Time to Head North

Next week will be my fourth trip up to see Boyne Thunder, one of America’s premiere poker runs. The first couple of years I traveled up to Michigan, I had hoped to at least bring my Formula 242 up as a marshal boat, but ongoing trailer issues nixed that. Later, having sold my boat, my wife and I still enjoyed heading up to see the boats and check out all the activities, like the street show in Boyne City and the art fair in Charlevoix, which always seems to be held on the same weekend. There’s no doubt that the region includes some of the most scenic areas the Midwest has to offer.

The Street Party in Boyne City on Friday night is one you don't want to miss.

This year, my wife has declined to go, and being freed up, I decided to inquire about the possibility of volunteering at the event, which raises money for children with cancer and individuals with disabilities. Having secured a couple of opportunities to pitch in, I started to make plans.

I had thought about going about a month or more before, but we were invited to travel with some friends to Florida in the Fall, so I held off. When it later became clear that my wife’s job would not allow us to travel south in November, I looked again at coming up to BT, but by that time, no reasonable accommodations were available, and she was balking at making another trip north.

That meant going by myself, and since my needs are pretty modest (I just need a place to rest my head at night and take a shower) I figured I could find a convenient camping spot in the area. Finding campgrounds was not an issue; the only problem is that most non-electric tent sites can’t be reserved in advance, so it’s first-come-first served just about everywhere. I’m pretty confident that I won’t have any problems, and though I am not a big recreational camper, I think this will be a nice little adventure.

The continued popularity of this event is a real testament to the people who work so hard to put it on every year. When I first ventured up here in 2008, I think there were about 40 boats running; this year I believe the number of registrants is up to 120—and there are lots of people who are still on the waiting list. Since that more performance boaters are discovering this great Poker Run, it’s become a “must do”—not only for boaters, but for manufacturers who like to premiere their new boats. One I am especially looking forward to see is Catnip, a new classic wooden runabout from Van Dam Custom Boats, which is actually located in Boyne City. See you at the street show next Friday Night!


Catnip under construction at Van Dam Custom Boats

Boyne Thunder: The Great Northern Poker Run

Everybody knows about big powerboat poker runs like Desert Storm and Key West, but switch out the sand and palm trees for the clean, cool waters of Northwest Michigan and the rich smell of pine trees, and you've got the great Northern poker run...Boyne Thunder. We headed up there after work on Friday night and jumped off I-75 at Gaylord for a solid night's sleep before heading over to Boyne City bright and early Saturday to watch the 40+ boats head out across Lake Charlevoix.

The municipal marina at Boyne City is a great venue for this event; there's plenty of room for even the largest boats, and the point on the western end is a great spot for spectators to gather. This year's event has been described by many as the best ever - and the collection of boats found at the docks backed that up, with a great selection of Skaters, Nor-Techs, Outerlimits, Apaches, Fountains, Formulas and Cigarettes on hand. It was an incredible scene -- especially when they all started the engines and headed out onto the lake.

As a tradition, the boats (in two groups) circle around the lake on a high-speed parade lap before heading west toward Charlevoix -- and the hundreds of spectators gathered on the point roared their approval as each boat gunned its engines on the pass-by.

The boats then head down the lake, through Round Lake at Charelvoix, then out the channel to Lake Michigan and the other card stops. The weather was just about perfect; warm and sunny, with little wind--which made the big lake manageable for some high speed runs and lots of fun. We drove up to Charlevoix for a few beers, caught a few more nice boats heading up the channel, then gradually worked our way back toward Boyne City right after noon. We even had a chance to grab a bite at the Horton Bay General Store, which any Ernest Hemingway fan would recognize from his Nick Adams stories.

The final card stop was at the marina at Somerset Pointe, featuring a very nice reception which offered visitors a chance to catch the boat crews coming in for some snacks and ice cold refreshments. We weren't sure how they were going to fit everyone in, but they managed to get the crews off the boats and into the bar with a high level of organization. Clearly, this run benefits greatly from a wonderful team of volunteers, who managed it all superbly. Hats off to them.

We wanted to stay longer for the Thunder Feast that evening, but the wife and I had another stop to make on that day's itinerary, and over a 100 miles to travel before nightfall. Suffice to say that as before, we had a short but albeit wonderful time at Boyne Thunder, and look forward to coming back again. If you're an offshore powerboater who loves great poker runs and is looking for something a little different, this is one run you will want to add to your calendar next year.

