Desert Storm Tie-Up

[Englewood]

Anything planned for a Tie-Up to watch Desert Storm?

 

[Mikemo_SDS]

I was thinking about this yesterday. Interested in anchoring down south Friday morning to watch the poker run.

 

[Icky]

Are they "racing" this year or just cruising down like the last few years

 

[H20 Toie]

Are they "racing" this year or just cruising down like the last few years

The race to the first card stop days are over i'm afraid

 

[Englewood]

The race to the first card stop days are over i'm afraid

Is that for insurance reasons?

 

[Fastdadtsmith]

I thought RD had his own private island down across from the intake tubes towards the springs. Seemed like a great place.

 

[azsunfun]

The race to the first card stop days are over i'm afraid

Are you breaking in new powerplants or letting others race? Hope your rig runs without issues.

 

[H20 Toie]

Are you breaking in new powerplants or letting others race? Hope your rig runs without issues.

fingers crossed, ill run it but not hard probably stay under 80

 

[Singleton]

Is that for insurance reasons?

Yes. Event insurance mandated the change 5+ years ago

 

[RiverDave]

I thought RD had his own private island down across from the intake tubes towards the springs. Seemed like a great place.

It’s a nice place to gather because the wakes are partially shielded.. lots of rocks though.

I don’t have a boat right now (soon to be rectified) so I’ll probably be with Dan on the Cig!

 

[MeCasa16]

I was thinking about this yesterday. Interested in anchoring down south Friday morning to watch the poker run.

We are down for this..

 

[Mikemo_SDS]

We are down for this..

Matt! What’s up man? Let’s hook up then!

 

[Tank]

There’s nothing really to watch. We were floating near where the RDP group
Was beached up. Completely oblivious the
Poker run had started and multiple boats had already come and
Gone to the first cars stop.

Seriously, there’s nothing to see anymore. Like @H20 Toie said, the spectator days of watching the big boys race to first stop are long gone. Too much liability.

 

[SJP]

There’s nothing really to watch. We were floating near where the RDP group
Was beached up. Completely oblivious the
Poker run had started and multiple boats had already come and
Gone to the first cars stop.

Seriously, there’s nothing to see anymore. Like @H20 Toie said, the spectator days of watching the big boys race to first stop are long gone. Too much liability.

Yep - I am going to run down to the Springs early and then head straight for Pirates before they even leave the parade thru the channel.

 

[Tank]

Yep - I am going to run down to the Springs early and then head straight for Pirates before they even leave the parade thru the channel.

Good call. I’m guessing the traffic on the lake won’t be even close to as bad as it was 2 years ago. We gave last year a pass it was so bad. But with Dave doing SCFW the weekend after coupled with what seems to be poor advertisement and organization for DS, I’m Thinking traffic won’t be stupid busy but still a good call to get posted up and hunker down for the day. I have no freakin clue what we’re doing. Guess I’ll play it by ear Friday morning. Lol. See what everyone wants to do. Probably head up river though.

 

[River Runnin]

fingers crossed, ill run it but not hard probably stay under 80

If you gonna break it in! -- You gotta drive/ Run it like you stole it!!

 

[Englewood]

Sounds like DS is slowly dying. Bummer. I hope SCFW brings that spark back.

 

[Dirtbag]

is there a list of boats running in the poker run?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Sounds like DS is slowly dying. Bummer. I hope SCFW brings that spark back.

SCFW will be the new spark…

 

[WAAZ]

The race to the first card stop days are over i'm afraid

This vid gives me goose bumps every time. Crank it up - the sound is amazing!!

 

[RogerThat99]

I also liked the onboard video of @skater40 in Predator 1.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

is there a list of boats running in the poker run?

I heard from a reliable source that under 100 boats are registered......

 

[Wmc]

So what's everyone plan?

 

[farmo83]

I heard from a reliable source that under 100 boats are registered......

I take it this is down from year's past ?

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I take it this is down from year's past ?

Yeah but it has been on a decline for awhile. Weather has always been a factor and has caused shootout to be cancelled more time than I can think of. With that, a lot of the big teams just aren't making the trip anymore.

Race to card stop #1 was epic but we all know why that stopped.....

I think what Dave is doing with SCFW will be the new standard and should bring out a lot of new and old faces from the powerboat world that used to frequent DS.

 

[Englewood]

Yeah but it has been on a decline for awhile. Weather has always been a factor and has caused shootout to be cancelled more time than I can think of. With that, a lot of the big teams just aren't making the trip anymore.

