The first night, after dinner, some played bocce while others joined in a trout tournament, fishing from the dock with live shrimp. The trout were few-blame it on the moon-and Gene Jones, owner along with wife Debbie of a Tournament 192, was the sole winner.

The next day a few played golf on the Davis Love III course, like Kim Gandy of Macon, GA, also a 192 owner. "I'd known only a few of those attending, but everyone bonded within minutes of meeting on the dock. I'd do this two or three times a year if I could. And my wife, Maxine, isn't an everyday water-sun-and-fun type person but she really enjoyed herself."

The rest of the group headed by boat to Cumberland Island National Park. The island was originally developed by Revolutionary War hero Nathaniel Greene, and later purchased by Thomas Carnegie, brother of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. After touring the ruins of the Dungeness mansion, used by the British as a headquarters in the War of 1812 and that burned in 1866 at the end of the Civil War, the group lunched on the grounds of Plum Orchard, the estate of Carnegie's youngest son, George.

The remaining time at Cabin Bluff went by quickly. Several tarpon were hooked, the highlight being Chuck Sheffield's catch and release of a 120-lb. beauty. Chuck and his wife Marijo, who were guests of Seafarer 228 owners Richard and Carol Hamlin, have recently purchased their first Grady-White–an Escape 209.

Dana Mullins and her husband, David, came up from Jacksonville, FL, on their 257. "We've traveled a lot, but this place was the most fun. Such a refreshing group of interesting people from completely different backgrounds with a shared love of the water and their Gradys. We've gotten together with several of them since."

Others attending were Michael and Alice McDonald with a 209; 192 owner Ben Porter with guests Jim and Barbara Armstrong; Tournament 225 owners Johnny and Gloria Shivers; Adventure 208 owners Bill and Anne Smith; Tournament 185 owners Justin and Holly Buckly; Lockwood Marine salesman Danny Branch and wife Stacie; and Grady-White sales representative Steve Camp.

"We don't care what's going on, we'll be back next year!" vowed Dana Mullins.