Upper Mississippi Rat Ralley [Archive]

Caincando1

03-01-2004, 05:11 PM

It's that time of the year again.

The annual Rat Rally will be held on the first Friday in May (7nd) as always. It’s a rather unorganized first run of the year covering most of Pool 4. It’s a great time and like always men only (seriously!). Generally groups of boats will have breakfast together on the water. Then everyone will meet up on Long Point Peninsula, near Lake City, MN (generally 50-80 performance boats). Then we stop at various bars on the water. If anyone is unfamiliar with this run and would like to attend shot me a PM

wowchad

03-01-2004, 06:12 PM

Is pool 4 just north of Alma? Basically Lake Pepin area right? I really need to get a river map!!!
This VHF radio just doesn't cut it from the garge :mrgreen:

Caincando1

03-01-2004, 08:28 PM

Is pool 4 just north of Alma? Basically Lake Pepin area right? I really need to get a river map!!!
This VHF radio just doesn't cut it from the garge :mrgreen:

Yep, pool 4 is lake pepin. We will pretty much run the same course as the poker run. It will just be allot more laid back and of course unlike the poker run, drinking will be involved. [smilie=071.gif]

mnoutlaw

03-12-2004, 07:00 PM

I think we can do that, you did say there's some drinking involved!

Caincando1

03-12-2004, 08:02 PM

MNOutlaw,

Not sure what you just said :mrgreen: , but it would be cool if you guys came down.

And yes there is plenty of drinking involved. Hell the breakfast buffet at the Pioneer comes with your choice of a screw driver or a bloody marry.

mnoutlaw

03-13-2004, 08:44 PM

I shouldn't be allowed to use a key board, I blame California Schooling! Thank God for the "edit" function.

Caincando1

03-14-2004, 08:33 PM

I shouldn't be allowed to use a key board, I blame California Schooling! Thank God for the "edit" function.

[smilie=071.gif]

Northern Baja

03-23-2004, 07:11 AM

Ath this rate I'm going to have to get off my butt and finish the projects I have goin on the boat!

Sounds like fun. [smilie=071.gif]

Caincando1

03-23-2004, 01:34 PM

Ath this rate I'm going to have to get off my butt and finish the projects I have goin on the boat!

Sounds like fun. [smilie=071.gif]

Get'er done. :mrgreen:

Only a half dozen weeks to go. Rumor has it that we may break the tradition and go south this year. Hope you can make it, it's a great way to start the season! [smilie=alc]

Caincando1

03-29-2004, 03:23 PM

I think we can do that, you did say there's some drinking involved!

How many boats are you bringing? Are you going to put in with us at Great River Harbor? Just curious, I like to get a boat count.

mnoutlaw

03-29-2004, 09:27 PM

Two boat loads most likely. We don't know where to put in yet, you mentioned Great River Harbor, we'd prefer to be closer to Lake City if that's where we start and ends. If it ends in Alma, then we would most likely put in Alma. What time should we be at what Ramp?

Caincando1

03-30-2004, 10:06 AM

Start, finish...that's kind of a tough one. Like I said this is unorganized so there is no real start of finish. It's basically a day away form the wives to hang out, drink and let the boats run loose. Basically groups of boats all meet at long point then hit a couple, three bars, then maybe back to the beach, then maybe off to another bar. It's pretty laid back it you know what I mean. [smilie=1062.gif]

I guess you could call the Pioneer Club a start. They put on a breakfast buffet and sell Rat Rally t-shirts. We start at the Great River harbor because it's home for us, plus it's just a couple miles form the Pioneer. We usually leave about 8AM and boat up to the Pioneer for breakfast. Then head up to Pepin. We usually make the Pioneer the last stop before home. It's only a few miles back to the harbor, which is good. Considering everyone's conditions and the fact that we've been known to drink past dark. We usually party at the Harbor after that, 'till we pass out.

mnoutlaw

04-18-2004, 07:47 PM

Boats ready, still planning on two.

mnfastboat

04-25-2004, 02:58 PM

Mine is not ready :(

need to get my arse going

but still plan on going
wondering, how far of a boat ride is it from Afton??
Thinking about boating down and back instead of trailering

nothing like the sound of big blocks at 6 am :)

Northern Baja

04-25-2004, 04:35 PM

Watch out for large floaters. The water is low, if we get a little rain, everything from ice fishing houses to dead trees will be coming down with you this time of year.

