Super Cat Fest West Coming Back Bigger, Better And Badder
03-06-2026 | 10:09 PM
#12
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,636
Likes: 4,630
From: Channel Islands, So. Cal.
Agree! The first one was laid back as hell we met some really great people too, felt like we were "part" of the event if that makes sense? We will probably bite the bullet at some point and skip DS and try again if the dates don't change. Historically, I have needed the extra week or two before DS to put my *hit back together so no bueno for SCW date wise the last two times. Last year we literally installed one of my 14:71's in the Heat gravel lot after picking it up at The Blower Shop in Boise on the way there and while waiting for our airbnb check in! 
I also found this last year at DS that at higher speed there was a metric *hit ton of slow stuff in my way which although can be extremely exciting cutting through it all, it can really impact the enjoyment factor as a driver. Not to mention parking at Pirates is a nightmare. I'm sure SCW is still small enough this isn't a problem YET.
I also found this last year at DS that at higher speed there was a metric *hit ton of slow stuff in my way which although can be extremely exciting cutting through it all, it can really impact the enjoyment factor as a driver. Not to mention parking at Pirates is a nightmare. I'm sure SCW is still small enough this isn't a problem YET.
the first year Ray Lee from speedboat mag helped run it Dave Johnson / River Dave was not involved. We were there too and it was definitely a good time. Dave took it over after it skipped a year and has just made it better and better each year. Like said before, it’s by far one of the best events in The country.
I did Desert Storm since it was the hot boat regatta in the 90’s that turned to desert heat poker run that turned to desert storm poker run. Jim did such an awesome job running that poker run but it grew out of his control and he turned it over like 10 years back. In my opinion, it’s not the same. It’s a complete cluster f*ck of a weekend. EVERYTHING is super crowded. Restaurants, traffic and for last several years I’ve compared the lake to Los Angeles rush hour traffic during that event..the lake traffic SUCKS! And the street party while cool to see all the stuff is like Disneyland at the most crowded day. I was chatting with the ilmor guys and they were like “we were kinda surprised 90% of the people walking here aren't performance boaters” it’s not a performance boaters event. It’s absolutely dog sh*t. Stopped going 5 years ago and just happen to try it again last year. Day two I was like “nope!” This is why I hate this event. Cool boats still go and that’s fun to see. Cooler **** in key west though and shootout frankly.
SCFW is what DS was 25 years ago. Laid back schedule. Chill vibe. Centrally located. Old school cool event. It smokes every other powerboat event in havasu. I agree it’s gonna get out of hand like everything that is awesome does. But the 2 thing that limits it’s growth a bit is 1) they’re limited by dock space so Dave can only allow so many boats to register and 2) exactly what you said, the timing of it in early April near the dates of DS and the fact most think (wrongfully so) that DS is better. Probably because they haven’t been to SCFW. Those two facts keeps it small…for now. And I like it that way. Of course “small” is relative. Think there was 125 boats last year.
I can’t wait. Great event. Skipping DS this year and probably every year from now on. Lol
03-07-2026 | 10:28 AM
#13
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 870
Likes: 259
From: Portland, OR
the first year Ray Lee from speedboat mag helped run it Dave Johnson / River Dave was not involved. We were there too and it was definitely a good time. Dave took it over after it skipped a year and has just made it better and better each year. Like said before, it’s by far one of the best events in The country.
I did Desert Storm since it was the hot boat regatta in the 90’s that turned to desert heat poker run that turned to desert storm poker run. Jim did such an awesome job running that poker run but it grew out of his control and he turned it over like 10 years back. In my opinion, it’s not the same. It’s a complete cluster f*ck of a weekend. EVERYTHING is super crowded. Restaurants, traffic and for last several years I’ve compared the lake to Los Angeles rush hour traffic during that event..the lake traffic SUCKS! And the street party while cool to see all the stuff is like Disneyland at the most crowded day. I was chatting with the ilmor guys and they were like “we were kinda surprised 90% of the people walking here aren't performance boaters” it’s not a performance boaters event. It’s absolutely dog sh*t. Stopped going 5 years ago and just happen to try it again last year. Day two I was like “nope!” This is why I hate this event. Cool boats still go and that’s fun to see. Cooler **** in key west though and shootout frankly.
SCFW is what DS was 25 years ago. Laid back schedule. Chill vibe. Centrally located. Old school cool event. It smokes every other powerboat event in havasu. I agree it’s gonna get out of hand like everything that is awesome does. But the 2 thing that limits it’s growth a bit is 1) they’re limited by dock space so Dave can only allow so many boats to register and 2) exactly what you said, the timing of it in early April near the dates of DS and the fact most think (wrongfully so) that DS is better. Probably because they haven’t been to SCFW. Those two facts keeps it small…for now. And I like it that way. Of course “small” is relative. Think there was 125 boats last year.
I can’t wait. Great event. Skipping DS this year and probably every year from now on. Lol
I did Desert Storm since it was the hot boat regatta in the 90’s that turned to desert heat poker run that turned to desert storm poker run. Jim did such an awesome job running that poker run but it grew out of his control and he turned it over like 10 years back. In my opinion, it’s not the same. It’s a complete cluster f*ck of a weekend. EVERYTHING is super crowded. Restaurants, traffic and for last several years I’ve compared the lake to Los Angeles rush hour traffic during that event..the lake traffic SUCKS! And the street party while cool to see all the stuff is like Disneyland at the most crowded day. I was chatting with the ilmor guys and they were like “we were kinda surprised 90% of the people walking here aren't performance boaters” it’s not a performance boaters event. It’s absolutely dog sh*t. Stopped going 5 years ago and just happen to try it again last year. Day two I was like “nope!” This is why I hate this event. Cool boats still go and that’s fun to see. Cooler **** in key west though and shootout frankly.
SCFW is what DS was 25 years ago. Laid back schedule. Chill vibe. Centrally located. Old school cool event. It smokes every other powerboat event in havasu. I agree it’s gonna get out of hand like everything that is awesome does. But the 2 thing that limits it’s growth a bit is 1) they’re limited by dock space so Dave can only allow so many boats to register and 2) exactly what you said, the timing of it in early April near the dates of DS and the fact most think (wrongfully so) that DS is better. Probably because they haven’t been to SCFW. Those two facts keeps it small…for now. And I like it that way. Of course “small” is relative. Think there was 125 boats last year.
I can’t wait. Great event. Skipping DS this year and probably every year from now on. Lol
. I actually can see a time where it overtakes DS if the momentum keeps up and the vibe stays. Have fun this year and post up some pics!
03-07-2026 | 11:14 AM
#14
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,636
Likes: 4,630
From: Channel Islands, So. Cal.
I’ll definitely post up lots of pics!
03-10-2026 | 02:40 PM
#20
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,989
Likes: 6,484
From: Chicago
It just likes to be around a bunch of puzzy......cats 
This event brings a LOT of cats for sure but I'd say over 1/4 of the attendees are not cats. (offshore Vees, CC's, Pontoons, smaller lake vees, etc)
However, you should drag your boat out, it is called Supercat after all. It's like it's calling out to your boat.
This event brings a LOT of cats for sure but I'd say over 1/4 of the attendees are not cats. (offshore Vees, CC's, Pontoons, smaller lake vees, etc)
However, you should drag your boat out, it is called Supercat after all. It's like it's calling out to your boat.
3600 miles 70 hrs of towing and with my luck the boat will break coming off the trailer.
