posted 04-29-2005 10:04 AM ET (US)            

Question...in years' past some goers stayed on the mainland and not on Kellys Island. How many plan on staying in Marblehead, OH for instance?

posted 05-01-2005 08:11 PM ET (US)         

I can take care of your transportation if you fly up.

posted 05-23-2005 07:40 AM ET (US)            

Carolyn and I will be attending...will mail registration form this morning. Looking forward to seeing everyone! BTW, Jim and Sarah will also be attending.

posted 08-11-2005 09:02 AM ET (US)            

Pat

posted 08-11-2005 11:08 AM ET (US)            

If you don't want to make the run to Kelleys from the Lake Erie Metro Park, due to weather, etc., Mazurik ramp in Lakeside/Marblehead, OH is highly recommended. This is usually where we put in and is 4 miles from Kelleys. This is a fairly new state-owned ramp with excellent facilities and plenty of overnight parking.

I was planning on sending driving directions to Kingfish, but may just post them here for anyone else interested.

We will be staying on the boat.

posted 08-11-2005 12:53 PM ET (US)            

According to my GPS, it's about 42 miles from Gibralter to the ferry dock (right next to Seaway Marina) at Kelleys - as the crow flies. Mapquest gives the driving distance from Gibralter to Lakeside/Marblehead as 86 miles.

That being said, I think I would rather drive to the Mazurik ramp rather than take a chance by boat from Gibralter. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes (averaging 20 ft.) and can kick up in a heartbeat. While you may have no trouble getting to Kelleys, I would be concerned about the return trip especially in a Montauk.

BTW, I just spoke with Seaway Marina and it is not necessary to call them about slip reservations - everyone registered for the rendezvous has slip reservations. Slip fees are $1.60/foot per night.

posted 08-11-2005 11:08 PM ET (US)            

Kingfish,
Does that sound OK to you ?

posted 08-12-2005 08:13 AM ET (US)            

This weekend is also Homecoming. Pretty much fun in the small downtown area. Don't know if we are coming over or not, if we do it we do it will be in our Chris Craft will small whaler in tow. Have fun and be carefull. IMHO take the ferry and enjoy the ride across.

Oh, BTW for those of you trailering from the MI area, I-280 is posted as being closed. However, you may take it to a small detour and be right back on it in a few minutes. Just follow the detour signs to Front Street take the South Front Street exit. If you can immediately get into the left hand lane you can merge right back onto the entrance ramp heading to I-280 Cleveland. If not, then just go down to the Sunoco station and make a U-turn. This will save you a bunch of time as most of the traffic assumes the by pass is closed and traffic will be light in comparison. Also, if you would like a nice drive get off I 280 at SR 2 (Oregon) and take 2 across to SR 269 (Marblehead-Erie Islands), distance of say 40 miles.

posted 08-12-2005 10:06 AM ET (US)            

Sounds fine by me.

Steve, Jim and Terry, thanks for the heads-up(s).

posted 08-16-2005 09:24 PM ET (US)            

I am unable to bring either one of my boats so I plan to take the ferry to Kelley’s Island to join the festivities and try and hitch a ride or two to get some “whalering” time.

Like Kingfish I appreciate the heads up on avoiding the construction delays in Toledo, thanks Steve, Jim and Terry.

posted 08-17-2005 07:22 AM ET (US)         

We can help you out with transportation. No need to take the ferry boat unless you want your vehicle on the island.

posted 08-17-2005 09:18 PM ET (US)            

Thanks for the kind offer. I'll see you there.

Jim,

Thanks for the offer to help with transportation. However, I think I will stick with my plan for the ferry. My schedule is such that I can't predict when I will be arriving so by using the ferry simplifies my logistics.

posted 08-18-2005 08:45 AM ET (US)            

[u]Seaway Marina[/u]
N 41°35.403'
W 82°42.308'

[u]Mazurik Ramp[/u]
N 41°32.609'
W 82°45.950'

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

P.S. Don't forget the raingear!

posted 08-18-2005 08:51 AM ET (US)            

Here are some GPS coordinates for those interested:
Seaway Marina
N 41°35.403'
W 82°42.308'

Mazurik Ramp
N 41°32.609'
W 82°45.950'

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

P.S. Don't forget the raingear!

posted 08-18-2005 09:08 AM ET (US)            

Wish I could tow with the shelter up; looks like I'll be putting the shelter up at the ramp over a wet boat...:-(

posted 08-18-2005 09:15 AM ET (US)            

OPEN LAKE FORECAST FOR LAKE ERIE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
339 AM EDT THU AUG 18 2005

LAKE ERIE FORECAST BEYOND FIVE NAUTICAL MILES FROM SHORE

.SYNOPSIS...A WARM FRONT ACROSS CENTRAL OHIO WILL MOVE NORTH AND CROSS LAKE ERIE THURSDAY NIGHT. A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS LAKE ERIE ON LATE SATURDAY THEN HIGH PRESSURE 30.20 INCHES OVER THE PLAINS WILL SPREAD EAST INTO LAKE ERIE MONDAY.

