2019 Florida gathering?

K

Katmat

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 5, 2016
Messages
219
Fluid Motion Model
C-288 C
Vessel Name
Katmat
Will there be a gathering this winter in Florida ?
I hope to buy a used 27' Ranger next fall & I would love to attend to learn more about the boats.
 
We just took a 2019 R-29CB and are in Key Largo all winter. We are very interested in knowing more.
Richard Kent
My Two Loves
 
Those with interest should contact Jess at the e-mail address posted above and get on the mailing list. We are currently putting together the cost. We have limited slip space available, and once we send out an e-mail blast slip reservations will be on a first come first serve basis and then a waiting list. We expect pricing to be available late November. People coming by land can also register and our only limitation there is how many people the facility can hold.
 
Are there any Ranger tugs in the area for rent?
 
We plan to trailer our boat cross country from California to the Florida Keys this February. We hope to meet up with other ranger tugs. I hear there is a rendezvous happening and would really like to attend,is there anyone who could point us in the right direction? Any advice would be appreciated. Bruce and Debbie Elkind ,Morning light,ranger 27
 
E-mail Jess at Jessa35@AOL.com. However, I will tell you that if you want a slip we have a list going, by contact date, on a first come first served basis. There are about 60 boats vying for the 30 slips. If you have transportation staying at another marina nearby and driving over for the event will probably work better for you since you are so late in the game. When you contact Jess let her know your intentions.
 
Where is the gathering?
 
The Shearwater will be transiting the Okeechobee Waterway from East Florida to the 2019 South Florida Rendezvous.

If you are on the East Coast and are interested in traveling to the Rendezvous as a group, we plan to have dinner in Manatee Pocket near the Eastern end of the Okeechobee Waterway on Saturday, February 2.

We are also planning on attending the The Murder Mystery Dinner Train (owned and operated by Seminole Gulf Railway) on Wednesday, February 6 at the West end of the waterway - and have made appropriate reservations at the Federal and local marinas across the waterway.

I can send you a full schedule of our stops if you are interested.
 
After the SW Florida Rendezvous, the Shearwater will be heading south via Goodland, Everglades marina and Marithon and the Miami boat show. Anyone planning to return to the Florida East coast this way?
 
Our plan is to head down to 10,000 Islands for a few days then back north. We are trailering the boat to Punta Gorda. We'll look for you at the rendezvous.
Pat & Cathy Quinn
 
We live aboard in Punta Gorda at Fishermen's Village. Where is the the gathering?
 
Burnt Store Marina. I think registration may be closed. Contact the above mentioned email. We are staying at Fishermans Village for the weekend. Would like to talk to you about cruising that area. We'll be there for two weeks.
Pat & Cathy Quinn
 
Sure, I'd be glad to answer questions about cruising this area. Probably best to email me capeannAThotmail.com or ask here but I don't get to this website every day.
 
We are planning to tow Compass Rose down to Punta Gorda from South Carolina. I've looked at different routes on Waze and MapQuest. It looks like the best plan would be to stay on I-95 until we hit I-4 and cut over to Orlando. From there we can stay on Interstate through Tampa or head south on Hwy 17. Hwy 17 looks to be the most direct route but is it 4 lane? Up here in the Carolinas its a nice highway. I'm concerned that if we stay on I-4 to I-75 we could hit a lot of congestion in Tampa/St. Pete. Once in Punta Gorda can we stay on/ or get on I-75 and maybe cut over to Burnt Store Rd on Acline Rd?

MapQuest also showed a route going west on I-10 from Jacksonville then south on Hwy 301. A Google search of 301 showed lots of small towns.

Any suggestion?
Thanks,
Pat
 
quinsky said:
We are planning to tow Compass Rose down to Punta Gorda from South Carolina. I've looked at different routes on Waze and MapQuest. It looks like the best plan would be to stay on I-95 until we hit I-4 and cut over to Orlando. From there we can stay on Interstate through Tampa or head south on Hwy 17. Hwy 17 looks to be the most direct route but is it 4 lane? Up here in the Carolinas its a nice highway. I'm concerned that if we stay on I-4 to I-75 we could hit a lot of congestion in Tampa/St. Pete. Once in Punta Gorda can we stay on/ or get on I-75 and maybe cut over to Burnt Store Rd on Acline Rd?

MapQuest also showed a route going west on I-10 from Jacksonville then south on Hwy 301. A Google search of 301 showed lots of small towns.

Any suggestion?
Thanks,
Pat[/quote
There is congestion on I-4/I-75 in Tampa, but typically only at peak rush hour (roughly 4:30pm-7pm). Otherwise, it's not too bad. Accidents can close the highway but fortunately that doesn't occur too often. I've taken the route from I-95 to I-75 over route 301. It's 4-lane the entire way and not too bad, with the exception of the path through Gainesville just before reaching I-75, where it gets a bit crowded. Sorry, I haven't taken 17 before so can't comment.

We're going by water from Apollo Beach, through Tampa Bay and then down the ICW, with an overnight at Crow's Nest Marina. Travel safely, hope to see you there.
Click to expand...
 
quinsky":1ez10ggt said:
We are planning to tow Compass Rose down to Punta Gorda from South Carolina. I've looked at different routes on Waze and MapQuest. It looks like the best plan would be to stay on I-95 until we hit I-4 and cut over to Orlando. From there we can stay on Interstate through Tampa or head south on Hwy 17. Hwy 17 looks to be the most direct route but is it 4 lane? Up here in the Carolinas its a nice highway. I'm concerned that if we stay on I-4 to I-75 we could hit a lot of congestion in Tampa/St. Pete. Once in Punta Gorda can we stay on/ or get on I-75 and maybe cut over to Burnt Store Rd on Acline Rd?

MapQuest also showed a route going west on I-10 from Jacksonville then south on Hwy 301. A Google search of 301 showed lots of small towns.

Any suggestion?
Thanks,
Pat
Click to expand...

I was on RT 17 last week from Hwy 75 up to Zolfo Springs area. It is two lanes mostly through cattle and orange grove country. Speed limit is 55 except for the few small towns you will go through. Nice road to tow a boat on.
I've been on 301 in the Northern part of the state and it goes through a lot of small towns.
 
I live in the area and would add that there is a lot of construction on I 4 right now and will be for another 6 months. Starts around Lake Mary and ends just south of Orlando. Pretty much there is no time of the day where you will reach the speed limit. That can be a good thing as there are some bumpy areas that you would want to slow down in anyway. They are doing a good job of keeping 3 lanes open at all times but that means you have areas where they move all the traffic over and then back again. From Lake Mary to Tampa should be about 2 to 2 1/2 hours so if you time it where you miss the rush hours that would be best. Leave yourself plenty of room to brake. They tend to like to switch lanes a lot here and think nothing of pulling in across your bumper - then they wave to say thanks for letting me in!

We have a great mix of residents, vacationers, retirees and snow birds down for the winter. Makes for a great driving experience.
 
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