Key west 2024

[H20 Toie]

 

[92562]

So jealous, keep the pics coming! Our son and DIL arrived this morning and are guests of John Teague at MTI. Once again living vicariously through my kids!

 

[Frickstyle]

It's crazy! Every single boat in the aerial photos in post #41 is either a CC or an outboard cat! There is only 1 deep V.....the big Outerlimits.

I saw a good comment on this, it was an interview with one of the Mercury performance engine guys. It was something to the effect of :

"Years ago we would have Customers show up to the Poker Runs, and about 30% or more of them would have issues with bigger power. All the expenses, travel, time off, logistics to make it happen, to have a boat that doesn't run. Now, with 400+hp outboards, everyone is going boating and having a good time."

Just quoted from memory. There should be a Poker Run that promotes inboards, or at least real sport / performance offshores. Boyne Thunder is still one of those runs, mostly because the boats up in that area are used to having to run bogger water, heavier etc. Although, those massive CCs do a pretty good job of smashing some water. I guess they would when they weigh in at 18,000lbs!

 

[Tank]

I saw a good comment on this, it was an interview with one of the Mercury performance engine guys. It was something to the effect of :

"Years ago we would have Customers show up to the Poker Runs, and about 30% or more of them would have issues with bigger power. All the expenses, travel, time off, logistics to make it happen, to have a boat that doesn't run. Now, with 400+hp outboards, everyone is going boating and having a good time."

Just quoted from memory. There should be a Poker Run that promotes inboards, or at least real sport / performance offshores. Boyne Thunder is still one of those runs, mostly because the boats up in that area are used to having to run bogger water, heavier etc. Although, those massive CCs do a pretty good job of smashing some water. I guess they would when they weigh in at 18,000lbs!

He ain’t kiddin. Early 2000’s at least 1/4 the fleet wouldn’t make it to key west. Cross your fingers, roll the dice and hit the sticks. lol I just can’t make the switch. Maybe someday. But they’ll be on an axopar.

 

[Done-it-again]

He ain’t kiddin. Early 2000’s at least 1/4 the fleet wouldn’t make it to key west. Cross your fingers, roll the dice and hit the sticks. lol I just can’t make the switch. Maybe someday. But they’ll be on an axopar.

Just note the axopar fuel capacity, you might not make it if those stick are all they way forward...

 

[Blue Oval]

Boyne Thunder is still one of those runs, mostly because the boats up in that area are used to having to run bogger water, heavier etc. Although, those massive CCs do a pretty good job of smashing some water. I guess they would when they weigh in at 18,000lbs!

I get a lot of crap about our Pace Lap being to silent. Group 3 and 4 still have some noise. After 20 years of having a noisy boat, I downloaded a V8 I/O to play on the Center Console when I go thru the channel. LOL

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[H20 Toie]

Now I know that couch republic isn’t known for great food
But I just had one of the best steaks ever

 

[Frickstyle]

I get a lot of crap about our Pace Lap being to silent. Group 3 and 4 still have some noise. After 20 years of having a noisy boat, I downloaded a V8 I/O to play on the Center Console when I go thru the channel. LOL

That's funny^^^! I broke down and bought a second, outboard CC - for this following reason:

Last time out this year it was me and a buddy, wife out of town so we decide we're going to the islands for the night on the Cigarette (Twin 14-71 blown 572s). We go out and just decide to cruise around, head up to Canada, rip around the islands, do another trip around the islands, see some friends out on the water, fly bys, it was a little bumpy. Decide to turn in and we're halfway around the island getting ready to dock for the evening / overnight - and the transmission blows! (probably ran about 40 miles?)

3 hr idle back to the ramp a few towns over (20+ miles) - 5 footers coming over the bow on one engine.

Get to ramp, Load boat on trailer. Put away Cigarette, get CC outboard off rack, put in and head back to the island we were scheduled for earlier, spent the night and had a grand 'ol time!!!

My plan worked!

I've made about 6 or 7 Poker Runs, Fun Runs with the Cig - I may have finished 1 or 2.....

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[Hoodoo]

Although, those massive CCs do a pretty good job of smashing some water. I guess they would when they weigh in at 18,000lbs!

The big Nor Tech’s are impressive running across bumpy wintertime Charlotte Harbor without spilling drinks.

 

[rivrrts429]

I’ll stick to my truck motor boats but the mosquitos are beautiful boats.

Tons of money floating around in Florida. Love the pictures.

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[Rayson1971]

Loving the teasers camel toe

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[Hoodoo]

I've made about 6 or 7 Poker Runs, Fun Runs with the Cig - I may have finished 1 or 2....

What do you attribute that to? My Phantom is new and fairly light and has NA big cubic inch tall decks, relatively mild builds, easily 100+ mph. I’m 7 for 7 start/finish on runs and generally run hard. Probably just jinxed it with this post though.

 

[Frickstyle]

What do you attribute that to? My Phantom is new and fairly light and has NA big cubic inch tall decks, relatively mild builds, easily 100+ mph. I’m 7 for 7 start/finish on runs and generally run hard. Probably just jinxed it with this post though.

That's awesome.

My best guess is old heavy boat, big props, big power, rough water and surface drives. The trans are for certain the weakest link. Only thing that blows up on that boat. (I did seize and engine and broke a timing chain., two unrelated events...) Going to get to fixing / upgrading the trans this winter.

I might need to get a Phantom, always loved those boats!

