FYI--toys for tots run St. Johns River
 

Just trying to spread the word..

The 2006 Toys For Tots Tour
It is again time to get out that boat to do some good things. This year the 2006 Toys for Tots tour will take place on December 2nd. This unique event is the worlds only boating Toys for Tots Tour. It is tremendous fun and puts some nice gifts in the hands of some deserving children. .
This year’s event takes place in Palatka Fl; the event will be based at the Quality Inn [call 386 328 3481 for room reservations]. Saturday morning Dec 2nd at 10:30 am there will be a briefing in the lobby of the Quality inn for all boat captains please be present. Put a new unwrapped toy in your boat and have your boat in the water and running previous to 1:00. At 1:00 exactly a signal will be given indicating the time, and at that time participant will be free to start on the tour. This Fun Toy filled flotilla will go South on the St Johns River then into Dunn’s Creek to Crescent Lake then South to Three Bananas restaurant. There you will be received by some sensational smiling faces that will collect your gifts and impart festive greeting to you and your crew. This event will be officiated by the U.S. Marines, as this is an official U.S. Marine Toys for Tots event. After the tour very one is then invited to return in the evening to the Quality Inn to enjoy a great meal at POPI`S Seafood grille and Party at LAVA lounge. You are really great people, and you really deserve a great Party!! We would like to extend this invitation to you and all you know to enjoy this sensational event. For more information or suggestions please contact Rus Matos 5327 Goddard Ave Orl. Fla. 32810 E-mail raceboatrus@aol.com or call 407-760 3481. Please note that this is not a race or a mad speed dash. There are no set speed limits on these waterways and all participants should use the utmost care to assure that this event is safe for all concerned. Your participation in this event of your own free will and therefore your own responsibility. The responsibility for your action or miss action are solely your own. All associated with this event encourage all participants to operate their boat in a safe and lawful manner. Best wishes; please be safe.


Who ….. The US Marines Rus Matos welcome all boaters
What…. The US Marines Rus Matos and his crew will be putting on this most unique boating event. The 2006 Boating Toys for Tots Tour. Come on the tour and bring an unwrapped toy to enchant the heart of a deserving child.
Where…. This event will start in Palatka at The Quality Inn [201 N. 1st street Palatka Fl 32177] and go south on the St Johns River to Dunn Creek and into Crescent Lake [the home of the world kilo record trials] to The City Dock near Three Bananas Restaurant. There the US Marines will be at the ready to collect your toys and gifts and impart holiday greetings to you and your crew.
When…. The Boating Toys For Tots Tour is on Dec 2nd the actual tour starts exactly at 1:00 mid day but previous to the tour there will be a drivers meeting in the Quality Inn lobby at 10:30 AM.
How…. How can we make this Boating Toys For Tots Tour a success is by getting together your friends and family on your boat on Dec 2nd to come on the tour and share your generosity.
Why…. Because boater are some of the best people there is and this is only one of the many ways we can show this. Why not? What else can be better than bringing joy to a child with your gifts?

cant wait going to be a blast!

Ran it this past weekend nice run the the creek gets tight in a few areas.

:booze1:

Yeah we ran it too. What kind of boat were you in? I was in a 25 baja outlaw.

tft run
 

you guys who just ran dunn's creek please speak up about safety on the creek. it would be bad to see the state turn D.C. into slow speed or idle zone, no fun at all. i can't go but if i was there i would speak up we don't want to lose a great place like D.C. thanks signal:20

signal what speed do you thank is safe through the creek i have never been there also how wide is it

tft run
 

mike creek is narrow and winds around alot boat size and steped hulls will make a big differance in (safe speed) no side by side racing should be done. i have a 30' velocity 1981 with twin 250 evinrude t-tec's i feel safe at 60 mph but not in the tight spots. and not with a swarm of other boats. take time and injoy the view. signal:20

It's a beautiful ride, but I've already decided that we won't make the run because of the twists in that creek. The creek is probably about 35 yards wide most of the way. I just don't see anyway to make it safe with that many boats running at speed in there. A buddy of mine lives right up there, and he told me one time he had to idle all the way up the creek due to mechanical trouble, and it took him an hour and a half. I'm guessing it's about eight miles or so up the creek.

Here's a picture of how wide the creek is. This is one of the longest straight shots in the creek.

tft run
 

:swat cudajoe i am with you. lets not forget the pt boats and fishermen on the creek most live around there. piss them off and the ball to stop this type of thing WILL start to roll. signal:20

my parents owend a house on dunns creek for 20 years.. i have spent many hours on it running 70+ in bass boats... its very deep except 1 sand bar half way down and is clearly marked with plants and grass.....from the mouth of the river to cresent lake is 9 miles... if ever body runs single file 45 to 50 mph i do not see how it could be a problem...

you two are gay:D

I touched bottom three times going down the creek. I was idling all three times.

Jax Outlaw, how fast do you think we were averaging in the creek? I'm guessing 40 to 45, and I still wondered what would happen if we met another boat coming the opposite direction. That was just four of us running together.

tft run
 

nortech i think 45-50mph is ok. good space between boats a must. sometimes peoples boats break-down and you don't want to run up someones $$$. then again some peoples boats don't START. LOL. just don't want to loose dunn's creek. save the WFO for the lake. with more chop and wind =better speed. signal:20

We've done poker runs before where an LEO led us through crowded areas. I wonder if something like that could be worked out.

You can't see the LEO in these pictures, but he was right in front of the pace boat that's carrying the flag. That's his wake they are running in.

where?? i have been up and down that thing hundred's of times never hit anythng but a manatee once... granted its been 8 years since i have been on DC but how much could it change?

shut up Pole Smoker

Yeah i would say 40 is about right. A lady in a hotbot came from the opposite direction. We didn't have a problem. I'm sure it was ruff on her hemroids in that small boat. It would of sucked if it was on a couple of those 180 deg. turns. I'm still going. I'm not worried about it.

The first time was right at the first series of "S" curves we were on. We had slowed down, I was on the inside of a corner. I figured after that, I'd stay on the outside of the corners, but on the way back, I was right in the middle of the creek, not far from where that tree is down in the middle coming back towards the river. I bumped bottom twice there.

jaxoutlaw
 

nice talk jacoffalot

So if I afended you.

Anyone know about how many boats run this event?

I'd say between 50 and 70 the last two years.

we got our rooms so we are leaving early Friday hope to get down in time to do some boat riding that afternoon

i think that is where the sand bar is you do have to watch it there... if it is the same area im thinking of...

Who all is going?

i am.....white power!

i'm in if the rain is out.

Who else????? i need to know if i need to bring my "window the block" pullies...this will be the last time out for these motors!!!!

I'll bring my tow rope.:ev1l danc :1bounce

A little birdy told me you might need them:ev1l danc :ev1l danc if you plan on being at the front of the pack that is.:big smile

Better to have them and not need them, then need them and not have them.

Dont blow my future motos I will pay you now for them while there worth something.

o no!!!! i might have to put the 35's on the boat with the 16 lbs pullies... 1.50 ratio+17.5 by 35 4 blade mercs at 6300 rpms with 15% slip.....whats that equal??
and tell that little birdy i have #6 birdshot:biggun2

If they were 18X35's you might be OK, I have the left hand spare from the fountain but you might need to make 18lbs to turn it.:slaps :D

You motorboatin sob.:big smile

just like you to bring a pea shooter to a gun fight:boomSmili :boomSmili

what is the weather looking like for sat.

High 70's wed thur friday then mid 60's sat with possible rain.....lets hope this changes

that will suck