St. Augustine in May/June: UPDATED: Now With Dates!

[Fireman431]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

On a side note, we built a 47' Garlington Sportfish for a guy who was wheelchair bound. Had a lift to get him onboard. The helm chair was hydraulic and lowered so he could captain and a hydraulic platform for entering the cabin. Guy named it "Hell On Wheels". He was from PB.

Was that boat recently featured in a magazine? I was reading an article (can't remember which mag) on the same set up. Hydraulic lift up the ladder to the flybridge. Fighting chair raised & lowered for transfer, etc. Very impressive.

There will be a minimum of two boats there. Mine is only 20', but Fireman's is 37'. Nlain may or may not bring his. Sasto is not bringing any of his. It's going to be a terrific get together. Doesn't seem to have attracted a lot of participants, but the several who'll be there... We're gonna have a great time!!!

And that doesn't include my brother, his wife, and their boat. Another friend and his woman (no boat), and possible another friend and his woman (wishes he had a boat).

 

[veritas honus]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

...that doesn't include my brother, his wife, and their boat. Another friend and his woman (no boat), and possible another friend and his woman (wishes he had a boat).

So that's minimum, 3 boats... Even better. Another friend, "(wishes he had a boat)". Sounds like the first step to becoming a boater. We can work on that on the water.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

46 days till departure.
Not nearly as happy now about being on the boat after our soft grounding today...

But that's a story for the get together...

 

[JaSla74]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Guys I have a confession to make....




I don't own a boat anymore....




&....




I sold it over a year ago....




&....




I used the cash to buy a Jeep Wrangler, which I consider to be a boat on wheels. I've also taken up surf fishing & the Jeep proves to be a perfect fit for the task. In my defense, however, there was a job transfer, HOA regulations, storage issues, & the fact that I outgrew her it was time. I must admit though there was a sick feeling the day I sold her since I damn near did a complete restore job.

Anyway, needless to say I will own another boat. Wife likes the layout of toons, but I want to go offshore, so there's a bit of a dilemma. I still plan to meet up with you guys if you'll have me.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

46 days till departure.
Not nearly as happy now about being on the boat after our soft grounding today...

But that's a story for the get together...

Key words... Soft grounding. Could've been a whole lot worse. hope there's no damage... other than a little pride bruising.:redface: Hope to see nothing but big smiles in June!!!... Like that one, and these.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Anyway, needless to say I will own another boat. Wife likes the layout of toons, but I want to go offshore, so there's a bit of a dilemma. I still plan to meet up with you guys if you'll have me.

If you like the open pontoon layout and still want the ability of a V hull, look into a deck boat. It's a nice cross of form & function. I think you're offshore runs will have to dictated more by waves & weather since it's not a deep V, but you'll still get the ability to go.

Of course you're still invited to the get-together. You just have to pretend you have immediate plans of getting another boat soon...

Key words... Soft grounding. Could've been a whole lot worse. hope there's no damage... other than a little pride bruising.:redface: Hope to see nothing but big smiles in June!!!

Yea, I'm hoping on no damage. Bottom is silty soft, but we ran up on it at speed. TowBoatU.S. to the rescue. Everything felt fine when returning to the marina, but I won't know for sure until I have it hauled to check props/rudders/stantions/shafts. I've been in & out of that area 1000 times, but cross winds blew me out of the channel. I was watching the marker ahead of me, but not the one behind me. Couple that with the extremely low water right now and I should have seen it coming. My own stupid fault. I know better. Nothing like a humbling experience when you think you've finally have it all under control.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Yea, I'm hoping on no damage. Bottom is silty soft, but we ran up on it at speed. TowBoatU.S. to the rescue. Everything felt fine when returning to the marina, but I won't know for sure until I have it hauled to check props/rudders/stantions/shafts. I've been in & out of that area 1000 times, but cross winds blew me out of the channel. I was watching the marker ahead of me, but not the one behind me. Couple that with the extremely low water right now and I should have seen it coming. My own stupid fault. I know better. Nothing like a humbling experience when you think you've finally have it all under control.

Sometimes seeing it coming allows no avoidance.:redface: I can't really justify saying don't beat yourself up too bad; 'cause I know I'd be kicking myself pretty hard regardless of conditions or scenarios. That being said... Don't beat yourself up too hard.

May the good Kharma you've created proffesionaly and personaly see you, your mindset, and your beautiful boat through this... unscathed.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Oh I'm looking forward to this get together big time.

