Manufacturers Prepare for Shootout Festivities

Everyone knows what an outstanding event the weeklong Lake of the Ozarks Shootout has become for the boating community around the country, not just in the state of Missouri. For more than two decades the Shootout has provided a place for go-fast enthusiasts to showcase what their boats really can do in a safe environment, as well as allow spectators to enjoy the top-speed runs (not to mention the gigantic raft-up party).

The crew from Sunsation Boats will have even more slips in front of Captain Ron's for this year's Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Photo by Robert Brown
The crew from Sunsation Boats will have even more slips in front of Captain Ron’s for this year’s Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Photo by Robert Brown

The event, which is held at Captain Ron’s in the Sunrise Beach community of the sprawling lake, also has become a boat builder’s paradise. Many manufacturers take advantage of the Shootout to display new boats and support their current customers at the same time. And why not? There’s a large, captive audience and a perfect platform to show off the performance of a particular boat or engine.

So with the year’s event around the corner (Aug. 22-26), I thought it would be a good idea to check in and see which manufacturers will be in attendance for the Shootout festivities. Someone all too familiar with the event—Mystic Powerboats owned John Cosker—said he’s returning to the event and is expecting at least three 50-foot Mystic catamarans. In fact, after missing it last year, Cosker plans to get into town earlier than normal for Wednesday’s street party because he heard how great it was in 2011.

Along with the return of Bill Tomlinson’s My Way to defend its 208-mph Top Gun title (read the story here), Don Onken will have his Lightning Performance Group boat on hand and Tom Borisch will have his new pleasure cat—the first Mystic has done with twin Mercury Racing 1350s—at the event. Cosker also said the SilverHook Lucas Oil boat, which was built in his shop, will be at the docks.

Terry Sobo, director of sales and marketing for Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats, confirmed that he’s attending the Shootout along with a pair of center consoles—a 34- and 39-footer—and a new 420 Monte Carlo and new 4000 Roadster with Mercury 1350s. Another new offshore cat with twin 1350s that also will be there is Frisini Motorsports’ 43 SCX. According Tony Frisina, owner of Frisini Motorsports, Dr. Gabe Jasper will be bringing his stellar seven-seater (see Image of the Week) to the party.

As usual, the docks at Captain Ron's will be full of boats for the Shootout. Photo by Robert Brown
As usual, the docks at Captain Ron’s will be full of boats for the Shootout. Photo by Robert Brown

Of course, Randy Scism and crew from Marine Technology Inc. will be on hand with plenty of dock space and some wild creations with big power to lay down some fast speeds. Also reserving a bunch of space is Wayne Schaldenbrand and company from Sunsation Boats. Schaldenbrand said they have eight slips for a few new boats and for customers who will be participating in the poker run and top-speed runs.

Paul LoGiudice of Hustler Powerboats said he’s planning to be at the event to support customer Eric Smith, who is bringing his 39 Rockit (read story here) with twin 1,100-hp Young Performance engines to the lake to run in the poker run and the Shootout.

Revolution Performance Marine (RPM) owner Steve Tripp also confirmed that he’s going to be in attendance, once again occupying a couple of covered slips in front of the Captain Ron’s property. Tripp said he’s looking to lay down an impressive speed in his 26 Redline sport cat, which is currently being repowered with a 1,250-hp GT Performance engine.

John Caparell, the owner behind Doug Wright West, is planning to bring his stunning 32 Doug Wright Poker Run Edition model to the Shootout. Caparell’s new outboard-powered catamaran made its debut in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., at the Desert Storm Poker Run in April and also ran in the Texas Outlaw Challenge at the end of June.

Surely there will be more companies in attendance, potentially Statement MarineOuterlimitsNordic Boats or Deep Impact, so we’ll be sure to fill you in on what’s boats do turn out for the event as speedonthewater.com brings you on-site daily coverage from this year’s Shootout.

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