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Serious Offshore
by Published on 07-17-2020 11:45 PM
Whether it's an offshore race, a poker run, or just a day out running with friends, perfect offshore water is tough to come across. Saturday's Rock The Coast run delivered. 92 boats were registered, I think most made it even though there was a wave advisory sent out on Saturday morning with a forecast of 3 to 5's.
Sometimes the water is way to smooth to have fun in the bigger offshore hulls, sometimes to rough for the smaller offshore hulls to have a good day. But, this Saturday, Lake Michigan gave one of those days where the elements cooperated to where the bigger boats could challenge themselves, and the ...by Published on 07-17-2020 12:20 AMCategories:
One of the special people in Offshore Racing and Performance Boating was West Michigan's Keith Holmes. As part of the Cat Can Do race team, Keith was respected as one of those whose team performed at a level above the budget they had to spend. Plus, almost everybody really liked the guy. Unfortunately, Keith was taken from us in a horrific race accident three short years ago. Every year West Michigan Offshore holds their tribute run to Keith. He is sorely missed.
Keith running a West Michigan Offshore run a few years ago.
West Michigan offshore president, ...by Published on 06-26-2020 10:42 PMCategories:
If you've ever wondered what it's like on a hot Saturday in southern Florida late in June, let me tell you it's no fun. Boden has done it over and over, for me, this was a first. 100 degrees, humidity off the sweat scale, cars and trucks zipping by, (at least they made a breeze), all for the pleasure of watching offshore performance boats participate to raise money for charity and to take their pictures. It was worth it. (I may have to give Pete even more respect for what he accomplishes. Don't tell him that though.).
Based on the way they run, great name!!!
One thing that is certainly frustrating while standing out there is when there is some boats ...by Published on 06-21-2020 01:07 PMCategories:
It's been awhile. With the Covid19 pandemic, and what we say is a crazy over-reaction to it by the Governor of Michigan, a gathering of powerboats was able to at least have a great little fun run and the weather cooperated fully.
SaddleUp is now an awesome West Michigan addition, making its home in Benton Harbor.
The turnout was really good, had to be a lot of pent-up demand. Actual RSVP's were 82 according to club President Roger Zuidema. As Roger said,"We loved seeing so many boaters on the water. The most important outcome of the day is thesafety of all, along ...by Published on 01-23-2020 11:34 PM Number of Views: 11842
Having the opportunity to spend time at Douglas Marine, the home of Skater Performance Boats, gives one the fortune to watch special projects from beginning to end. One of the latest just arrived in New Zealand, after a long ocean voyage, this New Years. Just like every Skater Race Boat to leave the factory, once again this one is special.
This boat is a special build to meet the latest rules and requirements of the premier offshore race class in New Zealand. 8000 pounds with 565 Mercury's and #6 drives. As the rules change, so must the boat.
Current ...by Published on 06-03-2019 10:53 PM
West Michigan Offshore is inviting you to be in the middle of the high-performance powerboat action aboard the Aquastar on Saturday, June 15 at 11:00 am.
The Aquastar, Muskegon Lake’s sightseeing fun ship, will take a Make-A-Wish Cruise on Saturday, as riders donate for a ride on Muskegon Lake and out to Lake Michigan. Be a part of the Parade of Power high-performance boat parade.
Watch as the powerboats take off on the Poker Run.
Join the Grand ...by Published on 06-02-2019 11:40 PM
Chief Powerboats will be making a showing at West Michigan Offshore's Muskegon Powerboat Weekend Event.
The Crew at Chief Powerboats is excited to be a part of West Michigan Offshore’s Muskegon Powerboat Weekend. They will be bringing one of their flagship pleasure models with them to participate in the 4:00-9:30 Powerboat Street Party in Downtown Muskegon in collaboration with the Taste of Muskegon.
The 42’ Chief Platinum Warrior is a modern ...by Published on 04-17-2019 10:25 PM Number of Views: 19837
It's the time of year for the first major performance boating event of the Spring. Desert Storm, at Lake Havasu in Arizona, is one of the premier events anywhere in the nation for performance boats of all manufacturers to show off their style and speed. One of those manufacturers is Skater Powerboats by Douglas Marine. Skaters have won numerous speed titles and Best In Show awards at previous events.
A new Skater, not even rigged yet, will be on display at the street party this year. Make sure to stop by and see this new custom 28' Skater Wide-Load model.
