2002 Smoke On The Water a few pics
06-08-2002, 08:06 PM
#19
Once the flag dropped and the boats took off (at least 100 boats or so) I was able to drive down to just south of Saugatuck up high on a bluff where I could see a wide span of the shoreline. (Saugatuck is about 30 miles south of Grand Haven). I was able to catch about the last 25 boats still heading south towards South Haven from that vantage point---I had just missed the other 3/4's of boats that were further ahead on the course, however the I was able to catch them in their return North again once they had left South Haven. As I stood on that high bluff with my binoculars I thought for sure that the CAT's would be leading the way-----well, I was WRONG! There were about 3 boats by themselves in the first wave and were about 1/2 a mile out from shore as I lifted my binos to take a peek and see who's who----it was "Victory's" (a "V" bottom 41' Saber---Apache design) that was leading the pack. Coming up behind him was a 42' Tiger...ANOTHER V bottom (all white w/American Flag painted on it) that was in a little closer to shore and closing the gap on "Victory's" as they past me in front of my vantage point. Probably about 150 yards or so behind him was another V bottom boat (couldn't really make out who it was) but it was either a 41' Apache called "Renegade" or a 42' Tiger. About 1-2 miles after them I began to see the SOME of the CAT's. "Rare Breed" was not one of the first CAT's that I saw but saw him shortly after. Wally with his boat "Stress Test" was giving a great run and then had to stop right out in front of me (about 1/2 mile offshore) and saw his engine hatch go up and was checking for trouble. Two other boats stopped to assist him---he sat out there for about 10 minutes or so and then he took off again and looked fine again from what I could see. I thought for sure the CAT's would rule by leading the pack because it looked like CAT water out there, BUT there were probably about 6-8 V's out ahead of the CAT's at that point in the race----probably about 75 miles into the run/course. It was a great day with about 1-2' chop and all the boats looked great!
06-08-2002, 08:24 PM
#20
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1 to 2 foot chop huh? Maybe in the channel!! I got out to GH this morning to watch them start. I had trouble trying to keep the water out of my boat
I would have called them 3 to 5's where I was at. The start was awesome to see to say the least!! Whata rush!! From what I heard, Tom-cat had a problem and cut out of the first leg early. I heard a blown drive but that may be just rumor.
Looked like a heck of a turnout for the run and some fantastic boats showed up. I will attach some that I took from the water.
I would have called them 3 to 5's where I was at. The start was awesome to see to say the least!! Whata rush!! From what I heard, Tom-cat had a problem and cut out of the first leg early. I heard a blown drive but that may be just rumor. Looked like a heck of a turnout for the run and some fantastic boats showed up. I will attach some that I took from the water.