As for trees??? I think I figured them out what with 5 weeks of pain so far and not being able to use my left hand. Think positive though and I even managed to play some guitar the other day. (some things others are just plain impossible so far)

Hey Sasto that sounds like a cool sportfish set up. If you have any pics I'm sure my brother would love to check them out. We tried to figure out how to pull off a sportfish for years, but then he got Velocity to build the one that I posted pics of in the Velocity manufacturers section of the forum. There was supposed to be a lift to lower him down into the cabin, a fixed hardtop and outriggers but that never happened.

Craig

 

[Fireman431]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

May the good Kharma you've created proffesionaly and personaly see you, your minset, and your beautiful boat through this... unscathed.

From your mouth....

Thanks for the well wishes. We'll see what it looks like once I get it pulled.

 

[sasto]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Oh I'm looking forward to this get together big time.

Hey Sasto that sounds like a cool sportfish set up. If you have any pics I'm sure my brother would love to check them out. We tried to figure out how to pull off a sportfish for years, but then he got Velocity to build the one that I posted pics of in the Velocity manufacturers section of the forum. There was supposed to be a lift to lower him down into the cabin, a fixed hardtop and outriggers but that never happened.

Craig

Glad your getting better, Craig. Looking foreward to meeting you in St. Augustine. Bring your guitar, please!

Fireman mentioned one in a magazine with a flybridge, this one was an express. I did most of the rigging on the hydraulics but took no part in developement. We had a swing arm with pullys that lifted the chair off the dock and onto the cockpit. The 3 steps up to the helm were chair accessable. The helm chair had a remote for lowering and lifting. To access the cabin we had another remote. We omitted the V-berth and made a large head that was basically a large shower that the owner could wheel himself in backwards. The owner then could clean himself up if needed.

Our first seatrial the owner was strapped to the rear of the cockpit. The seas were rough. He got soaked.....but Don had a huge smile on his face. We were all proud of our boat and sooooo happy for him. I saw the boat in the Bahamas several years later and it was converted back.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Oh I'm looking forward to this get together big time.

As for trees??? I think I figured them out what with 5 weeks of pain so far and not being able to use my left hand. Think positive though and I even managed to play some guitar the other day. (some things others are just plain impossible so far)Craig

I'm thinking positive,too!!!

I'm positive that your boat is not required, but... Your guitar is. If you managed to play the guitar, you'll manage to drive to St Augustine. Looking forward to meeting you, Craig.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

From your mouth....

Thanks for the well wishes. We'll see what it looks like once I get it pulled.

...To the Good Lord's ears!!!

It'll look like it did before the soft grounding...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Just an update...thought you might be interested...keeping you posted & informed...



Only 44 more days till departure!!!

 

[sasto]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Just an update...thought you might be interested...keeping you posted & informed...



Only 44 more days till departure!!!

I need a vacation.....at St. Augustine.....bad! Been putting in alot of hours at work and even more fishing with the kids on spring break. The last one leaves today, the boss arrives tomorrow for a week. I think I'll get lost for a few days, maybe just drift down the river in the old Penn Yan with a line in the water and no bait. I don't even want the fish to bother me.

See ya soon, Fireman

 

[veritas honus]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Gonna be a really terriffic time. My family is really looking forward to this, now. Originally, my wife was going along with it. She's looking forward to it now!!!

44 days Woo Hoo!!!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

Re: St. Augustine in May/June?!?

I think I'll get lost for a few days, maybe just drift down the river in the old Penn Yan with a line in the water and no bait. I don't even want the fish to bother me. See ya soon, Fireman

That's some of the best fishing right there. I've lost count of the number of times I knew my bait was stripped off while bottom fishing and didn't even care enough to reel it back up. Calm, peaceful, music, FL sunshine...who needs those stupid fish bothering you? Looking forward to meeting you, my friend.

Gonna be a really terriffic time. My family is really looking forward to this, now. Originally, my wife was going along with it. She's looking forward to it now!!!

44 days Woo Hoo!!!

We're looking forward to it as well. There's even talk of the 18 y/o son and his chickie joining us on the trip, but it's just talk right now.

C'Mon June.....

 

[veritas honus]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June: UPDATED: Now With Dates!

This was a little odd... Saw that Fireman posted at 8:30pm. Checked the thread, and the last post was sasto at 3:05pm. Went back, to see if I was mistaken, and no, I wasn't. It did say Fireman431 8:30pm. I checked again, and still, sasto was the last post at 3:05pm. I hit reply and then saw Fireman's post. Oh well... computer glitches... At least I know that this one was not user error. But anyway...