Our boat is still drug apart as well. Maybe [smilie=071.gif] may not :roll: .

MnHowardCat

04-26-2004, 12:49 PM

mnfastboat That would be a fun trip but Afton to the Pioneer would take a while to get through the Lock and all the No wake zones but that would be fun [smilie=050.gif]

Caincando1

04-26-2004, 01:39 PM

Mine is not ready :(
wondering, how far of a boat ride is it from Afton??
Thinking about boating down and back instead of trailering

nothing like the sound of big blocks at 6 am :)

That would be a hike. I don't have a map in front of me so I don't know exactly how far it would be. But you'd better plan at least a half day.

Caincando1

04-28-2004, 06:08 PM

It's a little less than a week away. MNOutlaw you and the crew still coming down?

mnoutlaw

04-28-2004, 11:15 PM

Still coming, your incharge of the weather, do we need to pick-up mnhowardcat?

Saleen367

04-29-2004, 07:50 AM

Fri
May 07 Partly Cloudy 73°/50° 10 %

Weather looks good according to weather.com.

Still not sure if it going to work with Mother's Day lurking. We are still a few short at work.

500

05-01-2004, 10:51 PM

Hey, I was just reading the up, if I meet up with you in Great Harbor I would have to depart the twin cities at 6am, where could I meet up the group at 10 or 11am.

Caincando1

05-03-2004, 11:03 AM

Hey, I was just reading the up, if I meet up with you in Great Harbor I would have to depart the twin cities at 6am, where could I meet up the group at 10 or 11am.

There as a few others heading down from the cities that early. IMO it's worth it because I personally love the morning of the run. Nothing like a bunch of big blocks pulling out of the harbor at 8 in the morning. And of couse my favortie stop, the breakfast stop :mrgreen: . You could come down thurday and sleep in the boat. All of us permanent residence will be there. If you want to meet up with us around 10-11 your best bet will be North Point pennisula. It's a little north of Lake City at MM 777.5. We beach on the North side. What do you have for a boat? We'll keep and eye out for you.

MnHowardCat

05-03-2004, 01:06 PM

What do you have for a boat?? Well I have a Sugar Sand [smilie=061.gif] [smilie=071.gif]

Caincando1

05-03-2004, 01:19 PM

What do you have for a boat?? Well I have a Sugar Sand [smilie=061.gif] [smilie=071.gif]

A sugar Sand that will float even when it's filled up with water like a bath tub. [smilie=265.gif] [smilie=265.gif] [smilie=071.gif]

MnHowardCat

05-03-2004, 06:57 PM

Ya sure you bet ya

mnfastboat

05-03-2004, 09:44 PM

Hey, I was just reading the up, if I meet up with you in Great Harbor I would have to depart the twin cities at 6am, where could I meet up the group at 10 or 11am.

I am leaving my house at aprox 4:00 am :)

mnfastboat

05-04-2004, 10:22 PM

ok batteries are in, motors start up :)
props are on
drain plugs are in
last years crap is tossed out :(
need to replace rear light on trailer
and then gas the beast up and its READY :)

Oh, guess I should wash n wax it but I do not have time :(

Lets see, wax the boat in the rain tomorrow night, or put in my new air bags on the truck :)

Northern Baja

05-04-2004, 10:30 PM

Sounds like a plan to me. I'll be watching ya go by. I still have part in for repair and much assembly required before I'm on the water.

mnfastboat

05-05-2004, 01:25 PM

Sounds like a plan to me. I'll be watching ya go by. I still have part in for repair and much assembly required before I'm on the water.

give a wave or a shout, I am sure we can get you a ride with someone.

I know of at least one rider, maybe two in my boat.
should have room for another.

