Rendezvous Rendezvous in Orange Beach, Alabama and upper Gulf Coast 2025

[glen1941]

Q1: who is interested in a June, July, or August 2025 rendezvous in North Carolina or South Carolina or Orange Beach, Alabama?

I used to owned an 1988 OUTRAGE 18 and attended several Whaler gatherings—they were fun. I live in upstate South Carolina.

[Phil T]

I am interested in doing another Lake Norman (NC) gathering.

We organized one in 23 and it was great.

Drop me an email.

[Jefecinco]

Unfortunately we've sold our last Boston Whaler and are boatless. There are a lot of BW owners in and around Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Add Pensacola and Mobile and it could be quite a crowd. If our island is chosen I'll post the locale to our Gulf Coast discussion group on THT.

[glen1941]

Although Lake Norman would be a great choice, my vote would be Orange Beach. It has been too long since Tacky Jack's, Cosmos', and the FloraBama. Zooming around the ICW is great, the sand bar at Robinson island is fun. I would like to begin settling down on this, maybe choose Orange Beach with a tentative time after the Summer is over, maybe Sept or Oct. The crowds will have left and the weather will be great. Let's have ideas please.

[Jefecinco]

What we call a shoulder season, which is the Spring and Fall when our Snowbirds, Spring Breakers, and Summer Visitors have left, are the best times here. There are condos that have on-site trailer parking and the prices are far less than during the tourist seasons. We even have a Whaler Hotel although it's a bit older and smaller than many. Restaurants are uncrowded and reservation are no longer needed. For those with motorhomes the State Park will have plenty of full hookup spaces available.

[fno]

Is there a hotel/motel on the water with slips available and perhaps a bar (or nearby bar)? Just asking because I am not an RV guy and would like to have the boat nearby for instant use. It is a Whaler weekend after all.

[Jefecinco]

I don't believe so although I may be wrong. There are condominiums on Terry Cove with short term rentals next to a marina which may have some transient slips available. There are few actual hotels on the island. Due to your interest I will post your question on THT's Gulf Coast Forum. I am certain there are condos with slips on Old River across from Ono Island. Many condos are privately owned but the managers will share owner's contact information.

[glen1941]

Hello all,
Guess one of the posters lives on Ono Island and knows the area well. Some years ago, I had an '88 Outrage 18 and visited Orange Beach often with it. I am going to go down in September or October and I hope to see a lot of Whaler people there. I plan to stay in a small motel in Foley, where I will keep the Montauk on a trailer, and will launch everyday at the large very nice public boat ramp in Orange Beach adjacent to Robinson island. For those who are not familiar with the area, there are MANY drive up bars and eaterys. Just google Florabama Yacht Club and look at the satellite photo, also Tacky Jack's. All kinds of cruises are possible: around Ono, East out to the Big Lagoon, West into Mobile Bay and up to Magnolia [where there was an earlier Whaler gathering]. Jimmy Buffett's sister has a place in Gulf Shores on the ICW called Lulu's, but it is not driveup. My guess is that finding a condo with an available slip is a long shot at best. I cannot get on THT, not sure they are still a site, but if those who can get on THT or Classic Whaler can get the word out, that would be great. Humans are great about sitting around waiting for someone else to do something. Riverside Outboards plans to finish with my boat in early June. Sometime in late July, I might be ready for it to be seen. At that time, I will get serious about organizing a gathering in Orange Beach. People will make plans when they see a firm date and some structure.
All the best, Glen

[Jefecinco]

I just learned from THT that Caribe Resort in Orange Beach usually has rentals available that can include a wet slip. I have not been there but friends who have told me it is very child friendly. I've eaten at a nearby restaurant, Cobalt, and it is among my favorites.

[glen1941]

I would not want to leave my boat in a slip in a strange place with a LOT boat traffic. My boat will either be in the water with me, or close by, or on the trailer with a chain around the axle and a lock on the coupler.

[Jefecinco]

The slips at Caribe are very safe and secure. I would not hesitate to use their slips for a few days including overnight use. One of the reasons the slips are secure is that a lot of traffic moves past. Google Earth can provide a a good satellite view.

