As are many of you, I’m passionate about this “sport” of ours. I’m intrigued with the inner workings of the powerboat world—from what’s going on with a certain builder to the latest on those who lead the industry. Web forums always provide information, good or bad depending on your perspective. And so it seems to be a never-ending struggle between board administrators and board members when someone asks a question via a chat forum related to a rumor they’ve heard.

I think we would all agree that a rumor based on no facts whatsoever has no place on a forum or in the “news.” Whether it’s a malicious rumor that someone is folding shop or a good rumor that boat company A is buying boat company B, many rumors begin with hidden agendas to get people talking about a certain product.

However, there are those “rumors” (I used quotations because now I’m referring to facts) that one could argue, whether good or bad, need to come to the forefront in order to make people aware. Those people who may be doing business deals with said company. For example, how many would have enjoyed being privy to the National Marine debacle prior to it going down? Some boaters lost large sums of money because of dishonest business practices. There are a handful of other businesses that have followed suit. A little information sharing could have potentially saved many.

On the other hand, you may have information that while true, could potentially damage a business. For example, a business could be on the verge of closing but doing everything possible to stay open. Rumors of closure could inevitably be the nail in the coffin in a situation that may have not warranted it.

There’s always the cry of freedom of speech but this is a silly objection, considering a forum-based Web site is privately owned, controlled by those who see fit best to run it. With forums come agendas, favorites and advertisers that those controlling the forums are looking to protect. And there’s always the real possibility that the owner and/or the moderators are friends with those who own a business that is being promoted. And you thought politics were convoluted?

There are most definitely two camps on this topic. Those who feel nothing should be discussed unless OK’d by those involved. And those who feel information should be shared to protect everyone.

I personally believe it is a fine line that needs to be walked by moderators of the various discussion forums. I think that a compromise can be found somewhere in the middle. Also, hot topics create conversation and get people thinking and talking (or typing, in this case). And typing away discussing our sport is what it’s all about.

So in the end, I would suggest considering the source of a rumor you’ve heard. And weigh the positive and negative aspects of that rumor before posting a question or a comment about it. And always remember: Don’t believe everything you hear or read.

See you in the forums and on the water!

So I was told to have a blog ready for the new Powerboatmag.com site. After being “ordered” (given the great opportunity really) to do so by the Powerboat staff, I began to mull around various topics running through my generally cluttered mind—subject matter I’ve been dying to get off my chest. Topics such as advertising, integrity, rumors, general boating loves, economy, etc., have come up as I’ve discussed boating-related topics with friends, colleagues, people in the marine industry and countless members of the performance-related bulletin boards on the Web.

The conclusion I came to is that for the performance/offshore powerboat enthusiast (or nut as I, and I’m sure many of you, have been called), there is never a dry well of conversation topic. Never a lack of subject matter to get your ire up, never a lack of others to agree or disagree with your opinion and, of course, never a lack of drama. So in the coming months (and hopefully years), I’ll be given the opportunity to hurl these topics and more at the Powerboat site and see what sticks.

But first, some of you may want to know what gives me the right to voice my opinion. Some of you may ask, “Who the heck is this guy?” Well, great question. And here’s the answer:

I am your standard, run-of-the-mill, crazy performance-boat fanatic. Like most of you, I love everything fast, but am truly inspired by the long sleek lines, powerful stance, heart-skipping roar, mysterious appeal and seductive allure that is the “performance boat,” “offshore powerboat” or “go-fast boat,” as they are commonly called.

I grew up a beach kid from Southern California and was mostly in the water more than out. We lived in a small community that backed up against a decently proportioned harbor. The greater Los Angeles area with Marina del Rey, Newport Harbor and Long Beach Harbor certainly had the most performance boats in Southern California, however, I was fortunate enough to see an occasional go-fast idling through the harbor, fueling up at the gas dock or running back toward L.A. From the first time I spotted an offshore boat I was hooked.

I was coming of age during the grand time that was the 1980s. And of course, you can’t mention the ’80s and powerboats, without mentioning “Miami Vice.” It was the glitz and glamour of “Miami Vice” and that first Chris-Craft (that was eventually swapped out for the Scarab) that really sold me. From that point on, I knew that some day, some how, I would own a powerboat.

Of course, I was 11 years old and the thought of paying for this item had escaped me. All I knew was that I could not afford one at that time, but I wanted to be involved with them in any way I could.

By the time I was 12, I secured a job cleaning and fueling Addictors and mini Schiadas for a small rental/dealership in my harbor. That was good. A little bit of spending cash under the table, and I got to run the little boats around. But I couldn’t have been more pleased when the local Wellcraft dealership got its first Scarab. It was a 38-foot “Miami Vice” special painted to match the boat on the TV show and fitted with the time-appropriate radar arch. I promptly began to work for the Wellcraft dealer, washing boats and running errands.

Eventually those dealerships closed and my main focus changed from boats to girls and cars. This lasted until I eventually grew old enough to secure a career. With this career came the means I’d been patiently waiting for to purchase my first powerboat, a 1997 24-foot Baja. Some of you may scoff, but for a 22 year old, that was the world! Although I’d owned other smaller runabouts, this was my first official performance boat and I couldn’t be happier.

Until, of course, I got the itch to go bigger. And that itch led me to Lip-Ship Performance in Miami and the purchase of a Cigarette Racing 38 Top Gun, which I still own to this day.

Through boating, my wife Kelly and I have met incredible people, made life-long friends and experienced things most only dream about doing. This sport that we all love is nothing short of spectacular. Whether you are a die-hard offshore racer, a fan, a river rat, lake lounger, ocean runner or party barge captain, you share a unique bond with people. A bond that will allow you to run into someone halfway across the world who sees your offshore powerboat shirt and strikes up a conversation that eventually turns into a weekend of boating.

Whether you run an 18-foot flatty or a 50-foot cat, we all have a common bond. And you are always welcome to side tie to me, grab a cocktail and swap stories. Until then, see you on the Web.