2015 Hardy Dam HotBoat Party

[2TR]

Kicking around the idea of bring the Cat out, what can I expect? Can I run the boat, is the lake big enough to run it hard, or will heavy traffic limit serious speed runs?

 

[Ratickle]

Should be no problem if you drive like this!!

 

[2TR]

:drool5:

 

[Ratickle]

Anyway, the lake is plenty big enough to run hard and fast. In the narrow spots, be cautious as it is open water. I've followed Dan in Wicked Won and he was running 100+, and others will be pushing it harder in the bigger Skaters, etc.

I'll get more accurate distances, but it's probably 13 or 14 miles from the dam to the bridge at Highway 20 (8 mile), and another 5 or 6 miles to the freeway bridge. You don't want to go past there except at a slow idle to watch the wildlife.

The dam itself is almost exactly 1/2 mile long, so use that as your scale measurement device.

 

[Serious News]

Big Rapids, MI - Weather This Weekend

Friday Sep 11
Mostly cloudy, showers
High 61° Lo 43°

Saturday Sep 12
Mostly cloudy, a shower; cool
High 59° Lo 41°

Sunday Sep 13
Mainly cloudy
High 63° Lo 46°

 

[2TR]

That looks pretty ****ty.. :ack2:

 

[Hellbent]

Plenty of opportunities for speed runs. Even on busy years, traffic is manageable. Cops are cool as long as you're not a retard with 8 people on a jet-ski or the captain of a tri-level, stripper-poled pontoon with 40 people aboard. The cool, fast stuff (Skaters, jetboats, etc.) go up-river to the sand bar during the day to avoid the kids. It's immediately before the river hits US131..on the West side. That's about the only area where you'll need to keep an eye on the depth if you decide to beach it. Other than that, standard river practices apply. The massive party is down-river just East of the dam on the North side of the river. Can't miss it. Brower Park is where the action is when you're not on the water. I have a cabin there with plenty of extra room if you need a place. I wasn't planning on taking my boat up this year, I was going to just ride around on my buddy's pontoon....but now it looks like I might. Either way I'll be up there tomorrow. Cell service is sketchy but I'll PM you my number so you can reach me. Or Paul has it.

 

[Serious News]

Latest for Big Rapids


Today
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. North northeast wind 7 to 10 mph.

Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. North wind 6 to 13 mph.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Light west northwest wind becoming west 6 to 11 mph in the morning.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

 

[Serious News]

First Hardy Photo of 2015:

 

[Serious News]

Brower Park

 

[Ratickle]

Watch the no-wake zones. Get input from the guys there as to the sneaky ones. I believe there are three? (I've only been pulled over in one that I missed.)

 

[Ratickle]

Rick and Frank made it!!

 

[Ratickle]

Of course it wasn't easy for him to get there!!

 

[Blue Oval]

A flat on the trailer. Never had that happen before. Lol

 

[Ratickle]

Getting ready to hit the water in Hellbent's 30 Chris Cat, "Bone Shaker".

 

[Ratickle]

Heading out, most others were still recovering from the previous night I guess.....

 

[Ratickle]

We first headed upstream to the "Sandbar" where most of the flatbottoms and outboards do their flyby's.

 

[Ratickle]

Like this!

 

[Ratickle]

And these....

 

[Ratickle]