3rd Annual Glastron Classic 2010

[ChfBrianB]

Just and FYI everyone...  It looks like there is going to be a small chance of rain on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.  Sunday appears to be the best chance for scattered thunderstorms.  With that in mind, I would suggest that we all look at bringing a bit of extra rain protection.  Tarps, rain gear, etc.  It might be nice to tie a tarp over your tent both for shade and rain protection...

Looks like Saturday is supposed to be mild and sunny.

[ChfBrianB]

Day Trippers -
For those of you making a day trip to the campground...  Please consider making a small donation ($5-10$) to the campground.  Our hosts have expressed some concern about the number of (non-paying) guests and issues like parking, etc. on saturday.  In an effort to ease their concerns surrounding the large group that we are going to have, I would like to offer them a small token of our gratitude for their hospitality by offering a donation.

Thanks!

[Rosscoe]

I hope they are wrong about the weather. Nothing like camping in a wet tent and sleeping bag! Geez, the boats will get water spotted as well.
I dont really have an rain gear. I dont hunt or fish. Maybe better pick up a rain parka or something.
Tarp, rope, extra stakes. Fleet Farm here I come.

[ChfBrianB]

It's only about 30% chance on Friday.  Sat and Sunday are looking better and better.  Don't worry too much.

[74 Carlson]

Extra extra wax so the rain falls right off!!!!

[Hyperacme]

I like the way you think Steve !

[OleRed]

I do hope it don't rain, but if it does, it does, our tent is suposed to be water proof, and I have a cover for the boat, and a cover on my truck bed, I don't figure a little rain will cancel our plans. Just because my boat has a hard top don't mean that sucker don't get wet inside, and I hate to see the little ponds form in the button tufts, it seeps right into the foam, it takes half a day to remove the foam to dry it out, and another half a day to put the foam back in and re-tie all the buttons.

I got a couple questions ...

Didn't I see posted somewhere that we will be taking a trip down the river to someplace ?  If so, I'm wondering how far it is, at cruise speed I assume ?

Secondly, is the moonlite cruise friday night, are the slips lighted, I have a hand held spot light,  is that sufficient ?

Lastly .. are covered slips available, I'd pay a little more if there are, I can't tie the boats cover down when it's in the water, and I don't want to leave it out in the rain with-out the cover on it.

[Hotwired]

The boat ramp is literally right at the end of the slips.  You may want to just trailer it in the evening.  There were not covered slips as I recall.  No camper enclosure OleRed? That may be a nice addition to you boat if you do not have it.

[OleRed]

The boat ramp is literally right at the end of the slips.  You may want to just trailer it in the evening.  There were not covered slips as I recall.  No camper enclosure OleRed? That may be a nice addition to you boat if you do not have it.

I don't have the camper enclosure, I do kinda like those,  I just don't like all the snaps  it takes to add one, I do have the original brown with a back window, it has a roped hem that would tighten up good but the cover itself is not in very good condition ... hmmm,  I guess I could replace the elastic in the new cover with a rope, that would secure it, we'll see about that.

[badgercarlson]

The river trip is from Red Wing to Hok Si La Park at Lake City.  It's about 20 miles each way.  Schedule of events is at the main website www.cgoamn.com   Click on Annual Meet, then Event Schedule

[ChfBrianB]

Hey Red...  Trip to Lake City is about 20 miles one way.  Fuel is available at Lake City.  No covered slips are available, and the peir is lighted, but not much more than that.

[Tonka Jim]

Didn't I see posted somewhere that we will be taking a trip down the river to someplace ?  If so, I'm wondering how far it is, at cruise speed I assume ?

Is the moonlite cruise friday night, are the slips lighted, I have a hand held spot light,  is that sufficient ?

Cruise speed for some / WOT for others  
When the boaters that have to travel at WOT get too far ahead, they circle around and WOT to the rear.

For the moonlite cruise, some spotlights in group, we do not get that far from camp.
Red/Green bow light & white stern light required after dusk.


Jim  

[OleRed]

Thanks .. I looked at the event schedule, I knew I seen it somewhere but I couldn't remember where,  sounds like a Great Time, I like cruise trips, my ideal cruise is 42mph @ 3000rpm,  thats at the top of the primaries, and affordable.  Oh ... I like WOT too, but I don't really run it flat out but short periods at a time,  I don't have a drive shower but I plan on installing one sometime

[ChfBrianB]

my ideal cruise is 42mph @ 3000rpm,  thats at the top of the primaries, and affordable. 

Red,
The past two years, we have made a similar run.  We try to leave as a group and have Mike Bartosh lead the pack in his CV-27.  There are a few no-wake zones as you head south out of red wing, and we don't need anyone getting a ticket on the water.  He has a bright Yellow and Gold 27, so he's easy to follow.  Not to mention with his twin 350's there aren't many of us that can out run him.  I ask him to run between 30 and 35 mph so that the guys with the big motors can run them a little, but the smaller boats can keep him in sight.

We usually stop about half way down (8-9 miles) to re-group.  It's pretty cool to see a floating group of 40 some boats all together.  Once we are all back together, we proceed south to the Hok-Si-La public beach.  If you look at a map, it is the small peninsula that juts out just north of lake city.  They have a sand beach with a good drop off that can accomodate all of our boats.  We try to push the others out of the way nicely!