[glen1941]

Sort of familiar with the Caribe, just inside on the East side of the bridge. Different opinion on the safety of leaving a boat there overnight, but not to continue this business. If having a wet slip convenient to the happenings in Orange Beach will get some more Whalers there, great. Riverside Outboards is saying pickup date for the Montauk is approx 10Jun25, so it will be all ahead flank for awhile after I get back from NH. If an overnight slip is important, I believe there might be some available in Cotton Bayou, West past Zeke's and Tacky Jack's.

[Jefecinco]

If this event becomes reality in Orange Beach the sponsor should contact the Gulf Shores MarineMax or it's parent store in Pensacola. Perhaps they will provide some small sponsorship prizes.

[glen1941]

Hello,
Good idea on contacting MarineMax. I am going to gain some much needed advice from fno, who has organized these gatherings before. When I am ready to get serious about this, I will contact, among others, the Classic Whalers Group on FB. I don't understand THT and can't get on it. If someone can raise awareness with the Gulf Coast THT and other Whaler groups beginning now, that would be great. Perhaps only to say that there will be an event in Sept and more to follow.

[Jefecinco]

Call it done. BTW, a good link is http://www.thehulltruth.com.

[glen1941]

All, There will be a rendezvous of Whalers on 4Oct25. The captains meeting will be at the Orange Beach boat ramp at 0900 CDT. Following the meeting, we will cruise East through the ICW to Battery Slemmer or Fort Pickens. We will then gather at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club for lunch. You can beach your boat there. After lunch at the Flora-Bama, the cruise will continue to Robinson's Island which is just inside the bay and opposite the boat ramp for sandbar time. Following the Robinson's Island sandbar, the cruise will continue to Tacky Jacks, another drive up and eat place also just inside the bay. Better food can be had in Magnolia Springs or at Cosmos in Orange Beach.
I spoke to a lady who owns and manages a small hotel in Foley, who said the crowds can be counted on having mostly departed by 1Oct25.
Please contact me with thoughts. For me the date is set. If we go back and forth, it will be the usual story. I think the plan is good to the point of leaving the sandbar. I feel there should a proper closing of some sort. Still far enough from 4Oct25 to get some good thinking around that. After I receive some level of interest, I will contact local boat dealers and the Flora-Bama to let them know what is coming. I hope we will have a good crowd. I will notify the Classic Whaler forum, if others would put out the word in THT, friends and everywhere else, that will promote our chances of happening a lot of Whaler fun.
Glen Moulder
205-790-6444 [I text]
gmoulder41@gmail.com
I do not use any social media, so do not plan on contacting me there

[Jefecinco]

Glen - Thanks for taking this on. I assume you are referring to the launch ramp at Boggy Point at the terminus of Marina Road vs the Cotton Bayou ramp, also in Orange beach. The Cotton Bayou ramp provides far better parking. The only downside of the ramp is the few extra minutes spent in a no wake zone enroute to the ICW. Add GT's On the Bay to the boater accessible fine food restaurants. Cosmos is not accessible from the water and it is owned by the same people as GT's. Cobalt, is also accessible via boat and also owned by the Cosmos folks.

As I am no longer a Whaler owner I won't participate. Alas we have sold our last boat a 1981 Sport 13.

[KimmerIII]

I have a place on Ono. I also have a 13 whaler. I do not know what will be going on that weekend kid sports wise but I may stop by. I can answer anything you want about the area. A few things I saw that were a bit incorrect or I can clarify.

1. Caribe is safe. Tons of people park their boats there overnight. There are 100's of condos around OBA that people have boats just tied into slips at night. No problems usually. Maybe a kid steals some beer out the cooler but its very busy and people dont f with other people's boats.
2. Flora bama yacht club has good food. Tacky Jacks food is trash. The view is good.
3. You can tie off at Lulu's to eat.
4. Here is a list of water accessible places to eat.
Zeke's at Zekes Marina- great spot
San Roc Cay - has multiple restaurants. Louisiana Lagniappe is good. Most of the other stuff in there is not.
Tacky Jacks - has decent breakfast and good views. Menu sucks. Mainly touristy food. Good place to go drink beer. Their giant nacho thing is called the mexican garbage and is huge and decent to split.
Avenue Pub - locals spot on terry cove. I normally wouldnt post this but there are not a lot of people on here so who cares and it will be october. Its great.
Barometer - at Sportsman marina. Its really good.
Tiki Bar - at sportsman marina, good place to get drinks
Cosmo's - right by Caribe, huge place, good food.
FB Yacht club - on ole river, good food. Ole River Grill is right next door. you can park by boat and walk across to the bama itself and that is the best bar in the history of the world.
Sunset Grille - Holiday Harbor marina. Some people love this place. Some people think it is okay.
Pirates Cove - on Arnica Bay great burgers. Very laid back. Mainly people go by boat. I would check this place out if you have never been. Dogs roaming around, football on tv, great pizza and burgers, and fries Very limited menu. Best bushwhackers in Orange Beach.
Oso - at bear point marina on Arnica Bay. I like it. live music, indoor outdoor seating. Big menu
GT's - same owners at cobalt and cosmos , some people love it, some dont.
The Wharf - villago grill is great. the coffee shop sandwhich shop place menu is admirable. There are some pizza places in there and some other stuff along with a ton of shops.
Lulu's -tourist food.

