I Live For This Chit!

[Carl C]

Damn I love boating! It is my passion and I get out at every oportunity. Got the boat out yesterday and today and weather permitting I'll be out tomorrow and Thursday. In a couple weeks I'll begin to venture into the Great Lakes. I think I have a serious preoccupation here! None of my friends feel this way. Are you guys total boat nuts too? Or is it just another activity for y'all?:boat: :boat: :boat: :boat: :boat: (Scot, why is your only boat smily a snail boat?)

[blackhawk]

I don't get too excited about hitting our local lakes. They're small, dirty and have a lot of idiots.

But when I hit Torch, Lake Michigan, etc I am geeked big time. There's nothing like getting out there in some chop and having to get the boat dialed in then running WFO for 7-8 miles. I definitely live for that! :D

[Barry Eller]

I don't get too excited about hitting our local lakes. They're small, dirty and have a lot of idiots.
But when I hit Torch, Lake Michigan, etc I am geeked big time. There's nothing like getting out there in some chop and having to get the boat dialed in then running WFO for 7-8 miles. I definitely live for that! :D
I love being here on the Gulf Coast. I have the inter coastal waterway that I have to make a decision each time out...head East or West as far as I want to go. I guess I could go South, but the fuel would run out before I hit South America.

I have run from Pensacola to Panama City before and from Pensacola to Mobile, Al. The Panama City run is right at a 100 mile run one way.:yippie:

I think I would get bored on a lake.:moped:

[Carl C]

I'm never bored. I can anchor and just sit and read my boating mags and have a beer or two. Today there was a yellow striped '89 18C on the pond. He had a 385 hp 350 crate motor(I think that's what he said) He showed me the King Cobra drive that he was proud of. Said he was running 70 but he wouldn't go around the lake with me 'cause he had his girlfriend. There were some friendly pontooners and a couple other boats; it's not too crazy during the week. The fisherman incident last week was a rare occurance. Black folks fish this lake and we always wave.:wavey:

[Barry Eller]

My work requires me to work on Saturdays. Tuesday is my day off and the difference between my Sunday boating and Tuesday boating is like night and day. On Tuesdays I like to run over to Pensacola Naval Air Station and watch the Blue Angels practice. I also think the Marine Patrol takes Tuesdays off also, never see a one!!!

Here is a couple photos I took last Tuesday, no boating today, my wife's mother is coming this weekend from Knoxville, Tn. I was handed a list of Honey-Do's.

You can't see fish jumping like these on a lake.:biggrin:

[22zxla]

Your not alone carl! I pretty much think of boating all the time as well. Katrina put 2 ft of water in my lake ponchatrain house so ive been busy on weekends putting it back together. Started floors last week so im getting close to full wekend use. Cant wait! To me the water is magical.

[joseph m. hahnl]

YES YES YES you are Not alone. AS a matter of fact Who gives a ---- about the weather. Rain or shine I love it. Totaly agree with you Just out floating with my Girls is heaven.


joe

[BigGrizzly]

Yes we are all this way to some extent. The ralleys put us with the same element. At the Cumberland event we were out Thursday Friday and Saturday most of the time running. We would have been out Sunday except for a drive home and some Good byes.

[Team Jefe]

Actually....I'm not that wound up about boating, its OK I guess...:lookaroun
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Yeah, Right :rlol:

I'm a freak, and not just about boating or fishing, but about Donzi's specifically...and most of that is due to this website.

[tiger lily]

Summer SUCKS

let is SNOW!

ski-doo racing!!!!








i might feel diffrent if my boat wasnt still on the trailer broke...

[Carl C]

Summer SUCKS
let is SNOW!
ski-doo racing!!!!
i might feel diffrent if my boat wasnt still on the trailer broke... Down time sucks but nooooooooooooooooooo more snow!!:shocking:

[tiger lily]

Down time sucks but nooooooooooooooooooo more snow!!:shocking:


its going to be down all sumer i think, so yes let it snow :(:(:(:(:(:(

[billy22zx]

I think about boating alot...but N.E. Ohio has a way of spoiling the fun. Lake Erie is a bit too far for me to just pop the boat in the water,so i have to wait for the weekends to get down to the river. Marietta to Parkersburg is a nice run. Local lakes are small and boring....too many restrictions. I`m hoping to make the poker run next week in Pittsburg,but probably wont take the "Don" I guess riding in a 32 ft Phantom with twin 500`s won`t be too bad!

