A few of us "Up Staters" talked last year about a little Formula cruise from A-Bay to Kingston and back. Maybe lunch and and a few brews at the LoneStar in Kingston.

Lets see some responses from any Formula owners who cruise the Islands. Be real fun to get 10-15 "Birds" together for a little run. I've got three owners from down near Syracuse interested.

I'm in ogdensburg and am interested.. which weekend you looking at?

I'm in Watertown (boat's in the Bay) have perhaps 2-3 other Birds who would be interested! I work every other weekend...so I'm crossing my fingers whoever...picks the right one! Perhaps later this season we could hook up for a little tour of the southern shore there ThirdBird? I've never been to Sandy Pond, though I have run a buddy's boat up to the Bay from Oswego for him. I remember talking about all this last winter, thanks for bringing the idea back!

Thirdbird, sounds like fun, Lets go, expect to pick up my (new to me Formula) this Friday after 2nd sea trial. I also use my boat out of Sandy Pond and I am excited to cruise. By the way, early reports say weather will be cool this weekend, let me know if you guys are off to Oneida Lake this weekend.
Mike

Welcome to the board Diver!!!!!!!!! You talk like you don't know me!!!!!!! (I've know this guy since we were 12 years old for Pete's sake!!)

For all the rest of you, Diver just bought a '90 242. Nice boat, rare Nassau colors. Diver and I checked it out last Saturday. Always nice to a have a new Formula member.

As for the cruise date, I'm open. It'll be nice to see everyone's hardware. I guess we should just start throwing out dates and see who can make it. I'll throw the first date out there,,,,, how about July 17th?? We should do a Saturday in case we "need" to stay over night. July would be nice, it's our best bet for nice weather. I usually launch at Keewaden (sp?) state park. We could all meet at the village dock in A-Bay at say 9:30-10:00?

Does anyone know if the Lone Star in Kingston has it's own docks. If not, we can pull into Confederation Basin. There's usually lots of space. Anyway, throw some other dates out there if that doesn't work.

Rippem, come on down to the "Pond" anytime. Nice beaches, we could cruise to Oswego for some cocktails!! Love to see your boat. Henderson has a nice launch and it's a pretty nice ride from there. You could put in at the pond but the ramp I use isn't the best. Adequate, just not the best. Let me know.

Dave

ThirdBird, the 17th is our TIPBC Poker Run. Kingston day-docks definitely full midday.The weekend after sounds good...the 24th? Or the weekend after that(the 31st...my lady could make it then, even better) I'm off both these weekends. A little more lead time for everyone else also. No Lone Star docks, the day docks in the left harbor from Confederation basin are where we'll be for transient dockage. Copy of birth cert for all aboard a good idea, and all other ducks in a row. Keep in mind also, no open containers in Canadian waters. I know someone who got reminded of that to the tune of $170 U.S. last weekend! I keep my boat in the boathouse at Hutchinson's in Alex Bay. Been there since the late 80's...(did someone say 80's? ). Yes, definitely want to do the Pond, and get to Oswego again...possibly overnight at one or the other. would be great to get the heads-up from a "local" for that trip.

Rippem,
July 24th is the big fireworks at Harborfest in Oswego. I'll be over there all day Saturday. Air show on Sunday out in front of the harbor so I'll be there for that too. Weekend after that sounds good for A-Bay (31st). If you've never been to Harborfest by boat for the fireworks, you really ought to try it. We do it every year, it's that good. Usually cruise back to the pond after that. Nice cruise at night. Gotta be carefull but it's a fun and a challange, especially if its snotty out!!!! We've been caught in some real nastys out there. It hones your seamanship skills If you'd like to hook for that we can arrange it. Usually ride over about noon, check out the sights by boat. Tons of real nice hardware there. More boats than you'll see almost anyplace. The first mate viewing is real nice too. Sometimes we find a spot to dock or anchor off then go up and walk the town a bit. Later, we raft up in a calm spot for the fireworks show. It's incredible viewing from the water.

You can make Harborfest as party-crazy or subdued as you like, it's all there.

Thanks for the heads up on Canadian regs and whatnot. Julie and I are pretty up on that stuff because we cruise to Canada quite a bit. Good for others to be aware of though. Birth certificates are a good idea.

Harborfest may be a good time to come down that way. I work with a couple blowboaters (good guys...I've even been sailing w/them for several days up into the Bay of Quinte) that always do harborfest, and have a buddy with a mooring there. They go back and forth to shore in the dingys. They've invited me to "motorboat" on down many times and get on the raft off his mooring. I don't know...we'll see. The 31st sounds like it's the date for the Formula Rondezvous ...confirm, and we'll spread the word both here and each locally to other Formula Family members. Post if that is the definitive date...There are a couple of Formula owners over Lake George way that may be interested in coming over and doing some running without the hassles they have over there.

That sounds like a great plan to me. I can make the 31st. No conflicts, and would be willing to fire up the Smoothie machine back at Hutchinson's after we return.. Maybe some of the other Formula owners would be interested in spending the night at the Riveredge docks (close to Rippem and I) so we can continue the party late into the AM?!?!

Hope this sounds good to all? Look forward to it!

Dave

Dave (axapowell), I'll have to mention to the "little guy" that it's a FORMULA get together and he can't go...


Update: my lady is bummed as the 31st does not work for her. Though I will be there regardless. I just can't miss the first annual 1000 Islands FORMULA RONDEZVOUS