CT Mini 2014, August 22-24

Watch out for Tim, his hospitality absolutely stops at the end on the tow rope.

Here are a couple of pictures. First is me pulling Brian on the wake board and the second is myself skiing for the first time in over 2 years.

The [attempted] barefoot line behind the 79 Barefoot is a highly modified 454 and the trick run was a stock Python powered 99 Ski Nautique.

Hollywood wrote: Watch out for Tim, his hospitality absolutely stops at the end on the tow rope.

This is so true but than again someone has some stitches due to Hollywoods howdy do.

Figured I'd give it a few days to let the fog clear before posting in this thread again, but since that hasn't happened quite yet, I'm posting anyways!

We had an awesome time, thanks to everyone for coming out. Everyone's contributions were much appreciated- especially my family members who more than did their fair share. I was generally useless but it was the one of the best weekends of the summer. What an absolutely fantastic group! Look forward to seeing you all soon.

If anyone has any pictures or video of those step off battles on fri, please post them up... Some awesome skiing and excellent entertainment! I'm sure Tim-Bob has some good stuff for us as well... Looking forward to seeing it.

The bfn above is our '79 that was the subject of its own thread on here if you want to check it out. We had it propped down with a 540 and it seemed to do a decent job pulling us up, not bad as holeshot is not its strong suit. Maybe we'll think to try a barefoot line in the morning next year, as the water conditions might have been a touch better.

   This is what the water looked like Monday morning. Wish we could have stayed a little longer......I think it was close to 80 degrees by 9am




   I have a few more pics I'll try to get up in a bit

Mike

The rest of my pics:





One Reid assisted Selfie:


Gratuitous boat selfie:


Parting shot:

Bri892001 wrote: Gratuitous boat selfie:

man I love the simple look of this boat!

john

Our family wishes to extend a HUGE Thank You to the Benjamin family for all their efforts to pull together such a great event.   
Our family had so much fun we're still smiling and can't wait for next year!

Abby and Sara made improvements with their skiing and had a blast skiing with Lisl.

John was able to continue his progression on slalom and the highlight was probably driving the boat( with lisl ) around the lake and to the ramp and successfully loading the boat first try! Way to go John!

Lisl skied more this weekend than she has all year and was pleased that it was with her kids!

Thanks to our friends that helped us out with footing and driving technique , trick ski pulls, and teaching me how to wake surf!

Tim, thanks for the help with the prop change!

Todd, the ride and drive in the ski Tique is permanently etched in my mind!

Greg, thanks for the " one last pull" on Monday! I smiled from ear to ear the whole way home!

To all of our CCF friends new and old it was great to see you safe travels ,happy boating and we look,forward to seeing all of you sooner than later!

John,Lisl,John,Abby,Sara, and Kaycee!

Thanks for the compliments guys

Thanks John for helping me load up and head out Monday.

Here is the full Barefooter run:

Brian's boat is beautiful. No vinyl in it except for the driver's and observer's seats. It's a nice simple ski boat.

I've got to thank Scott Benjamin for insisting that I take his Python 196 out before we left. That is a really nice boat and it is fast. Tim, that boat prop walks when you back off the throttle at full speed.

What impresses me about Tim's BFN besides it's power and speed, is how stable and safe it feels at all speeds. It's not an over powered boat like Todd's Tique which I got to think rides like a Jersey Skiff.

Smithfamily wrote: jbear wrote: Bri892001 wrote: Gratuitous boat selfie: man I love the simple look of this boat! john I have to jump on this bandwagon too. Simple, clean, I'm like wow. My favorite one in these pics, well tied with the Orange Crush

Looks like we may need to plan a trip east next summer!!!

Sure enjoy looking at all the pictures. My son Evan watched the video several times of you guys all taking off. That boat sounds flat out nasty!

Good job Benjamin family!

What do you say at this point that already hasn't been said. What a wonderful weekend on the Benjamin Bayou. I had a fabulous time and I didn't even ski. The weather and water was just too cold for this southern boy and when the sun finally came out on Sunday, I was too busy taking pics, and driving boats. I got tapped for the trick ski run Sun night but once things finally settled down to do it the sun went over the trees and I was about to freeze (some that did were shaking when they got back in the boat).

The Whole Benjamin Clan did an outstanding job once again and as always if you went hungry it's your own fault as there was more than plenty of food to feed small the army that was there. Many thanks to those that brought whatever and it was comical to see folks scramble for Joe's Salt Potato's.

If you ever get a chance to join the Benjamin family for this event, I highly suggest you add it to your bucket list cause there is nothing like it. The lake may be small but there is always a boat going and coming and CCFans are everywhere and together like family as truly that is what we are. So very cool to see guys you've met on the internet from all over the place share in an embrace, a laugh, a cold beer and all becasue of some silly ski boat that we all love.

Nothing beats a ride in a Benjamin boat no matter what it is because they all are fast and the smiles and whoops coming from those who drive one are worth the price of admission.

Bruce and Daves 66 Seafoam Green Mustang was a thrill to drive and I regret not skiing behind her. She is a thing of beauty to see and ride in.

If the Deen boys are around you can bet your last dollar that there will be a funny story come out of it. I wasn't there or up when it happened but to hear several tell the tale made me laugh all day Sat and Sun.

I've ranted and rambled long enough and I know that all of you are anxiously waiting for the snaps I took. These pics only show a portion of the weekend and many are timeline snaps. I bought a faster camera to stop time just at the right moment for us all to enjoy. Sorry for the delay but the wait will be worth it. Hope to see many of you at Pinkham Point in a couple weeks!


Tim's Nephew Colton age 2...Start em young!



Bruce in the 66 Mustang



'Skipper' aka Dock Dog and one of MANY!







Dave Hart barefootin with no rope!






















Kristen doing some Swiviling....she's very good and I was impressed. Good job girl









...and the graceful dismount.....



with a smile!