[Magicallbill]

It's more about the boat itself for me.
As wierd as it sounds, I enjoy just looking at and messing with my Scorpion 18. I don't really need to be on the water all that much to enjoy having the boat.
I used to love to be on the water much more than I do now.
I'm still boating because of my Donzi.
If I had a Bayliner Capri, I'd give it up totally.

[Dr. Dan]

:wavey: I think part of the attraction to attend the Donzi Events aside from the super time of seeing and meeting new friends...is the variety of the water you Boat in.

I am spoiled in that I can boat in the Chesapeake Bay....its like a little Ocean... its always changing... the variety of water is immense and the mileage to boat far exceeds my fuel capacity and fuel budget for that matter.

Anyone who has never boated in the Bay... you are definitely going to want to sample it when we do our Mid Atlantic Events... it's one of the Worlds Largest Watersheds bringing Fresh Water at the Northern end and Salt down by the Sailing Capital - Annapolis!

I truly am spoiled, The Bay, Michigan for Family visits, Lake George, Lake Winnie, 1000 Islands and Sarasota Bay....I also intermix small trips to the Potomac and an occassional inland Lake.

Personally I prefer to run for miles at a time.... its seldom as rewarding just putting around on too small of lakes ... I just get the Boat Dialed in and then I have to turn around... thats not my kinda fun. As to Rafting up and just hanging...that's always relaxing. Some of our favorite runs are 30 to 40 miles away it makes for a great lunch or dinner run... unless you're an Undertaker :banghead:

In which case... well ahh? Where is that Sea Tow Card?

Doc :wavey:

[undertaker]

Some of our favorite runs are 30 to 40 miles away it makes for a great lunch or dinner run... unless you're an Undertaker



OH BOY....here we go...:biggrin: :biggrin: :yes: :fire:


Undertaker who is getting ready to head to Lake Wallenpaupak..:yes:

[roadtrip se]

a little or maybe a lot.

After topping off my fuel, we are out of here.

Yes, I love the Donzi for its heritage and the community that surrounds it, but I am all about what it does too. I have spent hours testing and tuneing to make my time on the water an absolute hoot. Boy that Shelby looks pretty good, but then I would have to start all over again.

I have to admit, I was pretty frustrated by Michigan boating. These duck ponds are a joke and the Great Lakes were just too big for a 22. Then, after three years and the generosity of Air Patti and Carl, we got a great day out on Lake Michigan off of Charlevoix recently. Big swells, but not back breaking! Opinion changed! Can we do it again this summer?

In the meantime, I'll just have to settle for Lake Cumberland this weekend.

We got runnin' to do!

[Kirk]

I owe you a Harp when we meet again. I cannot make the dustoff this next week we just moved into a new house and my life is filled with cardboard boxes....I cant even find my toothbrush.

All the best and have fun on LG

KJ

[blackhawk]

I think I would get bored on a lake.:moped:

When I go to Torch Lake it is more "hanging out" than boating, but I love it! Beautiful water and a HUGE sandbar. Hanging out with friends, grilling on the back of my buddy's Lib, throwing the frisbee around, meeting new people, etc. Then of course taking a couple long WFO runs(lake is 20 miles long). There's ALWAYS people wanting to race! :D

When we go the Grand Traverse Bay it's definitely more boating. Usually we go 20 miles or so then stop on a beach to BS, grab a cold one, etc. Then were off again for another 20-30 miles. The bay is usually a 100 mile day and the water can get interesting if there's a good breeze! :D

[Kirk]

Look forward to the picnic...count on it!!

