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The great boatyball lottery #196561
06/03/2019 07:27 AM
06/03/2019 07:27 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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GeorgeC1  Offline OP
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Granddaughter really wanted to go to Cooper despite my plans to avoid it. Set up 30 feet from a excellent internet source. Logged phone on to atomic and UTC time. Limbered up my fingers. Checked and rechecked proper log on. Tap the Mooring of choice at exactly 0700:00 atomic time. No joy to early. 40 seconds to go to UTC time. Boatyball must be using that. Here it comes! Tapped the ball at exactly 0700:00 UTC, no joy ball taken, on to second choice, ball taken, on to third choice, success! Say click now to reserve. Tap reserve and offline pops up. Try again with no luck. Check another internet sight. Lightening fast internet. Maybe I got the ball afterall. Try and check my reservations. Only a spinnng wheel no data. Try a few minutes later. No soup for you! Alas the modern world!
G

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Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196562
06/03/2019 07:41 AM
06/03/2019 07:41 AM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 503
ski2play Offline
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ski2play  Offline
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Posts: 503
Damn George! So close.....enjoy you day! And your time with the grands!

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196563
06/03/2019 07:50 AM
06/03/2019 07:50 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Good luck explaining boatyball to your granddaughter.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196564
06/03/2019 08:01 AM
06/03/2019 08:01 AM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,392
Maryland
Kirk Offline
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Kirk  Offline
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Posts: 1,392
Maryland
To quote Yogi...

No one goes there nowadays, it’s too crowded.


Ain't innovation great? duh


Kirk in Maryland
Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196566
06/03/2019 08:56 AM
06/03/2019 08:56 AM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier Offline
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aarpskier  Offline
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Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
BB is just a smaller version of reservamerica.com (state parks) or reservations.gov (national parks). And if you live out west (we don't), you get to arise at 4:45 a.m. for the pleasure of not getting your desired campsite at 8:00 am! Alas the modern world, indeed!

You don't need to explain BB to your granddaughter, you need to let her use the app. She won't need to limber up her fingers. My buck says she scores!

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196569
06/03/2019 09:30 AM
06/03/2019 09:30 AM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,343
Washington DC
B
bailau Offline
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Washington DC
LOL...I had my college kids secure my first boatyball after being shutout personally...and then didnt even need it

One of my suggestions to BB was moor by field instead of by ball to avoid the hassle....

We scratched Cooper from our future list given their poor service model and the boatyball hassle

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196576
06/03/2019 11:22 AM
06/03/2019 11:22 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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GeorgeC1  Offline OP
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We headed over to Cooper anyway. Grand daughter has a way with her begging face! Lots of balls at 11 AM and got a good one for her to swim to beach. Everyone is happy. Now just pray boatyballl does not convert anymore balls at Cooper!!

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196590
06/03/2019 01:34 PM
06/03/2019 01:34 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier Offline
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aarpskier  Offline
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Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
... Grand daughter has a way with her begging face! ...


I am not positive, at least to a scientific certainty, but I believe from my personal observations of a sample size of four that all grandchildren come with that face as part of the standard equipment. love

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196591
06/03/2019 01:42 PM
06/03/2019 01:42 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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GeorgeC1  Offline OP
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Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Getting ready to head out for a dive. Two FCFS balls still open and about half the boatyballs. Fantastic weather but supposed to get rainy later in the week.
G

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196619
06/03/2019 08:51 PM
06/03/2019 08:51 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
How was the dive, where did you go?


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196622
06/03/2019 09:07 PM
06/03/2019 09:07 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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GeorgeC1  Offline OP
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Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Dove wreck alley. Several turtles and the tugboat is still in pretty good shape. As I mentioned a while ago some torched the props off the motor barge ruining a great photo op. Brand spanking new ball on the sight so they are replacing them. Vis was average.
G

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196734
06/04/2019 10:21 PM
06/04/2019 10:21 PM
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 296
K
Kryssa Offline
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Kryssa  Offline
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Posts: 296
Is it normal for all BBs to be taken right at 7 am for Cooper?

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196736
06/04/2019 10:33 PM
06/04/2019 10:33 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 183
Lake Tara, GA
Standrea Offline
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Standrea  Offline
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Lake Tara, GA
Yep, people like the insurance of having a first night there if their boat briefs run late. There is a trick though...here is your TTOL tip of the day. At 7am, tap on one of the middle balls right away. Most people tend to tap on the front ones first and the ones on the outside. Never fails....and have always got a ball using this technique....although now the cat's out of the bag...👍👍

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196740
06/05/2019 05:22 AM
06/05/2019 05:22 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Or go elsewhere and don’t stress over getting a ball.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: Standrea] #196745
06/05/2019 07:49 AM
06/05/2019 07:49 AM
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
mfringsley Offline
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@Standrea.....now that's using your noodle. Great tip.

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: warren460] #196749
06/05/2019 08:11 AM
06/05/2019 08:11 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
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sail445  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
People trying to have a stress free vacation have to put up with this petty annoying Idea that only benefits a few.

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196787
06/05/2019 03:23 PM
06/05/2019 03:23 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251
Okla
ScurvyD Offline
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ScurvyD  Offline
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Posts: 251
Okla
At Peter right now. Will be at Cooper tomorrow around 11. I can't imagine not been g able to go d a ball, but who knows. At the Willy T in a bit if anyone is around. Stay safe.


