So we got back in town yesterday from the 2008 Hipp Marine River Rendezvous, and it was an awesome time!  There were a good 10 WBSD members out for the trip, and the good times were in full effect.  Myself and Dani rolled out around 6pm on Thursday night, Gary, Chad, Jenny, Steve, Ryan, Mike, Metis and Steve were already out on wednesday, and Evan and Jamie headed out friday night.  

We showed up around 10:15 on thursday to find Gary, and Ryan pulling up to meet us in a golf cart, and had already been celebrating for quite a while.  We unloaded at the trailer and headed up to the house to start the party as well.  Some beverages were enjoyed by all, a game of human Jenga was played when Jenny passed out, and Gary played about 15 hours of Wii Fit.  After a late night offroad golf cart ride, we passed out for a couple hours of sleep before getting up to wakeboard Friday morning.

We hit the water friday morning and got some decent sessions in – the water was glass and there was no one out other than us and a few border patrol agents doing training.  We rode for an hour, then pulled out the wakesurfer, which was awesome until I took a pull and Gary plowed my boat onto a sandbar.  Some damage was sustained (I think ALL of our boats sustained quite a bit of damage this trip – the DBG Kayot, M&M’s Calabria, and ours as well).  Thats the risk you run when running the river I guess.

We had a meeting with the Hipp Marine staff around 3 on friday, and figured out the plan for the Rendezvous on Saturday.  We (DBG, WBSD, and Wakesports) were to man stop 5 on the rendezvous – which was basically to camp out at Ferguson Lake all day.

We headed out to Fergusons around 8:30 am on Saturday and got up there to some pretty decent water.  A few boats were out riding, but it was pretty decent conditions.  We anchored the Kayot with a flag up for people to see, and then took a few pulls behind the Wakesports Pro-V 2.  People started showing up after a couple hours, and then the party got started.  By 3pm everyone was up there, about 15 or 20 boats just anchored up, blasting music, and partying.  It was a great time!

Headed back to Hidden Shores and showerd up before dinner and awards around 7pm.  A few hours of laughs, drinks, and nicknames (Mercury Mike, Slingblade, Tubs, General Really Good Guy, Gumdrop) and then we dispersed to get some serious partying done.  It was  a late night, when we finally wrapped up around 3am…the morning came too soon.  Everyone packed up, hit the road, and we stopped by the Roadhouse Cafe in Yuma for some ribs before the long drive home and starting up the week again on monday.  

After work today…I miss the river!  Looking forward to helping Hipp Marine out next year at the 2009 Rendezvous!

A bunch of WBSD members are heading out this week for the Hipp Marine River Rendezvous out at the Colorado River.  We are staying at and around Hidden Shores, and from what I have heard about that place – it should be a great time.  I haven’t attended their Rendezvous yet (They started it with the first one last year I believe), but have heard awesome things about it.  With about 10 or so WBSD members going, I have no doubt it will be a great time!  Stay tuned for pictures and stories as I’m sure we’re going to have plenty of both when we get back on sunday!

More info here!

Last Thursday morning, Ian and headed out to pick up the new Cal.
This thing is amazing!!
Here’s a little shot to get you started:
That’s right, Blue/White/Black with a killer Stainless Steel tower:

Of course, the tower will be replaced soon with a DBG Concepts Custom!!

This boat is fully loaded, it has more options than a Cadillac:

-PureVert Wake System w/ twin ballast tanks
-WakePlate to shape the wake
-Shower
-PerfectPass cruise control
-Custom galvanized/painted trailer
(on the way, not in these pics)
-330hp Black Scorpion engine
-Stainless steel tower
(soon to be replaced with a DBG Concepts custom)

Anyways, enough of me typing, heres more pictures:

I was doing some research on this engine, namely because its the powerplant in my new Calabria, but also because I was trying to calculate some rough estimate of gas consumption.  Luckily, it is tuned to run at peak efficiency on 87 octane, which means gas cost will only be astronomical, not completely ludicrous.  Hey, only $250 for a full tank.  Watersports are so enjoyable.

Anyway, back to the awesomeness of the Black Scorpion.  First, before I rave about the specs of this beast, more on their phenomenal marketing.  They pretty much know that anyone looking at a boat powered by one of the bad boys is going to be a man, and a man who is interested in pure horsepower.  Therefore, when I stumbled across their Mailing list section of their website, appropriately named THE SCORPION PIT, I was f*cking floored.  Did I sign up for their mailing list – “CLUB STING“? HELL YES I DID! Market to me!  I’ll throw my hard earned dollars at anything that validates my manliness!  In fact, upon taking delivery of this beast on weds, I will be getting a Black Scorpion tattoo.  Find me a man, any man, any where, who does not want to be a part of anything known as Club Sting.