Well the weekend has begun and I am as "dry as dirt"

KJ

[BigGrizzly]

For a motor head Rootsy put it down right. Its like a family reunion with just the family you like!!! Living on the north eastern seabord most of my life i do miss the ocean and the bay. Now I live on a large lake with a boat dock and can't hate it. However I look forward to the get togethers with my Donzi friends. As for the Shelby, for me I don't care. It has to come a long way to beat my Criterion. As for Roadtrips responce on the boat he is absolutly correct. the only thing he would get is a different paint job and only half the boat he has now. I think everybody's boat is slightly different and unique and special and this is called boating and what it is all about.

[Barry Eller]

I can see someone from Fla. getting bored quick with a lake,
but I can see constanly flushing your boat getting old quick Too ;) :)
yes there are the long runs the short runs the slow runs the fast runs sometimes we don't run at all we just lounge around on the boat in the slip at the marina and listen to the band and have the waitress come down with some libations and sustainance ;)
Flushing the salt from a 502 BBC is FUN!!! It lets all your neighbors know you have a Donzi!!! We have sandbars and places where we congregate to socialise, swap lies, and have boat drinks and picnics. My buddy Dan(p729lws) and I run together with our wives, and go to watering holes and restaurants. I love the short runs and the long runs. My comment about getting bored with a lake is because I too, am spoiled with always having so large of an area to boat in.
I hope to one day make it to a "Donzi Lake Event" and meet some of you fine people. If any of you come to this area, PM me and I will be happy to run with you and show you around this beautiful area!!!:beer:

[gpapich]

Dude!

I have to agree with you on that one. I think I drive my co-workers nuts talking about what a great time I had scaring myself and generally learning to go fast and handle rough water safely. I bought Dag Pike's "Fast Powerboat Seamanship" about three weeks ago. I highly recommend it. I'm a former naval officer and the Navy teaches you plenty on professional judgement and general seamanship with regards to big ships, but nothing on the high speed stuff.

Two weeks ago I dropped my X-18 into San Francisco Bay at Alameda. I drove north out of the estuary and into the bay. Had to trim in and drop it to about 45mph. Scared myself after launching off one of the ferry boat wakes and airing it out a tad too long.

Went by Pier 39 looking to stop for lunch. No joy. Reservations only marina. Turned around and headed north across the bay past Alcatraz and around the north side of Angel Island. Pulled in for a half hour to get something to drink and check for leaks or other funny stuff in the engine compartment.

Got back underway and headed over to Sausalito again for lunch. Opted not to stop, but cruised past the ferry terminal, downtown and Scoma's restaurant.

Punched it back up to about 45mph in 3ft chop and ran across the Golden Gate and hooked a left turn in front of Chrissy Field and ran parallel to the SF waterfront until I passed under the Oakland Bay bridge. Pulled into SBC Park marina to look around and then decided to head back to Alameda. Because I was in the lee of the city, the water on the south side of Yerba Buena was a bit calmer and I was able to trim out and get up to 55mph (GPS) without it getting spooky. All in all that little fun-run took about 2hrs and 3/4 tank of gas.

I ran the Delta Sport Boat Yacht Club "Bash & Dash" Poker run last weekend. I was able to keep up with the last few people in the fleet, but I had to hammer it pretty hard to do it. I had to refuel every leg of the run. Total distance per GPS was 87. Had a blast and met some fun people although I was the only Donzi out there. I'm tempted to name my boat "Runt" as everyone else had true 32-45' cats and offshore boats.

Still a blast although I want to make sure I'm not beating up a 30 year old boat too badly.

Yeah, I guess I miss being out on the water. I'm a former Sea Scout and windsurfer, so water and excitement just naturally go together.:biggrin:

[chappy]

Some of our favorite runs are 30 to 40 miles away it makes for a great lunch or dinner run... unless you're an Undertaker
OH BOY....here we go...:biggrin: :biggrin: :yes: :fire:
Undertaker who is getting ready to head to Lake Wallenpaupak..:yes:
When are you coming? Let me know, I'd like to see your classic. I've been buried at work due to going away for three days last week. I'm planning on putting mine in this Tuesday the 13th, and making some noise.:shades:
Good Luck,
Rich