The odds of a 70- to 75-degree day at the Lake of the Ozarks this time of year are not good. Daytime highs in July average 89 to 90 degrees. Today’s temperature at the Central Missouri waterway is forecasted to reach 95 degrees. And thanks to oppressive 75-percent humidity, the “feels like” temperature is predicted to be 102 degrees.
When rain fell, an MTI 390XR was the ideal ride for the day. Images by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.
So it’s fair to say that Brett Manire, Mark Waddington and the ever-hospitable Performance Boat Center crew lucked out with yesterday’s seventh annual Outboard Fun Run—rebadged this year as the Outboard River Fun Run for its longer course. So, too, did the folks in the 75 registered boats and the 50 or so random vessels that showed up for the event.
Because courtesy of morning showers and afternoon sprinkles, a 70- to 75-degree day was exactly they got.
The day began at The Cave Bar and Grill.
“The boats showed up at The Cave for breakfast in the rain,” said Manire, who co-owns the Cigarette Racing Team, MTI, Performance Powerboats and Sunsation Boats dealership. “We divided the group to various destinations for lunch.”
Led by Performance Boat Center’s Rusty Williams, one group headed for Big Dicks Halfway Inn to eat. From there they had the option of running to Shooters 81 Bar & Grill in Warsaw, the Wet Spot Bar and Grill in Stover or Moonie’s Bar and Grill in Climax Springs.
The second group ran to Boondockz Bar and Grill, BuckNaked Restaurant, Bar and Marina and the Wet Spot Bar and Grill with the dealership’s Cyler Jackson as their guide. With Performance Boat Center’s Tim Odom and Kevin Eisenbach leading the way, group No. 3 headed to Big Dicks Halfway Inn, the Wet Spot and Shooters 81.
South Florida’s Yvonne Aleman and Greg Harris, who own a home at the lake, ran their Sunsation 32 CCX center console.
“The overcast weather made it a cool day to hang out and enjoy the group,” he continued. “I made it to Truman Dam for my first time since meeting 1993. We got tons of feedback from participants thanking us for organizing it and ‘pushing their comfort level’ with a longer run. One couple had never been past Captain Ron’s and they went all the way to the end of the lake.”
The deeper dive into the Lake of the Ozarks provided first-time experiences for many of the powerboat owners and their guests. Boston-based Jeff Kvaracein, who ran his Cigarette 39 GTS center console with his family, was among them.
“It was something new and it exceeded my expectations—an awesome day no matter what the weather threw at us,” he explained. “We had an awesome day on the water.
(From left) Jamie Lusero, Brett Manire and Mark Waddington reviewed their successful plan for the event.
“My favorite part was going way up the river to Shooters 81 and seeing all the awesome bars between here and there,” he continued. “We also went to Boondockz and BuckNaked. Both were awesome stops with fantastic service.”
The owner of an MTI 390X catamaran, Jeremy Riggs of Oklahoma ran to the Truman Dam for the first time since he began coming to the Lake of the Ozarks years ago.
“It’s at Mile Marker 91 and I’d never been there before,” I also really enjoyed running on the river
“It was an off-the-wall run and a great time,” he added. “Even with all the rain, the Performance Boat Center faithful showed up.”
Though the destinations were new to many, the inclusive Performance Boat Center vibe was delightfully familiar to the likes of Performance Powerboats 420 catamaran owner Brent Medley, who lives in Missouri.
“My wife and I arrived into town late Thursday night just in time for the party, and we were greeted immediately by great friends,” he said. “No what brand of boat you have, as long as it has outboard power you’ll fit right in.”