The weekend of August 8-10, 2003, the Colorado River in Laughlin, Nevada, was filled with period-perfect jet, V-drive, and stern-drive boats, all participating in the 2003 Classic Boat Beach Bash (CBBB) hosted by the folks from www.classicboat beachbash.com. The event is geared toward bringing together classic riverboat owners whose recreational water rigs of choice are mainly 18- to 19-foot jet boats, flatbottom V-drives, and 20-foot classic cruisers.
Aimed at creating an environment where classic boating enthusiasts can hang with their own while admiring other classic hot-rod boats from yesteryear, the Classic Boat Beach Bash is a weekend of sun, fun, bridge-dousing rooster tails, and prop-spinning excitement. For the second year in a row, brothers Chris and Tyson Lloyd and their girlfriends, Emily and Shannon, have worked hard to plan an event which caters to the prominent, yet somewhat forgotten, classic boater. Today, with the dominance of extremely large and modern watercraft, an event was needed to bring classic boat enthusiasts together, and Chris and Tyson saw the need and filled it with this top-notch event. Beginning early Friday, August 8, participants began traveling from their Southern California homes to join the caravan on the way to Laughlin. Participants cruised down the highway on that bright sunny morning, towing their old classic water rockets in a line. The presence of metalflake and old-school gelcoat blends was astounding. A few scheduled stops were made along the way to pick up more participants, and by noon, the pace was quickened so participants could reach the AVI Hotel & Casino in Laughlin, get checked in, and put their boats in the water to enjoy the afternoon. The AVI's extra-large lagoon beach served as the anchor and hangout spot for the group, as new boating friendships were formed. Friday evening, after boats were pulled out, wiped down, and covered up, the AVI's plush gambling and lounge areas provided ample entertainment for the enthusiastic participants. Once the night-owl classic boaters had dropped enough coins into the slot machines and chips at the blackjack tables, it was time to catch some sleep to prepare for Saturday's activities.