2013 Southwest Florida Rendezvous

T

tedwhit

Active member
Joined
Mar 27, 2011
Messages
33
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Vessel Name
Gipetto (2012)
A few days ago I got an e-mail from Dale Dowdy that I thought I'd share with the rest of the Tugnuts. It looks like planning is underway for a 2013 Rendezvous in Southwest Florida to follow up on this year's successful one. Whoever has input, let us know.

I quote Dale (I got his permission):

"While on a cruise and staying at Palm Island Marina in Cape Haze, FL, Jim & Geraldine Mockler, Ted & Carol Whittier, and Karin & Dale Dowdy began to think about planning the anticipated 2013 Winter Rendezvous in Southwest Florida.
We were all so impressed with Palm Island Marina that we thought it should be considered for the anticipated 2013 rendezvous. - outdoor covered meeting area next to a very nice swimming pool and hot tub, well-kept restroom/shower facilities, cable TV, and well kept dock area. Also, there are enough slips to accommodate a large Tug gathering. We suggested to the marina that we might attract twice as many as we did at Moss Marine, which they were sure they could handle. This area is just north of Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, so there many places nearby to cruise to and enjoy.

See this link to Palm Island Marina:

http://palmislandmarina.com/

We also would like to get the Wefings Marine Ranger Tugs dealer in Eastpoint, FL and the Ranger Tugs factory involved for winter 2013.

What do you think of this marina as a possible rendezvous location for winter 2013? In your travels have you encountered some other place that would be a good possibility?

-- Dale & Karin"

I would also add that Palm Island Marina has two excellent restaurants on site.
Ted and Carol
 
Did we pin down a date yet? If we pin down a date it will allow us to make travel plans around it and be able to pin down a marina for accomodations. Palm Island sounds really nice and seemed to be a majority choice among those who voiced an opinion. We met on February 6th this year, but in 2013 February 1st seems like it may be a good day for a kickoff since it is a Friday (who cares if your retired!) and for those planning to stay a month at a marina it fits in nicely.
Mike Rizzo
 
Palm Coast sounds like a nice and convenient place and it's close to a lot of good west coast Florida cruising. If we decide this is our 2013 location we should ask the marina for a favorible daily, weekly and monthly docking rate, as part of the discussions before we make a final commitment with them. I also like the first of February, as pointed out by Mike RIZZO.

Jim F
 
We will certainly love to participate ! There are a myriad of places to go in Fl. and although we are not yet retired [far from it ] we will monitor and see what we can do.
We also have a customer appreciation gathering in October in ASpalachicola . We have a lot of fun with that as well .
Marc
 
Gasparilla Island is a great area... You have my vote on this...
 
We like the reviews of the marina and will try to make it. The 2013 Miami Boat Show is February 14th -18th. If the rendezvous is held the weekend prior, we might improve our odds of getting a factory representative to attend. Andrew/Jeff/Kenny - any thoughts?
 
We went to Palm Island and liked the place. Looking forward to it!
 
Charlotte Ann is currently berthed at the Palm Island Marina
PRO:
It is one of the best maintained marinas I have seen in recent years...
The staff is unfailingly polite and anxious to help...
There is free parking for your truck and trailer outside of the gated area...
The yacht basin is completely enclosed so there is no rock and roll from passing boats and no current surge - an improvement over Moss Marina...
There is free beer on Saturday night for customers...
A restaurant on the grounds and more nearby...
Discount ticket for the water taxi over to Rum Bay restaurant and a Pass for using the Palm Island Beach...

CON:
Not much, really...
Fixed docks - but the tide change here is a bit over one foot, unlike the Estero Island Channel with nearly 4 feet...
No boat ramp here - public ramp is about 2 miles away
The lift fee is $75 for the round trip... (There are three people doing the lift and they are meticulous - no scratches)
My sense is that if you do not use their lift truck you can still store your trailer in the outside lot without any fee and as a guest you have free parking for your vehicle...

INFO:
The MARINA service department (including boat lift) goes home at 5PM...
Dry stack storage is available...
There is night time security...
Slip fee is $1.45 a foot...

My plans to cruise the ICW to Pt. St. Lucie got changed by a roofing contractor who decided at the last second he could not do the job, and now I have to meet with a new contractor next week, so we have to stay in the area and since we had a good review from members, thought we might as well stay here...
 
When will someone be taking reservations for the 2013 Rendezvous at Palm Island Marina. Sounds like a great place to have it. We want to make sure we make it this year as we were traveling last year during this event. We met some nice people traveling to Ft. Myers.

Sine Wave
2009 R25
N. Ft. Myers
w.cameron@yahoo.com
 
We are in the process of getting the whole thing together so that we can send out one correspondence with all of the information and costs. If you are staying just for the rendezvous reservations will go through Carol Whittier, but if you are planning an extended stay then you book directly with the Marina. Mention that you will be with the rendezvous and they will waive the 30 foot minimum. Save the date it will be from February 1 thru the 4th. Stay tuned for more info.

Mike Rizzo
 
I spoke with Jeff Messmer a little about this yesterday and its definitly on the Factory's Radar .
Marc
 
Great, I'll touch base with you Marc as we get things together. Right now our priority is the Essex rendezvous once that's put together then we will start concentrate more on the February rendezvous.

Mike Rizzo
 
Are the dates February 1 thru 4th cast in stone? We would like to make plans to attend. Should we make reservations with the Marina?

Wayne
Sine Wave
wcameron8@aol.com
 
Hi Mike

I just called Palm Island to make our reservation and was told that they would not take a reservation directly but to contact Carol Whittier who is the point person for our rendezvous. I have a call into her.

Jim
 
Palm Island is an excellent choice. But for future reference let me put in a plug for my (winter) home port of Longboat Key Moorings. It should be able to accommodate a good humber of boats, there's an excellent restaurant at the marina, also swimming pool, tennis court and good kayaking and because the marina is a part of the Longboat Key Club I believe you also to get access to the Club amenities - more restaurants, a beach club, golf course (27 holes), tennis center and spa.
From the marina there's pretty easy access to the beach, a good supermarket and pharmacy and a great place to bike since there's a bike path the length of the island. St. Armands Circle (great restaurants/shopping isn't far away, likewise Mote Marine (aquarium) and downtown Sarasota - in fact I think the marina has a shuttle service.
Pete
 
Keep Willie and I in the loop for this Rendezvous. We are making plans for South Florida this winter. Thanks
 
We are making progress! So far we have two presentations set up for February 2nd 2013, Garmin will be talking about the in's and out's of using your Chartplotter and other Garmin equipment as well as other abilities available. I also expect them to review each person’s boat and check out the systems and make adjustments as needed. They did a wonderful job at our Northeast Rendezvous and the results were great. They are truly a great vender for Ranger. We will also have a local trailer dealer come in and discuss trailer care and maintenance. This is often an overlooked, but important part of our boating experience. I want to thank Wilkie of Little Toot for getting our trailer presenter. Anyone else with a contact or some ideas for a presentation feel free to contact me.

Carol Whittier has gotten all of the information together regarding the food service and menus. Once that is finalized we will let everyone know approximately how much weight they should expect to gain.

As our agenda develops we will send out additional information.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Regards,
Mike Rizzo
 
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