For the 10th year in a row I have gone to Sarasota to go powerboating on New Years Day, now know as the Joey Gratton Memorial Fun Run organized by Ryan Beckley.
This year I was lucky to have been able to trailer over a 2012 44 Skater with 1350 Mercury Racing power thanks to my great friend Chris Bradley. With the Powerboat Nation Cigarette still in rehab following Key West the opportunity to run a beautiful turn key, big power Skater was a nice change.
The event proved once again the great camaraderie of our community, with powerboats coming from all over the country to participate in the run. I was lucky to have a great crew with Mark and Kim Niemann along with some of their friends to help out on board the big Skater.
The entire Gratton family was at the event and it was wonderful to spend a little time with this great family. I know Joey is super proud of his sons Blake and Brock and you can really see and feel the measure of the truly great man through his sons.
2017 is going to be a great powerboating year and there is no better way by a long shot than starting the year off at the Joey Gratton Memorial Run.
I extend a huuuge thank you to Ryan Beckley and everyone else involved in continuing to bring us all together every new year.
BTW: The SKATER is FOR SALE
Check out all the photos here!