Caincando1

05-05-2004, 01:31 PM

mnfastboat

05-05-2004, 06:35 PM

I call shotgun! [smilie=071.gif][/quote]

Well we might have a fight on our hands with Don [smilie=011.gif]

Thinking maybe he should get the first dibs since he is towing me down :)

Does not matter to me, because I already know where I am sitting [smilie=071.gif]

MnHowardCat

05-05-2004, 08:22 PM

I call shotgun! [smilie=071.gif]

Well we might have a fight on our hands with Don [smilie=011.gif]

Thinking maybe he should get the first dibs since he is towing me down :)

Does not matter to me, because I already know where I am sitting [smilie=071.gif][/quote]

Where are you going to sit in the Back?? :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Jest kidding

Caincando1

05-05-2004, 10:26 PM

Does not matter to me, because I already know where I am sitting [smilie=071.gif]

Where are you going to sit in the Back?? :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Jest kidding

You know me I'm happy just to be in the boat. [smilie=050.gif] I thought you where going to ride in the Pantera? I see... you must be affraid to ride in a REAL V-bottom. [smilie=071.gif] See you boys in about 34 hours. [smilie=061.gif]

MnHowardCat

05-05-2004, 10:44 PM

I don't care whare I ride as long as the BEER is COLD

mnfastboat

05-05-2004, 11:15 PM

oh oh

:(

No beer on this boat :9

but I can bring along some Bacardi O and Bacardi Limon and some Mikes Lemonade [smilie=071.gif]

Caincando1

05-06-2004, 08:28 AM

I don't care whare I ride as long as the BEER is COLD

I'll have beer in my "community" cooler. As long as its okay with Hugh to bring beer on the boat??? I always like to ask first. [smilie=042.gif]

Caincando1

05-06-2004, 02:08 PM

should have room for another.

NorthernBaja you better take him up on an offer like that. Be at Great River Harbor before 8AM.

Caincando1

05-06-2004, 04:24 PM

I'll be heading to the river in about 30 min. If anyone needs me you can reach me on my cell 507-259-6776.

mnfastboat

05-06-2004, 04:25 PM

I don't care whare I ride as long as the BEER is COLD

I'll have beer in my "community" cooler. As long as its okay with Hugh to bring beer on the boat??? I always like to ask first. [smilie=042.gif]

Its OK with me
I have abuilt in that will hold ALOT :)

Mine will be in a seperate soft side. I do not like putting glass in the built in :(

My main bpet peeve on boating is NOT lit cigerettes while under way.
I actually prefer no smoking at all, but I know that can be hard to accomplish. :( Been know to be an [smilie=450.gif] for stating no smoking at all. So I have somewhat comprimised and will NOT allow smoking while under way.

Caincando1

05-06-2004, 04:47 PM

Advantage

05-09-2004, 10:51 AM

Brian, how was the Rat Run Ralley! You guys had some awesome weather. :shock: Too bad I missed it again this year! Post some pictures when you have some time. Peace. :lol:

Northern Baja

05-09-2004, 12:33 PM

Pepin was looking a little rough on Friday. How did it go? I heard from a friend that his 25' Loutlaw seemed a little small on Pepin.

MnHowardCat

05-09-2004, 02:22 PM

A little ROUGH don't you mean ROUGHER then snot you could rattle your teeth out on the way back [smilie=106.gif]

Caincando1

05-09-2004, 07:41 PM

Brian, how was the Rat Run Ralley! You guys had some awesome weather. :shock: Too bad I missed it again this year! Post some pictures when you have some time. Peace. :lol:

Things got a little screwed up this year. The Pioneer didn't do there breakfast buffet so breakfast took FOREVER. The long wait through the routine off so we ended up spread out allot more than normal. Plus the water was down so some of the BIG boats couldn't get up to the beach so they headed on. I believe the boat count was near 50.