P1 Superstock Series Featured at 2011 Madison Regatta

P1 SuperStock has launched their new head-to-head Match Race this weekend at the 2011 Madison Regatta. While primarily known as a venue for H1 hydroplane racing, Madison-area fans have eagerly embraced the new P1 Superstock racing formula, adding a new dimension to powerboat racing here.

PHOTO CREDITS: P1superstock.com.

Madison, Indiana, is located on the Ohio River; the earliest documented power boat regatta here took place in 1911. The steamship PRINCESS from Coney Island tied up in the middle of the river as power launches ran an oval track roughly around the boat. This was also one of the earliest examples of competition as it is currently characterized around a closed course.

Team Oregon Custom Marine of the number 15 Panther made history by becoming the first Match Racing Champion of all time. Oregon Custom Marine ran the course extremely well, hitting every turn tightly with ease and quickly crossing the finish line.

PHOTO CREDITS: madisonregatta.com.

With a first place finish in Saturday’s Match Race, Team Oregon Custom Marine earns the pole position of their choice for Sunday’s endurance race. Team JD Byrider of the number 14 boat finished second, receiving the second option for preferred pole position. Typhoon Racing and Pirate Racing were back and forth throughout the entire race and had fans on the edge of their seat until the final lap. Typhoon Racing finished just a few feet in front of Pirate Racing earning them a victory in the first of their three heats.

Be sure to check out www.p1superstock.com for results from the inaugural P1 USA Series event.

Speculation Abounds Whether Phenomenon will Show at LOTO Shootout

Little has been seen or heard about Al Copeland Jr. and his Phenomenon cat since the boat debuted at the Key West Worlds in 2009 and making a splash at the Miami Boat Show back in 2010. The 56-foot catamaran with four T-55 Lycoming turbines got a lot of attention when it was first seen, but technical problems encountered since that time seem to have put the kabosh on any speed record attempts or further trials over the last year. Recently, speculation has grown on whether the boat might turn up at this year's Lake of The Ozarks Shootout, on August 22-28.

PHOTO CREDITS: luxury4play.com.

Driver Al Copeland Jr., was hoping to follow in the footsteps of his famous boat racing father, who founded the Popeyes restaurant chain. Phenomenon is the culmination of his father’s wish to break the propeller-driven speed record of 220.43 mph...but there's some stiff competition out there from other powerful turbine cats, like Miss Geico--which has hit 210mph.

PHOTO CREDITS: unrealluxury.com.

With the 4 turbines, the boat was supposed to bust out with about 12,000hp--and on paper, it should be able to make a solid record attempt. The question is, will we see it any time soon? The project's Facebook page has plenty of fan questions...but no answers.

2011 Oneida Lake Swamp Run - Good Fun for a Good Cause

Lots of Poker Runs are run to benefit a worthy non-profit cause, and few are more worthy than the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Once again, New York State Power Boat Inc. is organizing another great Swamp Run on New York's beautiful Lake Oneida. Set for Saturday, July 30th, the run is known for its excellent water, fun destinations and top-notch organization.

PHOTO CREDIT: Sharkey Images.

This year the Swamp Run will follow the same course as last year, starting and ending in Brewerton at The WaterFront. From there, the group will run to Sylvan, have lunch and relax for about an hour and a half at Harpoon Eddie's. Afterwards, everyone will line up in front of the beach (South Side) and run in line across the front of the beach for everyone to watch.

Following this will be a run to ChMarker 117 for a card stop, then to ChMarker 135 for another card stop, then to 3 Mile Bay for a raft off with some fun and Bikinis. At 5pm, the whole group will run back to the Waterfront for dinner at 7pm with banquet and plenty of refreshments.

Last year, the event was able to raise over $10,000.00 for Make-A-Wish, and organizer Nolan Ferris has set an even more ambition goal of 21,500.00 for this year. If you've ever wondered how big a difference a contribution can make for an event like this, check out the touching story that Nolan has posted on Offshore Only.com.

To find out more and reserve your spot, contact Nolan at NysPowerBoat@yahoo.com.

Formula Owners - Make Plans for Birds on The Bay 2011

Boats are in the water in New Jersey, and East Coast Formula owners may want to mark their calendars now for the 2nd Annual Birds on the Bay Formula Rendezvous, scheduled for Saturday, July 16th. The event is scheduled to kick off at 11:00AM, with the boats meeting up at Tices Shoal on the Barnegat Bay (Latitude: 39.8398415, Longitude: -74.1087476).

