For the majority of the boating community, seeing Labor Day come and go marks the end of summer and boating season. September means winterizing the boat, uncovering the sand and dirt toys and prepping for the cooler weather of the upcoming desert season. For the grass-roots performance boating enthusiast, however, September brings with it less crowded waters, great weather, and the true essence of the river lifestyle... Good friends and FAST boats!
Few events epitomize the river lifestyle better than the River Rockets show put on by Billy B, the renowned painter of all things fast and master of color. This past weekend owners and fans of hot rod boats under 25 feet descended on Pirate Cove, near Topock, AZ, to take in the sights of the River Rockets show and catch up with friends.
The show didn't disappoint its patrons as over 100 of the most beautifully detailed and rigged boats on the west coast showed up in addition to some machines from as far away as Texas and Oklahoma! There were all different kinds of performance boats lined up and down the sand beaches as folks strolled past chatting with old friends and making new ones in the process. There were flat-bottom drag boats, V-drive GN race boats, jets, and even a very cool old wooden rig named Moxie from Casa Grande, AZ. If you couldn't find a boat that lit your fire at this deal you were likely without a pulse or in need of some serious smelling salts!
In addition to the seemingly endless array of amazing v-drive rockets, there were also a great number of beautiful Howard boats in attendance as Howard was having their owners regatta the same weekend. Seeing a new Howard 28 Sportdeck sitting next to a blown injected flatty was a cool contrast indeed!
As incredible as all of the hardware in attendance was, the most powerful event of the weekend was the roaring salute of all the boats on the beach to fallen comrade Chris "Church Mouse" Blevens. It was a touching gesture by a tight knit community of folks who miss their friend and a fitting tribute to a man respected by so many.
All in all it was a fantastic weekend of awesome boats and even more amazing people. It's events and weekends like these that make the boating community what it is and it's these events that will ensure the health of the sport for generations to come. My hat is off to everyone who made these events a success!
