Grand Haven over,Hardy next???
 

Had a great time at G.H. races .Got there Fri. noon for a beautiful flat lake and sunshine!!Stayed 'til Sunday night and loved :the races, the crowds, and all the unbelievable boats there in attendance.Man some awesome rides (You know who you are).Sorry to hear about your difficulties Waterfoul,seen your ride at the docks 4-5 pm , but no one near the boat.Atleast it doesn't sound like too bad a fix...good luck!Anyone getting ready for Hardy Dam next weekend????:D

Provided I get the intake gaskets all set I'll be at Hardy on Saturday.

Yeah, my boat sat there a while as a friend of mine took us back to Muskegon to get my trailer. Bummer.

I should be there -- Have to replace my silent choice pneumatic cylinders since one of them has gone bad

Merc wants $180 each with the brass ends
I found them local with aluminum ends ( Will work the same in fresh water ) Y es they are the same cylinder for $24 each.
If anyone needs some as soon as I have one in hand I will let you know the M#

I will be there. I am assuming Saturday is the day? I know some people need some directions. Shouldn't be much to get ready since the boat has been running pretty good. I have a new 27 Quad IV prop that I wanted to try before Hardy, but I suppose I could try it there. What time and what should we expect?

directions to Hardy....

From Grand Rapids (I'm assuming everyone can find Grand Rapids) take US 131 North to exit 131 (yes, same exit number as the Highway number) and go west to the first street (not far from the highway, gas station/convenience store on the corner) and turn left (south) and follow the signs to Brower Park. Get there early as the ramp will get busy quick, especially if it's a nice sunny morning. You will have to stop at the little shack on the way in and pay/get your day sticker.

I am going to be there sometime around noon! Any one that I promised a boat ride to and have not paid up.. just let me know. Be glad to give you a run..
I am headed out to the barn to lash some valves right now. If I find anything that is not copasitic..(Sp) I will let you know other wise I will see everyone there!!

Dick

We are planning on it as well. Thinking about camping at the Sandy Beach campground sat night and making it a weekend thing. Wont be able to hit the water till after noon on saturday though.

See you all there!!

If the weather is going to be Good SuperV and I are going to run to Ludington if its iffy Hardy!

I will be there.:) :)

Dyno,

You and Super Wang better bring your rear ends up to Hardy there son cuz KAAMA is going to be there! Doctor Dave and the Wolff are going to be on my boat. Sounds like there are going to be a ton of boats there. Hope my hog is runnin' by then anyway. :)

Well its like this Mark.......If the weather is nice I'm going to run the Big Water!!!!the atmosphere at Hardy Is'nt geared tward Family Boating if you get my drift....I'm a Dad now and try to act like it......

Foul,
How early. 9-10 a.m.? We are coming from our lake house in Decatur, MI. Any lodging near by of better yet right on the water? Is this an organized event, certain meeting place and time?

Vette,
Since I assume you are coming up 94, do you want to meet along the way. I will be getting on to 94 at Michigan exit 56, Decatur/Dowagiac. Let me know.


Paul

Dyno/Don,

Yeah, I catch your drift and totally understand on the family part. I was up there for the first time last year and if I remember correctly things have gotten a little shady. More people would have probably showed up, but it was threatening rain that day. Thing is, it rained all around us and we never got a drop that day which worked out nice, but I think the very threat of rain kept several people away. Honestly, I don't like it when things get shady---I just like to go up there for a change of geographics and see all the hot boats.
It sounds like it's going to be one of their busiest years ever up there this weekend. Wette Vette and and others from Indiana are even coming up as well---it's becoming more and more popular!

Mark, I might make it we'll see...hey sorry about not getting your call this weekend I was using my wifes cell while mine was charging, did'nt get your message till monday!
Don
P.S did you see my post on Box's ????maybe you can fill me with your wisdom!!!!

