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Formula Jr
11-05-2002, 03:43 PM
A great day on the Bay.

A friend on Kent Island, John, had just sold his 24 Widow and picked up this. (http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell308.jpg) Its a 375 Formula with twin 496s (http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell305.jpg)and trs drives. He says he got it for 34k out of Michigan. At least thats one of the stories. :D

After a hard night of removing an engine from the brother's blackfin 24, we got invited out for a little run on the Bay. We lanched at the public ramp (http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell304.jpg)across from the Redeye (http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell306.jpg)on the Narrows. For a second I though maybe there was a poker run happening cause all the big dogs (http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell311.jpg)came out of the Redeye at the same time. We ran with them (http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell312.jpg)for a little while which was a blast before heading off to Naptown.

Turned out to be a beautiful day. (http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell310.jpg) The funny thing about running a big dog boat like this, is its really the same as a smaller boat, you just don't have to pay attention to anything less than four footers and you can actually sip your drink at 56 mph.. We oozed into Ego Alley. (http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell309.jpg) This boat really catches eyeballs. And the pretty women actually wave back at you.

On the way back John made the mistake of handing me (http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell307.jpg) the controls for a WOT run. I got alittle too comfortable and didn't want to hand them back. What a rush it is to man two throttles! Those babies were singing to me. I know now, I'm living in the wrong part of the country. Puget Sound is calling me back.

Owen wink

EricG
11-05-2002, 06:28 PM
Great Write-up Owen....I would've killed to take that ride....

But here's what's calling you back:
http://www.donzi.net/photos/egudgel52.jpg
This was taken on the late season run to LaConner that Kathy and I took - I took a bunch of pictures to do a write up - but I haven't found the time yet.

-EG

JimG
11-06-2002, 07:06 AM
Just slightly off-topic: What's going back in the Blackfin 24? I sold mine early this year, and boy do I miss it! http://www.donzi.net/photos/jguidry04.jpg

Formula Jr
11-06-2002, 11:51 AM
The Black Fin is getting a Jasper reman Chrysler 380. It ate a push rod tip at 57 hours. Still under warranty. Nice little fishing machine, built like a tank. It really needs all the engine you can stuff in it as they are so heavy.

JimG
11-06-2002, 01:26 PM
They are awesome boats! Mine had a 350hp 454 in it. The best rough water boat I've ever seen. Not real fast, though. Mine weighed around 6000 lbs. BTW: there is supposedly some Cigarette connection with that hull. I don't know exactly what it was, but the mold came from Cary. Maybe some of you can clarify the connection.

JimG

Gearhead99
11-06-2002, 08:43 PM
The original race boat, "Cigarette" was a 32 foot Cary.

oldLenny
11-06-2002, 10:42 PM
Nice post Owen. Hope the GT21 came home nicely. Other than the disasters.

Be careful what you wish for. Out here on the West Coast we have salt water and the skin on our hands can get dry at times :D but the waves are worth it !!!

Formula Jr
11-07-2002, 03:38 AM
I've got three micro cassettes and four rolls of film on the GT trip. Working thru it now. I'm dissappointed in the boat, but not in the adventure it caused. I can explain it in one little story though.

Six hours after the sniper kill in Ashland, I was filling my gas tank at a station three miles south. They had not been caught yet, and they had a habit of sticking around just to thumb their noses at the police with another in zone kill. So under the full lights of the station, surrounded by wooded areas, was a guy standing in the open with his Donzi Sweatshirt giving the finger to the darkness around him: As were many others. Americans are really bad at living in fear. We just don't seem to be able to do it right. :D

Eric, you are so correct.... South Sound and the Canadian Gulf Islands set a new bar and it took this trip to think it through. I gotta figure out a way to get back to what's important; open water, salt spray and a shack on pilings with a dock..... wink

Lenny, Henry says you are forgiven. Just don't spread any more rumors till ya know him.....he is a sweet dog...no matter of his past. :D

oldLenny
11-07-2002, 10:47 PM
Owen, can't wait for the story. Love them all.

Your GT, dissappointed???, not to worry. It's glass and ANYTHING can be fixed. I'll send you some pics of where I am at on the "new" project. :rolleyes: :D :D :D .

The GT and a big block will LOVE this place. You might even have to go out of your way to find entertainment for it! Relax, there is always the Straits and Active pass. Never a dull moment.

Cuda
11-11-2002, 07:53 AM
What year is the Formula? Is it a 375 or a 357?

Formula Jr
11-14-2002, 05:13 AM
It was a '90 375. Oddly, Formula stuck with the TRSs till '91. They stock piled them.
You can buy the same boat today new with bravos and 502s for about 178K.