This classic flatbottom is like a time machine in the water, taking us back to the Parker strip during the '70s. These boats definitely separate the men from the boys, when the owner's courage is determined by how long he or she can hold the hammer down.
On the morning of March 27, the city of Lake Elsinore, California, was alive with custom boats of all lengths and styles. They rolled into town for the 3rd annual Run What Ya Brung event. By as early as 6 a.m. Saturday, hot-rod water rockets lined the boat ramp to prepare for entrance into the glassy morning water and make their first speed passes of the day. Ignitions were cranked and camshafts began to rumble, as most participants idled out of the channel until passing the buoys, where the throttle-hammering fun all began. Even a few blower-motor boats made it out for the festivities to strut their 100-plus-mph stuff.
The event was held at the Crane's marina beach and brought out some of the sickest flatbottom V-drives and freeboard-challenged jet boats equipped with large displacement powerplants for participants and spectators to feast their eyes upon. Even a handful of contemporary cat- and vee-bottom cruisers were part of the action this year, as owners idled into the beach with tunes pounding out of their elaborate stereo systems and exhaust making sweet harmonies as it poured out of the transom-mounted exhaust tips. As boats were anchored and participants hung out on Crane's marine beach enjoying a few frosty sodas and some intense boating conversation, new friendships were established.
Gearhead fever was in the air as participants discussed what they did to their respective water rockets over the winter months and swapped technical info on compression ratios, camshaft specifications, and induction setups. One of the coolest boats in attendance, besides the 8-71-blown big-block-powered Rogers jet boat, was a Hondo T-deck flatbottom V-drive with an injected big-block Chevrolet shaking violently between the stringers. We watched as the owner of this ultra-cool flattie planted himself in the driver seat, romped on the throttle, and proceeded to pull the cavitation plate up to loosen the boat's grip on the water for a triple-digit pass. Once a few of the old-school two-seater flatbottoms made a few laps around the lake you can bet the jet-boat guys were raring to go out and put up a few extra-tall rooster tails. With the pedal down and the nozzle up, the respective jet owners in attendance proceeded to fill the sky with thick streams of water as they passed by Crane's beach. After the water was rippled up by all the throttle-stomping action, conversations were continued on the beach and new boating acquaintances were made to kick off the summer. The event continued into the evening hours, as many participants camped out, swapped stories around a campfire, and prepared for Sunday's festivities. Sunday brought more of the same fun as folks got to know each other a bit better and enjoy their common interest of performance recreational boating. A few folks even brought their little ones out to share in the experience.
For more information on next year's 4th Annual Run What Ya Brung event, go to www.riverratlife.com.