I'd like to be a jelly fish, cause jelly fish don't pay rent.
Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: ScurvyD] #196840
06/05/2019 09:13 PM
06/05/2019 09:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 58
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stlmco Offline
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Doing Great Harbor tomorrow afternoon. Did all the mooring balls get taken, and if so what time? Just wondering if I should plan on anchoring.

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196849
06/05/2019 10:20 PM
06/05/2019 10:20 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Don't plan on anchoring at Cooper.

It will damage the sea grass and that would be harmful to the sea turtles.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: warren460] #196862
06/05/2019 11:19 PM
06/05/2019 11:19 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 58
S
stlmco Offline
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Yes, you’re right. Was asking about Great Harbor Peter Island. And, when anchoring there I typically go around to White Bay.

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: stlmco] #196873
06/06/2019 06:07 AM
06/06/2019 06:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,343
Washington DC
B
bailau Offline
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Washington DC
Originally Posted by stlmco
Doing Great Harbor tomorrow afternoon. Did all the mooring balls get taken, and if so what time? Just wondering if I should plan on anchoring.


In May GH,PI balls taken by about 2ish but then some turned over around 400. 5-10 boats anchored along N/NE end of harbor.

Check distance between balls as some are too close

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: sail445] #196901
06/06/2019 09:50 AM
06/06/2019 09:50 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 183
Lake Tara, GA
Standrea Offline
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Standrea  Offline
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Lake Tara, GA
Some people could be given an entire field of roses and only see the thorns in it....Other people could be given a single weed and only see the wildflower in
it.

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196914
06/06/2019 11:51 AM
06/06/2019 11:51 AM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251
Okla
ScurvyD Offline
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ScurvyD  Offline
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Posts: 251
Okla
Just got to Cooper. 8 FCFS balls open.


I'd like to be a jelly fish, cause jelly fish don't pay rent.
Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196996
06/07/2019 06:48 AM
06/07/2019 06:48 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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GeorgeC1  Offline OP
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Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Getting ready to enter the boatyball lottery once again. This time great harbor. Only a 3 G internet connection available here. Do I have a chance?

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #196999
06/07/2019 07:03 AM
06/07/2019 07:03 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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GeorgeC1  Offline OP
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Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Lost again. Looks like you don’t have a chance with a phone internet connection. Oh well, we will eat on the boat tonight. Corsairs did not need my money!
G

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #197003
06/07/2019 08:27 AM
06/07/2019 08:27 AM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,392
Maryland
Kirk Offline
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Kirk  Offline
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Posts: 1,392
Maryland
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
Lost again. Looks like you don’t have a chance with a phone internet connection. Oh well, we will eat on the boat tonight. Corsairs did not need my money!
G

Aren't there still plenty of other balls in GH?


Kirk in Maryland
Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: Standrea] #197004
06/07/2019 08:35 AM
06/07/2019 08:35 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
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sail445 Offline
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sail445  Offline
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Originally Posted by Standrea
Some people could be given an entire field of roses and only see the thorns in it....Other people could be given a single weed and only see the wildflower in
it.

And some people plant a garden of poison ivy and only realize their mistake after it has taken over the field.

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: Kirk] #197005
06/07/2019 09:04 AM
06/07/2019 09:04 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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GeorgeC1  Offline OP
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Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
I am sure there are lots of empty balls at the moment. Probably will be when we planned to arrive this afternoon. Boatyball always seems however to take the best balls and the chances of getting a first come first served ball are reduced. 5 balls in great harbor is not to bad. When they have all the balls in one location and offer priority bookings to one or more of the largest charter companies it might not seem so great.
G

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #197021
06/07/2019 11:14 AM
06/07/2019 11:14 AM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251
Okla
ScurvyD Offline
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ScurvyD  Offline
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Okla
Looks like we a day behind you GeorgeC1. In a slip.at leverick tonight. Any one around?


I'd like to be a jelly fish, cause jelly fish don't pay rent.
Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #197041
06/07/2019 01:24 PM
06/07/2019 01:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 507
OU Sooner
G
ggffrr11 Offline
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Posts: 507
OU Sooner
I think sometimes the lack of success in the boatyball lottery is not based upon internet usage, but on phone usage. I think I would (and some people do) call my college kid back home and have him book the mooring ball for me at game time. Of course, the kid can't seem to get up consistently and make to his morning classes, so . . . maybe not.

Re: The great boatyball lottery [Re: GeorgeC1] #197061
06/07/2019 05:25 PM
06/07/2019 05:25 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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GeorgeC1  Offline OP
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
We dove Mercurios rock and then spent the day at White Bay. Stopped by great harbor and there was one ball left so snagged that. Boat just anchored right behind me. If we get backwinded we will be meeting later tonight. Foxy’s looks in good shape and we have a reservation for dinner. Jost seems to have made the best recovery of all the islands and is back to normal in most ways. Guy collecting for the Mooring ball had to put his joint down to make change. There was a group of kids near Foxy’s who looked 10 to 12 years old. Maybe one was 13 passing several joints around so I guess things are back to normal! They start them young here!
G


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