Florida Get Together 2010

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

Sooooo.....for the 2011 location, we have a map of the state and we mark it up for all of the members who show an interest in that meet. As the year passes and more folks become interested we review the dots, pins, smiley faces or whatever to the cities everyone is from. Using that map we can better judge a location more centrally located to the members....

Sound too confusing??

huh? lol...

I have microsoft strret and trips which would actually do this exact thing..
However, unless they suddenly build some new state parks or a new resort pops up by 2011, we will be having the same exact discussion next year..

If we decide on say..Crystal lake this year, and we put it to a vote THIS year for NEXT year, then all in, no more bets..it's decided. If one member feels it's too difficult or too far...well, then thats the way it goes.

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

I kinda think you guys either need to make one place the permanent place, so the event can grow and others plan for set dates at a certain place each year...example 2 nd weekend in April every year...or something like that

or

for the first few years move it around place to place so to pick the absolute best place by trial and error....or keep moving it so everyone can share new places

the location is always gonna be an issue since folks are coming from all over, you can't just pick a place in the middle...lol

I love that Crystal Isles place, but Yellow Jacket also caught my eye..while Crystal has far less negatives or uncertainties over Yellow J ( Temp, flood possibility, location in boonies etc ) ...I still would not rule out the possibility that folks might wanna try new locations too.....more than one person has said that a spring time gathering anywhere on the Suwannee River is iffy, mainly due to weather and water conditions, but any other time of year, especially late summer into fall is awesome.

given the fact I boat Crystal River almost monthly, I still would enjoy a mini vacation on the Suwannee river at some point and the Yellow Jacket place looks really nice....... but in reality of the current economy and this isn't the iboats Yacht gathering ....lol....maybe for this year, take into account the rates and travel distances compared to overall expenses one family might incur from one place over another

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

huh? lol...

I have microsoft strret and trips which would actually do this exact thing..
However, unless they suddenly build some new state parks or a new resort pops up by 2011, we will be having the same exact discussion next year..

Kev, the issue finding a place and especially with all the state parks is that its kinda uncharted territory...one would really need to have come to an iboats gathering and see the needs of the event ( camping, parking, swimming, dock space, pets, kids, pavilion etc ) and armed with that info go out and visit some of the parks that might be an option.....we would almost need a check list and if the place did not meet certain criteria then it has to come off the list.....
something like the LG issues of no pools and the gator population, meant no swimming at the gathering...thats a huge hurtle that another place might be able to overcome.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/Activities.cfm

I went through the above link ( very hard to navigate since you cant search ) over and over and looked at places, but unless someone physically goes out and checks the place, stops and asks questions, takes their boat out to see that the ramp is decent and the lake isn't 2-3 foot deep most of the year etc-etc....
unless people have been there its too hard to make a call with out checking it out first, thats why I suggested a mini get together maybe 2 times a year, but TD said its too much trying to organize 2 of these a year, but its not that complicated, maybe we can talk about a mini gathering for a late summer at his meeting as well !

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

Thanks for all your input, Mark. I too thought about a regular meeting spot...just didn't think it was fair to those who have to drive so far to meet up with us. Maybe we could implore those folks to provide some alternatives.

Since so many people seem to come and go on the forum, you don't know who may come up with just the right spot...as well as a spot that geographically suits all our needs.

So far I am favoring Crystal Isles and by no later than Sept 15th ( our imposed deadline) if there isn't another spot to knock my socks off, it will get our vote..

 

[nlain]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

I am with you Rick, so far I have not looked at anything any where near as good.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

I am hoping to attend, pending I am not working out of state at the time.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

Well, the geographic center of Florida is REALLY close to where I live and that is really close to Crystal Isles. But some folks aren't willing to travel and that's fine. Might be that we need to just go place to place from year to year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_centers_of_the_United_States

As for me, I'd be willing to drive a reasonable distance. Then again, my version of reasonable may not match what others may think. LOL

 

[cribber]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

This year's was in my backyard and really like Crystal Isle after seeing it on the web for next year.

