Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Thanks (I think) Mike -------
You know what I mean re: the "I think" part.

To give everyone else who's reading this a hint of what "thedonz" (Mike) took us thru in Miami (and so I don't have to tell it 1000 more times), take the time to read this --- it's TRULY amazing (and accurate ---- no exageration --- I've kept the "feelings" out of it and am giving you "just the facts"... as Columbo would say!!!!

Here we go:
Thedonz had me finally understand why so many people have horror stories about "Inlets". I'll leave the "night time run" thru Miami Haulover Inlet alone, as it was "just" scary vs. dangerous (comparing to what he took us thru the next day).

After we picked up FeverFan (the next day) from Haulover ramp thedonz suggested we again run out Haulover Cut vs. taking the (hot, slow) intercoastal to Monty's for lunch (before heading to Islamorada). Knowing we made it thru Haulover the night before (in 6-7's) in complete darkness, driving only via my GPS and Mike's local knowledge, I had no worries.

What I didn't see (because I was focusing on getting the boat around the corner and on plane before we hit the "expected" 6-7'ers), was a guy who apparently took a look at Haulover Inlet and u-turned. He was giving us hand signals telling us "big...big waves ---- turn around" (quoting from Gordon and FeverFan). I do vaguely remember Gordon saying something about that, but didn't pay much attn., as the guy was in a fairly small cruiser/fishing boat.

As we rounded the corner I saw solid 8-10' swells (which beat the crap out of you, but otherwise isn't too much of a worry). So, I powered-up and got on top of them, to which I then saw, what I described to everyone in my boat as,

"Oh sh!t..... here comes a big one white-capping..... hold on".

Remember, at that point in time we were flying (appx. 30') across the 8-10's when I saw this quote-unquote, "big one" ahead.

This wave was so big (no exaggeration) that as we were heading up the face, the nose of the boat was still in the water as the transom was already appx. 3' into the up-slope of the swell..... Meaning, the whole boat was at an appx. 45 -50 degree angle heading up this monster. We had an outgoing tide and 10-15 MPH wind heading in from the Atlantic, which, as I throttled up the wave, pushed the boat to an appx. 60 degree angle as we launched from the top.

When we landed the transom of the boat went under water up to the bottom of the vinyl Cig. logo on my engine hatch ---- engine hatch.... not swim platform.

When we landed the SmartCraft shut down the engines (525 EFI's) to 1500 RPM's for a few seconds and then let me power back up and we drove out (in, what we now call "small little 8-10's").

When we were in the 8-10's and saw this swell ahead, I went right past scared and straight into "which side of the boat is going to be safer to jump from when (not if) we begin to sink".

I never would have expected to see a boat fly so straight. We were nearly vertical (in gusting wind) and the boat launched and landed perfect (I didn't even get wet --- other than the warm stream (that was self induced) running down my leg! :eek: ).

I got a comment from thedonz on how well I flew/drove the boat all weekend (as we went back and fourth from Islamorada and Ft. Lauderdale --- or Lickerdale, as they say at Shooters!), but I am 100% clear that 1) the boat held together 100% (no stress cracks, no loose parts, no broken anything)... and 2) that when Cigarette builds a boat, they build it with consideration of being caught in BIGGGGGGGGG water.

Thanks, Skip, Tim and everyone at Cigarette, for building such a great boat, and thanks Phil for such excellent rigging! I couldn't have expected more from the boat.

Any thoughts I had of stepping up into a longer boat are gone. The 38 T/S TG is it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I can't imagine what was running thru the fishermen (on the jetty's) minds as they watched us fly thru this "Perfect Storm" swell. If, by some chance someone saw us (and got a photo) please e-mail/PM/call me. I'll pay BIG MONEY for the shot.

