the 13th annual dustoff

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Originally Posted by mattyboy

looks like I missed a great time but i wouldn't have missed spending the day with my aunt we laughed and cried a little and had a drink or 2 to honor my uncle it was a great day wouldn't have missed it for the world


I would like a review from some of the attendees

so how did kenny's 22 arneson come out??

looks like we had a record number of 16's there so how many were there??

who were the winners of the run , show, and trivia quiz

how many times did scott give someone the finger

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Kenny's 22 looks awesome, and in true sand bagging fashion Kenny says he took a 57 MPH boat and turned it into a 42 MPH boat.

I'm not exactly sure how many 16's there were in the run, my Captain and our crew spent an hour on an Island discussing the finer points of a quiet lake...... I think there were at least 5, maybe more.

Cliff and Di (along with MudPuddle and myself) pulled a King High Straight to win the Poker Run.

In a stunning upset a team collabaration who's sole existance was a tribute to our missing New York friend, Team Turkey Skin Luggage was the underdog darkhorse who shocked the field. Swanson, I want to go over there.....

I'm not sure about the rest of the attendee's but I know I personally flipped Pearson off at least 10 times on out Saturday afternoon run from the Algonquin to the bottom of the lake. Matty it was a run you would have loved, Pearson in the Pumpkin, Cliff, Di, MudPuddle and myself in the black critter, side by side the whole way.

Matty, Marie, I am sorry I missed you guys this weekend. You presence was the only thing that would have made my amazing weekend even better. I finally made it to Lake George, and I will return. I have to, Team Turkey Luggage needs to defend our title....

holy cow Don N didn't win the poker run even the house can win sure bet !!!

The Dust-off was great. Of the three I've attended this was the best by far. I think we had 25 boats, (not all made it to the poker run) and I think I heard 83 people at the dinner. First stop ended up being Treasure Cove to pick up the people who had mechancial issues. 19 boats made it to the northern stop in heart bay. Dr. Dan lost his gears at stop 3 (Gull Bay) and Dwight provided the tow to hague. Cliff ran interference for the team and took the hit from the noise police. he probably saved more in gas than the ticket cost. Don N's boat was at Performance Marine at 8 a.m. Sat. and he made it out for the run. Big Griz trailered the critter from Georgia, only to end up a passenger for the poker run. Lenny found out that Lake George was not surrounded by sky scrapers. Kenny's boat looked great, but I don't think I saw him go over 45 mph. I think there were 6 16's, 2 X-18's and ???? lost count.
It was hot, sunny and a blast.

Kirby - you forgot to mention that the guys in the yellow 18 almost hit a deer.....in the middle of the lake! They were out early Saturday cruising up to the Algonquin and came upon the deer out for an AM swim! Wish they'd gotten a picture.

The Dust-Off was great and there were a lot of early boats in attendance: the Fabulous Pumpkin (of course), a slightly rough but VERY fast yellow non-barrel back 18 (that doubled as a dive boat one afternoon) and a very clean, original white '69 18. However, if I may be so bold - 2008 was the "Year of the 16". Firstly, the Lake served up very calm conditions all 3 days so hanging in/on was never a problem. Not only did we have 6 boats but we had some real quality boats too. Earl and I represented the early boats w/ our 67's. Bob Davis' orange '70 is the nicest Ski Sporter I have ever seen and deservedly won best in show. Almost as nice was the '76 Ski Sporter from Michigan - the boat's second owner also brought along the boat's original owners - her parents! They have owned it since new. A 6 cylinder Merc driven (fast) by Rick from Winnie and a 2000 5 liter boat (that they actually used for water skiing!) rounded out the group.

I took a lot of people for rides and the reaction was always the same - inch for inch, foot for foot the little boats are a blast - at least until the lake kicks up a bit!

JL

yeah yeah, it was a blast, blah blah blah...

On to the important ****: Did ya pickup a new boat on your journey??

Seriously, you guys were sorely missed. And, your heading home too soon or I'd run up there to see's ya Wed...

An awesome event this year, I think SP told me 28 boats, 65 folks in attendance. Kenny told me he turned a 65 MPH boat into a 52 MPH boat, so I'm thinking there may be some sandbagging going on there.. Bob Davis's orange 16 was a knockout, and next to Jay's sure made deciding which one got the best award a challenge..

TTSL also spelled Al Pflueger correctly, we should get bonus points :asskiss:

it must have been a great time I would have loved to have seen Bob's 16 plus he is from philly and a flyer fan ;)

well the ford focus is a great little car over 30 mpg on the way down just not sure if it is as stout as the windastar for towing back the new boat, will probably have to make a return appearance


there is no way TTSKL knew how to spell Al's name was the secret seal broken on the test??? and what was the winning score???

I did miss all of you but as a consolation I did run down A1A from flagler to ormond along the ocean and a quick stop at snack jack's that ride is a close second to running up the narrows

Team TSL went 12/16. I wasn't a whole lot of help. except for "Suck My Wake" and "Swanson".

