SJRR 2012

Ok - I pulled the "Yellow Banana" out of her winter hibernation and ran her for 30 minutes or so on Lake Nottley to ensure I didn't crack a manifold over the winter before pulling her all the way down to the River Run.

Here she sits in my driveway awaiting the trip to my second SJRR!!!   Leaving around noon on Thursday and should get in around 7pm - staying in the Eagles Nest with my wife and three boys.

Okay SJRR attendees...... Got a call from the boat dr as he and the Boat Nurse are already there. Went for 4 hr ride today in the Starflight and said the conditions down there are picture perfect. NON-ETHANOL gas on the water at either marina they went to is going for $5 a gallon. He had a long talk with a FLA GAME WARDEN and told him what was going on this week. Billy said that "Barney" was a super nice guy but did tell Billy that the natives had fits over all the loud boats last year and that some were running faster than idle speeds in the no wake zones. SLOW DOWN to not even a ripple or HE WILL WRITE YOU A CITATION at the low cost of $187.00 a pop. They also are going to keep a close on on the 100ft between vessels law unless you are overtaking another and you'd better keep off shore 100 ft also. Pay very close attention to speeds in the Manatee zones as well. 35mph at day 25 at night. "Barney" will be there Sat morning before the run to Hontoon to brief the skippers on all this but I wanted to give you the heads up for those on the water before then. Let's all have a great safe and ticket free SJRR. Watch out for "Barney" as he will be watching!

Here are a few teaser pics from the Boat Nurse!

Sitting at work watching the clock. Seven am can not get here soon enough, plane leaves at 11am.

Leaving at 9:00 AM tomorrow and will arrive tomorrow night.

Donald

We are pulling out at 5;45 in the am. burgers on the wat

Safe travels to all on the road today. Ya'll are going to have a great time. Enjoy the weekend and have fun. Looking forward to seeing all the great pics.

Salty, I know your three boys are going to have a blast (mon and dad too). Gators...no problem. All those V8s runnning around will keep them at bay.
Have a safe trip!

Hey Salty, Tell the boys not to worry, I am bringing my personal Physician, and "Croc Doc" whose very presence on the river strikes fear in all "widlife". Looking forward to meeting you all.

Have fun Y'all. I'll have the old girl up and running for next year.

WOW!! I wish I could have made it this year. Gang, have fun.

Almost there. Just pulled into Winn Dixie in Ocala to get provisions. While Nanc is gettin the goods I checked on the boat and just realized that my back seat canopy cover pulled the snap screws from the fiberglass and as it was flappin in the wind for the past several hours at 75 mph the spike end of the screws dug into my gell coat. Damn it to hell. The boat has made it 35 years with out a scratch and I just d*cked it up!

Anyone know who can match slightly yellowed white top deck in a gel coat repair?

Oh well. I'll get over it.   

Rob's on the way here from Clearwater Airport..talked to MoorFoot..called the dr..no ans..called Gary S..no ans. You guys must be having fun. Got the Captain out waiting for our house guest. One drink and then off to bed. Eddie coming at 5:30. He'll be early!. What a pair. Eddie-early...me-always late.
anyhow...
See ya all in the am for coffee.



john

Made it jbears last night just in time for a night cap, waiting for Eddie to show up in the morning to head to the River.....then snap, the alarm went off at 4:30 and I realized I was dreaming.

Oh well, You guys have a great weekend and make sure you get some pictures up for us homebound fans.   

Alan, I would LOVE to have one of those Riva Aquaramas. Of course if I had that kind of cash... oh well!
BTW those Aristrocraft boats are built at Billy Turner's place about five miles from where I live. Billy's wife Gail was past president of ACBS International. Grew up with gail as a kid. And keep in touch with her and Billy through my best freind John, Gail's cousin.

No not the Riva...scroll down to the "Finned Correct Craft"