Lake Clinton Il, fall 2015

Hey, you guys think Joel's hot pocket is done yet? I threw a extra log on the fire when we left sunday just to finish it off....hope that was enough! Had a very busy week at work traveling so didn't have time to post on thoughts but I have a ton of them!

I must say that even though Saturday was a bit tough on the water, the potluck dinner more than made up for it! With everyone's contributions we had one of the best potluck dinners I have ever taken part it! It was a heck of a lot of fun to both help cook and watch all the conversation happening in the background. I do think this guy had a grin on his face just watching everyone having fun visiting with people only seen a time or two a year. If you didn't make it....you missed out for sure! Thanks again to all those who brought food and contributed!

Yes, it was great seeing all the boats ranging from the mid 60's to the most recent correct craft but most importantly it was seeing the people. GL has always been a bit of a cornerstone to see people from all over but this gathering was probably a bit more fun because there were people there that I hadn't met such as Brian, Norm, and Mike Mars. Then we got to see the Lichtenstein family and a surprise appearance by Brian and Deb! Always good to see local people that aren't "regulars" but feel like "regulars" to the CCF family. Then we get the die hard travelers called the Riley's and the Leinen's who came from Wisconsin and Indiana. Always love seeing the" killer whale" and rob's new ride at Clinton. Nice upgrade Rob! And the long haul award goes to the Mars family. You definitely know how to ride in style but most importantly I appreciate the information you bring about these old boats. I really enjoyed listening the Chris talk about all these old CC's along with Brendella's and others around a good campfire. Priceless!

If you haven't caught on yet I had a blast at the 2o15 Clinton gathering. Yes the lake sucked Saturday but Sunday more than made up for it!! there was enough excellent water and sunshine for all the people to do what they wanted. I got some of my best slalom sets in along with watching Evan ski a few times. I want to give a big shout out to Zach for giving me pointers on landing my first successful deep start barefoot off the boom. The water level is a bit lower at the lake now but that is ok....I accomplished my 2015 goal for barefooting so I am very very happy! Thanks again Zach!

Folks, we have big shoes to fill for 2016!!! Also I am glad I can entertain with my drunken toddisms! Elmer Fudd aims to please!

Well Brian looks like you made it,no pictures of a tow!

M3Fan wrote: 81nautique wrote: M3Fan wrote: "Alan Slalom" Set speed is 29.5? Tell me there is someone else on the boat with the name "Alan"! You kill me Joel, I knew you would see that. And you are correct that's my preset but it was altered for some other skiers. Next time I'm in your boat I'll reprogram that to a real speed and then lock you out of it

My preset is 33 mph and I free ski at 28' Off.   Good enough for someone chasing imaginary bouys.

remember we're on a river so on a typical day I will adjust the speed depending on whether I'm heading up or downstream and current strength.   I've tried river mode and it's not worth the bother, we adjust manually to conditions

M3Fan wrote: "Alan Slalom" Set speed is 29.5? Tell me there is someone else on the boat with the name "Alan"!

You kill me Joel, I knew you would see that. And you are correct that's my preset but it was altered for some other skiers.

sunday
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Saturday night- Zach's clean brown machine
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Not super ideal weather Saturday but a blast none the less. Big thanks to Brian and Norm for feeding me the whole weekend and good company, Alan and Dana for sharing time Saturday morning and Sunday to go skiing and some much needed skiing advice, Tim for taking me on another run Sunday and letting me try out your gear. Todd and Renee for their hospitality both Friday and Saturday nights. Good to met and chat with some great people from CCF I hadn't met yet. The extremely warm clean water was a real treat, defiantly wont be the last time I'm there!

Looks like a blast, water that warm crazy

C-Bass wrote: Unrelated threadjack...I assume that's Steve's Ford Escape. How does it tow? I assume it has the 2.0L.

Ford Escape with 2.0 Ecoboost. It tows fine. Boat and motor hanging weight is just under 2100 lbs empty- no gear, trailer must weigh about 1000lbs. I am guessing I am right at the max tow capacity of 3500 lbs. Gas mileage drops from around 24 mpg (at 77 mph) to around 14 mpg (at a slightly lower average speed).

It was my first time!

I thought I was actually going fast. Guess not.

81nautique wrote: Proof that it runs, this was early Saturday and they had to be frozen solid!

I relinquished the helm to Hollywood and had no idea how much warmth that little console and windshield actually provided...

Hollywood, dude, TRIM up - that thing is FIRMLY planted.

Proof that it runs, this was early Saturday and they had to be frozen solid!


Only way to stay warm was in the water.


They were either sinking or getting ready to surf, RJ and his gang.


Don't think we quite hit 70 on Saturday but the water was toasty as usual.


It did start to clear up late Saturday and the sun finally came out but we were committed to warming up by the fire and getting some food cooking so not much skiing. Still a great day on the water though and Sunday was actually one of the nicest fall days we've ever spent on the lake.   See ya next year.

My dad during some of the glamour shots shoot on the Bass Nautique for this years calendar.

The bass is suffering from an OLD ignition switch. Power to the solenoid, spun the starter, so I am not worried, just have to trouble shoot the switch - it is 30 years old.

That ski, was actually made by my Dad. They used to use it in the Dubuque Water Ski Shows. Has a big scoop on it to give the rooster tail. It was great to see it on the water again, thanks Hollywood!

Most folks rolled in Friday late afternoon or evening. A couple of boats made it out on the water that evening.

Saturday was cool, cloudy and windy. Most of us tied off in a cove and soaked in the warm water for a few hours before enjoying a good potluck dinner, drinks and stories around the campfire.

Sunday was a much better day on the water for those that were able to stick around. There was skiing, boarding, surfing, even some footin' going on. The air temps were still cool, but the sunshine and calmer winds made a world of difference compared to the day before.

It was good to see some familiar faces and to meet some new ones. I think RJ's wife was snapping some pictures. Hopefully they will post soon.

It was so frickin cold, I don't think anybody was willing to get out of the water to operate a camera...

Hope you all had a great time on the warm waters of Clinton.
I would like to join you there some time- Seems like a great idea for early spring and late fall. Water temps here in MA are still in the lower to mid 70s.
-Brad