Every year on a designated weekend in August, a group of classic hot rod boat enthusiasts get together at the AVI Hotel & Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, for a weekend of bridge-dousing rooster tails, triple-digit speed passes, and good old-fashion river fun. The event where all this fun is cultivated is called the Classic Boat Beach Bash, coordinated by hot rod boat enthusiasts and brothers Chris and Tyson Lloyd, along with their significant others Emily and Shannon. This year marked the third year for this must-attend event, and as each year passes, the attendance numbers go up, the boats get better, and the fun factor increases. With great memories from last year of blown flat-bottom V-drives to E-ticket-ride jet boats with owners holding the go pedal down through wicked chop, we couldn't wait to go back to CBBB this year for some more high-speed action and classic boat conversation.
On the morning of August 13, the journey began, with most participants meeting up in Norco, California, for the annual convoy to Laughlin with designated stops along the way. As the sun came up, water rocket after water rocket arrived behind various types and styles of tow rigs, and the event was in full swing. Morning coffee and the viewing of wicked powerplants set the stage for the day, and once everyone had met up at the first stop, tow vehicles were fired up, dropped into gear, and we were on our way. The highway was lined with ultra-cool custom truck and boat combos, and participants could hardly wait to get to Laughlin to grab a slice of that smooth, late-afternoon water. Unfortunately, while motoring into town, the rain gods unleashed a heavy shower, and most participants covered their boats in the AVI parking lot, checked into their rooms, and headed for the bar. After a few hours of catching up with old friends and making new ones, the rain ceased and participants made a mad dash to catch the last hour of sunlight on the water.
Once the sun dipped on Friday evening, the nightlife inside the hotel heated up with cocktails and conversation in the bar, but the real fun was had out in the parking lot where enthusiasts cranked their truck stereos and partied on tailgates.