Hello all..I would like to start off the 2011 Rendezvous planning by saying thank you for entrusting me with this job (thanks alot Ric
). I will try to make 2011 as memorable as the last few rendezvous and from my own attendance I know I, and I think everyone had a great time. Each year when we are leaving I wish we could do it more than just once a year. I am already looking forward to this and once again wishing to meet up with everyone.Based on some feedback I have received from various members I find that although we all enjoyed Essex Island Marina we might want to try something different. In looking into other choices I have found that Essex does have some features that not many others have including the ability to almost give us our own dock, it is also within walking distance to a very quaint town and has most amenities we all like. The guaranteed use of the covered deck is good insurance in the event of poor weather conditions on the night of the cookout.
Taking the above as well as other things into consideration and with some advice from members I came up with a few items that are high on the list of things that are of importance when picking a new location.
1) We would like to keep the location near or close to where the largest turnouts have been. The goal is to have and meet as many AOG members as possible.
2) We need to keep a similar timeframe as this has worked for most in the past and it is looking to be the weekend of 7/23/2011.
3) Most everyone likes (and needs) for there to be access to a town for either dinner, supplies or just to get out and explore.
4) There needs to be normal amenities such as clean bathrooms, pool, ice and laundry services.
There most likely are several other items that various member would like but these are the ones that I have been made aware of and seem to be the most important.
I have looked at a few Marinas since our 2010 rendezvous and some had high scores in certain areas and low in others. The choices below seem to have all of our needs. I will try to point out some things for each choice. And of course we are not saying we cannot go to Essex so that is on the list as well.
Coecles Marina http://www.chmb.net located on the north east corner of Shelter Island.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... 5&t=h&z=18
In speaking to them they have identified that we could all be put on the North dock (larger boats out on the end). They do have a pool, clean bathrooms and a barbeque area with tables and a small covered area. They have a courtesy van that will drive us to the town in Shelter Island or to the North ferry where Greenport is a 10 minute ferry ride away and there is much to do there.
If there is foul weather for our event the tent area may not be big enough for the entire rendezvous but that have indicated that we can use their boathouse.
During our Labor Day weekend stay the dockmaster advised that she would give our group the entire month of January 2011 to have sole access to reserving slips for our weekend to give us an opportunity to utilize as many slips as possibly. After that, reservations would re-open to the general public and we would be able to reserve on the normal first come first serve basis.
American Wharf Marina http://www.americanwharf.com located at the most northern point of the Thames River in Norwich CT.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... 9&t=h&z=17
I have found that this marina has a very courteous staff. They said they can accommodate our fleet although we may be on different docks (they advised they would work with us to get as close as possible). They have a Pool and laundry facilities. There is a restaurant right at the marina and they have a courtesy shuttle van that will take us to the casinos and other local stops are also possible by request.
The center of town is about 1 mile away (a little walk) and is somewhat depressed but I am sure people can find what is needed. There is a Dunkin Donuts.
The area where the Saturday get together may be held is small as there are 2 barbecues and a few benches. There is a large covered tent that may be available if it is not being used by another event (a wedding or such). The marina does not own the tented area so they cannot guarantee it will be available.
Essex Island Marina http://www.essexislandmarina.com located up the Connecticut river.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... 8&t=h&z=15
Essex has shown that they have the dock space to hold our rendezvous in very close proximity. They have facilities such as a pool, laundry, fuel and most important can reserve the covered area for our Saturday get together.
It is also a short walk to the town where almost everyone knows there are several options for food and supplies.
Please take some time to review the choices, I will be putting this up for a vote soon as this should be enjoyable for the most number of people as possible. If there are questions please post them here and I (or anyone with that info) may be able to answer them.
Looking forward to the 2011 rendezvous ....
Thanks
Matt