I may have left one or two off. Tons of place to take a boat and tie off. Happy to help answer anything I can.

[glen1941]

This is a great start. I will contact MarineMax and ask if they will allow us to post flyers, and if they will help get the word out. MarineMax apparently has shops all along the Gulf Coast. I stuck Flora-Bama in because it looks to have a great place to beach. If the Flora-Bama continues to be our lunch place, I will contact them and ask if they will help promote the Rendezvous [flyers / word]. Have been to Lulus' several times but did not know you could tie-up from the ICW. Jefecinco, You are welcome to come on my boat for the gatherings, you should not miss out. As of this time, there will only be myself in the boat. KimmerIII, great listing of places to eat, thanks. I have eaten at several, but it has been ages. I threw in Tacky Jacks because I really like sitting up there with the breeze and having the view of the waterway. Here we go folks.
Glen

[Jefecinco]

Glen - I've posted the date and location of the rendezvous on The Hull Truth site's Gulf Coast board and provided your email as the POC/Sponsor. So far there have been no responses but the post has been viewed by 60 users. www.thehulltruth.com if you or Kimmer would care to add or clarify any information

[glen1941]

Thank you Jefecinco,
This business will evolve as we get more and better input. After googling the Avenue Pub, it appears to be a definite up grade from Tacky Jacks, and could be just the place for the final meal and closing. I will now post the rendezvous on Classic Whaler Group.

[glen1941]

Hello Phil T and fno, You fellows have the experience here. Would really love some advice and counsel from you. The gathering will evolve for the better, and your voice will help it get there.
Glen

[glen1941]

We are about two months away from what I hope will be a great rendezvous of Whalers in Orange Beach AL. In addition to notices on CW and THT, there is also a notice on Classic Boston Whalers. I plan to go down to Orange Beach about one week before the day of the gathering and post [I hope] flyers at the several MarineMax outlets and at the Flor-a-Bama. What else should I and we be doing to encourage attendance? comments please.

[Jefecinco]

Other than the Pensacola Marine Max outlet there is only it's sub-outlet on Hwy 59 in Gulf Shores. The Pensacola store sees much more action than does the Gulf Shores store. Perhaps they would agree to provide some kind of sponsorship. There are some local fishing oriented web sites that may be willing to publicize the rendezvous. Have you posted to the Facebook "Everything Boston Whaler" site? It has a large following.

The title of this thread mentions the Carolinas with Orange Beach trailing along. Consider changing the title and dropping the reference to the Carolinas. I would call it an Upper Gulf Coast Rendezvous so folks from Mississippi and the Mobile/Dauphin Island area will be more likely to learn about the event.

[glen1941]

Jefecinco, Thanks for the good information. I don't know how to change the thread title, but if done, it would likely gain more attention. Can you change the title? I will post on "Everything Boston Whaler".

[Moderator: thread title now changed to "Rendezvous in Orange Beach, Alabama and upper Gulf Coast" and subsequent posts will have that title.]

[fno]

Looks like it's a one day event. Not the best for people that would travel from afar but if that's the case, so be it. We always had a keg on a (my) boat in Homosassa but we did not motor around much and it was a two day event with a hotel. given that you have picked out some watering holes already and there is no overnight, no worries. You might want to sponge or buy some Whaler swag and do a 50/50. Another good idea for the hopscotching is to do it poker run style where everyone gets a card at each stop and the best hand wins at the end of the day (usually at one of the watering holes). Keep enough to pay for the swag and give the rest to some lucky winner. We did that till someone complained about paying for the keg even though they got a very nice Whaler poster for their two dollars. (You know who you are) One of many reasons we stopped the Homosassa gatherings. Another topic, decide on a rough idea of a route and publish the distances to and from. Lots show up thinking a few miles with a gallon and a half in their tank. The morning captains meeting is not the time to inform everyone that this will be a 10 to 20-mile day.

