Central FL Gathering Spring 2014

[Aswaff400]

so whats everyone's plan? its still a little early but weather for the weekend isnt looking so great... im still game for meeting up as long as it isnt raining all day

[daniel123]

If I could figure out a way to sleep aboard my 200 Osprey, I'd be tempted to join you guys on one of these boat camping events. I've considered everything from stringing a hammock between the bow rail and the helm handrail, to finding an inflatable insert of the right width and height to fill-in the space between the casting deck and the steering console to create a level space big enough to lay out a pad and allow a 200-pound six footer to stretch out. Overhead, I do have a portable cover sold by Taylor Made that attaches to the T-top and angles down to attach to the bow rail as a sun and rain shade. Although the sides are open under the rail to let the breeze in, that will also allow the bugs in, and I've spent enough time in SW FLA to know that can be an issue! I could probably just sling a mosquito net over the whole thing and stay bug free.

Anyway, I'm interested in hearing from other owners of 20 foot and under center consoles who have rigged them for boat camping to learn what they did. Any input from you guys is appreciated -- as is the invite for this weekend's Gathering.  

Thanks,

Dan

[Circle Hooked]

Because of what looks like a bad weekend weather wise and we have family's wanting to attend, to be on the safe side and make sure it's enjoyable were going to push the ABC gathering at Egmont back another week to the 10th for anyone interested, if you guys still have yours this weekend I'm sorry I'm going to miss it but have fun and be safe.

Daniel get a piece of plywood to span any gap in the bow (making one big deck or bed) tie a rope from the bow eye up to the console, drape a tarp over that, blow up and air mattress to shove in there and your good to go, as long as your not right next to an island the bug should leave you alone

[woody]

watching the weather..

[RickK]

Here is the Weatherunderground.com Marine forecast.  Looks like the worst of it'll be gone by the weekend:

Tampa Bay Waters-
Tonight
Southeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
Wednesday
South winds around 10 knots then becoming southwest around 15 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.
Wednesday Night
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
Thursday
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Isolated showers in the morning.
Thursday Night
Southwest winds around 10 knots then becoming south around 5 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers.
Friday
Southwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Showers likely.
Friday Night
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers.
Saturday
West winds around 10 knots then becoming northwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers.
Saturday Night
North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
Sunday
North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

I'll be watching it too Woody.  Bunces Pass is nice to hide in. A little wind will make it nice to camp.
Of course it could change in a flash.  It's only Tuesday.  Stay tuned.

[RickK]

Here is a capture of the pass and I've marked areas that can be protective depending on the wind.


Of course if it is a gale out there it ain't worth it but a nice 10-15 is a sweet breeze and needed to sleep well and keep the bugs off you.

[wingtime]

I think it is way too early... weather forecasts around here are only good for a day or so out... beyond that its a WAG.  The weekend of the 10th is mothers day weekend too.

[CH Jr]

Most recent weather update, don't know it will hold true though:

GMZ830-302130-
TAMPA BAY WATERS-
1015 AM EDT WED APR 30 2014

THIS AFTERNOON
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. BAY AND INLAND WATERS
A MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND AND
WAVES HIGHER NEAR THUNDERSTORMS.

TONIGHT
SOUTH WINDS AROUND 10 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHEAST AROUND
5 KNOTS AFTER MIDNIGHT. BAY AND INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EVENING.

THURSDAY
SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST AROUND
15 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. BAY AND INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.

THURSDAY NIGHT
SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTH
AROUND 10 KNOTS AFTER MIDNIGHT. BAY AND INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.

FRIDAY
SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 10 KNOTS. BAY AND INLAND WATERS A
LIGHT CHOP. NUMEROUS SHOWERS IN THE MORNING. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
SCATTERED SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.

FRIDAY NIGHT
NORTH WINDS AROUND 10 KNOTS BECOMING EAST AROUND
5 KNOTS AFTER MIDNIGHT. BAY AND INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE
OF SHOWERS.

SATURDAY
EAST WINDS AROUND 5 KNOTS BECOMING NORTHEAST IN THE
AFTERNOON. BAY AND INLAND WATERS SMOOTH. SHOWERS LIKELY.

SATURDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 10 KNOTS. BAY AND INLAND
WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

SUNDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 10 KNOTS. BAY AND INLAND WATERS A
LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

[Aswaff400]

my boss is cool with me taking next saturday off so ill wait till the last second and see how the weather looks for saturday... forecast for saturday is still all over the place...

[woody]

I'm still on go for now. Don't mind a bit of rain if it's not blowing stink out of the west. I'm staying tuned Rick.

[RickK]

Looks like it could be a soaker unfortunately - maybe it's time to look for another weekend  :cry:

Friday
South winds around 10 knots becoming southwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Friday Night
Southwest winds around 5 knots then becoming south 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Saturday
Variable winds around 10 knots then becoming north in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Saturday Night
North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated showers.
Sunday
North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

[woody]

I'm with ya on another weekend, Rick. What does everybody else think?

[RickK]

If something changes today I'm still game but it has to move through sometime.

[RickK]

I talked to my buddy Dave and we're still a go and will know for sure in the morning - a little rain ain't gonna scare us off.
The full canvas and eisenglass will be up and music and drinks will be plenty.

Woody, the invite to climb into the back of my boat is still open.

[Circle Hooked]

Rick you and Dave are diehards   please say Hi to Dave for me, I haven't seen him in awhile