WEST HALF

.THURSDAY...EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON. WAVES 1 TO 3 FEET.

.THURSDAY NIGHT...EAST WINDS 5 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTH. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY. WAVES 1 TO 3 FEET.

.FRIDAY...SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST. CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. WAVES 1 TO 3 FEET.

.FRIDAY NIGHT...SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. WAVES 1 TO 2 FEET.

.SATURDAY...SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 KNOTS BECOMING WEST LATE. CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING...THEN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY IN THE AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY NIGHT. WAVES 1 TO 3 FEET.

.SUNDAY...NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 KNOTS DIMINISHING TO 5 TO 15 KNOTS. WAVES 2 TO 4 FEET.

posted 08-19-2005 07:35 AM ET (US)            

TODAY...SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 20 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST AND INCREASING TO 15 TO 25 KNOTS. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH MID MORNING...THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY. WAVES 2 TO 4 FEET BUILDING TO 3 TO 5 FEET.

TONIGHT...SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 KNOTS BECOMING WEST AND
DIMINISHING TO 10 TO 20 KNOTS. WAVES 2 TO 4 FEET.

SATURDAY...SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15 KNOTS INCREASING TO 10 TO 20 KNOTS. CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING...THEN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY IN THE AFTERNOON. WAVES 2 TO 4 FEET.

posted 08-19-2005 09:42 AM ET (US)            

Invite your wife...Cross in the 17, then test drive the 320 :-)

"For safety, honey!"

Have fun guys - and be safe. Best make your dentist appointment now for next week. Tell him to have plenty of cement prepared to fix your fillings....

I'm just glad that the Isle Royale rendezvous is NEXT week. Hopefully the air will settle down a bit and the lake will lay down.

posted 08-21-2005 09:40 PM ET (US)            

The registration was smaller than I expected...Where were you "local" guys? Moe, I thought you were coming, and was looking forward to meetng you! The good news for those of us who did go, (and who had a great time to a person, so far as I was able to determine), was that there was more stuff to divvie up betwen less attendees. I went home loaded with loot!

The hospitality was superb, and I finally got behind the wheel of a Verado - and I can only say, Wow!

Boston Whaler had a big presence there, along with John Ward, the preasident of Boston Whaler, the heads (I think I have that right) of design and of engineering was there, and they both spent a lot of time one-on one with us, really probing for deep insight from us, and sharing a wealth of knowledge about current and future Whaler directions. Van________ ( I must have the worst memory on the planet for names), who is the engineering guy, rode with me on Outré Saturday morning, and I saw that Doug, the design guy was riding with someone else in their boat, Later on, Doug took a number of recorded interviews with quite a handful of us. These guys truly do want to know what is in the minds of Whaler owners, and whether they are heading in the right direction or not. I couldn't have been more impressed.

Thanks again Jimb, Clemons Boats, Whaler, Gary Finger (sic?) from the Pumphouse, Jim Biro, for the hospitality and ice in the mornings, and everybody else involved, for a terrific weekend (and Jim, I'll put that battery to good use).

Looking forward to next year-

posted 08-22-2005 08:25 AM ET (US)            

The food was excellent, thanks to Gary at the Village Pump and what can I say about the Lakeside Fire Dept? Jim Birro and crew were there aboard Dive 1 to offer any possible assistance and fresh ice each morning!

It was nice to see John Ward again and meet Van and Doug from the factory. Boston Whaler is clearly interested in feedback from present owners and their participation in these events is most gratifying.

As Jimb mentioned, the weather was much better than expected. The "little squall" occured when a group of us were making the run to Kelleys from Sandusky Bay Saturday afternoon. When the squall hit I actually thought the canvas was going to be ripped off the boat, but it didn't last long, and we all survived without incident!

Thanks again to the crew at Clemons Boats. I too look forward to next year's rendezvous.

Steve

posted 08-22-2005 12:50 PM ET (US)            

We learned a whole lot and will put all of the info to good use for any upcoming events.

Thanks for all the kind words!!!

posted 08-23-2005 10:55 AM ET (US)            

Here's a link to some photos of the rendezvous:

http://tinyurl.com/7qewr

posted 08-23-2005 09:06 PM ET (US)            

It looks like we missed a good one, but I hope you explained to the Clemons crew that 3 - 4 of the boats that should have there were preping for the Buckalew Expedition [ Isle Royale ].

The west end of our lake is shallow, waves can build and die fast, but the whalers can take it.

Steve, I see you had the black welcome mats out for the rafters. That Kelley Island gravel is fiberglass freindly or so they say.

Jerry

posted 08-24-2005 09:02 AM ET (US)            

Sorry you missed a great rendezvous. Yes, the black welcome mats were out as well as towels on the gunnels, but the only rafter was Dive 1!

Hope you guys have a safe trip on the "Expedition".

posted 08-25-2005 01:05 PM ET (US)            

Pat,
Thanks for covering for us. Getting the boat and myself ready for Isle Royale has taken up most of the spare time.

Hope to see everyone again soon.