Rendezvous in North Carolina or South Carolina or Orange Beach, Alabama

[glen1941]

Q1: who is interested in a June, July, or August 2025 rendezvous in North Carolina or South Carolina or Orange Beach, Alabama?

I used to owned an 1988 OUTRAGE 18 and attended several Whaler gatherings—they were fun. I live in upstate South Carolina.

[Phil T]

I am interested in doing another Lake Norman (NC) gathering.

We organized one in 23 and it was great.

Drop me an email.

[Jefecinco]

Unfortunately we've sold our last Boston Whaler and are boatless. There are a lot of BW owners in and around Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Add Pensacola and Mobile and it could be quite a crowd. If our island is chosen I'll post the locale to our Gulf Coast discussion group on THT.

[glen1941]

Although Lake Norman would be a great choice, my vote would be Orange Beach. It has been too long since Tacky Jack's, Cosmos', and the FloraBama. Zooming around the ICW is great, the sand bar at Robinson island is fun. I would like to begin settling down on this, maybe choose Orange Beach with a tentative time after the Summer is over, maybe Sept or Oct. The crowds will have left and the weather will be great. Let's have ideas please.

[Jefecinco]

What we call a shoulder season, which is the Spring and Fall when our Snowbirds, Spring Breakers, and Summer Visitors have left, are the best times here. There are condos that have on-site trailer parking and the prices are far less than during the tourist seasons. We even have a Whaler Hotel although it's a bit older and smaller than many. Restaurants are uncrowded and reservation are no longer needed. For those with motorhomes the State Park will have plenty of full hookup spaces available.

[fno]

Is there a hotel/motel on the water with slips available and perhaps a bar (or nearby bar)? Just asking because I am not an RV guy and would like to have the boat nearby for instant use. It is a Whaler weekend after all.

[Jefecinco]

I don't believe so although I may be wrong. There are condominiums on Terry Cove with short term rentals next to a marina which may have some transient slips available. There are few actual hotels on the island. Due to your interest I will post your question on THT's Gulf Coast Forum. I am certain there are condos with slips on Old River across from Ono Island. Many condos are privately owned but the managers will share owner's contact information.

[glen1941]

Hello all,
Guess one of the posters lives on Ono Island and knows the area well. Some years ago, I had an '88 Outrage 18 and visited Orange Beach often with it. I am going to go down in September or October and I hope to see a lot of Whaler people there. I plan to stay in a small motel in Foley, where I will keep the Montauk on a trailer, and will launch everyday at the large very nice public boat ramp in Orange Beach adjacent to Robinson island. For those who are not familiar with the area, there are MANY drive up bars and eaterys. Just google Florabama Yacht Club and look at the satellite photo, also Tacky Jack's. All kinds of cruises are possible: around Ono, East out to the Big Lagoon, West into Mobile Bay and up to Magnolia [where there was an earlier Whaler gathering]. Jimmy Buffett's sister has a place in Gulf Shores on the ICW called Lulu's, but it is not driveup. My guess is that finding a condo with an available slip is a long shot at best. I cannot get on THT, not sure they are still a site, but if those who can get on THT or Classic Whaler can get the word out, that would be great. Humans are great about sitting around waiting for someone else to do something. Riverside Outboards plans to finish with my boat in early June. Sometime in late July, I might be ready for it to be seen. At that time, I will get serious about organizing a gathering in Orange Beach. People will make plans when they see a firm date and some structure.
All the best, Glen

[Jefecinco]

I just learned from THT that Caribe Resort in Orange Beach usually has rentals available that can include a wet slip. I have not been there but friends who have told me it is very child friendly. I've eaten at a nearby restaurant, Cobalt, and it is among my favorites.

[glen1941]

I would not want to leave my boat in a slip in a strange place with a LOT boat traffic. My boat will either be in the water with me, or close by, or on the trailer with a chain around the axle and a lock on the coupler.

[Jefecinco]

The slips at Caribe are very safe and secure. I would not hesitate to use their slips for a few days including overnight use. One of the reasons the slips are secure is that a lot of traffic moves past. Google Earth can provide a a good satellite view.

[glen1941]

Sort of familiar with the Caribe, just inside on the East side of the bridge. Different opinion on the safety of leaving a boat there overnight, but not to continue this business. If having a wet slip convenient to the happenings in Orange Beach will get some more Whalers there, great. Riverside Outboards is saying pickup date for the Montauk is approx 10Jun25, so it will be all ahead flank for awhile after I get back from NH. If an overnight slip is important, I believe there might be some available in Cotton Bayou, West past Zeke's and Tacky Jack's.

[Jefecinco]

If this event becomes reality in Orange Beach the sponsor should contact the Gulf Shores MarineMax or it's parent store in Pensacola. Perhaps they will provide some small sponsorship prizes.

[glen1941]

Hello,
Good idea on contacting MarineMax. I am going to gain some much needed advice from fno, who has organized these gatherings before. When I am ready to get serious about this, I will contact, among others, the Classic Whalers Group on FB. I don't understand THT and can't get on it. If someone can raise awareness with the Gulf Coast THT and other Whaler groups beginning now, that would be great. Perhaps only to say that there will be an event in Sept and more to follow.

[Jefecinco]

Call it done. BTW, a good link is http://www.thehulltruth.com.