All the way from Montana!
Wow! We got two reports in last night, one with a phone call from Paul Harrison, you said Mondays ride was a fantasy perfect day, on glass like water with just a bunch of folks out having a blast!
Like Butta!
And thank goodness, one from Chris and Julie Bullen with photos and some copy. Here is the report.
Big Gar triple
It’s the 30th year for the St John’s river cruise. Yup the club set up to preserve the old classic boats are themselves old classics. After a very snowy winter up in the north country (many of us know it’s still very much winter up there) we left the great white north in between snowstorms. Drove all the way to Charlotte NC. A 15hr day to avoid potential freezing rain in the morning back in the mountains.
Larry’s day not so perfect!
We made it and can take some big warm Florida air breaths, Its very calm and warm down here, ahh ! worth the crazy drive. This year’s weather has chased a bunch of boats south – 27 are on this cruise, 3 all the way from Ontario.
the other 2 Ontario boats Peter and son Jeff Breen family built boats
That’s 80 people to keep in line, feed and keep happy, not sure how they do it every year – Guy and Laurie are true champs.
Guy and Laurie Marvin
Due to hurricane Matthew, a few things have changed, fuel stops and the Crab shack is no longer with us. Instead it was a delicious BBQ lunch provided by Elk Lodge volunteers at their quant location on the river.
Al and Margert Herr
Then off to Palatka for some much need refreshment.
Oh boy! Karen and Shannon enjoying warm weather!
Everyone took off like they had an itch they had to scratch, or it was a bunch of northerners who had not been on the water in months – unfortunately that means not so many pictures today as we were too spread out.
And of course, you know what we always say. “It Aint A Boat Show until someone gets towed in” Sandi says Hi!
Tom
Great times down here in Florida. Here’s our adventure with John an Kim on the canals.
Tuobanur
If you look up fun in the dictionary it has to say classic boating,,,,if not it should.
Jim Staib
45° this morning. Glad I brought my boating parka.
Roberta
Great day to be on the St Johns river. Great time, great lunch, great new friends.
Royce A. Humphreys
Looks like fun, sure miss not having a boat down there this year. See you all in atavates on Thursday! Hope Larry got his boat straightened out!
Dan Clevenger
Get Ready people for TPain and Crew !
Red Dog
Dan, really nice job on the restoration. What is the year and model of your boat. Would like to see a couple more photos if possible. Looks like lots of fun down there, and the real party hasn’t even started yet.
Dan Clevenger
Red Dog
See the link for the article WoodyBoater ran on my Grandparents boat that the built.
Dan Clevenger
https://www.woodyboater.com/classic-boats/the-life-times-of-mel-mar-ii/
Dan
Red Dog
https://www.woodyboater.com/classic-boats/the-life-times-of-mel-mar-ii/
Roberta
Here is a picture of the Elk Lodge where we had a fabulous BBQ lunch.
Greg Lewandowski
Thanks to all for the great river cruise coverage. It’s just like being there except I don’t have to put on the sun screen!
Rick
Greg I keep telling myself that here in NY but it really isn’t working. I think I’d rather be putting on that sunscreen.
m-fine
Tomorrow it will be 13 in the morning when I leave home and 87 by mid afternoon when I reach the Best Western. I can’t wait to see that big bright thing you guys call the “Sun”
Carla
Heading that way myself on Thursday am. Hagerty will be “in the house” (alright, booth) as of mid-day Thursday. Please swing by and say hello. Safe travels to all that are enroute…plane, train, automobile or BOAT!!
Dreed
The last time I saw the Hagerty booth it was stuck up in a tree😳
Carla
And that would have been the ACBS International Boat Show on Finger Lakes back in 2014!!
m-fine.come
LOL, I remember that! Late September is not the most dependable weather timing for a Fingerlakes visit, but it sure beats February or March. The last two weeks we had hurricane force winds that took power out for 4+ days followed by 30″ of snow. The weather in Tavares will be better.