The event is strictly casual; participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies (beer, drinks, ice and food) and raft up with the other Formula boat owners in the area. Whether you're a Formula, Thunderbird, or even a Falcon owner, you are more the welcome to join us for what will truly be an epic day.

To RSVP, simply email FormulaOwnersOfNJ@gmail.com so organizers can can get an idea of the turnout expected. They will also be more than happy to provide any information about marinas, ramps, transient slips, or the area in general. Check it out!

Sustained High Winds Cancel Shoot-Out at Desert Storm

LakeracerLLC has announced that Desert Storm Shootout has been canceled for 2011, due to high winds on the lake and the fact that the weather conditions may extend over the rest of the weekend. The US Coast Guard and other public safety agencies in the area deemed the conditions too dangerous for high speed operation.

PHOTO CREDIT: Citydata.com.

The local weather forecast for Sunday is the same as today; boaters on-site have reported high sustained winds with severe gusting throughout the day Saturday. Nevertheless, safety always comes first - and the decision was a good one. Even though the shoot-out was cancelled, everyone at Havasu says Desert Storm was still a first-rate event. Here's hoping a new shoot-out champion can be crowned next year--for now, JBS Racing gets to retain their bragging rights!

How to Catch the Action at Havasu...Even if You're Not There

Desert Storm 2011 is in full swing at Lake Havasu, AZ -- as hundreds of high performance boats have descended on LHC for one of the country's biggest, baddest poker runs and high speed shoot-outs. We told you about the action earlier this month, but if you weren't able to make it to the lake (like us) you can still check out what's going on this weekend at a couple of great places on the Internet.

PHOTO CREDIT: OSO member Rivergirl.

First, I'd stop by Offshore Only forum...take a minute to register (it's free) and take a look at The Official 2011 Desert Storm Poker Run Picture Thread. There are lots of great photos from the lake, the street party and more...including some of the hottest boats around.

PHOTO CREDITS: River Dave's Place.

Alternatively, you can surf over to River Dave's Place, another popular West Coast forum, and watch their livestream, which will be available during the weekend. Be sure to take a look, and check out the forums, too; I'm sure plenty of boaters who are on site at Desert Storm will be posting. Crack a Corona and imagine you are there!

Make Plans Now for Jacksonville River Rally Poker Run

The Poker Run season is well underway, and you may want to start planning for one of the best. It happens June 9th-11th, as the Florida Powerboat Club returns to to the River City, Jacksonville, FL, for its 2011 run. Known for incredible parties on and off the water, this year's Jacksonville River Rally promises to be a memorable time, and is highly recommended. Jacksonville Landing once again provides the perfect backdrop for dining, entertainment, poker run displays and awesome party action.

PHOTO CREDITS: Allen Chester.

The event's Headquarter Hotel will be the Jacksonville Hyatt Regency Riverfront. To book now, you can call the FPC office, at 954-545-1414 or DOWNLOAD the registration form. You can also contact Jackie Jones for alternate accommodations choices at: fpcevents@gmail.com. For general information, call Bill Pyburn at (904) 388-6637.

PHOTO CREDIT: OSO Member Swede.

Proceeds will benefit Camp Amigo - the Children's Burn Camp of North Florida. Here's a brief rundown of the schedule:

Thursday, June 9, 2011
12:00pm Docking will be available (Jax Landing Docks & Metro Docks) Shuttle bus available (Carey) 904-349-1217
11am—7pm Check in and Registration (The Hyatt Hotel)
9pm —?? Join us at the Ivy Bar for our Meet & Greet Party

Friday, June 10, 2011
8:30am-6:30pm Check in and Registration (The Hyatt Hotel)
9:30am Mandatory Captain’s Meeting at Hyatt Hotel
7am-9pm Shuttle bus available (Carey) 904-349-1217
11am Depart dock and enjoy the fun run and lunch, at the Sand Bar - South of the Shands Bridge on the St. Johns River
7pm-9pm Wings, beer, and refreshments at the Jacksonville Landing
7pm—2am Live entertainment center stage at the Jacksonville Landing