PB, we will be taking 94 to 196 to GR and then 131. That saves us about a half hour or more. We are planning on leaving between 5:30 and 6:00 Indiana time. I am hoping to get on the water early so I can try a new prop out before it gets to crazy. It looks like it will only be a couple of us coming from LaPorte. Maybe you can take 62 over and pick up 94 in Berrien Springs? I will have my cell phone with me so give me a call and let me know if you want to go that route. If not we will see you at the lake.
(219)363-4859.

pb, unless you've got a camper there is no place to stay ON the water. There are a LOT of hotels in Big Rapids (it's a college town, Ferris State University) so you can probably find something there. It's maybe a 15-20 minute tow from town to the lake.

As far as "organized event" I'd have to say no. The ramp is in it's own little cove of sorts and you can stick your bow on the sand/grass and hang for a while. We will more than likely be to the south as you leave the ramp's cove. Just stay center and head left out of the ramp. The big beach everyone hangs out at is down the lake several miles on the west side. Pretty tall dune and a beach with a cove to anchor/beach your boat in. The Michigan Hot Boat association will be there with a LOT of small river rockets. This includes OSO member TWright (also known as Drag120 on OSO as he's had trouble with his TWright log in). They usually have a radar gun with them but I'm not sure where they will do their runs at.

As for the time, early is good. I'd say by 10:00 or so to be assured of getting in without waiting too long.

Some of us you can't miss. My boat has Waterfoul written on Both sides. Tinkerboater has a 34 Scarab with Miami Vice pastel colors and an arch (sorry Steve, couldn't resist). KAAMA has a 32 AT that says KAAMA on both sides. Red Stripe has a 19 Baja that is of course, mostly red. Whitey has a 32-35 Challenger Offshore with awsome red graphics. Mr. Gadgets has a 28 Checkmate that says Mr. Gadgets on the transom. And RCSHAP1 just got a new boat and I'm not sure what it is. 257 Powerquest I think.

Mike

RSCHAP1's new boat is a 237 Stryker. With pink & teal graphics. I'm not sure if we're going now or not. I had to cancell a wedding for us to go on Sat and then I found out our niece's first birthday party is at 3PM on Sat. Bummer - not sure what we'll do.

Tinkerboater - did you have a little boy and pregnant lady with you on Sat??

Brody got to "drive" one of the race boats on Sat - brand new blue and white Advantage. That kid gets to have all the fun!!

I recognized a couple of people of Sun, but were too far away to say anything. Watched Midnight Rider have fun anchoring for the race;) and I saw ATT and Consintracy leaving the race. They were parked fairly close to us, but I didn't know because there was a big cruiser inbetween us. Beautiful boat. And I saw Waterfoul at the ramp. Scott kept asking me if it was - and I kept saying "I think so"

I had a great time - except Monday I was hurting - I got fried!!!:rolleyes:

Well you guys, I probably sound like a broken record player, but I may NOT have my boat ready for Hardy this weekend. :( If the boat is ready by then, it will be a miracle. BUT!----were gettin' close!---she's comin' to us! :D

The Hardy Party was started a bunch of years ago by the makers of Challenger boats. Those guys would show up the Sunday after labor day to do some food and go fast.. Seeing that the marine patrol would run out of funds on Labor day. You could have more liberties to exceed the limits.. noise and speed. Remember we have a 55mph on all inland water ways..
We tried to keep it a word of mouth thing, just show up and enjoy.. we did a dish to pass one year.. The park rangers would ask if it was an organized thing... "I know nothing!!!
Problem is we had a few accidents... mine incluced that drew attention to the gatherings.. This was just a Sunday afternoon boating for a bunch of who ever wanted to show up. A couple of years back people started to show up earlier and earlier as early as Fri nite. By Sunday a lot of the boats broke their stuff.
Being that it is the last of the summer.. people tend to lean on their equipment.. soooooooooooo.

I plan on showing up sometime Sat around noon. If you get there early you can find a place on the beach in the cove.. most of the time the boats are out and down the river.. there is cove down river that a lot of boats head for. Just nice to have a place to chat and meet old and new friends.
As far as camping or or boats slips.. you can get a camp spot and put your boat on the trailer for the night.. that is what I do. Or you can get a spot to park the boat in the other channel, but I think you have to rent a camp spot.. not sure. Or you can drive about 15 min north to Big Rapids and there are motels there..

