Boats tend to group up due to similar speeds and schedules(40-50 nm a day). If people are social, you start "partying" together on various boats, get to know a group(we did).
As far as all the rest, charts, weather routing(on the ICW?), up to date marina info, seminar info, all that stuff is available on all the tablets and laptops aboard, for free today.
Potlucks,...? For 750.00, I'd want it catered.