Therefore, let it be known far and wide that the Official Classic SeaCraft West Coast Florida fall Gathering shall be held at MacRae's of Homosassa Springs on November (5)-6-7-8th, 2015

Very nice job Ken! Just taking minimal effort and going back to post #32 on this thread gives you that gathering information to copy and paste. :D

Thanks, Mr. NoBones for reposting. These gathering threads sometimes get a little windy and it can take some time to go back through and find the date and location. Is it possible to go back and put the date and location in the thread title after they're established?

We have no weddings or graduations on the horizon, so I made our reservations this week. We should arrive around noon Friday.

How deep and how plentiful are the stone crabs around HomoSassa? Should I plan to bring dive gear? Snorkel gear?

Thanks Mr. NoBones;

For some reason these threads show up, last is first, so I have to keep switching to hybrid mode to keep things sorted.

Just made reservations see you all on the 5th. Now need to get busy and put the new SeaStar system in, fix the flat on the trailer that I got in the middle of Orlando, (morning rush hour).

MacRae's of Homosassa Springs on November (5)-6-7-8th, 2015
 

No problem!!
Shaping up to be a good gathering ...:)

Title changed as well ;)

You da man!

No, you da man...:cool:

mr ken
you bad 2 da bone, I hopes to see ya this year, me 2 sisters cum with me. they likes capt morgan lik u and party hardy.
hha ha sam

Windy?
Sandy learns about stone crabs?
You can get rid of those right?

"WINDY!!!!!" -
Dear Jim Cacciatore,
We is the "free range" Chickens down on this part of the site.
(T-3)

Mango-nados & Hog-illas
 

Dear Mr Heron,
Yes, and a speargun in the event you are viciously attacked by Mangos and Hogies like Marsh, Doug and I were on Saturday while we were out "scouting" for YOU. No Gags, but Mango-nados whirlin around you and Hogs rollin up on you. That place is dangerous - we had to use suppressive firepower to keep them at bay while we climbed up the dive ladder.

This just a "backup plan" so Sandy, Kenny and Donny have "bullets" for Saturday Night Seafood Cooking Class - Vacuumed bagged and standing by in case we get "blown out" at the Gathering. Scout's motto - "Be Prepared".

Signed, Windy

Topped with crab and hollandaise.
Some fine food as always.

Wow.....great trip!

What are the boots for?

Good heavens, Terry, you didn't think I was referring to you, did you?

What do you think water temps will be by then? I outgrew my wetsuit, if you know what I mean. Last time I managed to squeeze into it, my wife said (after taking way to long to get her laughter under control) "You look like a sausage". I've been meaning to buy a bigger one.

Dave

"I've been meaning to buy a bigger one"

Really Dave??? You can actually buy a bigger one??? Where and how much? :)

Indeed.

We had STP.

Now kids have STD.
Do you have a nice digi file of your boat?

I do.

Gathering Agua Temprature
 

Dear Senior Kielbasa,
Consulting my Farmers Almanac, adding in NOAA long range weather forecast, reviewing historic wind patterns, factoring in Al Gore's Climate Change trajectory, and reviewing my own Dive logs for the past month, I speculate that the Gulf water temprature off of Homasassa will be 74.5 degrees F. +/- 2 degrees on November 6th, 2015.
Just get a shorty top, if that ain't enough, we'll just go over to the Freezer and eat shrimp and drink beer with Donny, instead of freezing our azzes of in that dang 72 degree water - that chit is for those crazy people that live up north!
Just don't forget somethin' to poke the fish with, Bro' Bratwurst.
Signed, S.C.A.

Indeed.

We had STP.

Now kids have STD.
Do you have a nice digi file of your boat?

I have a pic of the 25 at rest.
It`s big.

Might look nice. Pretty colors.
I`ll go see Justin.

Hey Terry, decided to bring our own "room". We will be staying just downriver from you guys.

Possible new power on the stern for the gathering.... Is a 300 on a 23 underpowered? :D

Good plan Trooper. Tell Ms. Cindi to pack the bicycles. Dougie needs a deck hand on the Seafari Stone Crab boat to size the claws. But I have to caution you - he makes the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" Crews look like they're on a Viking River Cruise!

Bicycle. I don't have one, but my wife's bike has been in the back of the truck since August. Carried it all over the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah. One speed bikes don't work too good in the hills. Maybe it will get used over there.

I will be on site for the weekend just not sure if MA will be finished. Shopping a replacement trailer. Everything is pointing to new Owens and Sons custom.

More importantly, I know that this group will be more interested in hitting the Gulf rather than rafted over the spring all day, as the Whaler group usually did. Do we have anyone attending with local knowledge? My 15 Whaler ran towards the Gulf but was discouraged from taking the trip clear out.

