Slough Run 2010...

[BillF]

A little slough history

Many of you may know this, but just in case........

Years ago before the ship cut resulted in the drastic lowering of Lake Washington, dooming the Black River (now dry) at the lake's south end which had been the only lake outlet, and changing the lake outlet to its present location, the Sammamish River really was a river, rather than a slough. This was before good roads existed around here, and before much in the way of railroads. The farmers and dairymen around Issaquah transported their products to the Seattle market by boat, going up Lake Sammamish, through the Sammamish River, and down Lake Washington. From there, they either landed on the east side of Seattle and transported the rest of the way by wagon, or they continued on down to the Black River, the Duwamish, and out into the Puget Sound side of Seattle. At the time, this was about a two-day trip each way, but still better than trying to go by road from Issaquah. All this is according to some of the books on local history that I have read since moving to Issaquah. And of course, all of this was way before some genius decided that it would be great to totally screw up a navigable waterway by carefully filling it with chunks of concrete.

well cabin fever will prevail, Im not willing to trash a race boat trying to race a creek full of concrete, its harder every year to replace those parts now

maybe when the weather is better we can get all the guys with hydros together and go run somewhere more conducive

it was a thought

[FINS]

I would be willing to do the leg work to set up an "informal" vintage hydro race or hot laps here on Tapps to go along with the Poker Run if there is enough interest. Saturday mornings are a designated "no speed limit" day and we regularly have the limited hydros and K boats testing. Mike Jones, where we normally launch is set up with several chase boats and APBA officials if needed. Could be really fun to start the morning off with some racing and then switch to runabouts as the water gets rougher in the afternoon. We could really stir up some fun and have Mike splash his Unlimited. Nothing like a turbine at full speed to really make friends with the neighbors.

[Tim McCrain]

I would be willing to do the leg work to set up an "informal" vintage hydro race or hot laps here on Tapps to go along with the Poker Run if there is enough interest. Saturday mornings are a designated "no speed limit" day and we regularly have the limited hydros and K boats testing. Mike Jones, where we normally launch is set up with several chase boats and APBA officials if needed. Could be really fun to start the morning off with some racing and then switch to runabouts as the water gets rougher in the afternoon. We could really stir up some fun and have Mike splash his Unlimited. Nothing like a turbine at full speed to really make friends with the neighbors.

[halffast32]

Informal hydro run!!

Brian, I'm interested!! I need some incentive to finish up a little hydro project I've been putting off.

[Captain Jack]

Jet pump protection

Gordan! Got welded Side Fins on that Cast alum Jet Foot?
Really cheap insurance with the alum Wings that act like Manta Ray Canards.You can mash them flat without breaking the casting,then cut them off and re-bolt or weld.
TimM

Got any pictures?

I can fabricate most anything if I know what I'm trying to build.

The Cap'n

[Bflaherty]

So just got around to mapping out our summer plans (events calender) and realized that the Slough run is a week later than usual... Is there a reason for this? We had made special arrangements with work to get the first weekend of March off (like its been for several years) and now we may not be able to attend.. Just wondering if there was a reason for the change in schedule??

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

Slough Run Date

Brian -

The reason it was pushed back relates to event crowding--not often a problem early in the year, but the workshops on the schedule had to be squeezed in ahead of the Slough Run...which resulted in the new date.

Hope you can still make it...

- Marty

[Bflaherty]

Has anyone thought about the decreased water levels as we later into spring? Especially with the complete lack of snow we have gotten this year...

We are trying to work things out with work as we have purposely held off trying to sell the Havoc just so that we have a slough boat, and if I don't use it for the event my parents may kill me as its been in their yard since june...

~Brian

[Sammamish1]

Brian, not to worry on water level at this point. The lake was very low in December but January's rain has filled it back up, our dock is almost under water for the second time this year and the way it's raining today it will be under tomorrow. I think it will be fine unless we get another two weeks of 60 degree weather

[slo-mo]

t-minus 41 days and counting...

After losing a few weeks attending to family matters, we again have the Slough Run back on the radar screen. Last Friday, I took a few hours to remove the soggy floor/transom plywood from the 1961 Stiletto, in preparation for an emergency add-a-jet-to-me. The stringers all seem to be solid so we can get right down to business.

The original plan was to retrofit a Polaris PWC engine/jet bed, connecting a vertical Homelite powerhead to the pump through a Yamaha motorcycle 1.06 to 1 angle drive. All of the parts are in the shop, but with our thoughts elsewhere, we have run out of the "testing time" necessary...this really cool combo will be slated for another horse in the stable.

Plan: B- A nice Polaris 750 triple will be providing the thrust necessary to get through the gauntlet of rocks, mud and willows. The most difficult aspect of this conversion will be controlling the desire to modify everything and finding a lunatic to co-pilot the concoction. Keep it simple right? Like Tim Mattson's G3, cosmetics will happen this Spring-if it is still float-worthy...

Is your ride ready?

How much fuel did your Playmaster burn in last years event, Brian (FINS)?

[FINS]

I have a boat in the works for this year. All I am going to say at this point is Aluma-weld, small block, and three stage jet!! We will see if it all pans out. Great work Greg. Can't wait to see your jet on the water.

[slo-mo]

you'll put your eye out...

Figured you would have something up your sleeve, Franchini. Sounds decidedly non-vintage? Perhaps you could duct tape on some FINS, to fit your m.o.

How much fuel do you recommend carrying for this 3-hour tour?

I know almost everyone reading this has a slough runner "candidate" in their arsenal, come breath some fresh (2-stroke) air, and shred some props for a good cause...

[FINS]

My 92' SeaDoo GTX motor in the Playmaster ALMOST made the whole trip on one tank. It probably would have made it, but I did not top it off prior to starting. If I use that one again, I will tuck a 2.5 gallon spare in the back. My main tank made it across Lake Sammamish, down the whole Slough, and to the 520 bridge. The reserve tank made it to within 400 yards of Coulon Park.