a tribute to Don

[MOP]

Well it did not happen!!! We were on station by 8:15 after running through 3-4"s for about 6-7 miles, we hung out until a little after 10 then gave up and went to do bloody Marys and lunch at Claudios. Will have to wait for a report from Matty to see what happened, obviously it was called! We got in some nice running after lunch, I got to watch the two hot 18's duke it out. We always have a great time seeing the other D owners!

A-P.S. Even with a bunch of poker run type boats at Claudios they Ooohed and Aaahed the Donzi's as we left gotta love it!!!

Phil

[maddad]

That was a good time. I heard 1 boat finished the whole lap. 30' Sonic I think. I can't figure how he got by us, unless they delayed the start or something.
It's not often that none of the Donzis are red. We had blue pretty much covered.
Mario's boat looks awesome and can fly!

[BUIZILLA]

forum on OSO said the Sonic tucked in The Hamptons somewhere for a fuel stop, then kept going... only finisher... turnout was dissappointing, apparently, in an area swamped with offshore boats..

[mike o]

For the effort to make an appearance for the Donzi team.

[Jraysray]

That was a good time. I heard 1 boat finished the whole lap. 30' Sonic I think. I can't figure how he got by us, unless they delayed the start or something.
It's not often that none of the Donzis are red. We had blue pretty much covered.
Mario's boat looks awesome and can fly!

Very very nice!

[Greg Guimond]

That is an awesome shot at the dock. Should be in a calendar.

[mike o]

So Phil, keep me in the loop. Peconic Bay (ect) looks like fun. Whats the scoop with the sound, Have you ever shot across to Old saybrook ever in the 22? I just realized you live way out on that end of LI. Mario, Did you take the CT ferry over to LI? I bet Kenny L would join us, as would others.... Michael

[MOP]

I have only run across the sound once, was rough going and "Victory at Sea" on the way back. I will stick with my bays and the ocean, the sound kicks up like the Great lakes. The ocean rolls and does not cap up high and close like the sound, Mario and I have gone out into the ocean it is like and elevator ride even at speed you rarely launch.

Phil

[Marlin275]

I have launched at Montauk many times
and I found the the conditions the same as Phil said.

The weather changes in 10 minutes out there and the ocean
is much different from the Sound on most any day.

Banging in the Sound
rolling in the ocean.

[maddad]

I just read on OSO that an 18' Donzi came up from Virginia area to enter the race and was KO'd by a bad water pick-up. Anyone know who the madman is?
Here's Phil hanging in the lee of the ruins, near Plum Gut, and Mario running out there in the a.m.

[mphatc]

A great time, good friends, rough water, wind, sun and Donzis!

Three of us ran out to the Ruins in Gardner's Bay which is on the direct path from Plum Gut to Montauk, but they started late at 9:13 vs the scheduled 8 AM . . so we missed the Sonic by 45 minutes. We all got bored just hanging in the lee of the Ruins, and the ride back was very wet for some

This thread on OSO has good tale . . and the best sumation . ..
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...yesterday.html

Wish I had some pics of the run out to the Ruins and back, it was rolling white caps, some square waves, a bit of tidal rip with a crisp northeasterly . . and a forecast of 5-6 knot . . BS I say to that!! no getting o n plane in this stuff, like skiing big moguls!

I did cross from New London on the ferry, somehow I can't convince my wife to run across in the Corsican at night . . but on the ride home last night she asked how long it would take to run from Portsmouth NH to Long Island in the Magnum!!! I think I need to show her the charts . .

Off to work . .

Mario

[MOP]

Even though we missed out on seeing the Sonic run by we had a great weekend! Weather forecast for Sat was 5-8mph that was a joke, Mike called me as we were driving out to the ramp and said more like 20 gusting to 30. Man he was not lying, the ride out provided a dash of air time and spray. We laid off an old fort now called the Ruins, during world war II the fort was used for bombing practice. There are still a few passages that can be gotten into, the sea bottom is still littered with various ordinance anchoring is no recommended. We stayed out there bobbing like corks for a little over two hours, it was windy and cold Mario and Bonnie the speed freak had there feet bundled in a blanket. We finally gave in and made the run back, Maddad stuffed his 18 four times, he said one time the wall of water coming over the bow was near a foot high. We made it to Claudios and Mario donated a dry top to mike, we hung out with some lunch libations and good tales all of which make for a great day. A few shots of what went on that day and two from the peaceful ride Mario and I had the next day, I hope to recap this next year in calmer conditions. The "Speed Freak" comment above relates to Bonnie liking to ride in Mario's boat @ 6000 RPM with a major Chit eating grin, Linda enjoys my arm chair 22!

The little speck at the bottom of the island shot is the ruins, many years back there was a road from the island to the fort long blown to kingdom come. Notice a couple of seals in one fort shot! The two sedate shots are from Sundays run of about 30+ miles of sight seeing.

Phil

[mphatc]

As a fresh water boater . . I really enjoyed running in the brine this past weekend!

6000 RPM with my too small 21P LH cleaver . . no matter how hard I try I can't get the stability out of this boat in freshwater like I do in salt.

On Winni this boat chine walks as soon as I run over 5K . . and I experienced none of that all the way to 6K this past weekend. And I went over 5K numerous times . . . I was amazed at the acceleration at 5500 rpm when I gave her more . . my tach stops at 6K, I think there's more there yet!

I need to try some different props! But right now it's not in the cards . . $$$ is all going to the Magnum project.

Mario

[MDonziM]

Good times out on the east end. Had a long shot of catching a ride on a 41' apache but the boat wasnt ready. Have not heard any stories from the race but I think the ocean swell was up pretty big.

The Glen Cove poker run is this Sat. Not that big, maby only 25 boats, but there will be some action running around LI sound this weekend. I'm going to try and spectate on the mag.

[bzsmarina]

I just read on OSO that an 18' Donzi came up from Virginia area to enter the race and was KO'd by a bad water pick-up. Anyone know who the madman is?
Here's Phil hanging in the lee of the ruins, near Plum Gut, and Mario running out there in the a.m.

not a madman, just a guy trying to live my childhood dream of offshore racing and adventure. I was ready to break the boat In two or finish the race. but It ended up being the single most disappointing day of my life. due to my water pick up bashing on the trailer on those lovely NY roads. not getting to run crushed me. but the day was not all bad. I did fix It enough to run the boat some and go out to see the sonic team come on In for the win. the high light to the day was meeting Michael Aronow, Charlie McCarthy, Guy Lamotta, and Billy Frenz and many other great racers. loved hearing the old racing stories of Don. as we watched the race on the gps screen. it was a honor to meet them. very very sad to see only 2 guys who liked donzi`s there. great meeting donzIboy and the guy who's family bought donzi from don. very nice guys. also the guys from the British team were great guys. thanks to anyone who was there to respect Don and Michael. for the great things he had done In his great life. he Is a HERO. congratulations to the sonic team to have what It took to win and finish that race. here are a few pictures. BZ