2012 Sarasota, New Years Day, Joey Gratton Memorial, Fun Run 1-1-12

[Ryan Beckley]

2012 Sarasota, New Years Day Fun Run

This years run will be a memorial for our friend Joey Gratton. He made the run with us every year, but passed away racing in The Key West, World Championships on 11-11-11.....

Starting at noon at the Sarasota 10th St Boat ramp at Centenial Park.

more details soon....

[euro scott]

Well be there !

[qctracing]

Definitely will make it to the lunch stop with the 35' Rabco and probably a 34' Fountain

[hawk232]

Is this run small boat friendly??

[Ryan Beckley]

He have boats from 12' and up go every year!

[hawk232]

sweet! may bring the wife down in the hewes...

[DonG]

We will have a couple boats comming up from the fort myers area.

[native2]

We had a great time last year. We will be there in the big boat....

[Mr. Demeanor]

Hopefully the weather will cooperate so we can bring the little boat but if not, will will be there in the big boat.

From last years run:

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zoCyzmEOWjY?rel=0&amp;hd=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[bretter]

Im in if its not as rough as last year.

[nate.]

I'm in. Where do we run to?

[hawk232]

wow that looks a bit bumpy for a 3hr drive down! may have to reconsider... how long is the run?

[nate.]

looks like they are just runnin back and forth in front of the ramp. runnin north from there you can get up against either side of the icw to get out of the wind but if its right out of the north it will be bumpy. goin south is real protected but there are some no wake zones. it would be fun to run to venice for a bite to eat and would be real doable no matter what the wind is doing.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Last year was VERY windy. I made a few passes in the little boat, out here back on the trailer, drove over the restaurant on Longboat where everyone was headed, and had a great time. Its Sarasota Bay so just watch the weather and make the call. You can always just come hang out and see all the boats and have some food.

Last year the wind was blowing straight up the bay at 20mph. If it would have been out of the east or west it would have been fine.

[euro scott]

pics from last year pulling into Mar Vista.. this was the smoothest part of the ride....

[nate.]

Ok so it's from 10th st to MarVista?

[Tom Foley]

We will try to make it in the Mako . Terrible deal for him and his family .

[Ziemer]

We are trying to make this one this year in the new boat!

[nate.]

id suggest yall show up for this even if the wind is iffy. if its out of the north or south the bay by the ramp will be a lil bumpy but we can still run south to venice to eat instead of marvista. there are some no wake zones but there is a real good stretch of well protected water to run. the scenery is also a lot better on the way south.

[bretter]

im game for that nate. I'd also like to check out your vantage.

[nate.]

come on!

[Eggsuckindog]

We're in like others, pending weather

[Ryan Beckley]

There are lots of peple coming from all over, we may run Saturday and Sunday. The is a really cool new place on the Manatee river that would be great to run too. A lot of people are staying at the Ramada Inn on the water by the airport. We can go where ever the weather permits. There will be a few photogs there shooting pics as well and I have also heard from a couple of magazines that want to cover the run this year. We had lunch with Joey's boys the other day and they'll be there as well.

[euro scott]

sounds like the biggest one yet Ryan... should be a blast, parking at Mar Vista aint going to be pretty though..
I would advise anyone using the 10th St. ramp to bring big fenders as the ramp blows big time, lots of exposed screw,bolts, and barnacles..

[nate.]

i live in bradenton and am willing to host a party at my place. i am within walking distance (about 1/4 mile) from downtown where they close off the main drag and have a big new years party.

[nate.]

We're in like others, pending weather

just come tard. if the wind is out of the east or west then its off to sarasota bay. north or south then the manatee river it is. there are at least 4 places to gather on the river. river roo, tarpon point, mangrove grill, and maddisons at twin dolphin....

[FullAuto9]

Had fun last year and will make it again this year!

[Ziemer]

Sounds great Ryan. We're excited for the run and a Sat run sounds good too. We'll most likely be coming out of St. Pete.



There are lots of peple coming from all over, we may run Saturday and Sunday. The is a really cool new place on the Manatee river that would be great to run too. A lot of people are staying at the Ramada Inn on the water by the airport. We can go where ever the weather permits. There will be a few photogs there shooting pics as well and I have also heard from a couple of magazines that want to cover the run this year. We had lunch with Joey's boys the other day and they'll be there as well.

[nate.]

did i mention party at my house? ill get kegs and grillin viddles if required.

[Ryan Beckley]

The Tarpon point Grill, on The Manatee River want to work with us. This is an awesome new facility with two big TIKI bars. They want to have a cook out menue for us with some thing like this for $14.00 per head including tax and tip.

http://www.tarponpointegrill.com/

Chicken/Burger/or Hot Dogs (King size – no way to describe them they are very large)
Cole Slaw
Bag of Chips
Brownie
Tea/Lemonade

Please review and let me know your thoughts.

[nate.]

awesome. i can vouch for tarpon point. real nice facility with plenty of dock space. what night do they wanna host?