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

Well, the geographic center of Florida is REALLY close to where I live and that is really close to Crystal Isles. But some folks aren't willing to travel and that's fine. Might be that we need to just go place to place from year to year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_centers_of_the_United_States

As for me, I'd be willing to drive a reasonable distance. Then again, my version of reasonable may not match what others may think. LOL

Ross, I see where it says 12 miles NNW of B-ville, but I think that is a typo some where on that if you put in the cord. or check all the links to the maps, it puts the geographic center just off US 27 between Haines City and Davenport ?????????

but that was a neat link , thanks for posting

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

i have spent hours & hours, over the Fl State Parks List.

Let me explain why we need a dead line.

if we go back to Lake Griffin. we will have to make reservations very early.

LG is usually full during April, and i can see why. the Snow Bird campers, come in and stay. it is cheap space, it has the local shopping access.

one of the reasons for the May date this past year, is we could not get into LG earlier.

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

i have spent hours & hours, over the Fl State Parks List.

you too...huh !

man I wish that site was searchable or had drop down menus it would make looking for things such as our case, much easier, but what can you expect from a state web site ?

the key is finding out when the snow birds leave, I'm not sure about LG, but I asked at Yellow J and Cr Isles and they both said the place is kinda empty come April

 

[nlain]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

I will have to say that Ga has you beat there, when on their parks site there is a small map of Ga to the right, click it and it gets larger with all park listed showing location, click name and go to the park site. I spent some time in the Fl park pages it is not real user friendly.

 

[Bard1]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

I also looked at parks until my eyes hurt. The way I see it we have 3 spots to pick from.
1. Crystal Ilse
2. Lake Griffin
3. Yellow Jacket

I put it the order of my choice. Crystal has most everything we need, and I like the idea of floating my boat behind the tent. My wife likes the pool and park set up. Y.J. looks cool but the no store or cell use is a turn off. Last, L.G. was cool. Store, gas ect. even saw some nice fish pulled out.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

Yep, we have to agree with you. I sure want to get into a place where we can launch and keep our boat. The docks behind the campsites is a bigggg plus for us.
I have a HotSpots gps chip that has both inshore and offshore spots. If anyone has a Lowrance or Eagle gps you will be welcome to upload them. They will work for both us offshore guys and anyone wanting to fish the skinny water...

 

[Eshaw150]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

Yea i think Crystal is a good place. I think that its the best buy far due to the fact that i can float eithe of my boats depending which i decide to bring. And i can keep them behind me and dont have to pull them out every day,

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

Well, we seem to be having a flurry of activity by us Florida folks...some really good places to choose from. Seems like the Crystal River/Homosassa area has some outstanding candidates. For those that are interested in joining us, we are leaving our voting open until Sept. 15th for a few more good sites. By then, however we will have just seven months left and would like to nail down a place.
It appears at this meet we will gather all the participants up and see if we can agree on this one spot for future gatherings or meet someplace different each month. So, if you want to join in, be sure to show up. Again, our dates are April 23, 24, 25 2010.

 

[Eshaw150]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

Do we have to reserve our self or is it being done as a hole. Im deff in for this meet.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

When the time comes, you will be responsible for securing your own site.
Hopefully we can get some type of group rate wherever we end up..

 

[cribber]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

Hey guys and gals... Just to let ya know April 23, 24, 25 2010 is the 14th Annual Leesburg Bike Fest ( http://leesburgbikefest.com/Bikefest/index.htm ) and the local hotels are likely booked for that weekend already since we get an influx of 300,000 people over that weekend so likely Lake Griffin is off the list. Also, you may want to check availability for places further out from Lake County since this event is heavily advertised.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Florida Get Together 2010

Boat AND biker chicks??

lol...

I havent ran with that crowd in a few years!