Marathon Offshore Grand Prix 2005 was something everyone should experience once in their lifetime. I felt the same way prior to experiencing the adrenalin rush of watching unlimited hydros race within a stones throw from me a few years earlier. Speed was not a factor in putting on our show; it was playing the surf and the swells that made it so exhilarating. We became one with our skiffs.  I felt this feeling before while riding a jet ski, but with no where near the same power of the skiff. I felt the skiff come alive in the open surf; its natural environment from what it was originally built for many years ago. While sharing this feeling with the other drivers who participated this weekend, they too experienced their boats coming alive in an environment natural to the boat, but not us.  With this feeling shared with you, let me start from the beginning…

Thursday morning we started with a caravan of 4 boats made up of Puppy Love, Flyin Pony, Glory Days and Hot Tub. We left the Crazy Gator in Eustis at 8:30 sharp. We wove our way thru morning traffic of commuters going to work, and saw the jealousy in their faces, knowing we were going somewhere to have fun. The destination was a seven hour journey away and as we got closer, the water turned more turquoise and the sand was looking as white as sugar.

So many thoughts were going thru my head: I wonder how rough it will be Saturday? Will my boat trip (trip: while the skiff is in the air a wave hits the stern, throws it up, and forces the nose to dive, everyone goes swimming) and disaster strike ? Will the other skiffers I encouraged to attend be ready to handle the challenges of ocean driving fast and safely? Will Claire actually run with me wide open for more than one lap and not yell? Thank goodness the cell phone rang to break my concentration. It was another excited skiffer wondering when we would arrive.

After seven hours of driving the Marathon airport was in sight, and I quickly pulled in - no I wasn't in the right spot.  We drove out and down the road to the end of the runway and followed the orange cones to our final destination - our staging area at the Marathon Airport. Dave Yeager was there and set up with skiff central trailer and flags flying. Around the corner, from behind an antique truck with an antique camper was "The Hillbilly" (Robert Francis) and his newly painted skiff. Robert took his boat back to its original name and colors of "Hot Chocolate" JS-7. It looks sweet, but was it ready for the surf? Quit worrying, everything will be fine, I keep telling myself, it was time for me to chill; after all, we were here!  

 After checking into the Sombrero Resort Hotel we headed to The Dockside Lounge and Marina where a party was waiting for us. Great food and really good bands, Joe Mama & Friends and The Pyrates of Tortuga, entertained us that evening. In between sets they ran contests. You have to remember, things are real different in the Keys. The first contest was a male calling contest for the women, none of ours were ready to compete, and thank goodness because it was really different. The next contest was the Belching contest, Yes Belching. Chuck Warner and Billy Russell were our reps for this. Well, Chuck won hands down, and Billy came in second. We all thought Chuck cheated, but the audience saw it his way. I never heard that type noise in my life, let alone thru a microphone! The skiffers were sure loosening up. The Pyrates took our wenches and made them serve the men in the crowd, and all I can say, was it wasn't an easy task for the ladies to do. All in fun, they appeased us.

We left this party around 10:30 and headed back to a pool party at the Sombrero where Bruce Lowe and sons Marc and Wes along with Buzzie Smith were maintaining the skiffer tradition of having fun. Cliff & Cathy Ennis, Mike and Terry Howick were there along with Mike's boss Jim, Billy & Betty Russell, Phil & Jean Jordan and Chuck & Linda Warner were with us. We were looking for Sandy & Marquette McGugan, and Paul & Donna Nowack! The Hillbilly never left the airport and Dave and Mike Vezzosi went to all the meetings. Roger Harris and Freddie Zieglar were getting a good night sleep. We partied late, renewed old acquaintances and readied ourselves for Friday's activities.

Friday morning came and surprisingly I was up at 5:30 a.m. watching the sunrise and the sport fisherman getting ready for a day of sailfish fishing. The day for the most part was used to familiarize ourselves where everything was located and catching some sun. The next activity on the schedule was the Surf & Turf Welcome Party and Pig Roast at Sombrero Beach Park.  The initial request was for 3 skiffs to be on display, than the promoters decided to send them all, so off we went.

I would like to interrupt my story for a moment to recognize and thank Lee Mills, Chairman; Randy Mearns, Race Director; and Bill Sedgwick, Chief Operations Officer, John Carbonell, CEO of SBI and their staffs for extending this offshore experience to us. Special thanks are extended to Chaplin Real Estate the skiff's sponsor. They provided us with V.I.P. passes for the skippers and riders and presented us with beautiful participation plaques. Thanks again Bettye and Jim Chaplin.