...by Published on 02-11-2019 01:40 PM Number of Views: 13350Categories:
One of the things all custom boat builders require, and those who refurbish offshore performance boats desire, is an interior that is as special as their vision for the entire project. When you are creating a work of art with the design of a boat, and you assist with the custom paint that makes your boat special, you have your list of "Must Haves". One of those "Must Haves", make sure the interior is not the same as some other custom boat, and make sure the interior design is special and of the highest quality. As many know, this isn't always an easy thing to accomplish.
Home Base
Possibly one of the best kept secrets in the design and build of custom marine, (and vehicle), interiors is Appearance Products in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Craig and his team create some of ...by Published on 08-27-2018 10:49 PM Number of Views: 20354Categories:
Detroit's Hydrofest was quite the event. From bad weather, to worse weather, to the busiest and most exciting race day possible. All in a short three day span.
What was supposed to be a three day span of testing, qualifying, and racing did not have Mother Nature's blessing. Somebody must have forgotten to inform her to put it on her schedule. When we arrived on Friday, the wind was blowing pretty strong out of the South, straight up the Detroit River, opposite of the current flow. The waves on the water were in the neighborhood of a foot to a foot and a half.
Not good water to run an Unlimited Hydro at speeds up to 200 MPH;
...by Published on 08-20-2018 09:00 AM Number of Views: 17870
The first Traverse City Invitational Poker Run, put on by the Offshore Powerboat Association and the Offshore Classic group, was a great success for participants and beneficiaries. From the beginning on Friday where participants started showing up to the hotels, to the finale on Sunday where rides were given to both Bigs and Littles from the Big Brothers Big Sisters, everybody we spoke with had a great time and good things to say.
Getting ready for the start on Saturday morning.
Saturday started out overcast, but the water was nice for running. The drivers meeting at 10:00 went off without a hitch, it looked as if every ...by Published on 08-08-2018 09:35 AM Number of Views: 14922Categories:
Every so often something special comes along in the performance boating world. Everybody has their favorites; some are one of a kind in performance. Some are one of a kind in handling. Some are one of a kind in design. And some are one of a kind in paint.
Some become the beginning of the next great thing, an overall breakthrough. We all have our favorites.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are the boats that are a lot of hype and marketing. Words and dimensions are used to describe them that have nothing to do with the actual product. Somebody adds a swim platform or transom winglets, adds that extension ...by Published on 07-31-2018 08:57 AM Number of Views: 15929Categories:
The Offshore Powerboat Association's St Clair River Classic of 2018 had a few glitches this past weekend, mostly ships on the course, but the cream of the event for the spectators appeared to be Class 7.
Five of the seven Class 7 boats at the start.
Part of the reason for being most exciting, the number of boats. With seven entries, there was obviously more competition just because they had the most boats racing of any class. But, with St Clair being a, (usually), flat water race when compared to Great Lakes offshore races and offshore races in the ocean or gulf, the class 7 boats also make the most exciting action around the course.
...by Published on 07-26-2018 08:13 PM Number of Views: 13726Categories:
Race World Offshore's very first race was something else. Many things were working against the event, including weather and boat count, but my final opinion was completely different than what I expected. When all was said and done, I made the comment it was the most exciting offshore race event I've ever seen where a total of only 11 boats showed up to participate.
The day started out with a slight drizzle. We had to be at the Priceless turn boat's slip by 9:30, so off to the Yacht Club it was. Pete Boden of Shoot 2 Thrill was going on Priceless, as was Jordan from the M-Con team to help with lap counting for the races. It was interesting as Priceless is owned by very good friends of the owner of the Cleveland Construction team, and Jordan was the only person who had team gear on which was not Cleveland Construction. She did make it back no problem though. Everybody I met on the boat, owners, captain, ...by Published on 07-26-2018 07:58 PM Number of Views: 6848Categories:
The WMO Muskegon Powerboat Weekend's Poker Run was almost a Deja Vu all over again. The forecast was calling for rain and possible thunderstorms, just like in June. Because of the conditions, the helicopter had to be cancelled at the last possible minute before it had to leave its home airport to arrive for the scheduled photo shoot with Pete Boden of Shoot 2 Thrill Pix. But, even though there were weather issues, almost 40 of the 100 plus registered boats decided to do the run from Grand Haven to lunch at the Boat Werks waterfront restaurant in Holland.
Leaving Holland's Lighthouse Behind
Heading Out Grand Haven Channel
Although the plan was for the ...
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