Yes, I have been following with envy your flight logs.
You are talking about Robin Hambley of Robin's Hobbies and the "Port-A-Potti Pilots".
I think he is still around. Robin specializes in Camp-outs (hence the "port-a-potti" theme), Night flying and Float Flying. A great guy and friend to everybody. Use to ba a regular participant at the London Bridge Seaplane Classic. Seems like I saw him there only a couple years ago.
I use to have a boat - 19' Bayliner - and have made the trip to Catalina a couple times without an airplane. Leave out of Long Beach and head due South to Avalon. There is a Water Ski race that does this trip behind large Cigarrette boats. Out and back in an less than an hour. It can be a very rough ride in the wrong weather. Robin amazed me with his tales of his trip.
You might have just made an interesting challenge for next year for Havasu. I have an RC friend with a large fishing boat. I don't know the condition of the boat but it looks good and is big enough for both of us. Looks like about 20' King Fisher. The biggest problem might be his work schedule. I'll check.
Now, I'll have to design a plane for this.

Dan