Freeport to Port O'Connor toy run Dec 7th
12-02-2013, 03:15 PM
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Looks like it will be cold but the rain will hold till that night.
Captains info:
2013 Toy Run Captain's Information Sheet
2013 Toy Run Captain's Information Sheet
Saturday December 1st - Launch & Departure Details
1. We have two groups of boats launching at Bridge Bait and Tackle (BBT). Fishing boats and those wishing to cruise at a more leisurely pace should be in the water and be ready to head west by 9:00am. The "go fast" LCPC and TOPPS boats have the option of leaving BBT a little later at 10:00am because they can easily catch up with the slower boats and join us for lunch at Matagorda Harbor.
2. High tide at BBT Saturday morning is 4:22am, and Low tide is 12:16pm. Plan your launch accordingly, the earlier the better for those with deeper drafting boats. Surfside Marina, across the channel from BBT can launch boats up to 40' long with their forklift for $75. Call Sherry Harmon at 979-230-9400 if you need Surfside's help in launching.
3. Departure from BBT for both groups will need to be done on time (9:00am or 10:00am) in order to insure we can cover the 46 miles to our half-way point at Matagorda Harbor by 11:00am. First time captains, you will have two slow spots where you may have to wait. The first spot are the locks at the Brazos River. The second is the swing bridge at Sargent. Be patient, the wait is usually not more than 10 minutes, max.
4. We will travel together in groups to help any boats that need assistance. Our primary VHF communications channel will be 68 the entire weekend. If you cannot join us at BBT for departure, the next two spots with launch ramps are in Sargent or Matagorda Harbor.
Saturday Trip Plan between Freeport and Port O'Connor & Lunch Stop at Matagorda Harbor
1. The total one-way distance from BBT to Port O'Connor is about 79 miles, but our first stop will be at 11:00am at Matagorda Harbor which 46 miles from BBT. This stop will be a combo bathroom / lunch / poker run stop. There is no 93 octane fuel at this stop, but there is 93 in POC at the Fishing Center, another 32 miles west of Matagorda Harbor.
2. Everyone is on their own for lunch at Matagorda Harbor. There's plenty of bulkhead space in the Harbor to dock your boat and stretch your legs. Poker Run players will pay their $20 per hand (max is 4 hands) here and collect their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cards for each hand - "Poker Card" drawing will be held at the bottom of the Waterfront Restaurant, in the bar area.
3. The Waterfront Restaurant is across the street from Matagorda Harbor and is a good spot if you'd like to get out of the weather for a sit down lunch. They open up at 11:00am. Prices are reasonable, food is good, and wait time should be ok with the small lunch crowd there in December.
4. Diesel / 87 octane gas are both available at Matagorda Harbor. The next available fuel is 32 miles west, at our Port O'Connor destination. We would like everyone to be finished with refueling, lunch, etc. and back in the ICW, ready to head west to POC by no later than 1:00pm.
5. The final leg down the ICW and the trip across Matagorda Bay into POC can be easy if the weather is good and you know where you're going. If you've never crossed Matagorda Bay, don' have a chart plotter, or need any help please be sure to keep visual contact / follow another boat who knows the way. The low winter tides in Matagorda Bay will require that you stay in the ICW channel to avoid accidental grounding, and we will be crossing the bay at low tide this year. If we have no delays or problems on this leg of the trip we should arrive in POC around 2:30 - 2:45pm.
Arrival at Port O'Connor, Dinner, the Boat Parade and The After Party
1. As soon as we arrive at the jetties just east of POC we want to form up in one line and run our boats single file together down to Froggie's Bait Camp and then back to Clarks Inn. A TV crew will be filming us so honk / wave and let them know we've arrived. We will then off-load all toys at Clark's Inn. Due to limited turning / dock space at Clark's Inn we ask those Captains who have reservations at Clarks to go ahead and dock first. There is additional docking next door to Clark's Inn at the Caracol Development bulkhead (see map). Once unloaded, everyone is free to relax or start decorating their boats for the parade. This will also be the time and place for Poker Run players to pick up their 5th card for each hand, and buy an optional 6th card if you feel the need. Look for the "Poker Card" sign, upstairs on the veranda overlooking the boat slips at Clarks Inn.
2. We will serve a catered BBQ picnic dinner at Clarks Inn between 5:00 - 5:30pm, just prior to the parade safety meeting. Please let us know ahead of time how many of you expect to go through the line. The cost will be $10.00 per person and will include brisket, sausage, and sides. Please be prepared to pay with cash or by check at the door, no credit cards will be accepted. For those who prefer to dine at a restaurant there are several (Josie’s, Hurricane Junction, and several others) within 5 blocks walking distance of Clarks.