Saturday, June 11, 2011
7am–9:30am Late Registration (The Hyatt Hotel)
8:30am Mandatory Captain’s Meeting at Hyatt Hotel (FOR CAPTAINS WHO DID NOT ATTEND FRIDAY’S CAPTAIN’S MEETING)
7am—10:30am Shuttle bus available (Carey) 904-349-1217
9:30am Depart dock for start of the Poker Run
10am/approx Fast Track Start (for boats 100+MPH)
10:10am Start of Poker Run (for all other boats)
12pm—3pm Lunch at Outback Crab Shack
3pm— 6:30 pm Shuttle bus available (Carey) 904-349-1217
5:30pm Return to Docks
6pm-7:30pm Enjoy cocktails and card playing at Mavericks upstairs at the Jacksonville Landing followed by:
7:30pm Dinner

JBS Racing Demonstrates Boat with New Sponsor

JBS Racing has always impressed us with their boats - and they are at it again. This year the boat features a new paint scheme to highlight the team's new Sponsor, Tumbleweeds Southwest Grill. Here's some video footage of the team running their boat at Tumbleweed at The Waterfront in Louisville, KY.

VIDEO: Courtesy JBS Racing.

Of course, you'll notice that the space for running this fast is a little tight, but the boat is nowhere near its top speed, and great precautions were made to clear out the area as the run was taking place (it's still very early in the season, so not a lot of boats are out on the river yet. No doubt this is a great way to get people excited about offshore racing - hats off and best of luck to JBS on their 2011 season!

Campaign is On to Increase Daytime Speeds on Lake Winnepesaukee

As we have noted before, New Hampsire's largest lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, has been the subject of much controversy since the establishment of an arbitrary speed limits of 45 mph. One group, Safe Boaters of New Hampshire, has worked tirelessly to rid the lake of these limits.

PHOTO CREDITS: Boatinglocal.com.

There is currently a bill that has already passed the State Senate that would increases the daytime limit to 55 mph. While this proposed bill doesn't repeal the limits completely, high performance boaters feel it is a step in the right direction.

The group just started an email campaign to the NH House of Representatives, and is looking for as many emails as possible to support this bill. To accomplish this task they have set up a email system on their website that will allow supporters to simply click a button to send an email to every member in the House.The goal is to to show that Boaters who use the water safely do not support arbitrary limits. Visit www.sbonh.org to let your voice be heard.

Hudson River Spring Fun Run - May 7th & 8th

Want to have some fast fun without blowing a huge wad of cash? Then you can join a group of NY powerboaters for this family-style fun run that's FREE and open to anyone. The fun starts on Saturday, May 7th, when boats will be leaving Cannonball Marina in Stony Point, NY at 11am, heading south to see the NYC skyline and Statue of Liberty. Later, the plan is to return to the marina, where boats can be loaded back on the trailers and everyone can grab a late lunch / early dinner at a local restaurant.

PHOTO CREDITS: OSO member Nordic95.

On Sunday, May 8th, the plan is to start the morning at about 11am, where boats will be heading North to the Steel House restaurant in Roundout Creek for a raft up and lunch. As noted previously, it's planned to be a family style event - wives and kids are welcome and boats of all sizes and speeds are encouraged to join in the fun; in fact, stopping points will be set up along the way so everyone can wait for the slower boats.

To find out more, check out THIS THREAD on Offshore Only - contact member Nordic95 so he can get a headcount for the event as soon as possible.

West Coasters and the Country's Big Guns Head Out to Havasu for Desert Storm 2011

It's that time again - Spring is here and so is Desert Storm. Once again, Lakeracer LLC and Teague Custom Marine have joined together to bring together a collection of many of the most significant performance boats across the nation to Lake Havasu, Arizona. The action takes place from April 27 -30...here's a brief run-down of the week's events:

Wednesday begins when the Arizona Chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Havasu For Youth Organization, LakeRacer and the Platinum Powerboat Club present the second annual Desert Storm “Putin on the Wish”! Owners will provide rides in high performance powerboats and help raise funds to help these charities continue their work! Wednesday night, there's an open house party at the newest Lake Havasu Boat dealership, Oregon Custom Marine.

PHOTO CREDITS: younewstv.com.

Thursday the excitement continues with a down town Street Party, opening at noon. All participants and Sponsors are invited to display their boats on McCulloch Boulevard; display and vendor booth areas will be open to the public. Last years Street Party was spectacular and over 14,000 people turned out , and registration / check in for the poker run and shootout will be available at the time.

PHOTO CREDITS: The Nautical Inn.

Friday morning the Poker Run takes off from The Nautical Resort, with registration, drivers meeting and a parade through the London Bridge Channel beginning the run. With 3 card stations in the morning, Lunch catered at the Nautical Inn, 2 card stations and a helicopter photo station in the afternoon, there is lots of fun boating action! There's also a huge Pool Party at The Nautical that night, where the cards will be opened and the winners recorded.

