Five boats launched at the north end of Mullet Lake. The lake level was lower than normal with about 8-inches of water missing. This made the already shallow access there a possible problem for the larger boats, and five boats launched at a very nice ramp in the town of Indian River.
BOATS and Boat Names: crew
- REVENGE 25 (unnamed): Don and Gail
- REVENGE 22 W-T WD continuouswave: Jim and Chris
- GUARDIAN 22 See Ya’: Dave and Mindy
- OUTRAGE 20 Pau Hana: Dave and Kathy
- OUTRAGE 18 B-W One: Con and Martha
- DAUNTLESS 17 Don’s Dauntless: Don and Elsa
- MONTAUK 17 (unnamed): Norm and Diana
- NAUSET 16 Emmarie Jean: John and Holly
- MISCHIEF 15 A Lil’ Mischief: Sam and Emmarie
- STRIPER 15 Giddy Up: Bob and Renee
Splitting the fleet launching between two ramps avoided congestion at the Mullet Lake ramp, which can accommodate only one boat. The low water level also prevented the usual pre-launching of early arrivals that would normally stay at the dock at Bybrook. The water was so low on Mullet Lake that coming to that dock was only possible for the smaller boats, and even then it was difficult.
The weather was cool and cloudy on Saturday morning at the 10 a.m. start of the cruise, but by 2 p.m. the sun came and warmed us considerably.
The fleet cruised to Alanson for lunch and then returned to their launch points.
There were few other boats operating in the cool morning so we could run the Crooked River at speed. When the sun came out in the afternoon the boat traffic increased and prevented one section of high-speed running from occurring.
It was very good to see Dave at the helm of See Ya’. The GUARDIAN 22 with Yamaha 250-HP Classic two-stroke-power-cycle carburetor engine had a wonderful engine note when accelerating onto plane. The heavier GUARDIAN hull seemed to give the smoothest ride in the fleet.
The power-to-weight ratio maximum had to be Giddy Up. With a Mercury six-cylinder in-line 115-HP engine, it was a very fast 15-foot boat. Also the custom woodwork in the modified STRIPER 15 interior was beautiful and very artfully accomplished.