3. If you plan on being in the boat parade things will be a little different this year. The plan is to have all the Toy Run boats go as one group, and we will get in the parade line after the local boats line up. There is still a safety meeting scheduled for 5:30pm on the boat dock at Clark's Inn. A representative from each boat must attend this brief safety meeting and fill out the parade form. They will have them there or I could send you one. The parade starts at 6:30pm sharp about 3 miles west of Clark's Inn, at the Coast Guard dock, and proceeds back east to Clarks Inn for judging and awards. Feel free to cruise close to the docks and throw out beads and candy, "Mardi-Gras" style. The crowds / kids on the docks love it. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded.
Sunday Return Trip To BBT
1. Sunday morning breakfast is free and served buffet style at Clark's Inn. Breakfast includes juice, milk, coffee, cereal, and assorted yummy breakfast taco's (eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, etc.). You can dine there on their 2nd floor veranda overlooking the ICW, or pack up and eat on your way back to Freeport.
2. Most folks usually do their own thing on Sunday, some leave early, some leave late and we normally don't return to Freeport as a group. Follow a friend with a GPS back across Matagorda Bay to avoid getting stuck on an oyster reef / sand bar.
Logistical / Misc Information
1. Boat / motor repair service and parts are available in POC, they are not opened on the weekend but should you need assistance they will receive a message if you call and leave a message, 1808 W. Adams Ave., 361-983-4841. They are certified for Yamaha, Suzuki and Evinrude service. Robby Sanders, 361-983-2058, is available to help boats in distress near Port O'Connor.
2. Police security is being provided for those parking their trucks/trailers overnight at BBT. The total cost for this is $420 and we ask that each person parking at BBT volunteer and help split this expense (approximately $20 per boat depending on how many boats). Please give your donation to Jerry Karnes or Jason Fry Saturday the 1st.
3. If you need ground transportation from Clark's Inn or other motel / residence on Saturday please contact Marie Hawes at 361-920-2322 and she will call a POC local volunteer to pick you up.
4. If you have any problems or need help before or during the Toy Run you can contact any of the Toy Run organizing committee:
Jerry Karnes - cell phone 281-684-1117 or email [email protected]
Jason Fry - cell phone 281-960-8047 or email [email protected]
Wendy Fry - cell phone 940-390-3747 or email [email protected]
Andrew Cooker - cell phone 713-256-7289 or email [email protected]
5. The lockmaster monitors VHF channel 13
Captains info:
2013 Toy Run Captain's Information Sheet
2013 Toy Run Captain's Information Sheet
Saturday December 1st - Launch & Departure Details
1. We have two groups of boats launching at Bridge Bait and Tackle (BBT). Fishing boats and those wishing to cruise at a more leisurely pace should be in the water and be ready to head west by 9:00am. The "go fast" LCPC and TOPPS boats have the option of leaving BBT a little later at 10:00am because they can easily catch up with the slower boats and join us for lunch at Matagorda Harbor.
2. High tide at BBT Saturday morning is 4:22am, and Low tide is 12:16pm. Plan your launch accordingly, the earlier the better for those with deeper drafting boats. Surfside Marina, across the channel from BBT can launch boats up to 40' long with their forklift for $75. Call Sherry Harmon at 979-230-9400 if you need Surfside's help in launching.
3. Departure from BBT for both groups will need to be done on time (9:00am or 10:00am) in order to insure we can cover the 46 miles to our half-way point at Matagorda Harbor by 11:00am. First time captains, you will have two slow spots where you may have to wait. The first spot are the locks at the Brazos River. The second is the swing bridge at Sargent. Be patient, the wait is usually not more than 10 minutes, max.
4. We will travel together in groups to help any boats that need assistance. Our primary VHF communications channel will be 68 the entire weekend. If you cannot join us at BBT for departure, the next two spots with launch ramps are in Sargent or Matagorda Harbor.
Saturday Trip Plan between Freeport and Port O'Connor & Lunch Stop at Matagorda Harbor
1. The total one-way distance from BBT to Port O'Connor is about 79 miles, but our first stop will be at 11:00am at Matagorda Harbor which 46 miles from BBT. This stop will be a combo bathroom / lunch / poker run stop. There is no 93 octane fuel at this stop, but there is 93 in POC at the Fishing Center, another 32 miles west of Matagorda Harbor.
2. Everyone is on their own for lunch at Matagorda Harbor. There's plenty of bulkhead space in the Harbor to dock your boat and stretch your legs. Poker Run players will pay their $20 per hand (max is 4 hands) here and collect their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cards for each hand - "Poker Card" drawing will be held at the bottom of the Waterfront Restaurant, in the bar area.