 

[callbob]

A beautiful display of fu money.

 

[JFMFG]

So did team black diamond show face? @Tank

 

[Tank]

That's awesome.

My best guess is old heavy boat, big props, big power, rough water and surface drives. The trans are for certain the weakest link. Only thing that blows up on that boat. (I did seize and engine and broke a timing chain., two unrelated events...) Going to get to fixing / upgrading the trans this winter.

I might need to get a Phantom, always loved those boats!

You also run it like it’s meant to run.

Just need some 6’s.

Here’s Justin at loto couple years ago.

 

[Tank]

So did team black diamond show face? @Tank

They did not.

 

[JFMFG]

They did not.

IRS already seized assets lol. I guess them not showing out proves they’re hurting and guilty.

 

[H20 Toie]

Yep lot of empty space where they normally stage

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[JFMFG]

View attachment 1448786 View attachment 1448787 View attachment 1448788

The amount of money in Florida boating makes me contemplate my life decisions and where I went wrong. I question myself how do I make more. How can I expand? What do so many of these people do for a living? It gives drive to get there someday. Thanks for taking us along for the ride @H20 Toie

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[H20 Toie]

 

[n2otoofast4u]

So jealous, keep the pics coming! Our son and DIL arrived this morning and are guests of John Teague at MTI. Once again living vicariously through my kids!

Did I miss something!? Did JT leave DCB?

 

[Tank]

Did I miss something!? Did JT leave DCB?

Different John Teague. It can get confusing.

 

[Tank]

I’m
Already looking at rooms for 25. I think I want to get something on the water to watch the races. Fuck it. Go big or go home.

 

[JFMFG]

I’m
Already looking at rooms for 25. I think I want to get something on the water to watch the races. Fuck it. Go big or go home.

Need a boat bitch?

 

[Tank]

Need a boat bitch?

I don’t think I’m ready to send boat out there. Gonna wait until I retire in a. Couple years. Then I can drag it to loto after SCFW amd keep it there until Sept. then drag it to Florida and keep it there for winter. The. Drag home. Will have time to do that once i retire.

But I bet Dan takes his boat out!!

 

[JFMFG]

I don’t think I’m ready to send boat out there. Gonna wait until I retire in a. Couple years. Then I can drag it to loto after SCFW amd keep it there until Sept. then drag it to Florida and keep it there for winter. The. Drag home. Will have time to do that once i retire.

But I bet Dan takes his boat out!!

Dan I am an excellent dd and I love cleaning. Can also front the fuel bill while in key west . Tank is letting me down RN he went from big dick tank to needing a blue pill in a matter of minutes.

 

[2CHILL]

 

[2CHILL]

 

[rivermobster]

I don’t think I’m ready to send boat out there. Gonna wait until I retire in a. Couple years. Then I can drag it to loto after SCFW amd keep it there until Sept. then drag it to Florida and keep it there for winter. The. Drag home. Will have time to do that once i retire.

But I bet Dan takes his boat out!!

Solid plan.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Thanks Dan for your posts. Looked like at about post #57 you ”hit your stride”? For those who‘ve never been, KW is just a truly amazing place. Maybe, when you first realize you’re still in the US, but enjoying a tropical climate and atmosphere, it hits you. On occasion these boats and their people make it even better. Bucket list stuff.

 

[92562]

Did I miss something!? Did JT leave DCB?

It's hard to keep it all straight! No relation!

 

[OC Daytona]

That's awesome.

My best guess is old heavy boat, big props, big power, rough water and surface drives. The trans are for certain the weakest link. Only thing that blows up on that boat. (I did seize and engine and broke a timing chain., two unrelated events...) Going to get to fixing / upgrading the trans this winter.

I might need to get a Phantom, always loved those boats!

Which transmissions are you currently running?

 

[sonicss31]

BTW, there is another reason to come down other than drinking until your liver hurts.

 

[Frickstyle]

I’m
Already looking at rooms for 25. I think I want to get something on the water to watch the races. Fuck it. Go big or go home.

Mike and I were talking yesterday about going down.

Anyone know what it takes to be a flag / pace boat???

 

[Hoodoo]

I’m
Already looking at rooms for 25. I think I want to get something on the water to watch the races. Fuck it. Go big or go home.

I may rent a slip and run a boat down from SRQ.
Not sure about sleeping on the boat but I have two neighbors that have homes in KW and never go in Nov. I’m gonna hit them up next time I see them.

 

[Hoodoo]

I don’t think I’m ready to send boat out there. Gonna wait until I retire in a. Couple years. Then I can drag it to loto after SCFW amd keep it there until Sept. then drag it to Florida and keep it there for winter. The. Drag home. Will have time to do that once i retire.

But I bet Dan takes his boat out!!

If you do this, try to come down for the New Years Day Run in Sarasota. You won’t be disappointed. ( unless the weather sucks that day lol)

 

[Tank]

Mike and I were talking yesterday about going down.

Anyone know what it takes to be a flag / pace boat???

I'd guess they're begging for flag boats. That dude with the really nice, era correct / restored Top Gun always paces a few of the classes. Cigarette does the pace with their 515 for the big class usually.

 

[Frickstyle]

Which transmissions are you currently running?

Don't want to hijack the thread - however - they are 72Cs, rated for 1200? I need to step up my transmission game and get the big ones, 1450s. I just can't get excited to spend more money on this boat. I'm gonna pull both and send a total of 3 down to Innovation to see if they can set them up a little better.