Pepin was RUFF!!! MNfastboat was working his tail off trying to get that advantage to lay down on those big waves. We stayed up on the lake longer than most. BAD idea the wind picked up and the waves got bigger. I'd have to say we trolled in 5 footers for an hour or so the rest of the time they where 4 or better. But the crew in Thirsty Turlte's 28 Pantera said the waves wheren't big. :lol:

I don't have any pictures but a few others do. I'm sure they will post pictures.

mnoutlaw

05-09-2004, 10:26 PM

We dialed in on the ride back at 60mph and 5 and 5 on the trim and tabs, it was good ride back, we did however have to leave before everyone else. But, we did stop in at the Great River Harbor Bar and a few drinks with the Mutiny bus full of women! [smilie=trink39]

On the way up we did do something stupid, we came off the throttle to turn back and run with Curt and Bustag who's tabs were inop and were having a roller coaster ride from hell (probably not as bad as the Advantage Cat at slower speeds) and nosed into a 4' roller, it was an eye opener, had to run the bilge for the first time ever! Thank god I remember to bring towels. This didn't compare to Curt 10 point landing off the dock at the Harbor Bar. And, he remembered to bring a change of clothes.
[smilie=071.gif]
Pictures we took suck, but video is a cool three minutes bouncing
[smilie=thewave.gif]

mnfastboat

05-09-2004, 11:22 PM

A little ROUGH don't you mean ROUGHER then snot you could rattle your teeth out on the way back [smilie=106.gif]

you actually have teeth left :)

I don't :(

Guess I have two things to do this season, figure out what I need to do ot keep my boat higher, one reason for me wanting to try Hydromotives, and to grow a set of @alls to keep it going.
Two reasons I left off, one was the third time the transom tripped and the nose was lower then I preferred and my back was just not liking it.
Sorry for such a rough ride, wish I could have corrected it better then we did.

mnfastboat

05-09-2004, 11:29 PM

Pepin was RUFF!!! MNfastboat was working his tail off trying to get that advantage to lay down on those big waves. We stayed up on the lake longer than most. BAD idea the wind picked up and the waves got bigger. I'd have to say we trolled in 5 footers for an hour or so the rest of the time they where 4 or better. But the crew in Thirsty Turlte's 28 Pantera said the waves wheren't big. :lol:
I don't have any pictures but a few others do. I'm sure they will post pictures.

Thats an understatement :(
Tried what I could to keep it there. If I would not have come off plane it would have been better. But did not like the chance of stuffing and also did not like the back pain :(

It was an expereince that I have had encountered few of. Guess I need to find the spot.
There are always times for a heavy deep V and this would have been one of them :)
But then there are times for a cat, and that is when, wel, it was not on the return trip south on Pepin. Thats for sure :(

I will get the very FEW pics I have posted as soon as I get then developed.

mnfastboat

05-09-2004, 11:34 PM

we came off the throttle to turn back and run with Curt and Bustag who's tabs were inop and were having a roller coaster ride from hell (probably not as bad as the Advantage Cat at slower speeds)
[smilie=thewave.gif]

Funny how you mention that, you should have looked at my center tab :(

there are 6 bolts mounting it into the notch.
Well I should say there is SUPPOSE to be 6.
I only have 3 :(
Did not think to check it after loading, but did on Saturday.
Good thing I have a replacement hinge because there is not much left of this one.
I thought the feel was off when I was trying to use the tab, just did not react the way I remembered. But thought it was just me being nervous on the first trip of the season.
Guess I was both right and wrong at the same time. :)

Northern Baja

05-09-2004, 11:38 PM

OK I'm impressed. [smilie=1074.gif] So this isn't one of those macho groups that can admit to anything. Great! I can learn a thing or two from ya. I'm still kicking myself for not makin' it to breakfast. I pulled the boat back over into the garage yesterday. Hopefully I can get this thing moving for a Summer of fun. [smilie=071.gif] Drove mom over to Pepin for lunch, The water looked smooth and nice early afternoon but was rougher as the after noon went on.

Maybe we'll get another chance later! [smilie=042.gif]

mnfastboat

05-10-2004, 01:50 PM

Northern, only the way it is comes from me. :)
Never been one to purposely stretch or not tell it the way it is.
May forget details sometimes :)

Should have come out, it was a great time.