For the most part it is a very quite show up at Brower park, (state Park) and go boating, there is always a lot of nice people with fast boats... hmmmmm
But it is never organized!!

See you there... Saturday!!


my boat is read to go.. and I usually break it there!!! We'll see if my luck has really turned around..

PS. Kamma, you better show up with your boat.. or I will have to give you a ride in my slow boat!!

Dick

Nautigirl

Yes that was my boat. The pregnate girl was my step daughter and my grandson. Had a boat full on sunday. (9) Went tubing on lake MI.

Sun. only
 

Looks as though we'll only be there on Sun. in the teal/pink squiggeled graphics covered Powerquest.You guys can look for the big 3 year old throttleguy.Can't miss him.As far as what goes on at Hardy...I can't say I've seen anything too un-family like in the last few years(missed last year because of weather).Always had a good time checking the boats and not much else...maybe I just missed the good stuff(?)Hope to see alot of ya's on Sun.:D

I will still probably come but my boat most likely won't be done---I'll still bring it up for kicks. It would be nice to meet some of you guys, Wette Vette, 35lighting, etc, etc.

Thanks Dick, glad yours is running well. It'll be nice seeing you again---especially with your boat!

well the nws is calling for sea's less than 2' looks like its Ludington for SuperV and I....as far as the Crack about Family Boating goes...its all a matter of opinion.....it gets a little on the drunk side for me but what ever!Dont get me wrong I have gone many times and have a great time, but that was before my daughter was born. There will be alot of great boats and great people there so have fun and be careful!!!!!
Don

Can someone give me some info on where Hardy is located??


:D Thanks!


How far north of Grand Rapids?? Also what class of boats?

29Scarab/Shawn,

The Brower State Park exit (Exit #131) is roughly 42 miles or so north of Grand Rapids.

Waterfoul, has given excellent directions in an earlier post within this thread. You can also use your computer to find a map and print it out. Hope you can make it. I will be leaving from here (Hudsonville) which is just outside of the Southwest corner of Grand Rapids if anyone wants to link up right around 8AM Eastern time. I'd be willing to leave a little sooner if anyone wants to link up sooner. There are some road construction areas in downtown Grand Rapids with DETOURS for conecting I-196 to U.S 131. However the DETOURS are like 3 miles BEFORE you even run into the road construction which can make it VERY CONFUSING and strung out if you don't catch things just right --- you could very easily miss it---I miss it about 40% of the time and I'm always going down there. Not that you guys can't figure it out, but If you want to link up, I can make life a little easier for you by getting you through that construction/DETOUR stuff because if you miss it you're going to spend some time trying to get those rigs turned around which may cause even more confusion. I live in Hudsonville---Hudsonville is right on I-196 as you are heading (North/Northeast) into Grand Rapids from South Haven, Saugatuck, Holland. If any of you are coming from that direction and want to link up I'd be happy to wait until about 8:30 at the latest, but actually, the sooner---the better!

If any of you are coming straight up on U.S. 131 and going through Grand Rapids should be fine, but there is some MAJOR hwy construction going on, but no strung out DETOURS that I know of. However, things can get a little tight with those orange traffic barrels everywhere. You will run into this just South of Grand Rapids.

What kind of boats will be racing? Offshore boats,????

Outboards? :D

I have seen several drag boats up there---they look like surf boards with a BIG ENGINE strapped to on! Sometimes I wonder how those things even float!

Also, they have pickle fork boats with out boards, even a few Formula One racing boats, jet boats, offshore cats like Skaters, Ocean Express, etc. All kinds of deep V offshore boats from 24' up to 42'. Everything from mild to WILD ends up showing up there. That's why it's called the Hardy Hot Boat weekend----just about anything goes and you never know what kinds of boats are going to show up!

I take it that this is happening this weekend??

It sounds like a pretty good ride from where I am. I wonder if it would be to my advantage to go the night before??

:D

I'll be there, but not untill later after 3:00, my uncle Wilfred Berg died on monday ,he was a big part of Muskegon's art history as he painted many pictures of land marks around here in the 30's and 40's Also painted a mural in the Hackly Childrens library so we've got the momorial to go to. How far down from sandy beach is Brower Park.