He doesn’t exist.

Period.

And guess who is sporting the official Black Scorpion desktop wallpaper?  This guy.

Now, on to why I purport this engine kicks ass.

• This is a 330 hp V8, which is going to have no problem pulling my fat @ss out of the water.  My previous boat, the Maxum 1800 SR3 had the 4.3liter, 190hp v6.  It did all right, and with the addition of a Merc Hi-5 prop, it was actually pretty decent on the holeshot, but with this thing there will be no bow sticking up in the air at a 45 degree angle trying to lift someone up, there will just be more time to ride.
• 90mm Throttle Body.  Essentially the carburetor on a Fuel Injected engine.  The bigger, the quicker throttle response. Meaning: Throw this thing wide open, and you are going to take off.  Quick.
• The entire engine is painted, including all additional parts (alternator, water pump, etc.) in a non-corroding paint.  Since we will be seeing quite a bit of salt water use, this is key.  Also, iron cast and ceramic coated exhaust to help against corrosion as well.
• Bottom line: Fuel Injected.  No more hassle trying to keep a carburated I/O at a constant speed while riding.  Much more accurate throttle adjustments to stay at a constant speed (And the help of Perfect Pass!)

If you can’t tell, I’m stoked about this engine.  There will definitely be a ride report once she gets broken in, so stay tuned.

Met with the GM of Hipp Marine today and discussed the terms of the new boat.  Looks like everything will be rolling in about 3 weeks.  We are getting a blue and black 2008 Calabria Pro-V.  The boat is already in storage, but it will take about 3 weeks to build a galvanized dual axle trailer with disc brakes.  Since its going to see quite a bit of salt water use, they are going with a galvanized trailer, but then painting it to match the boat.  Filled out some paperwork today to get the financing rolling and to see if they can get us a better rate than what our credit union can offer us.  We can either trade ours in for a decent price, or sell it and apply the total over the cost of what we owe on our current loan toward the downpayment.  Regardless, check back for updates as things develop!

The gravity-fed ballast system is really unique in the wakeboat world. It is integrated into the hull, so there aren’t any pumps or tanks to deal with.  There are two switches on the dash to fill/drain the right/left side tanks. You Just flip the switch and it fills up in about 45 seconds and drains in 15 seconds.  From most reviews, it really sinks the whole boat, and creates an amazing wake.

There are no pumps needed, because the system actually just opens to flood gates at the back of the boat under the swim step, and gravity floods the tanks under the boat.  To empty the tanks, you just open the gates, and drive away.  The forward motion pushes the water back out of the tanks and empties them quickly.

I can see this being awesome in normal use, being able to set up different amounts of ballast for every different rider very quickly.

Well that’s my quick description, I’ll keep posting more about this awesome boat!

This boat is insane, here are the specs:
Specs
Passengers: 15
Dry weight: 3,500 lb.
Draft: 23 in.
Load capacity: 2,025 lb.
Fuel capacity: 55 gal.
Storage capacity: 57.5 cu. ft.
Bow: 5.5 cu. ft.
Center: 21 cu. ft.
Rear: 31 cu. ft.
Platform: 15 sq. ft.
Interior gunwale height: 26 in.
Sun-pad area: 25 sq. ft.

Standards
Base price: $68,980
Engine: MerCruiser Black Scorpion 5.7L, 330 hp
Prop: OJ 13 x 17.5 four-blade
Cruise: Accuski
Ballast: 700 lb. total
Two center tanks: 350 lb. each
Tower: Cal Air with quick-pin release
Mirror: Windshield-mounted
Driver’s seat: Swivel, slide
Dash: Tilt steering wheel
Gauges: 5-inch Medallion
Gas fill: Dual bow
Cooler: 12 qt., under walk-through
Cup holders: 14, stainless steel
Rub rail: Stainless steel
Platform: Removable, fiberglass
Graphics: Traditional, Swoosh and Checkers, Wave, Tribal
Colors: 18 exterior color choices in up to four color ways

Here is a link to a killer Virtual Test Drive from Waterski Mag:

http://www.waterskimag.com/VTD/2007/Calabria/index.html?manufacture=1&boat=1

I can’t wait! Of course, it’ll have a DBG Concepts tower and stereo!!!

Give me your opinions in the comments!