We need a better name for this event...Boat Porn??

Just got off the phone with Roy from Helicopter Advantage. We are confirmed (subject to weather) on October 5th starting at 12, and we can have up to 2 hours if needed, and he will pro-rate the extra time over one hour. We will be doing each of the paid boats first (however many that is). So, if you want additional things done (e.g your dock, house, etc.), you can pay him for extra time separately, after the main shoot. He will mainly be shooting video of each boat, as well as some stills. He told me that since this is the first one of these type shoots he's done, he will include BOTH the raw video to us, and the raw stills he shoots will be emailed after he separates them off his camera. This is a truly hella deal, because most aerial guys are charging approx $500 EACH or so to shoot a high-res package for your boat. Remember, this is primarily a VIDEO shoot, but it was GREAT of him to give us each some stills also. They will be in raw form of course, and I can't tell you how many, but I'm guessing plenty.

The plan is for all PRE-ARRANGED and RESERVED boats to rendezvous near the cliffs at the Coves. Be there at 11:45!! Of course spectators are welcome, but there will be NO last minute entries unless there is CASH money in hand to pay Roy when we are done. Naturally, last minute entries will go LAST. When we see him, I will be in contact with him via cell phone from my boat to the helo. Each boat will then individually make 2 full runs of about 2 miles or so each way (down and back twice) to make sure he gets what he needs. His ideal speed is 80 mph, so on the first pass, he is suggesting keeping it mild so he can get some really nice shots. He will stay with you as you make a u-turn each time. On your last pass, he might wait halfway for you, and you can rip it up right underneath him for a high speed flyby type shot. We need to keep it fairly simple as communication will probably suck. I have marine radio in my headsets, so if you have one too we should all be on the same channel.

Each boat will complete this 4 pass cycle, and then if we have time (or not), we can get some nice group shots!! I think some cool overheads would be nice, cats running, v's running, etc. We gotta work fast. When we are done, the TOTAL time used will then be calculated, and the total fee will be split among each boat that makes the 4 passes. I'm guessing the bill will be around $100-$125 each (incredibly cheap), if we have 6 boats and use slightly more than one hour. No last minute boats will participate unless they come in at full, equal share so everyone pays the same! Cash money only please, so we can pay Roy immediately after!

This guy has shot tons of houses and docks at Grand, so he is doing this for us to try to get more business next year from boaters. Next time, the prices will be more in line with what othe other helo guys charge, so we are getting a GREAT deal. You can check out his site at http://www.helicopteradvantage.com, he looks pretty competent to me! Also, he studied this video on youtube so he kinda knows what to expect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGx1gHZEHqw.

Lemme know what ya think, gonna be tricky but also HELLA fun! The plan is to meet up at UGLY's after the shoot to settle up with ROY (and drink, HEAVILY). He will then collect our email addresses and then email the stills when he processes them. I will take the video footage and email it to you within 24 hours!!!! YEAH BABY, miami vice type shizz all over the place...

Mike

PS...PM me if you need my phone # for addl questions!

Your right, anybody with a Tail!! I just hope theres not any of the high 80"s pontoon boats transitioning to Grand! I'm hoping to be in the triple digits when I drop in next year...will see?

Yeah, me too. I know there are pontoon faster than me, but if one went faster next to me I'd have to crash my boat!

they did aerials for me at my property in Grove. Awesome shots!

Nice. I'm in if we're finished! If not I'll be there with a razor!

Mike, Your right it sound logistically challenging to organize at least 5 boats to make 2 mile passes being chased by a helo in an hour!

Just a thought: you think it would bode well for time purposes to roll call the order by boat name, in which you think they should run? Then at least for people (like myself) that doesn't know everybody by name we surely recognize the amazing boats and we might be able to line up in a fashion that keeps the time efficient? Just a thought...

Thanks again for all that your doing for everybody, the first annual of anything is always cool to be a part of...

If you have some contact info, i.e. e-mail or cell, I'd like to communicate with you before the event. my e-mail is [email protected]


Ryan

Yeah, I would agree. We need to have some sort of plan and maybe a "homebase" boat in contact with the helo to give the signal for the next run, carry a couple of jugs of fuel or whatnot in case somone is running low on fuel to make their best speed.

We need to lay out the plan such that the boats will go in some order and each boat knows who they follow. We should know who's last so that we can then line up for group runs or something like that. Just some thoughts on how to manage the time we have so as not to waste any.

Probably best to plan on two hours at least. The chopper can get some random shots of us running together down to Shangri la or the dam after the solo stuff. I bet we have at least 10 boats. Half the fun will be watching the others run and/or break

whoever is slowest buys at Uglys....sorry Matt

It might be cheaper to swap in a couple of blower motors this week than pay that tab!