[Ryan Beckley]

This would be for New Years Day! Will need to look into some of the closer ramps for some of the smaller guys I guess. I know that there is one on the North Side of the Manatee River on Biz 41 in Palmetto and also the on on SR 64 near Anna Maria Island would also be much closer that the Sarasota 10th St ramp. The Tarpon Point is eager to work with us. Mar Vista, where we've gone for years, seems to not care wether we show up there or not.

[nate.]

http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/boat-ramps.html
the sr 64 ramp or warners bayou ramp would be the closest. and most protected from the wind. kingfish is also a good ramp but if the wind has been out of the north the ramp will have a ton of seagrass on it making it damn near impossible to get your truck off.


DO NOT USE THE ONE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RIVER IN PALMETTO!
http://www.thebradentontimes.com/index.php?src=news&refno=4962&category=Recreation



sarasota bay is a real short wot run from the river.

[nate.]

my impression of mar vista from my last time there late summer was that it was kinda uppity and real expensive.

my invitation to party at my place for new years eve still stands. im a block off sr64 (manatee ave) and a few miles from the ramps.

[Ziemer]

Looks great! I'll see if I can scrounge up a few of the St. Pete crew to make the trip also. :thumbsup:

[glastronman1]

Has anyone talked to Jimmy at Casey Key Fish House? He hosted us a copule of years ago and let us grill and they have the tiki bar and the restauraunt too. They are reasonably priced, fair amount of docking if people are willing to raft off, and its a protected run for smaller boats. The manatee can get just as big as Sarasota Bay:eek:, but I do get that Mar Vista has a poor attitude and unwelcoming feeling which they have shown us in the past. Thanks S&F members.

[Ryan Beckley]

Jimmy has always hooked up our local performance boaters, but this year we are heading north. The people at Tarpon Point have been eager to help and want us there. So we'll give them a shot. there are several ramps closer on the river and all over for those that don't want to run form 10th St Sarasota.

[88 V-King]

Not that I have as much knowledge of the area as you guys certainly do but I've eaten at the Mangrove a few times and always enjoyed myself and the scenery, especially compared to the gods waiting room named Fort Meyers!

While you guys are boating in the sun I'll be playing pond hockey, wishing I could take my Euro for a run anytime soon!

[bret131]

Just wanted to say hi and say that Mr. Kirkland had told me about the run. he recommended that i stop in here and let you all know that i will be joining. i have a 84 Scarab 302 sport that i will be bringing.

thanks
Bret

[native2]

Just wanted to say hi and say that Mr. Kirkland had told me about the run. he recommended that i stop in here and let you all know that i will be joining. i have a 84 Scarab 302 sport that i will be bringing.

thanks
Bret

Cool.... Welcome to the site. The more the merrier.

[nate.]

bump. a lil more than 2 weeks to go........

[hawk232]

Im pretty pumped. I will be coming in the laser instead of the hewes though since the wife is no longer coming

[nate.]

ya. me too. should be a blast. im hoping for cool temps and light winds!

[Ryan Beckley]

Phantom #9 is showing up. If anybody wants to store his boat "covered" over the weekend from the 30 - 1st. you are welcome to do this for free. my shop "MARKER 1 MARINE" it is less than 5 min from the ramp. corner of N Orange Ave and 12 St.

Mark Niemann 941-320-4960

[Mr. Demeanor]

If the weather is sketchy and you have a smaller boat, there is a small boat ramp on the north side of the river almost right across from the restaurant.

[Ryan Beckley]

We'll be getting to the Sarasota 10th St Ramp at 10:30 to 11 ish. Plenty of parking there for everyone. Shoot 2 Thrill Pix will be shooting photos off of the Ringling bridge from 11-12 it is a great vantage point for aerial shots. At Noon we'll head north across Sarasota Bay up in to the intercoastal, through Cortez and out into Tampa Bay. We'll go east onto Tampa Bay, into the Manatee River. Keep heading east through Downtown Bradenton passe the three bridges and the Tarpon Point is just past the big US 41 bridge just east of the Manatee Memorial Hospital. Tarpon Point has several docks and we'll tie up and raft up there. There are plenty of other ramps in the area and St Pete for those that want to come another route. I would guess we'll be arriving at Tarpon Point between 1-1:30 and stay for 3-4 hours. They'll have, food, drinks, music, corn hole and more. Please bring ropes and bumpers to tie off, be safe, have fun.

We'll all be thinking of Joey Gratton, Bob Morgan and JT Tillman, guys who loved boating as much as the rest of us.

See you soon.

PS A few of us will be cruising around Sarasota on New Years eve as well.......

[Ryan Beckley]

Freeze Frame, Jeff, will also be in a Helicopter shooting photos from above!

[rchevelle71]

Probably gonna miss this one Ryan, but you guys have fun, and be safe.

[native2]

Can't wait. Just went to Tarpon Point the other weekend. It is a great spot for an event like this. Nice, well protected floating docks..... Live Music and huge tiki hut!!!!!!!!!! See you guys next year. :)

[Ziemer]

Hope to get my other outdrive back from Colabella tomorrow, and we'll be ready. Gonna do a shake-down on Monday and be ready to roll for next weekend. Can't wait!!! We'll be putting in at St. Pete and heading south. I think we'll be at Maximo if anyone in the area is coming from that area... ;)

[native2]

Hope to get my other outdrive back from Colabella tomorrow, and we'll be ready. Gonna do a shake-down on Monday and be ready to roll for next weekend. Can't wait!!! We'll be putting in at St. Pete and heading south. I think we'll be at Maximo if anyone in the area is coming from that area... ;)

Yes, we will be coming from that area. Will talk later in the week.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Ill have my wife, 75 year old mother-in-law, and 13 year old nephew so we will be in the Fountain CC. We may launch closer to the river....depends on weather.