Joe

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Joe, I know exactly how you feel !! I did the same act one day coming out of Everglades inlet with my Tiger 2 years ago. I was in waves 8-10 feet once I got out in it...but getting out was MUCH BIGGER AND taller waves. I decided to get back inside and had to blast thru this stuff again. No damage to the boat,but once I got to Bahia Cabana I saw oil and other fluids in the bottom of the bilge. We checked all components of the engine and couldnt find anything wrong. I went up into the storage area in front of the covergirl cabin and foud out that EVERYTHING that I had up there had been destroyed. 10 quarts of oil, drive fluid, 2 Labbed props, a starter and an alternanter that all were just about unrecognizeable...BUT.. not a stress crack or a screw loose on the boat. Thats the day I found out what Cigarettes were all about. On another occation, we we coming back to Ft Lauderdale from Islamorada when It started kicking up pretty bad. I was only one of two boats from the Poker Run that decided to run the outside back home. It started out as 3-4' footers then by the time we hit Largo it was 5-7' waves. just about the time we could see the Miami skyline the waves were at 6-8' feet (but atleast now we were in a following sea). By the time we past Miami is was a solid 8-9' with a few bigger ones thrown in from time to time. (you know exactly what I mean). At one point my brother yelled out a loud HOLY ****. I turned to him to see what the problem was and he just pointed at the speedo and pointed out that we were still maintaning between 45-60 mph thru the BIG stuff. We made it back to Shooters in a little over two hours that afternoon and did not miss the bikini contest !! and did no damage to the boat.

True story with no B/S added

Bob

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Bob,

Again.... If I hadn't just gone thru what we went thru, I'd be hard pressed to believe 50+ MPH. But, now..... "I beeeeeelieeeeeeeve!" :D :D

Glad you didn't miss the bikini contest --- Man..... where do they grow women like that. I thought we had some good looking one's here in Texas --- but, whew, not even close!!!!

P.S. Was the goofy "light-in-the-loafers" guy sipping champagne (w/ strawberries, of course) standing/dancing on the corner of the pool that day? My "locals" friends say he's in that spot nearly every Sunday.

What Tiger do you have?

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

You meen Ron. The heavy set guy sitting in the corner by the pool ?? He is always there

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Big fat cigar and a bottle of champagne ??

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Yep ---- I'm afraid to ask why you know his name!!! :D

FYI - your avitar isn't working (not sure if you can see it on your end).

Post a pic of your boat.

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Joe. I got rid of the Tiger and am now looking at a Gladiator. The Gladiator that im seriuos about is in Houston. Where in Texas are you from ??

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

LOL. I am there SEVERAL times during the winter months for the past 5 years or so. I dont have any pics of my old Tiger on this computer, but if you look in the Cig pics thread there are several of my boat. some were taken right out in front of Shooters by LS jr

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Joe, I know see you are from Houston. You probably know tyhe Gladiator that I want

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

DAAAAAYUM!!! Joe, you're f*ckin' crazy! That sh!t is nothing to mess with bro. Glad no one got injured. When we went out of govt cut with Phil there were good 6's. I thought I was seeing ships way out in the water. Phil said, no the swell out there is 14+ feet today!! Looked like freakin' walls! When did you send your gun back down to Spinnaker?

I've had similar experiences two times in the same Cigarette. It was a 93 Cafe. The first time we went out of Channel Islands harbor (California) and the swells were about 6-8's and white caps. We launched off the first swell the boat listed to the port. the hole we were dropping into was so large that the boat landing on its side! The deck lid moved! We were sure it snapped a stringer but nope, not a problem.

The other time was coming out of Ventura Harbor (Ca. again) small craft warning 6-10s BREAKING! 30mph winds. we left the harbor got into these swells and it was the first time I was scared in a boat. We all put on life vests and were seriously thinking of how we were going to get out of the boat when it listed. The waves were stacked together so deep we couldn't even turn around. Finally a break between the sets came and we turned the boat quickly and were able to head back.

Bottom line. There's only two types of performance boats I'd be in in that type of water. Cigarette is one.

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Tank, You have to own a Cigarette to really appreciate the quality of the product and how it can handle BIG water.

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

I agree 100%. Especially when I've been in other boats in better water and had a worse time! :eek:

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

No doubt about it.

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

I think that is mikes signature, cause we did the same think with DonzJr just a little smaller 5-7s

Dont worry your in a cig

Wild

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

:D .... Joe and Randy welcome to 10+ club. both of yall really know how to run a boat in big waters.....all i have to say is


































THAT'S WHAT THESE BOATS ARE MADE FOR :D

Mike

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

I mentioned to you SoCal guys that when Tim was going down to get his boat I'd bring mine down. You guys got in-and-out too fast so we decided to make a trip of our own (too long to wait til November -- we were dying to get back to SFl & the Keys ---- so we went).

