My Dad raced a 30' Shadow Cat called Black Duck from 80-84. Won a couple national and world(Key West) titles. I was just a youngin back then but I remember sitting on the Galleon deck in KW watching my Dad go by in a battle for 1st with the 30' Chris Cat Thriller in 84(The Duck won it that year). Back then they only did 2-3 laps of 30-60 miles. Not its like 5-15 laps of 6 miles. You actually had to navigate back then.

We still have the timeshare at the Galleon so I get down there every couple of years to watch the races.

Hows your dad?

I have only actually attended two boat races. One in Galveston in 1995, and the race in Biloxi this year. But I have been a fan for a long time. I would scroll tv guide looking for televised offshore races, used to record them on VHS just to see the boats and drivers. I knew Jack Carmody, before he died in Corpus, I used to sell ski boats in Austin, and Carmody owned the Carlos and Charlies on Lake Travis, often he would have that 46 Skater parked in a slip by the restaurant and fire it up, I think he tried to get a race on Lake Travis, but never quite got it off the ground. Recently I acquired a 35 Fountain that might make in a race in Biloxi, if not pretty sure it will be parked so I can have a better view. I know a lot of people put big money in poker run boats, and then act like it is a race, but offshore racing is the real deal, I hope to see more of it.

Al Copelands house party , '93 APBA Nat. race in Alabama , was a thing of LEGEND!.......Buffet tables overflowing with seafood!...... Crabs as big as dinner plates!.......Grand entrance by Reggie F in a salt crusted black jumpsuit with full MR T gold chains was a sight to behold...... I have to go , getting a little teary eyed.......

That's my favorite memory's. rooster tails you could see all the way on the north side of the lake. Al sure through the best party's. Rest in peace Al. Your greatly missed.

Nice. My 1967 race boat wouldn't hit 145mph even if it was being towed by the space shuttle. lol

Doing well Butch. His new boat is water testing this week. First ever 30' Rage(Activator) with twin OB's(300xs) done up in the black duck colors. Should be a fun ride!

It's in the blood. My dad was a mechanic for Blue Blazes hydro in the 50's. He would wade out with me on his shoulders to watch the races when I was a kid. Then I found the offshore boats..... Unfortunatley Dad passed in 82. Been watching the races since the early 80's. Have always loved the race boats. Head to the Keys every chance I get to catch the races there, and try not to miss too many close to home. Now I am part owner of a marine store/repair shop, which sometimes gets in the way of life. I can now say that I am the proud owner of one of those magnificent machines from back in the day. Magnum Maltese hull #2801. Now all I have to do is finish putting it back together.

I'm telling you Tom, "The Cobe Classic Boat Show at the Fort" (ft smallwood)