Saturday morning begins with registration and check in for the Desert Storm Shootout. The Shootout Course starts off in Thompson Bay and runs two miles south on the Arizona side. Set to run all day with a break for lunch, it's where the fastest boats in the west will make their mark. Spectators have a great view from Rotary Park Beach. Saturday night awards are handed out for top speeds in each class and the new King of the Desert will be crowned! Dinner will be served and loads of prizes given out including the winning hands of the Poker Run, at a huge outdoor party at the Nautical Resort. Here is a video covering some of the sights and sounds of Desert Storm 2010 - courtesy YouTube user havasupowerboats.

If you've never been to Desert Storm, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss. For more information on the event, head over to the official website HERE.

OSS Starts 2011 Rolling with Smokin' The Sound at Biloxi

The folks living on America's Gulf Coast are working hard to make last year's oil spill a distant memory - and what better way than to kick off the start of the 2011 Offshore Super Series (OSS) season. The waters off Biloxi, MS are clean and clear now - and the beaches are ready for action, starting with the 2011 “Smokin’ the Sound” (STS) from May 12 – 15. The popular race will once again kick off this year’s OSS racing schedule.

This Biloxi event has become a favorite site for racers and fans alike, with exciting boat racing by day and all the casino action nightlife you can handle. The race brings out thousands of fans, and along with a Poker Run put on in conjunction with the Florida Powerboat Club, promises to be a real premier event. A kickoff Sponsor Appreciation Party is set to be hosted at the Beau Rivage, and other evening events are planned at the Hard Rock, the Imperial Palace (IP) and the Isle of Capri.

PHOTO CREDITS: Smokinthesound.com.

OSS Racing will be featured on both Saturday and Sunday; the big OSS cats are expected to clock in at 150 mph down the straight-a-way, with other classes consistently hitting the mark at over 100 mph. One of the great things about Smokin' The Sound is that you don't need binoculars to follow the action...you can see all of the excitement up-close by accessing any of the premium or VIP viewing areas. See the race course map below.


For more information, head over to the OSS website, or the official Smokin' The Sound website, HERE.

PRA Cape Coral Season Opener

Poker Runs America [PRA] kicked off another spectacular season of poker runs with their opener over the weekend of March 11-12. Cape Coral, FL proved to be a great site for the event, as the weather was warm and sunny, and winds were light - at around 11 knots.

PHOTO CREDITS: Poker Runs America.

To see more shots from the event, check out the PRA website HERE. There are also some nice photos of the event to be found on this Serious Ofshore thread - courtesy of member Frank Fasulo. Take a look - it's probably the next best think to being there.

New Activist Group Seeks to Keep Lake WinniPesaukee Open for Performance Boaters

New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee is a big lake - and has been one of the Northeast's top boating destinations for many years. Over the past several years, there has been a real struggle between boaters who want to keep the lake open to free, fun and responsible boating, and zealots who have pressured legislators to enact a 45mph speed limit on this attractive and popular lake.

Now there is an Activist Group - Safe Boaters of New Hampshire (SBONH) that is working with the State of NH Legislature to promote safe boating and effective legislation. This was the group the came out in severe opposition of prematurely ending the speed limit tests and instituting a permanent speed limit. This group of avid and educated boaters is also working to support bills to allow captains call on the lake as well as increase safety by promoting inspections with the US Power Squadron and other initiatives.

PHOTO CREDIT: www.lov2xlr8.no.

The group has started their own Forum to privately discuss these future initiatives and they ask that all interested powerboaters who enjoy Lake Winnipisaukee join to show your support as well as chime in on the crucial discussion that will shape the future of all lakes in New Hampshire. Check them out here.

Lightning On The Water Expected to Electrify Atlantic City & The Jersey Shore

The Offshore Powerboat Association hosts "Lightning on the Water" on Sunday Sept. 19 in Atlantic City, a Grand Prix event that's shaping up to be a critical junction in the current OPA racing season. This is the first year powerboats have raced in Atlantic City since 2004, after competing in Point Pleasant for the last several years. Racing takes place in six bracketed divisions, and the winner of the premier division (Extreme Turbine – Unlimited) will be vying for a $50,000 grand prize.

PHOTO CREDIT: Press of Atlantic City

"We have no intention of going away," said OPA president Ed Smith, 53, who races a 38-footer sponsored by Wazzup Motorsports. "We are going to do this for many years in the future. I am looking at least another five years."

