Mac Get-Together Jacksonville, FL 5-6 Sept

[markh1f]

Scouted out the Fort George anchorage and beaches today, site of the Friday night meet-up and beach BBQ. It looks great, plenty of room with good protection, should be able to beach the boat or drop a hook and swing the stern to the beach and tie off. The pictures take today at high tide, should be a lot more beach when the tide drops a foot or two.

Mark

[c130king]

Mark,

Thanks for scouting out Ft. George and for taking pics. We have 4 confirmed Macs, one possible Mac, and one possible Catalina 22. Come out and celebrate the Labor Day weekend. Hope to see some more folks joining us.

Feel free to PM or email me if anyone has any questions.

Cheers,
Jim

T-minus 7 days until I am back in Florida...

[jcasale]

Mark

Great job on the pics. This is going to be a blast. WE NEEED MORE MACS!!!!!!!!!!

John

[Wind of Freedom]

We live here is Jupiter, Fl ... not too far. We are thinking about coming on up ... I've never trailered by Mac very far and just rebuilding an used aluminum trailer for her (have yet to test the trailer out). I also think I should get the brakes on the trailer for the trip. Not sure yet ... sounds like fun! I will talk with the wife!

[c130king]

W-O-F,

If you can make it that would be great. Let us know if you have any questions.

The plan is too meet up on Friday evening at Ft George and then either go out in the Atlantic or head South towards downtown Jacksonville on Saturday depending on the weather.

But if necessary and due to the distance you need to trailer we can arrange to meet up with you on Saturday and then you can sail with us Saturday afternoon and Sunday and return back to Jupiter on Monday...if that works for you.

Jim

[Wind of Freedom]

Jim:

Ok, thanks. If we come, we will try to make Friday. I just talked with the wife ... sounds like it is a possibility. It would be myself, Doug, and probably my daughter, Megan (11) and son, Levi (9). My wife and our youngest 2 children will spend the weekend with my wife's parents in Orlando. So, it's looking like a possibility and a lot of fun so I'm going to do my best to make it. Still an outside chance as some things have to come together.

- Douglas McCall

[jcasale]

Doug (W-O-F)

Welcome aboard and may I commend you on your bravery. Many have been invited but only the strong have accepted. If you decide to join us on this expedition (and it will be an adventure) you will not be disappointed. Please let me know if you need anything to make your trip easier and I'll see what I can do.

I have posted the link to the states web site regarding the park.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortge ... efault.cfm

John

[c130king]

It's looking like 5 Macs and 1 Catalina 22.

Friday night at Ft. George State Park (beached or anchored).

Saturday will be either 1) Into the Atlantic and left turn towards Fernandina Beach or 2) Atlantic and right turn towards St. Augustine or 3) if the Atlantic is not looking good we will head up river to downtown Jacksonville.

Sunday is still TBD.

There is always room for more. Let us (markh1f, jcasale or myself) know if you are interested but need info on where to go.

Cheers,
Jim
T-minus 1 day (actually 21 hours & 55 minutes until take-off from Heathrow...but who's counting )

[bastonjock]

dont go Jim,stay here,we are missing out on gale force winds off of the Norfolk coast

why on earth you would preferr the waters and sunshine of Florida

[Inquisitor]

I'm hoping one of you guys are still computer bound.

I plan on coming too. However, the weather isn't looking to good... 60% T-Storms Sat-Mon. Are these those little squals that blow through and are all sunny again in 30 minutes?

Also, need to get the logistics organized. I need to work Friday, but can leave early. Looking at Google Maps, it predicting about 6 hours drive. Depending on the mass exodist traffic out of Atanta for the 3 dayer, I can usually beat those estimates.

1) How late can I get to the landing and still rig, launch and get out to the first night's festivities location?
2) In Pensacola, they had free charts for the area. Looked like printed versions of the NOAA charts that the city/chamber of commerse/local business (some advertisements) were giving out. Does Jacksonville, have something similar?

[vkmaynard]

Sounds like fun!

A couple of us were considering the trip from NC until the teenagers started their whining about the driving distance, hence the Chesapeake trip.

You should try again this spring. Then we can plan ahead.

Have a great time.

Victor

[jcasale]

Inquisitor
Yes, Unfortunately I am still computer bound. Lots of work still do do but I'll be ready for the meet. If you can get to Jacksonville by Friday the best public ramp (and for you lurkers the ramps are still free here!)is probably going to be the Sisters Creek ramp. It is only 4 miles from the first meet point and depending on timing you might be able to see C130king, Markh1f or myself sailing by on our boats. Two more Macs are coming from the north. I would be more than willing to stop and help you rig and launch if able. I would try to get here ASAP as high tide for the area we are beaching/anchoring is ~ 4PM. When i drive to and from Atlanta (Virginia Highlands) to my place in Atlantic Beach it is 6 hours on the nose driving 16 east to 95 south. The location of this ramp might shave off 30 or 40 mins.
Yes the stroms can be severe but are genreally quick moving and last only an hour or two at most. We also have the option of staying entirely in protected water if weather forces us to. There are also marinas and public piers all within motoring distance.
There is a Seatow outfit in Mayport that usually provides free area charts. If you contact them they might be able to help you out. I will call the city Marina for you and see if I can dig something up. Contact me via my email and I will answer any more questions. j b c a s a l e at g m a i l dot com. Glad you could make it. My admiral is in Atlanta right now doing her residency and she could not get the time off. She is going to be jealous to hear you are making the drive.

Victor,
No worries about this trip. It was thrown together last minute and for that I apologize. I do plan on another one next year though so keep an eye out. The shower mod looks great and thanks for the info on the "billy box."

John
Atlantic Beach, Fl
2000 , Honda 30hp

[markh1f]

Inquisitor,

Here is the link to the boat ramp John mentioned - http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreati ... Marina.htm

For charts take a look at http://earthnc.com/chartviewer/ and you can print these if you need.

Come on down, we would love to have another boat join us.

Mark

[Inquisitor]

Was just composing a note to John.

Have Sisters Creek Marina keyed into the driving GPS unit via I16/95 as John suggested. But haven't quite got a handle on the beach yet.

Directions to event by water: Fort George River & Inlet is at ICW Marker #73 green on the east side of the ICW north of the St Johns River. Turn into the Fort George River Inlet and hug the right or south side of the river pass the Kingsley Plantation dock at a slow speed. Continue east and visually navigate the two sand bars heading in a Northeast direction and we will be rafting up all of our guests on the back side of Little Talbot State Park. Please be careful through the sand bar areas since the inlet changes each year. Following another boater with the local experience is very important. When you come into the inlet and if you are rafting up with our group please prepare your boat by setting two fenders on each side of the vessel at the rub rails and have your lines ready to tie up to the companion boat. We will be monitoring VHF channel # 72.*** Bring a Stern Anchor if you have one!!

Haven't quite got this mapped out... don't have the NOAA charts would you happen to have a GPS position would you?

Also heeding the warning about following someone "with local experience" in... I may be pulling in about dark thirty. Should I just plan on meeting up with you all Saturday?

[markh1f]

Here is the general layout of the area, once you put in at Sisters Creek you are less than an hour from the meet up location.



Once you get into Ft George it is shallow in places but it is all sand and that is the beauty of having a Mac. Just take it slow and pull up the rudders and centerboard if you feel it starting to drag. I will try and post the satellite shot that will give you an idea were things are.

Mark