[nate.]

This should be a blast. I'm down for a lil run on the 31st too. Is that out of 10th st as well? What time?

[Mr. Demeanor]

Bump for this weekends coming event. :cheers:

[native2]

Weather looking nice so far.................

[bret131]

i know most of you all have sport boats but if you have a vhf what channel will you be on? we will be heading out from Ft Desoto and would like to time it to meet the group when you all come out of the ICW.

[nate.]

I don't have a VHF but can be reached on my cell @ 941.932.5609

[Eggsuckindog]

Yes, we will be coming from that area. Will talk later in the week.

Looks like the weather will allow us to run across so I'll be coming from Maximo too probably - What boat are you bringing Cawley?

[hawk232]

anywhere on the route sell 91 or higher octane or should i bring an extra can. i can typically run 60 miles on a tank but thats at 50mph if i slow down consumption goes up...

[native2]

Looks like the weather will allow us to run across so I'll be coming from Maximo too probably - What boat are you bringing Cawley?

We will be in the big center console. Any one who would like to run across with us is more than welcome. Just give me a call sunday morning or sat night. 727 415 3274 We will just be cruisn... 40-50 mph.

[nate.]

anywhere on the route sell 91 or higher octane or should i bring an extra can. i can typically run 60 miles on a tank but thats at 50mph if i slow down consumption goes up...
Um.... Not sure. Annies bait is at the Cortez bridge which is about half way. No sure what octaine they sell. There's also fuel at Tarpon Point...

[hawk232]

guess ill just bring a 5 gal can to play it safe!

[Ziemer]

Looks like the weather will allow us to run across so I'll be coming from Maximo too probably - What boat are you bringing Cawley?

We'll be staying at Sunspree, so we will definitely be putting in at Maximo. ;) Solid red 30' Velocity...probably be out both Sat and Sunday.

[Freeze Frame Video]

freeze frame will fly the event from 12 to 1:30 all photos will be printed on site at the boat ramp 10th St all photos will be posted at www.freezeframevideo.net (http://www.freezeframevideo.net) that day any questions 239-282-1987 jeff

see you new years eve<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[chrislopez1313]

Thanks for clearing that up Jeff, Good speaking with u today.
Ill have the 21 Skater all shined up and ready.
Cheers.
Chris


freeze frame will fly the event from 12 to 1:30 all photos will be printed on site at the boat ramp 10th St all photos will be posted at www.freezeframevideo.net (http://www.freezeframevideo.net) that day any questions 239-282-1987 jeff

see you new years eve<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[nate.]

I waxed my baby today too. Lol.

[nate.]

Hey Jeff, will you be flying around the bay by 10th st only?

[Freeze Frame Video]

Hey Jeff, will you be flying around the bay by 10th st only?
i will be there and take the run to the north for 1 hour i will start at the 10 st ramp my motorhome will be at the ramp tomorow and sunday all day my wife will be there also jeff see you there

[nate.]

Cool beans. I'm looking forward to some awesome arial shots of my boat runnin!

[Freeze Frame Video]

New Year's Day Fun Run 2012, Sarasota, Fl. Honoring Joey Gratton.
On Are Way To Sarasota
freeze frame will fly the event from 12 to 1:30 all photos will be printed on site at the boat ramp 10th St all photos will be posted at www.freezeframevideo.net that day any questions 239-282-1987 jeff
see you new years eve__________________ Jeff Gerardi

All Photos Printed and Frame on Site Look for my motor home at the boat ramp
New Year's Day Fun Run 2012,Photos Sarasota,by Freeze Frame
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll434/FreezeFrameVideo/2012sarasota/1.jpg

http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll434/FreezeFrameVideo/2012sarasota/6.jpg

http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll434/FreezeFrameVideo/2012sarasota/4.jpg

Look for Photos Here All Weekend Happy New Year

[glastronman1]

FYI. For those trailering.......Only 2 gas stations in sarasota on land with non-ethanol fuel. SUNOCO on 27th and 301 has 1 pump that is recreational 89' with no ethanol and MAXX's on Clark road has 90' recreational fuel with no ethanol. also sunoco across from 10st boat ramp has 87-89-93 and i think they still have 110 octane with ethanol!

[nate.]

I'm almost certain they have av gas.

[native2]

We are getting geared up. See you guys soon. It is a perfect day..............

[chrislopez1313]

What a run.
GREAT Turnout, Great running.
Thanks to Ryan Beckley for putting an awesome run together for a great cause.
Thanks to Freeze frame and shoot to thrill for Awesome coverage.

Cheers
Chris :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[nate.]

we had a blast. i took 80 something pics that are uploading to photobucket now...