This year's races begin Sunday at noon, right in front of Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort to the Showboat Casino Hotel, with the start/finish line in front of the Steer Pier. The races will air on the Versus television channel later in the year, and the high level of interest in the race may point to a revitalization of offshore powerboat racing on the Jersey Shore. About 45 boats are expected for this weekend's races, an increase over the 30 boats that competed at Point Pleasant last year. This year's event attracted a number of drivers due to the upgraded facilities, convenient dockage and extra entertainment value that Atlantic City has to offer.

This winter's television exposure is also expected to aid the growth of the sport, which is getting a major boost in support from Geico. The 2010 race schedule will appear on the cable sports channel starting in late Fall and will run through the end of the year. Geico has also teamed up with Trump Entertainment Resorts to give the Atlantic City race an extra-high profile, providing additional promotion and providing top-level accommodations for the racers.

PHOTO CREDIT: Seabreeze.com.au.

In addition, the 2010 race has a special international flair, as well known competitors like Spirit of Qatar driver Sheikh Hassan are showing up to hit the waves at Atlantic City. The Sheikh admits that the race venues on the eastern coast of the U.S. offers a distinct new challenge to his team. “In fact, the whole east coast is new to us,” he adds. “We know the races take place on open seas, and we hope we can have an advantage with that if we experience rougher conditions.”

Southampton Grand Prix of the Sea sets UK's Southern Coast Abuzz

Powerboat fans in the UK were buzzing about the four big races on the South Coast at Southampton this weekend - as the Southampton Grand Prix of the Sea was set against the backdrop of the big PSP Southampton Boat Show. Seventeen teams from the Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship fleet competed, including five teams that hit the water in P1 for the very first time.

PHOTO CREDIT: Powerboat P1 Superstock

That fact made it especially exciting for Team Fox, who celebrated its maiden Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship as Martin Colligan and Gideon du Val beat seven other powerboat teams to the title, moving within 26-points of championship leaders, Grandstand Motor Sports, with one event to go.

PHOTO CREDIT: PSP Southampton Boat Show.

Early reports had ticket sales up by 112% and the 350+ boat show had added up to 70 more showboats on exhibit in the marina, significantly up from 2009. The excitement and crowds generated by the boat show offered an outstanding opportunity for the P1 SuperStock Championship racers to compete in front of a large and enthusiastic audience. Last year the ten-day boat show event attracted 130,000 visitors but organizers say this year's 42nd annual show would likely break all records.

Don Aronow Memorial Marathon Race Around Long Island Set for September 18th

The 2010 Don Aronow Memorial Race is just a week away, and promises to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to race just like the legends of the sport did....and that includes traveling over the same course and deal with the same conditions they endured many years ago. As HORBA managing director Charlie McCarthy says about this race:

"You finally can compete without having to be a billionaire and have a chance for the win. Many, many races were won by people who used their heads, rather than go allout and blow up in the first half of the race.""

The race starts at LaMotta's Restaurant/Manhasset Bay Marina in Port Washington, NY, then heads North -- going around Orient Pt Litehouse, then around Montauk Pt Litehouse, South around the Rockaways, up the Hudson River, up the East River and back to LaMotta's Restaurant. The total distance is 271 miles, and participants can stop for fuel (if needed) wherever they want.

PHOTO CREDITS: Charlie McCarthy - HORBA,

Stu Hayim in his 32 Skater, "RECOVERY" set the record for this course at 3 hours and 6 minutes in 1989 with Joey Impresscia on the throttles. Think you need a big boat? The first two winners of the Around-Long Island race (in 1959 and 1960) were just 17-footers!

As always, thanks to Charlie McCarthy at HORBA for posting these inspirational, historic photos on the message boards for us to enjoy. For more information about the race, head over to www.nationalpowerboat.com.

VIDEO: Great Footage from Class 1 The Swedish Grand Prix 2010

We came across some great video featuring the Class 1 powerboats at the 2010 Swedish Grand Prix. Team Abu Dhabi walked away with maximum points from the race after Prix, after initial race winners Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Nendi were handed a post-race time penalty for an overtaking infringement on the start-lap.

The 27.62secs long-lap time penalty - added to the World Champion's overall race time - gives Rashed Al Tayer and Giovanni Carpitella a second Grand Prix win in two days. This was especially satisfying for them since it marked the team’s full time entry into the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship. Thanks to YouTube user Homarus12 for the great post.