Back at the beach party not much happening so some of the skiffs decided to take a ride around the island and burn some fuel, after all, that's what we do second best to eating. It was a way to get your feet wet and start to see what ocean/gulf skiffing was about. I opted to relax and save myself and boat for Saturday.

At the dry pits located at the airport around 4pm Doc Mehan and Bryan Malazo arrived along with Jeb and Jeanne Bodsky to help as crew/riders and/or watch the show we would put on Saturday. The next item on the agenda was the parade thru Marathon  - time to get ready. The skiffs along with all the other participating offshore boats would paraded thru town on Route 1 with drivers and crew in the boat. This was to be an exciting event because the pits were opened to the public and it was both exhausting and rewarding answering questions about our boats from the general public and the offshore racing boat owners and crews all day. The downside of this parade was it started at 7pm and by time we were done with the parade and boats put away it was 8:30. We rushed off to dinner and were done by 10:30 the concert started at 6 so there was no way you could enjoy both. A reception party or a meet the drivers and owners party would be a nice addition right after the parade... maybe next year. We did find out Saturday evening there was fast food at the concert. Not too bad if you are hungry.

Finally the day we were all waiting for was here! Again Phil and I were up early, but for different reasons. I was up to enjoy the sunrise; Phil was up to polish his boat once more. We were there two days at this point and Phil polished his boat 4 times so far, I guess that was his way of dealing with his inner feelings. We were told to gather at the ramp ready to trailer launch by 9am. Unfortunately someone couldn't read a tide chart and it was low tide and almost impossible to trailer launch. No fear, the event organizers had a crane delivered before we could explain our dilemma. Nancy & Bill Bryant "Falcon" JS-1 and Linda & Rick Forum "Outrage" JS-27 arrived at the wet pits to give whatever help we needed. It was our turn to show the crowd what we had.

We had to leave the launch area, go under the seven mile bridge to the course  across the highway where we couldn't see anything from where we were. The course was about 1/2 mile away as the crow flies.  We were all ready to roll; suited up in lifejackets and helmets we rode 5 skiffs at a time on the course. I was in charge of the second group, I could hear the boats engines revving as the skiffs jumped the surf and  I visualized in my mind the boats leaping the waves and the wakes that were created by the other skiffs. I could hear the crowd cheering every time one of those engines would scream -  every time a boat became airborne and the prop would moan for water. Yes my mind was in a coliseum filled with gladiators and tigers, I was next. Our group decided which lanes we would run for our initial lap, then all bets were off, run what you brung for the next five, but be safe. Up to now I failed to mention who my rider was, it is my wife Claire who despises the speed of the skiff and the turning and leaping out of the water along with being treated as if she were a rag doll hanging on for dear life. She knew this would be something she would just have to close her eyes and hang on for five laps. My logic to Claire was "if I go fast, it will be over fast"... she knows better.  I still didn't know what to expect, I couldn't see the surf on the other side of the island where the course was set up. All I could go by was the sounds of the skiffs already there. My adrenalin was as high as was my heartbeat.  I have probably have 500 to 600 hours of driving my skiffs, but each leave from the dock is different, this was no exception.

Dave gave the signal to go, we were off!  Once I jammed the transmission in gear, the boat wanted to go. A look at the gages, a clearing of the carb, are you ok to Claire and we were off idling out the inlet. As we rounded the point, another class of boats was returning to the docks, we were getting wet from the spray and the wind was blowing a good 15 miles per hour. This was salt water, my boat trudged on begging for me to let her go and ride the tops of the waves, I was doing all I could to maintain my composure and wait for the rest of my group. I turned toward the direction of where the course was supposed to be and I saw nothing but boat traffic. This was supposed to be a closed course... I asked Roger Harris "Breakin Water" who participated in the first group to lead us around the course. Between the surf and boat traffic we couldn't see the TINY markers distinguishing the course. Once the traffic realized we were coming, they were running to get clear of us. I didn't mind spraying some of the spectator boats on our parade lap to get them to move off the straight-aways since it was a hot day anyhow. A quick glance toward shore gave a familiar sight, spectators waving and gathering at the rail in the V.I.P. tent and all along the shore. Spectators were waving from their boats and cheering us on.