Caincando1

05-10-2004, 09:21 PM

This didn't compare to Curt 10 point landing off the dock at the Harbor Bar. And, he remembered to bring a change of clothes.
[smilie=071.gif]

:shock: A ten pointer...damn that must be head under and everything. [smilie=071.gif] I saw a guy go in trying to help a cruiser dock at the MisterSippi. He was able to catch himself on the side of the boat. He hung there for a while with his pants in the water. He was finally able to save himself and climb around onto the swim platform. I only gave him a 4. [smilie=071.gif]

Northern Baja

05-10-2004, 11:53 PM

Hell! last year I did a triple and landed in the previous nights camp fire ashes in front of the whole crew. And I was feeling cordinated that day. Fortunately I didn't spill much of my Corona. [smilie=food05.gif]

MNFAST, I would have loved to been out there with you. Last week we had a new product announcement, I spend Friday morning on the phone answering questions. [smilie=schla08.gif]

But just the talk has gotten me off the dine. [smilie=265.gif] The boats at home and I spent the last 5 hours working on it. I be out soon. [smilie=071.gif]

SuperV

05-21-2004, 04:11 PM

Flips into fire dang you guy know how to party [smilie=1062.gif] [smilie=1074.gif]

Slippery Nipple

05-21-2004, 04:14 PM

Super V

POST WHORE [smilie=265.gif]

mnfastboat

05-21-2004, 04:19 PM

where are the pictures?

Caincando1

05-21-2004, 04:50 PM

where are the pictures?

Waiting on you and MNHowardcat. I'll talk to the GRH boys this weekend and see if anyone has any I can post.

MnHowardCat

05-24-2004, 08:13 AM

where are the pictures?

Waiting on you and MNHowardcat. I'll talk to the GRH boys this weekend and see if anyone has any I can post.

MnHowardCat

05-24-2004, 08:16 AM

Pic 2

MnHowardCat

05-24-2004, 08:22 AM

pic 3

MnHowardCat

05-24-2004, 08:23 AM

pic 4

MnHowardCat

05-24-2004, 08:24 AM

pic 5

MnHowardCat

05-24-2004, 08:26 AM

pic 6 ONE BIG BOAT

MnHowardCat

05-24-2004, 08:28 AM

And Who is this?????

Caincando1

05-24-2004, 11:11 AM

And Who is this?????

Damn that's one good looking rope monkey! Can you tell it was a little windy in that boat. My beard is pointing every direction but down. [smilie=071.gif]

Caincando1

05-24-2004, 04:36 PM

Thirsty Turlte, HP500efi and crew in the Pantera.

Caincando1

05-24-2004, 04:39 PM

Weekend Priority and crew

Caincando1

05-24-2004, 04:40 PM

Mardi Gras A Float and crew

Caincando1

05-24-2004, 04:41 PM

Bustin' waves!

MnHowardCat

05-24-2004, 06:14 PM

SWEEEET

Caincando1

05-25-2004, 12:25 PM

SWEEEET

Don't you have any more pics?

MnHowardCat

05-26-2004, 06:08 PM

Sorry thats all I have and not one of Hugh I was to busy holding on for dear LIFE

Caincando1

05-27-2004, 12:03 PM

Sorry thats all I have and not one of Hugh I was to busy holding on for dear LIFE

Oh come on it wasn't that rough... [smilie=071.gif]

Caincando1

06-07-2004, 10:39 AM

A bunch of members.

Far left, Glastron kurt(I think?) second to left, MNOutlaw, Second to right, myself and MNHowardCat riding with MNFastboat.

mnfastboat

08-07-2004, 05:07 PM

A little ROUGH don't you mean ROUGHER then snot you could rattle your teeth out on the way back [smilie=106.gif]

Don and Brian, hopefully you read this.
I found out last week in Milwaukee why the boat was riding os rough :)

Kinda stupid actually but an honest mistake.
The same thing was happening the second time itook the boat out this year also.
Then last saturday after the races Ifound out why :(
My radio went out and I turned the breaker off so I would not her the slight buzz from it. Come to find out the tab paowe is through the same switch :)
I found this out when I rebuilt the tab and after running saturday it would not operate.
Well on Sunday with the proper function of hte tab I was able to FLY of the rough on Lake Michigan and run hard :)

Now lets take on PEPIN!