Thanks to everybody for making my girls and I feel welcome at our
first LG dustoff. Thursday, my first day behind the wheel of the 18
had me plowing the waves until Tom Davis showed me the positive
effects of triming the drive and getting the 18 up on top of the water.
Friday, I dialed her in with a new XRP 25p prop from the traveling
prop man and deals on wheels "Big Grissley" with help from Bob Haver
and Tom Davis I was off on a true 70 MPH boat. I didn't realize the
c***pit cover (laying on thre rear benchseat) had blown out of the
boat until the "Reverend" flagged me waving a dripping canvas for me
to come retrieve, not so lucky with 2 basball caps the lake owns now.
Saturday, was the most exciting day and one I'll never forget. From
the awesome display of boats at the docks of the Algonquin to the
call of "Gentlemen, Start your engines! and off on a breathtaking and
sometimes scary 60 mile poker run. Growling and thristy packs of
V bottoms in a wide stance flying by calm fishing runabouts just bobbing
until the calvary passed them in rapid lines of wake from the Donzi's
I tried as much as I could to stay on the outsides and in front but,
no match for Micks 22 540 Raylar or Cliffs 24 BB Criterion. Air 22 and
and Yellow Fever passed me and turned the clean water into a hold on
tight and every which way wake all colliding together. I flew on top
and over the mess at one point and realized how well an 18 can handle it
but, I'm no pro and was lucky to keep her straight, the punch to my
arm from my wife was well received and a respect to caution was well
noted.
The rain didn't come until we were all comfortably seated in doors for the
dinner and awards at the Algonquin - Brad had the days pictures for all
to see on his laptop. Scott Pearson did a great job at MC
It was great to meet and be part of the family of Donzi enthusiasts.
Thanks for making my family welcome and recognition to my 18 Donzi.

I am not sure where to start but let me just say WOW what a great event the Dust Off is. Guess i should thank Dr. Dan for talking me into dragging my boat north for the 5 hour drive. I am not sure which was more beautiful the lake or all the Donzi boats on display. It was the first time that we have been to the lake and the only thing nicer was the people that we met. From the moment i pulled into treasure cove they went out of thier way to make us feel welcome, and for that i am truly grateful. There is nothing worse than feeling like an outsider. Not the case here though we were included in everything, and just about every person that we passed made sure we knew what was on the agenda next. My yellow 18' is in fair condition at best and i wasn't sure how welcome it would be, but that didn't seem to matter either. The boat ran strong in that nice cool water, and my buddy Todd did manage a successful dive trip off of it on Friday. The poker run was fantastic even though i only ended up with a pair of ladies in the end. Somebody might want to post some deer crossing signs though. All in all the club has an awesome spot to showcase some beautiful boats and some teriffic people. I feel honored to have been invited, and hope to attend next year.

Rapid transit, you should come up in the fall for some hunting from your boat. The deer can't swim fast enough to get away. Not sure if there's a license for hunting from the boat though. No, really, great to meet you and a bunch of other new faces. The weather sure didn't hurt. I'm still jazzed about all the fun.

Glad to see the new attendees had a good time,
Scippy getting tips from tom davis is like gettting swing advice from Jack Nicklaus on the first tee Tom knows alot about getting an 18 to perform ahh the old punch in the arm wow I miss those days Scippy your wife had a normal reaction Marie did has well but after time in the boat she realized that with proper care in handling that the boat would really always land albeit hard sometimes but always right side up, now having a 5 foot wake break over the bow and right into her lap was another story I got the punch and the silent treatment for a awhile after that

I hope everybody does not forget the weekend after labor day and our family picnic scippy and rapid should make that one it is a great weekend to socialize, eat, get a ride in a different model or have someone hop in your boat and give you a few pointers or tweaks in performance

hopefully I'll have a new classic by then ;)


I quick thanks to all who attended and supported the club , the guys who helped out in my absence, and the thought and kind words in our time of mourning,

Donzi people are truely a cut above the rest
:)

Matty, Them are some great words of praise for a guy who didn't have
to take me under his wing and spend most of a day getting me right
with my boat. In fact, the whole weekend was like getting hitting
instructions in the batters box. Great camaraderie from Tom and the
Donzi crew. Hope to see you in tow with a new classic for the fall picnic

Matty sorry to hear about your familys loss. I am still looking foward to shaking your hand in person. It sure is nice to be able to put real faces to the cyber names. I am trying to plan another trip up there in the fall, hopefully i can catch the picnic. That gets to be my busy time of year though, plus my house is under complete renovation which adds even more fun to the mix. I would love to take a ride in another model, and vice versa. Always on the look out for some good advice, but I think my boat is pretty close to being dialed in for the set up I have. Maybe you could tell me in the fall. Just curious why did you sell your boat? I am not sure I could part with mine. Maybe add one to the collection but not sure I can handle the seperation anxiety. Hope you find what you are looking for.

Kirby the only hunting i want to do from my boat is x-18's. If I make it up there in the fall would love to have dinner with you and the teach again. That sure is one beautiful boat you own. Your a lucky man to have a place so close to a boating paradise.

Nick, give me a shout if your coming up this way. Dinner on me at a great little brew pub. Your boat may not look quite as nice as mine, but it will run mine into the ground any day. Those extra 100+ ponies and that 23" solas, will just leave me in your wake. Great to meet you and put a face to "Rapid Transit". Be on the lookout for swimming deer.

Rapid, thanks the club plans it's 2 events in the "off" season so room prices are lower but the weekend after labor also see the adirondack national hot rod show up there so it is a great weekend with tons of stuff to do and see

I loved my 16 it was a great boat not perfect but not bad either it always drew crowds and always get a how much you want for it??? and I would always say some crazy number as most were not serious, when the new owner said will you take 300 bucks off that crazy number in cash I said were do you want the boat delivered