[glen1941]

Hello fno,
Thanks, Good information. I attended one of the Homosassa gatherings and it was great fun; I am sorry that others were not appreciative. I also looked at the posts from several other gatherings and they were, or appeared to be, one day affairs. I attended the Magnolia Springs gathering and it was a one day. I am game for anything, but am not getting many comments. From what I have seen and heard, there are many Whalers in that area and a one-day would be convenient for them. I plan to go down about a week in advance to talk with MarineMax, Florabama and Avenue Pub. I am also going to cruise the route from Orange Beach to Battery Sleema. I figure that people will want a cruise of several hours before lunch, and where the "getting together" was at night at Homosassa, the same can happen at the Florabama, the sandbar or Avenue Pub. I will certainly, and within the next week, calculate the mileage /cruise time for a decent cruise and get it out there. Homosassa seemed to be more of a localized get together without much cruising or hoping about, maybe I missed something. Jim Hebert, jefecinco, Phil T and others; please weigh in here with your thoughts and experience.

[glen1941]

More to my last. There is nothing preventing those who come from a distance [as myself] from staying a few days and continuing the outing meeting with others. I plan on staying at a small independent motel in Foley and there should be plenty of good budget places in that area with the "season" being over.

[glen1941]

I read about Poker Runs and they sounds like bags of fun, but having a Poker Run requires a bunch of organization--which I am certainly up for with proper help.

POKER RUN
The start with a card would be easy, a card at Battery Slemmer, a card at Florabama, a card at the sandbar on Robinson Island, and a final card at Avenue Pub. This would make a five card hand. Someone would have to go to Battery Slemmer and be positioned there to give out those cards. The cards would all be "marked" so that people did not game the process. I am good with a $50 or $100 gift card.

The cruise to Slemmer looks to be about 24 miles round trip from the boat ramp.

I think people will be there for the boats and using them.

To see some comments about this would be very nice.

I know that I am going to have fun.

[Jefecinco]

For those visitors who scuba dive, the Carrier Oriskany was sunk off the Pensacola Coast and has become a favorite dive site. That could be good for an extra day added to the rendezvous.

[glen1941]

In additional to the great seafood, water and sand; there is the Naval Aviation museum in Pensacola and the WW2 submarine and battleship in Mobile.

[Jefecinco]

I've toured the Naval Aviation Museum several times and it is well worth your time. There is no admission fee. Before going check ahead for admission requirements. I toured the Battleship Alabama across the bay from Gulf Shores/Oranges Beach, also worth a visit. There may be a modest fee for parking. If your schedule only allows enough time for one side trip I believe the Naval Museum is superior.

[fno]

Glen, have you started a list of those coming or interested. Might be a good idea to publish. I may come over and stay at the Caribe Resort. One day trip is too much for me. Friday, Saturday and Sunday head home

[glen1941]

Good morning fno from Seneca SC,
No, I have not begun a list as only you and Jefecinco have definitely expressed interest. I did receive a message from a lady who said they always brought their Outrage 20 to Orange Beach and would attend. Trying to get Phil T. dislodged from Kentucky. I will put it out there again on "Everything Boston Whaler" this week. I will also contact MarineMax in Pensacola and ask for them to put the word out. Not sure what else to do and would be happy to do whatever. If there had been a tsunami of interest, we could have put the fun poker run into the gathering, as I would have had folks to help. As always, there have been a lot of "reviews" but not many comments. Anyway, I am going down a little earlier than 4Oct25 to get settled. Fno, Phil T., and Jefecinco, what do you think of the distance of the initial run from the boat ramp to Battery Slemmer? Its about 24 miles round trip, too short too long, what? I am thinking a slow cruise to start with. And Jefecinco, are you wanting a ride?

[Jefecinco]

It's a little long for my old bones. I wouldn't care to ride along with a family but if some one is single handing I might try to scrounge a ride.

[glen1941]

Jefecinco, You are welcome, so far, its just me in the Montauk 17.

[Jefecinco]

That's very gracious, thank you. Unfortunately, I'll be in New Orleans all week.