Race to card stop #1 was epic but we all know why that stopped.....

I think what Dave is doing with SCFW will be the new standard and should bring out a lot of new and old faces from the powerboat world that used to frequent DS.

I have seen zero marketing whatsoever. This will be the last hoorah in my opinion.

 

[Singleton]

I take it this is down from year's past ?

In 2019 over 170 boats were registered for DS. Multiple reasons for the reduced numbers. New ownership was behind from the start. Give them 2 years to get it rolling again. Plus they have to convince some folks to return , since the bad blood with the past owners drove folks away!

IMO, SCFW will breathe new life into DS and give the big boys reasons to come west for 10 days of boating. You will have the DS Poker Run, Shootout then the SCFW fun runs to different locations on the lake with manufactures being able to ‘host’ events at different spots. Nautical, Heat and LB will allow the bigger manufactures to have ‘host’ hotels in the future.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I have seen zero marketing whatsoever. This will be the last hoorah in my opinion.

It has definitely been very little. The update videos he has been doing everyday are a start but can be produced so much better. Unfortunately in today's times, you need fresh / young marketing minds and it appears they don't have that.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

It has definitely been very little. The update videos he has been doing everyday are a start but can be produced so much better. Unfortunately in today's times, you need fresh / young marketing minds and it appears they don't have that.

I don’t see why these 2 events would exist separately. One is going to take over the other eventually.

 

[HullofaTime]

So what's everyone plan?

Shall we tie up across from pump station again?

 

[HullofaTime]

I don’t see why these 2 events would exist separately. One is going to take over the other eventually.

IMO if they continue to be back to back weekends, they may compliment eachother rather than have a take over, also gives the guys from far east a reason to stay for both (if DS can bring the enticement back) thus brings more money to havasu businesses.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

IMO if they continue to be back to back weekends, they may compliment eachother rather than have a take over, also gives the guys from far east a reason to stay for both (if DS can bring the enticement back) thus brings more money to havasu businesses.

I’m thinking it would/could be one long event. As you noted the events are kinda complimentary.

It’s Havasu.. we’ve all seen how these things go. People dislike sharing pieces of the pie.

 

[CHECKERED_PAST]

I’m optimistic the two can work together to make both a great experience and stay as separate events that can bring in the revenue. I’m always going to be down in April, it’s our kick off to the summer after tax season! After this winter I’m ready, hell I’ll be pulling down in rain and possible snow this year!

 

[Ace in the Hole]

In 2019 over 170 boats were registered for DS. Multiple reasons for the reduced numbers. New ownership was behind from the start. Give them 2 years to get it rolling again. Plus they have to convince some folks to return , since the bad blood with the past owners drove folks away!

IMO, SCFW will breathe new life into DS and give the big boys reasons to come west for 10 days of boating. You will have the DS Poker Run, Shootout then the SCFW fun runs to different locations on the lake with manufactures being able to ‘host’ events at different spots. Nautical, Heat and LB will allow the bigger manufactures to have ‘host’ hotels in the future.

I think it was 230-ish boats in 2021 and just over 200 last year. Marketing was late to the ball and pretty poor at best. We’ve participated and volunteered both in years past and I don’t think we got so much is an email about it.

It’s a long haul for the Midwest and East Coast guys… I think having it back to back actually encourages more of them to come versus two separate weekends where they would have to choose. I wish the DS guys good luck with their endeavor, and I hope they find success in the years going forward. It says a lot though when real simple questions are still lingering as have been posted here the last few days…

This year will be the first one I’ve missed in a long time but life, work, kids etc. happens. When gas is $5+ a gallon people limit how much they come up which is something multiple friends have stated. I’m sure the street party will be busy as always but it’ll be interesting to see how many people show up to spectate

 

[Bpracing1127]

I think it was 230-ish boats in 2021 and just over 200 last year. Marketing was late to the ball and pretty poor at best. We’ve participated and volunteered both in years past and I don’t think we got so much is an email about it.

It’s a long haul for the Midwest and East Coast guys… I think having it back to back actually encourages more of them to come versus two separate weekends where they would have to choose. I wish the DS guys good luck with their endeavor, and I hope they find success in the years going forward. It says a lot though when real simple questions are still lingering as have been posted here the last few days…

This year will be the first one I’ve missed in a long time but life, work, kids etc. happens. When gas is $5+ a gallon people limit how much they come up which is something multiple friends have stated. I’m sure the street party will be busy as always but it’ll be interesting to see how many people show up to spectate

Same missing DS and SCFW this year. First time in a long time for DS.

