Stuart Sailfish Regatta - May 17th -18th

Despite the high winds on Saturday, we had a great weekend of power boat racing on the Indian River. The race sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association is open  to ten classes of inboards, four classes of outboards and the Powerboat P1 SuperStock Series, as well as some of the nation's top racers and a powerful team from Canada with their Grand Prix race boats.

The only boats that could compete in Saturdays high wind and waves were the P1 superstocks but they provided a great day of exciting racing, with the No. 17 National Guard boat capsizing in the rough waters (father & son crew were OK and the boat raced again on Sunday). On my way across the bridge I was fortunate to be offered a shuttle ride with the Bad Influence Team owner/driver. He was very disappointed as he had four boats that would have to wait till Sunday to race.

On Sunday the winds had died down to a light breeze with sunny skies. A great day for racing! The marine observers in a helicopter, delayed races 3 times on both Sat. and Sun., to wait for either manatees, sea turtles and dolphins to clear the 1.1 mile race course area. Over 70 boats participated in the 3rd Annual Stuart Regatta, with about 20 thousand spectators viewing the action from the Stuart Causeway Bridge and the beach below. From my perspective both days presented an exciting photo opportunity with beautiful boats going all out in tough competition.

Click for more photos of the excitement. (double click a photo and select Slide Show at top for best viewing):
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/104461058718739695077/albums/6016320990262717441