We often try to head back around the same time, but the trip home is more likely to be small groups of boats that want to run together.  When we get back, it's time for dinner and a campfire.  All very fun!

[OleRed]

I've seen the pic's of Mikes CV-27,  thats a Beauty,  I'll probably just hang with him, if I'd found one of those before I got a Scimitar I may not even have a Scimitar, those are Great boats.  When I got the Scarab,  the Fox said I got to keep it, she said the same when I got the Scimitar. anything that don't blow her hair is apealing to her, but she was just looking at the cabin in the Scarab,  I don't think she realized that when we are under way she would be in the wind, well, she'd probably be in the cabin anyway, try'n to Read.

When George and I went down the Arkansas river, we both got an education on fuel consumption, my boat used 6 1/2 gallons an hour on plane, 25 / 28 mph, against then current,  44 miles,  going down the river ... 10 / 12 mph, I used almosty twice the gas.  I have Never been concerened about the gas consumption of my boat untill I retired,  but now it has been a realization of how much I have spent on gas for this sucker ... wow she don't know all that.

 

[Laine73GT160]

It may be a good ideal for a few members to carry an extra tank?

I can make the run on my new 12 gallon tank.  I will bring my old 6 gallon and my old 3 gallon reserve.

I love all the boats, big or small and if I remember right, the rule is never leave any one behind.
I think last year someone did run out of gas and a club member made the trip to the marina to get him gas or towed him.  The reason I remember is I had an extra/reserve on my boat but left the Lake Pepin beach early and felt bad, I could have helped.  Although my 3 gallon reserve may not have brought the fellow boater home.

Cursing speed and boating with friends is fun but come on lets step up and all carry an extra gas can.  I want to see those boaters, unfamiliar with the trip, big boat and small at WOT for fun with no worries!!!

Just to stop any one from asking.  ?No I will not fill your gas tanks on you twin engine big block supercharged boat for free?.

But I do want boaters new to the area to feel welcome and have fun with no worries.  You all welcomed and helped me my first time out with the club last year.
 
My battery died last year and a member towed me back to the marina.  And another member charged my battery over night so we could boat the next day.

New people ask questions, come prepared, but know this club has good people that will help.

[ChfBrianB]

It may be a good ideal for a few members to carry an extra tank?

I can make the run on my new 12 gallon tank.  I will bring my old 6 gallon and my old 3 gallon reserve.

I love all the boats, big or small and if I remember right, the rule is never leave any one behind.
I think last year someone did run out of gas and a club member made the trip to the marina to get him gas or towed him.  

New people ask questions, come prepared, but know this club has good people that will help.

Laine,
I LOVE your thoughts and thank you for mentioning our values as a club.  I will say it again...

NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND!
What does this mean?  It means that no matter what, no club member will leave another club member in distress.  All of you will have my cell phone number, and the numbers of other prominent members of the group.  This year we will be assigning members with the tasks of keeping an eye on the rear of teh group as we head down river or up river.  Of course, I am not anyones babysitter, so you have the complete right to do as you wish when and where you choose.  My point is that if you are making an attempt to be a part of the group, you will not be left behind regardless of boat, motor, size, or speed.

Last year we did have a few circumstances where boats were unable to continue functioning.  I understand that it is a disappointing circumstance to have a boat stop working 5 miles from the nearest marina.  However, it is vastly more frustrating to see the group of boaters disappearing into the distance knowing that no-one is aware of your distress.

So, as I stated beforem "No One will be left behind".  Please be very aware of those around you.  If you know that there are club members behind you, please pay attention to them.  If you are leading a group of boaters please consider the speed at which you are traveling, and if you might be leaving them behind.

Lake Pepin is a large body of water and there are channel markers.  I want everyone to have as much fun as possible, but remember that if you are new to this body of water, please allow other more seasoned members to lead the way.

This year we will be having a breifing on Saturday morning prior to the departure from the marina.  Please make sure that you are present for this meeting. The schedule of events will be posted and updated when you arrive at the campground.  

Remember, a successful meet is one where we all are happy and healthy at the end of the event.  Let's focus on the fun and excitment of the event, but never forget that we are a club that prides itself on how we treat others.

Thanks to all of you for the great comments and Happy Boating!

[CVX Fever]

Concerning gas, there is fuel minutes up river from the camp area in Red Wing, Bill's Bay marina, a little ways south of Red Wing, and in the marina in Lake City on Lake Pepin just south of where we'll stop and pull the boats up.

Probably a good idea for everyone to do the buddy system. If you lose power on the river things can get hairy rather quickly if your in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Chris K. advised people about bringing a good anchor along that can hold your boat in the current, I have to concur. Whatever you do don't set it while your still in the navigation channel(the area between the red & green buoys).
 

[ChfBrianB]

The revised schedule of events is up on the website...  Please review it now!

http://www.cgoamn.com/75.html

[badgercarlson]

Another place for gas at Lake City is Hansen's Harbor.  Located about a mile or two north of Hok Si La park on the west shore of Lake Pepin.  Look for the tall cell tower.  Entrance to Hansen's is marked by red and green buoys.  There is also a small lighthouse (non functioning) at the entrance.