I had called iboats to see if I could get a replacement fender for my boat trailer from them. They didn't have it, and the rep told me they couldn't get it. I found a distributer of SHORELAND'R Trailers and parts. Got the lowest price out there and they sent it UPS same day. I ordered it on Wednsday, and received it Friday. I was told no more than 138.00 including shipping (the fender is 107.00). My card got charged 125. and change. I put it on this morning when I got home from work. Third really rough night in a row. A lot of bad traumas... One after another, both related as well as unrelated. A lot of resuscatations in addition. Just a bad stretch, so to speak. Sometimes it just goes that way. Sorry, Don't even know why I brought it up. Anyway, again:redface:; new tires, new fender, new battery, battery switch for dual batteries now that I've got a starting battery and a dual purpose. Got an Interstate Marine dual purpose for 99.95 (27 series) from a my local Chaparral dealer. Got two new cables and clamps for an additional battery. Now I have to get a few feet of 2ga battery cable to install the switch. I also have to do some cutting and rebuilding of the starboard side stern seat platform to accomodate 2 batteries. Maybe Sunday at Lake Seminole with my In-Laws. Yes!!! I am taking the boat this time... Life is good, and getting better!!! I can actually afford to put the boat on the water for a second time before St Augustine!!! Anyway... I do that a lot, don't I...:redface: The boat's getting more and more ready for St Augustine. So much to do and so little time!!! See, Fireman, there's a way to make the time go more quickly for ya. Try to find some things you need to get done, let life get in the way in all kinds of ways, and time will begin to fly by.

Looking forward to lounging around the boats, the docks, the water, and some good conversation with some good people. Can't wait to finally get together!!!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June: UPDATED: Now With Dates!

See, Fireman, there's a way to make the time go more quickly for ya. Try to find some things you need to get done, let life get in the way in all kinds of ways, and time will begin to fly by.

Ok...let me see if this works...

1) Cut back and attempt to remove 29 Robillini palms that were killed in this winters cold snaps. Rent bobcat to pull stumps that have seemed to grow under the pool deck (didn't budge them). Get at the base of one with the chain saw to strip some of the root baal loose. Cut sprinkler line. Hand dig out the dirt from between the roots to repair sprinkler line. Kick remaming shrubs while cussing at them.

2) Decide that after dousing the palm stumps with Round-Up, they need to sit a few months to die off. Find new project. Tired of looking at the old concrete and acrylic pool deck. Must...have...pavers...
Order pavers without thinking of what a nightmare this is gonna be. Find out 2 days before delivery (today) that the new coping pavers won't go over the original cantilever deck. Rent concrete wet saw. Snap chalk line around pool perimeter and commence cutting 2 1/2" off of the concrete deck. Roughly 90 linear feet. In the 91? heat in the middle of the day. Bent over carrying a 35 lb. saw for 4 hours.

3) Jump into pool after cutting the deck to remove the roughly 250 lbs of concrete that fell into the pool while cutting. Can't see them because the water/concrete slurry all went right into the pool. My pool now looks like 17,000 gallons of Milk of Magnesia.

4) Spend the next 2 hours cleaning the deck and cleaning the pool filter while it's sucking up the yuck off of the bottom. I figure it's gonna take a week with roughly 10 filter cleanings.

5) Continue to work in the upholstery shop trying to keep work on schedule

Pavers should be in any minute now...then the fun really begins...

I just wish I had something to keep me busy...

 

[veritas honus]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June: UPDATED: Now With Dates!

Ok...let me see if this works...

I just wish I had something to keep me busy...

Be careful what you wish for...

Sounds like June's gonna be here in no time flat for ya!!!

It's looking like we'll be spending the whole weekend in St Augustine, as opposed to just the day on the 18th. May even bleed over into late Monday, possibly Tuesday. Don't know. I may just be dreaming now, but when I asked my wife if she'd like to spend some extra time there, if we can swing it, she was all for it.

...Are we there yet???

 

[veritas honus]

Re: St. Augustine in May/June: UPDATED: Now With Dates!

Almost forgot... Yesterday, while cutting down some "pecan bushes" as I call them (multiple trees growing from multiple stumps I still havn't gotten rid of), UPS arrived with my new Delta Fastset anchor, 6' polished SS 5/16" chain, two SS shackles, and 150' 3/8"anchorline with SS thimble prespliced. As soon as my three year old saw it, "I go boat" was his instant reaction. I'm quite sure that other than Mommy, the boat is absolutely his favorite thing in the world. Not really 100% sure where I fit in there.