With much more current knowledge of the Gulf, and having blown a prop, prop shaft, steering tilt tube, and steering cable, I have a new respect for the local waters. Reading the scallop reports on THT, Homosassa River sounds challenging. Hells Gate? And the pics to boot.

Just asking. I may have suggested the location, but I have never been out from this river.

Vezo, Part II

Stay in the channel for the first 6-7 miles going out !! :eek:

Lots of big rocks outside the ditch..:o

X2. I don't do Homosassa often, even though it's not far away, because the bottom looks most unforgiving to those without the advantage of local knowledge. Counting on Mr. England to provide same.

Bratwurst

He`s pretty good about that.
Think I`ll be trimming a surface drive.

Weisswurst.

Nature Coast Navigatin'
 

I have developed the following rules of engagement whilst naviagtin anywhere between Anclote Key and Apalachicola -
1) If you can't see land, you may be OK. However this is not certain.
2) If you can see land and you are not 110% sure you are in the channel - SLOW DOWN NOW and tilt your motor up.
3) If you can't see land but see sets of Channel Markers going over the horizon, they will lead to a Quaint Little Fishing village with over priced beer and expensive gas, but you might run into Kmoose, Blue Heron, Father Frank or Tom Paris there!
4) Do not follow air boats even if they have those Crazy bare foot Cracker girls in 'em from Perry what wear them Johnny Reb Confiderate flag bathing suits. Of course I tuck in right behind one when I'm going by the FWC boat coming in the channel and the officers pull them over to make sure everything is tucked in properly and that way I just scoot by I don't have to sort out all my iced down catch and get into big discussions about running lights and flares and stuff like dat.
5) Follow a big 'ol faded Bertram or Hatteras whenever possible - but not too closely. Never follow a Bayliner or SeaRay, especially if they are shinny.
6) Set up a "Lay Away" account with Ken at Prop Gods.
Signed, John Lerro

Rules to live by! Thank you Terry. Don't forget about those dogs that navigate for those airboats............


http://southernairboat.com/photopost...kBirdDogs1.jpg

Its almost like you have been to St Marks before... lol

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5827/...fffe8f80_b.jpg11402709_10205830761901145_3304662569881281742_n by TomParisOBC, on Flickr

Channel Pointers
 

Yep, Vezo II needs take Lucy to the SPCA and git one on them AKC Channel Pointers, if he keeps runnin' around like that. It's a good thing those Whalers are unsinkable! I think they breed them up in the "Hatch" (Steinhatchee). Of course Lucy is getting to be a pretty good Bean Bag Retriever after last year at Sebastian with Mel.

Homasassa scouting trip
 

We ran out of Bayport on Saturday to see if we could get a "read" on the conditions in couple of weeks at the Gathering. Ran to the crane off of Aripeka then 12 miles north to somewhere off of the Chaz., just south of Homasassa. 79.8 degree water temperature top to bottom. 1-2' seas and had top to bottom vizibility in 25' and 40' horizonally in 50' of water. Gag's still a little scarce but plenty of Hogs and Mangos. Forgot to look for Stone Crabs. Guess I'd better go back out this weekend and look for them. Keep your fingers, toes and eyes crosssed the weather continues to stay nice and sunny until November 8th - I'll be awesome for the West Coast Gathering.

PS, Wendy still has a couple of rooms she's holding for us until the 15th.

Brrr... 79.8 degree water..:eek:

Minimum is 85 for me.. I only have 30 weight blood being a native cracker
an all !! Now those northern boys that flow 90 weight blood can probably
take it a whole lot better !

Swamp date and I are really looking forward to this second honeymoon
get away ! :cool::D

Unfortunately I will not be in attendance. My assistance has been requested to move an old friend from Atlanta to Brooklyn. I hope everyone enjoys the new Rendevoux location as much as myself and the Whaler owners have in the past. One last recommendation: Someone take responsibility for enough firewood for four nights. The fire pits are 30 feet from every front door.

In April 2014, I hid my iPad from myself so well that when I arrived in NYC for my Prostate removal, I used the Find My ipad app, and sure enough GPS located it in room 12, MacRae's, Homosassa, Fla.. One call, and it was UPS'ed to me. Owners just as nice as our hosts in Sebastian.

Hope everyone has a blast!

Vezo Part II

Travel safely, Michael - You and Lucy will be missed.
See you at Brian's Place or Zig Zag Scallop

Thanks Terry. Have not been to HB since Sebastian gathering! But I gotta help a friend out.

Brian's rocks. Can only afford once a month haha

I remember the Halloween gathering at Desoto. Brr is right.
Do you need a stamp for stone crab?

No, just a Wooden Hammerfore.