My butterflies were gone, time to go wave jumping. The "Puppy" was running and barking like a big dog with the rest of the pack chasing. We entered the first turn and the words "TILT" on bottom of my boat greeted the people in that turn. Not far behind I could hear the other boats screaming for more water. Another turn and my skiff was in its natural environment and happy to be jumping the surf. Can't say the same was going on in Claire's head! Lap after lap we were getting more comfortable, jumping higher, going faster, I did take the time to experience the other skiffs jumping and could see the jitters were gone from the others as well. We were having a ball. All of a sudden Claire screamed and I almost lost control of the boat as she was screaming 5. I'll tell you I couldn't register 5... is that 5 thousand rpm, 5 temperature, or 5 pounds of oil? I raised my hand and moved off the course in a hurry. None of the above, she meant my 5 laps were up. I wish I had a camera at that moment, Raggedy Ann in a cocked helmet in my boat (the helmet is a little big for her). The boys were running the course, waving back to the crowd and simply having a ball. I thought we would have to wait till they ran out of fuel to get them to stop. We watched then returned to the dock to be hoisted out and flush the salt out of the engines and hose down the boats.

It was nearly 3pm by time all was readied for Sunday. I took this opportunity for a cool unsweetened ice tea poolside. A shower followed then gather the gang for a bucket of chicken, some beverage and a night at the concert with Jen, and John Bartus opening for 38 Special. The concert was very good and around 11pm we were walking back to the cars to get ready for another day.

Sunday came quickly, and yes, Phil was already at his boat polishing it. We lost some of our riders for various reasons so we put together a group of 7 boats to put on the show for the day. I have to mention that Dave Yeager never had the chance to put his boat in the water or get any water time. Dave ran around like a chicken with his head off and biting some heads in the process to have the show go on. It was a cluster on Saturday and Dave vowed it would be right Sunday. Dave took over the pits on Sunday and the skiffs stayed out in the staging area so we could see when a class ended we could go right on the course and run till the next class was organized enough to compete. The day was so much more organized with no empty spots where nothing was happening. It was like a fireworks display, excitement from start to finish. The markers could be seen by both the competitors and spectators, there was no question where the designated areas were.

I drove shifts with Phil in Glory Days and it was my first time in a wide bodied skiff. I heard many stories of turning difficulties, but I experienced none with this boat, just manhandle it. Marquette McGugan rode with Sandy today and Linda Nagle/Warner rode with Chuck in Hot Tub on Saturday. Marquette was not happy either to be in the surf but what a sport. I heard Sandy owes her BIG time. (A shopping trip at St. Mikes?) Phil & I retired while we still had enough fuel to get back to the launch area then we ventured over to the V.I.P. tent. We didn't have our passes for the gate but we were recognized as those skiff guys and were met with open arms. We sure felt like rock stars and if I would have known it would be like this, I might have driven Phil's boat harder! We ate and FINALLY met Bettye and Jim Chaplin and some of the staff from Chaplin Real Estate (the skiff sponsor). We watched the rest of the skiffs run out of fuel. 

Standing in the crowd, I felt proud to be part of our skiffin family.

Side Bar notes:

Paul & Donna Nowack went down a week early for a publicity session with Chaplin Realty which included a photo shoot, and a Live radio broadcast question and answer session.

Robert Francis did make it home finally with his antique rig.(3 days later)

Chuck really did cheat in the belching contest.

I introduced Phil to the Metal Armor polish line, his exclusive polish now.  But look at that shine!

Sandy McGugan really missed Tom Law

The announcers announced Paul won, so he didn't have to tell us.

Dave did beat Paul to the final bridge on the keys even after a 2 hour head start.   

Robert Francis & Chuck Warner demonstrated the art of a 270 degree spin. (Twice)

Billy Russell realized a boat will run without a starter.

The rubber duckies were interesting to watch.

The ladies did see survivor Thursday evening.

Claire still misses the scarab.

Freddie Ziegler, where are you?     

Roger Harris took a nice bow and the crowd loved it. (on the front straight after the run)

Mike Vezzosi can tell you all about Homeland security at an airport.

Bill Darby Jr. hates doing 270's

Hot Chocolate has seats with no bottoms (it's a mountain thang)

Marathon first aid will never forget how much water "Puppy Love" can spray in a turn.

All the boats are APBA Vintage category boats and  ACBS Sunnyland Chapter members.