No kidding ---- I KNOW you guys can appreciate the water we were in. It's more common off your left coast than here, I understand.

You better not tell me the 2nd boat is an Outerlimits! :D

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

He does ------- He's the lucky SOB who you've seen in Powerboat Magazine getting his WHOLE boat redone, including the exterior!

If tank fell in a pile of sh!t, he'd find a diamond ring that the horse once bit off of some poor lady's finger!!!!! He's the luckiest B@stard I know!!! :D :D :D

Not to mention he also has a tricked out truck to pull the boat (which he also got a "Smokin'" deal on I hear. Right, Tim! :p )

Joe

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

I told you that you should come down with us! You'd have saved me a near life-or-death experience!!! But, I must say.... It's something I will always remember (and never repeat!).

I must say, Mike does know the waters there. He didn't miss a beat on anything (exept the near death encounter!!!)

Joe

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Thanks.... but, don't you mean the 15+ club!

Oh..... wait a minute ---- I think I'm beginning to see a pattern here, Randy. I think we need to take our boy in for a vision check..... That's why we keep winding up in bigger water than anticipated! :D :D

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

wait till mike see the LOTO water after the shootout, it is insane

CIG WATER - ok apache water also

Wild

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Joe,
heard the story from Mike on wed before we went out and he said it like you did...... pretty ruff waters uh...........he was really impressed by the boat (held up and ran) all weekend long.....next time, have him call me so that we can go out on both boats....

Andy,

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

No doubt ---- I'd be nice to have a second boat..... If Mike's coming along you never know ------ the water he gets us into, we might sink one of them. I'd be nice to have a second to jump in! :D

What boat do you have?

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Wow!
Too bad somebody didn't get that on video, we could have watched it and marveled for years!

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Joe, I've learned it's just about being at the right place at the right time and having cool people around you instead of d!ck heads! :D

In regards to tims boat. He jammed out there and grabbed it. I didn't go, didn't even know he was going until like a week before. Then he was itchin' to get it back here. He's seriously thinking about sending it back out in the next couple months.

Kelly and I want to run out there in Jan/Feb '07 if we miss the worlds. You in?

Oh, and the other boat isn't an Otterlimits....It's an Apache. I didn't think I even needed to say that part ;) They are step brothers anyway :cool:

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

I have a 30 spectre ....

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

I try to always make it there in either late Jan. or Feb. We will be there (hopefully for a Lip-Ship Poker Run!!!).

I knew that....... :D Apache's are sweet. We just left Grant's Custom Rigging/Offshore Outdrives and Fire Water was there. It looks amazing! Also, Predator and Kemosabe were at Chief. They're all awesome boats!

Joe.

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

You're going to have to run 1/2 throttle you run w/ us! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: That boat even looks fast w/ those outboards. What's your cruise and top speed?

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

top speed very fast in the three digits when you come down you'll find out exactly were let me or mike know.....

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Awesome story...and I hate to call it a story because I totally believe you all. I frequent Lauderdale/Miami on business so next time I am down there in a few weeks I am going to Haulover park to check out this inlet...I will take my camera and my best lenses too! :D

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

better take rain coat :D

mike

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Donz, I'll stay way up on shore and use my 100-400mm lens! :D

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

As high in the air as we were.... you might still have had to look up ------ No sh!t. And believe me... I'm not bragging --- I'd have much preferred to NEVER have gone thru that and don't wish it on anyone, EVER! But.... it was very cool to see that the boat held up 100% --- no stress cracks or anything else. The only thing that quit working was the remote for the stereo on the dash. Luckily, the stereo still worked...... We rocked it all the way from Everglades to Shooters (7 JL Audio Amps, 6 12" woofers and 16 6 1/2's ---- all kickin'!

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Great story. I think I will stay on Lake Travis! :cool:

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

Joe, that is awesome and I have heard a few stories like yours all on Cigarette's and they all held up very well.

Re: Haulover Inlet --- IT'S AMAZING WE LIVED!!!!!
 

What.... to go rock jumping in your Cig. Did you see the arial photo that Grant e-mailed from last Sunday? It's amazing...

Are you coming to Destin? I just got talked into bringing my boat vs. hitching a ride by a fellow Cig. guy, David York (Txspeedfreak). So, now it's your turn...... Come on Clay. You're a Cig. guy now ----- It's time for an "out of state" initiation!!!!

:D