3. The Waterfront Restaurant is across the street from Matagorda Harbor and is a good spot if you'd like to get out of the weather for a sit down lunch. They open up at 11:00am. Prices are reasonable, food is good, and wait time should be ok with the small lunch crowd there in December.
4. Diesel / 87 octane gas are both available at Matagorda Harbor. The next available fuel is 32 miles west, at our Port O'Connor destination. We would like everyone to be finished with refueling, lunch, etc. and back in the ICW, ready to head west to POC by no later than 1:00pm.
5. The final leg down the ICW and the trip across Matagorda Bay into POC can be easy if the weather is good and you know where you're going. If you've never crossed Matagorda Bay, don' have a chart plotter, or need any help please be sure to keep visual contact / follow another boat who knows the way. The low winter tides in Matagorda Bay will require that you stay in the ICW channel to avoid accidental grounding, and we will be crossing the bay at low tide this year. If we have no delays or problems on this leg of the trip we should arrive in POC around 2:30 - 2:45pm.
Arrival at Port O'Connor, Dinner, the Boat Parade and The After Party
1. As soon as we arrive at the jetties just east of POC we want to form up in one line and run our boats single file together down to Froggie's Bait Camp and then back to Clarks Inn. A TV crew will be filming us so honk / wave and let them know we've arrived. We will then off-load all toys at Clark's Inn. Due to limited turning / dock space at Clark's Inn we ask those Captains who have reservations at Clarks to go ahead and dock first. There is additional docking next door to Clark's Inn at the Caracol Development bulkhead (see map). Once unloaded, everyone is free to relax or start decorating their boats for the parade. This will also be the time and place for Poker Run players to pick up their 5th card for each hand, and buy an optional 6th card if you feel the need. Look for the "Poker Card" sign, upstairs on the veranda overlooking the boat slips at Clarks Inn.
2. We will serve a catered BBQ picnic dinner at Clarks Inn between 5:00 - 5:30pm, just prior to the parade safety meeting. Please let us know ahead of time how many of you expect to go through the line. The cost will be $10.00 per person and will include brisket, sausage, and sides. Please be prepared to pay with cash or by check at the door, no credit cards will be accepted. For those who prefer to dine at a restaurant there are several (Josie’s, Hurricane Junction, and several others) within 5 blocks walking distance of Clarks.
3. If you plan on being in the boat parade things will be a little different this year. The plan is to have all the Toy Run boats go as one group, and we will get in the parade line after the local boats line up. There is still a safety meeting scheduled for 5:30pm on the boat dock at Clark's Inn. A representative from each boat must attend this brief safety meeting and fill out the parade form. They will have them there or I could send you one. The parade starts at 6:30pm sharp about 3 miles west of Clark's Inn, at the Coast Guard dock, and proceeds back east to Clarks Inn for judging and awards. Feel free to cruise close to the docks and throw out beads and candy, "Mardi-Gras" style. The crowds / kids on the docks love it. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded.
Sunday Return Trip To BBT
1. Sunday morning breakfast is free and served buffet style at Clark's Inn. Breakfast includes juice, milk, coffee, cereal, and assorted yummy breakfast taco's (eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, etc.). You can dine there on their 2nd floor veranda overlooking the ICW, or pack up and eat on your way back to Freeport.
2. Most folks usually do their own thing on Sunday, some leave early, some leave late and we normally don't return to Freeport as a group. Follow a friend with a GPS back across Matagorda Bay to avoid getting stuck on an oyster reef / sand bar.
Logistical / Misc Information
1. Boat / motor repair service and parts are available in POC, they are not opened on the weekend but should you need assistance they will receive a message if you call and leave a message, 1808 W. Adams Ave., 361-983-4841. They are certified for Yamaha, Suzuki and Evinrude service. Robby Sanders, 361-983-2058, is available to help boats in distress near Port O'Connor.
2. Police security is being provided for those parking their trucks/trailers overnight at BBT. The total cost for this is $420 and we ask that each person parking at BBT volunteer and help split this expense (approximately $20 per boat depending on how many boats). Please give your donation to Jerry Karnes or Jason Fry Saturday the 1st.
3. If you need ground transportation from Clark's Inn or other motel / residence on Saturday please contact Marie Hawes at 361-920-2322 and she will call a POC local volunteer to pick you up.
4. If you have any problems or need help before or during the Toy Run you can contact any of the Toy Run organizing committee:
Jerry Karnes - cell phone 281-684-1117 or email [email protected]
Jason Fry - cell phone 281-960-8047 or email [email protected]
Wendy Fry - cell phone 940-390-3747 or email [email protected]
Andrew Cooker - cell phone 713-256-7289 or email [email protected]
5. The lockmaster monitors VHF channel 13