One thing to consider lol. Havasu is small and offers little for entertainment and boating destinations compared to Miami, ozarks, Cumberland ect…..

 

[JFMFG]

I think it was 230-ish boats in 2021 and just over 200 last year. Marketing was late to the ball and pretty poor at best. We’ve participated and volunteered both in years past and I don’t think we got so much is an email about it.

It’s a long haul for the Midwest and East Coast guys… I think having it back to back actually encourages more of them to come versus two separate weekends where they would have to choose. I wish the DS guys good luck with their endeavor, and I hope they find success in the years going forward. It says a lot though when real simple questions are still lingering as have been posted here the last few days…

This year will be the first one I’ve missed in a long time but life, work, kids etc. happens. When gas is $5+ a gallon people limit how much they come up which is something multiple friends have stated. I’m sure the street party will be busy as always but it’ll be interesting to see how many people show up to spectate

Judging by last season I don’t think fuel plays a factor for anyone lol.

 

[stephenkatsea]

This vid gives me goose bumps every time. Crank it up - the sound is amazing!!

Thanks. Great video. Brings back years of amazing memories. Looks like this was shot out on the point at BML. Good viewing location, back when it was a race that "was not a race". One year a CHP officer, also a boater, was there taking radar hits on some of the boats as they passed. Said he needed to get a hold of his watch commander, because those numerous 120 mph+ radar hits would be automatically transmitted to his boss. He said it would be hard to explain why he'd written no speeding tickets.

Amazing, unforgettable times on Havasu. The sights, sounds and even the smell of Av Gas. The chance of that ever reoccurring are about Zero . . . or maybe even Less than that.

 

[Tank]

I’m thinking it would/could be one long event. As you noted the events are kinda complimentary.

It’s Havasu.. we’ve all seen how these things go. People dislike sharing pieces of the pie.

The last time SCFW was put on (2 years ago) by Ray and speedboat mag it was the weekend before. We were able to stay in havasu 10 days and do both events. I actually enjoyed the SCFW event more because it was more chill. DS in 21 was probably the biggest cluster fuck I’ve ever seen on the lake. I actually didn’t enjoy it to the point I didn’t come back in 22. I’d NEVER seen so many people on the lake. It was to the point it was almost dangerous.

But doing both events was fantastic. Launched the boat and got a slip at the SCFW docks. Then went over and stayed at the nautical for a few days mid week and chilled at the pool and let the kids play and what not while leaving the boat at the nautical docks. Then took the boat back to the DS docks for DS21. Boat in the water for 10 days except one day mid week to clean it and fuel it. It’s doable to do both events and I’d highly recommend it. The break in the middle where it’s quiet during the week and you just kindve chill is very nice.

For selfish reasons I’m glad the attendance at DS23 is low. I’m hoping it won’t be a cluster fuck on the water. I would’ve booked SCFW over DS this year but I had to schedule my days off a year out and it was before RD announced SCFW23.

Initial opinions on the two events. Dave is doing a FANTASTIC job promoting and putting SCFW together. DS people not so much. I think SCFW is gonna be the better event.

 

[Racer56]

I don't know why everyone on RDP spectates DS when it's a great time to participate.

Cooter Canoe Nordic Deck party of four ready to have fun!

 

[RiverDave]

I’m thinking it would/could be one long event. As you noted the events are kinda complimentary.

It’s Havasu.. we’ve all seen how these things go. People dislike sharing pieces of the pie.

I actually have a great relationship with Jim Russel the new owner of DS. We goto lunch every week or every other week.

He’s a pretty cool guy. I think things will work as well as they can together into the future.

RD

 

[RiverDave]

I appreciate the compliments on the promotion.. I was half wondering if we haven’t done enough yet.

I don’t know if we have reached the general public or not but god knows I’ve been trying. I know at the boat show a lot of people were talking about supercat so that made me feel a little better.

My plan this year is to do the best job we can and next year make it a monster.. on that note though I’d say we are 3-5 times larger than the one that happened in 2019 already and have similar boat counts to DS so I’m happy with that.

I will say I plan on delegating a lot next year though.. I am not joking when I say I’ve worked so hard on this event and the stress levels have been on the rev limiter for at least a month.. I don’t even call it supercat anymore I call it the heart attack express. Lol.

It’s all coming together.. now all we gotta do is not fuck it up.