallen, Why don't you post some details of Harbor Fest under it's own post, might get some interst. I've got some, just not willing to commit until I've got a boat that floats and runs under it's own power

John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD