I know just the guy to supply the Buffet music. Joe you out there man?

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That sounds cool with the light and all.

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Todd Welter
2008 220ls 5.0 MPI
Greers Ferry Lake
"Serenity Now"

Chad Kirby:

Great idea for the "dinner wagon" pontoon... at least one of the evenings so people can stay at the tie-up a little longer.  We were last boat out of the cove twice at Summer Splash, and would have stayed longer if we weren't getting hungry! 

I also definitely like the cruise to dinner / back at night idea, maybe on Sunday night, or early in the week.  Worman house at Big Cedar is great if anyone is interested in a nice dinner one evening - would require reservations well in advance if a big group wants to go together...

The themed boat poker run at Summer Splash was awsome (after we finally found our first stop).

 Off the wall thought - anybody know someone at Table Rock with a big houseboat and a band?  There is a guy at our local lake that sets up a 2-man band on the top deck complete with Peavey amps, etc.  I don't know if he does it professionally or not, but he is real good - mostly classic rock, and it makes for a great atmosphere in the cove...

 

You bring your own weiner nite maybe... I know a guy with a grill and he's willing to use it!  I'd pick one nite for BYOW and a twilight cruise home, or maybe rent the state dock for a wiener roast that floats!  and everyone gets out an socializes, pitch-in, pizza, whatever...

Again, I don't make the rules, i just break'em
 

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High Life
2004 "slightly modified" 270BR
5.7 GXi DP
Port of Highland, IL

"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but having the perspective to dance in the rain."

Drew Fassler:

With the thought of the late night cruise, we could decorate our boats with summer time decorations and lights. Imagine 20+ boats decorated with lights all tied up. Everyone would see us and enough light for people to see everyone and still hang out.

Drew is right on...

I was in Wallyworld the other day and they have LED strands for $5.  Now most people would think, whatever, but I bought a few and i'll convert them easily to 12.  I plan on lining my Bimini with them along the support poles.... Just when I thought I was done with boating toys and modifications!

Can you say winter project.... LOL...


 

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High Life
2004 "slightly modified" 270BR
5.7 GXi DP
Port of Highland, IL

"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but having the perspective to dance in the rain."

night time boat ride would be nice.......

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WET-VETTE
383 and going supercharged again..... doing the install this winter and already started.....
Bravo 1 w/Stern Jack

Brett & Lori Mergner
2005 225 LPX
Kansas City, MO

While the thought of a nighttime cruise sounds wonderful, the concern is to have it as an organized might not be the best idea.  Probably best if groups that want to go on a night cruise just make those plans on their own. 

 But please keep throwing out the suggestions...

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2008 National Rally Planner

New member of the group here.  Just joined today.  So my input has the least weight of anyone here.  But, that being said ...

Do I understand correctly that not a single rally has ever been held near West Frankfort, Illinois, where Crownlines are built?!?  Because I went to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale about ... well ... SEVERAL years ago, I know there is some very pretty country down there.  Many major lakes that are popular with boaters come to mind:  Rend Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Kinkaid Lake.

And imagine the opportunities that present themselves with the Crownline plant right down the street:

1)  A "Welcome Party" plant tour where rally attendees can see new Crowllines being built, and can personally thank the folks who built each of our boats

2)  Crownline sponsored promotions; including perhaps their Mobile Learning Lab at the parking lot near the launch ramp, and several new model Crownline boats on the water for testing by rally attendees

3) Crownline flea market and parts swap meet; either at the lakeside park where attendees gather, or in the Crownline plant parking lot (maybe I could finally find those missing gold letters I need for my 1999 212DB!) 

Just a thought.  Check out the following links for more background on the lakes of "Little Egypt":

http://www.rendlake.com/files/rendlakestatefishwildlifearea.pdf 

http://users.midwestmail.com/nightlife/cdalerocks/treasures/09Lakes.html

 

http://www.maulden.net/Kinkaid/KINKAID.HTM

Anxious to get to my first rally, and officially "join the club".

Bill

Bill,

 Those are great ideas.  I think in the end it all comes down to 2 or 3 things that make or break the Rally lake choice.

1. Enough facilities to house 75 - 125 families in a close enough proximity that they can all get together.

2. A "host" facility that is willing to offer up space for a large dinner and other gatherings.

3. Somebody familiar enough with the lake and surrounding area to "volunteer" to put it all together.

With the lakes that are in the normal rotation they have all been done a few times so the "blueprint" so to say is pretty much laid out and getting things nailed down is much easier to do.  Last year we were tossing around the idea of trying to do Dale Hollow lake because alot of people really like that like and the area.  But after a couple dozen phone calls and some logistical planning it just didn't have the facilities for everybody to be co-located so we had to scratch it.

I'm not familiar with any of those Southern Illinois lakes but if not a "National" rally, you could always put together a regional rally.  I know some of the regionals are pretty large.

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Bill, I don't know if any of those lakes could host the national just cause of size and facilities but like Ryan said, it would be awesome if a regional one were held there.  Boat slips is a huge consideration as is lodging.  We're looking at 100 boats at least at Table Rock in June and probably 500 people.  When people like Ryan and others have tried a new lake, the same thing comes up...lack of resorts, lack of slips. 

I was on Rend Lake briefly last year.  Would love to see the whole thing.  And your tie in ideas to the factory are great.  The Crownline truck will be at the National this year.  The swap meet is a cool idea. 

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O'
"Little Mascara 3"
2003 266BR,496 MAG w/Bravo III

Good points, all.  I can see how the logistics of pulling together such a rally can limit your location candidates.

Do I assume correctly that someone has already looked into portable docking rental (see http://www.jetdock.com/special-events.asp) as one means of expanding your options?  No idea what that costs, but if corporate sponsors could be identified to help pick up some or all of the tab ...

Just thinking out loud (and, No, I'm not volunteering  )

Bill