Posted: 11/20/2008 at 2:59pm | IP Logged

Reading back in the forum for the last couple of weeks, there are some interesting & very entertaining people in this group, has anyone ever suggested a toon gathering or a lake coup. This could be a Hoot!

Posted: 11/20/2008 at 3:37pm | IP Logged

Ahoy bboater, 

It's tuff but do-able, The trick is finding a central place that has accommadations for those who are within a decent traveling distance either by trailer or water can meet. Still trying to convince Jim to do a Pontoonstuff EXPO and BBQ in Indiana....Now that would be a HOOT ........................Mike

Posted: 11/23/2008 at 12:40pm | IP Logged

That might be worth towing from West Texas.   Sounds like a lot of fun.  We have made lots of life-long friends by going to a mountain rally for VW Touaregs the last few years.

Rick

Posted: 11/24/2008 at 5:13pm | IP Logged

We got a good group up here in the north east New York, New Jersey, Conneticut, and Pennsylvania. .....Probably show some of you country folk how to do some stripper, Fluke, flounder or bluefish fishing in some of the bays and inlets here, LI Sound of NY and Conn and Hudson River NY to Barneget Bay NJ..... 

Happy Pontooning.....................................Mike

Posted: 11/24/2008 at 6:01pm | IP Logged

AHOY Charles, NY style Stripper fishing, Big Water

Posted: 11/29/2008 at 5:08pm | IP Logged

Wife and I just went to Hales Bar Marina in Guild, TN www.halesbarmarina.com to check them out. They have floating cabins (wife and I were intrigued with those) which are handicapped accessible as well as land cabins (too steep even for me just by looking at the brochure, but didn't actually see them). I did see their rental pontoons including a double decker unit. Now its good if my wife says its kinda neat (because she could actually get to it and see for herself. The one bedroom unit we looked at had a full size bed (although queen would have been nice as we're not little people ). It's fully furnished (no dishwasher, as you're it), does have a small fridge, microwave, 2 burner stove, central heat/air along with a fake fireplace (looked nice though and you can crank up the heat on it to warm up the front). The living room opens to the outside small deck area, each side had a storage bin or use it as a little table. Fish right from there if you want. I didn't check out the floating restaurant but the people were very friendly in the ship store (unlike some places I've been to) and I have to say this is the first time in TN I actually found a place that had decent handicap access. 

Addon: I talked to Jennifer Heddleson who's the marina manager and she said she'll wave the $15 transient tie up fee (if you're bringing your boat). The launch area is about a 1/4 mile from the marina and you can't tie up to the floating cabins (but close enough). If you have anyone in a wheelchair, they will arrange to transport them via a pontoon boat to the floating cabin. If you call well in advance, they can make arrangements to use the larger floating cabins (more space) for those in wheelchairs. She'll also give us a group discount (not sure how much it would be, but I'd imagine it would depend on how many are coming). Local restaurants - I saw one 1/4 to 1/2 mile down the road in Guild, TN, you could also go north on I-24 to the next exit (9 miles to Kimball/South Pittsburg, TN) where's there are several fast food places and other places to eat, also a WalMart there. Going south you'll eventually run into places or go into Chattanooga, TN itself (13 miles or so). If you're looking for additional fun for the family - I HIGHLY recommend the http://www.tnaqua.org/ Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. It's been a few years since the wife and I went (would have been more fun with kids, nieces or nephews). The view around Nickajack Lake is great. They are also having 4th Annual Christmas Boat Parade Dec 6th starting at dark, and the 2nd Chili cookoff begins at 2pm that same day. 

Wife and I are planning for a return trip and to stay a weekend there on the floating cabin. Hoping to take the boat, but that depends if I get it all done and how well I recover from the elbow and wrist surgery (Dec 19th). The rates go up April 1st, so if any of you guys in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, or anywhere nearby want to try and plan March 27th & 28th, let me know as I know some of you probably need plenty of time to plan. Oh and they rent Starcraft Pontoons, the double decker pontoon I didn't see who made it (has I think a 115hp on it), the prices for rentals was very good for a full day ($199). I think I saw like 4 rental pontoons there. So look at their web site and tell me what else you want me to check out when we go for a weekend there. Oh and no smoking in the cabins (the floating ones for sure as theres gas nearby)

Posted: 12/04/2008 at 8:23pm | IP Logged

Lake Ouachita is listed as #3 in cleanest lakes in US. I have dove there a couple of times and it is clear. Ouachita, Hamilton and Catherine are all adjacent to Hot Springs. I think Ouachita is the biggest and has all the islands which would make a great place to moor and if anyone wanted to camp I beleive you can pitch a tent on them. Of course there are lots of hotels in Hot Springs and plenty of places to stay on the lake as well as campgrounds. If I get the boat like I want it thats where I will be sleeping

http://www.lakeouachita.org/

Posted: 01/28/2009 at 9:09pm | IP Logged

gusgray wrote: Kerr/Buggs Island lake in North Carolina would be a great spot.  It is on the Virgina North Carolina line.  It has 800 miles of shore line and alot of secluded coves.  The fishing is world class.

I'll second this one.