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.
Saturday morning breakfast in the AVI buffet was followed by boats entering the water for a full day of fun in the AVI lagoon. Participants lined the beach. Some enthusiasts took their rides off the anchor a few times during the day to go out and lay down some quick passes. CBBB is definitely a family-oriented event, and young boaters were certainly welcome and encouraged to participate in the traditional rootbeer-chugging event. As the day rolled on, participants cruised the beach with their ballots to cast their votes for the winners of the Most Classic Jet, Most Classic V-drive, Best Gelcoat, Worst Gelcoat, Sickest Engine, Best in Show, and Hard Luck. After the voting was done and the CBBB staff was ready, everyone was invited out to the center of the river for a running photograph of their boat.
Once Saturday came to a close and the last boat was back on the trailer, an awards presentation and raffle was held on the grass area on the back side of the AVI, where the winners of the Best Of awards were recognized, and several cool prizes were raffled off.
Sunday marked yet another glorious day on the river, as participants packed up coolers, fueled their boats, and got prepared for the annual CBBB Sunday sandbar run. Unfortunately, due to one participant's boat almost making a new home on the bottom of the river, most of the crew ended up going back to the AVI lagoon, for some relaxation and boat talk.
This year's CBBB was a smash hit, and we can't wait for August to come around again to experience the '05 event. For more information about next year's Classic Boat Beach Bash, which will take place on August 13-14 at the AVI Hotel and Casino, check out the event website at Classicboatbeachbash.com.
Quick Stats, Event Winners, Event SponsorsQuick Stats:This year's Classic Boat Beach Bash had an overall attendance of 91 boats and 287 people.
Event WinnersMost Classic Jet: Jeff Diebolt, '74 18-1/2-foot Southwind Most Classic V-Drive: Ron Pruit, '67 18-foot flatty Howard Best Gel: Victor Puikunas, '75 18-1/2-foot RogersWorst Gel: Jason Taylor, '78 18-foot Ranger Sickest Engine: Jim Gould, '94 19-foot California PerformanceBest in Show: Howard Bowers, '75 21-foot TahitiHard Luck: Steven Gates, '86 19-foot Eliminator
Contributing Sponsors:Gotriver? - www.gotriver.comRex Marine - www.rexmar.comRoostwear - www.roostwear.comSweet Performance Plumbing -www.sweetperformance.comTPC Racing - www.tpcracing.comSaber Concrete & Foundation Leveling - www.saberleveing.comHi-Tech Performance Inc. - www.hi-techperformance.comSB Products - www.sbproducts.com