KAAMA, I will take you up on your offer to lead us through the detours. We are leaving LaPorte at 5:30 Indiana time. I know it is a 1.5 hour drive to Holland so we could be near your neck at around 8:30 Michigan time. Send me your phone or cell # and I will give you a call when we are getting close. Thanks, Craig.

Sounds like there is some confusion later in this thread. This is NOT a race venue. The Michigan Hot Boat Association usually brings a radar gun along, but last year the marine patrol coupled with the wind kinda put a damper on that so they went pretty far up river to do it (to the best of my knowledge). Anyway, this is a run what you brung kinda weekend. Just a bunch of folks hanging out with eachother, giving rides to eachother (got to ride in the KAAMA last year, wow!!!). That sort of thing. We all check out eachothers boats, motors, etc.... Fun stuff. And if you get a chance to watch the pickleforks and such run against the gun, even better.

Mike

I guess it looks like we are coming. My boat, Todd "Chickens" Advantage, Tim's Formula, and I thought they said Dale might come with the 38 Cougar. This is counting on a good day today ironing out all the kinks. I do have mine on the trailer, I need a valve adjustment on the port yet, and to fix a bent center prop blade(how that happened I'll never know). But it is run what ya brung right:D . Midnight:cool:

Well, no go for me. Wifes friends husband was diving in a pool and you all know the rest of the story. Will be confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life. My wife will be with her most of the weekend for moral support. Have fun guys...maybe next year. Just when the boat is running awesome.
:rolleyes:

Paul

KAAMA,

I've decided to make the trip. I'll be going either saturday night or early sunday morning!! Sounds like its going to be a fun trip!!

Could you email me a number to call when I get up there? It would be nice to finally catch up with some people up here.

Are you going to be boating or on shore? By the way. Do you have a Silver Dodge Dakota?? I thought I saw one with KAAMA written on it about 2 or 3 weeks ago going down 196.

:D :D

I'm going to make a copy of this thread and use it for directions!!

Dakota??? NOOOO! It's rather my 3/4 ton Diesel pickup. But it is a Dodge and it is silver, and it does have KAAMA on boths sides and the tailgate in small print.

It was a quick glance as I was exiting the freeway. My bad!!!

Hope to hook up with you guys this weekend!!!

:D

29Scarab/Shawn,

When I was typing the previous post I had gotten a cell phone call right while I was typing that post. So if it seemed a little harsh I meant not for that to be or sound that way--- just got distracted somewhat. It's really MY bad!

Anyway, if you want to follow us up Saturday, Wette Vette should be driving by South Haven on I-196 at about 7:45AM EST or so. He's meeting me at the Rest Area that's between Holland and Hudsonville at approx 8:30. You are most welcome to link up with us on our way up. I will only be staying until about 2PM. You should really come up on Saturday morning. :)

I may be towing the boat up there, but it's not running yet. :(

Is it going to be a 2 day event or, is it a one day thing on saturday?

If its saturday, then I'll adjust plans to be up there in the morning.

Do you think the boat will be ready? Aslo, how far is it from SouthHaven to that rest stop on the other side of Holland??

From South Haven to the Rest Area we're speaking of is about 45 miles I would say (give or take).

My boat is NOT ready and it doesn't look like I will even be bringing it along----too much horsin' around that I care to do for a boat that doesn't even run right now.

Hey everyone FYI, the DETOUR is no longer need from I-196 to U.S. 131 North. The road construction is pretty much done with for that area and it has JUST opened back up. As normal, take I-196 and look for the sign to say something like "U.S. 131 North Cadilac" but I will still rendevous with my link-up crew at the Rest Area at approx 0830 as originally planned. See ya'll in the marnin' :D

Ok! It's a GO!

We'll be leaving at 7:30 tomorrow morning, which will put us at Hardy around noon.

I sure hope to meet some of you out there!

Keep an eye out for a 23' SOLID red Modified-Tunnel vee, Mariner powered "Mirage".

And say "HI" if you see us!




BK, Brad and the Boys from Indiana