Spring Fun Run Kicks Off Performance Boat Center Occasion-Season

From begin to end, final Saturday’s Performance Boat Center Spring Fun Run on the Lake of the Ozarks felt extra like a long-awaited household reunion than a boating occasion for the 65 middle console, catamaran and V-bottom sportboat house owners and their company who participated within the Osage Beach, Mo., dealership’s annual season-opener. Owners Brett Manire, Mark Waddington and their group work laborious to create that ambiance, and as soon as once more their dedication confirmed.

The eleventh annual Performance Boat Center Spring Fun Run boasted a 65-boat turnout and its amazingly mellow vibe. Photo by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.

“Calm and easy-going vibes, that is what this event is all about,” Brett Marine mentioned and grinned. “We’ve been doing this run for 11 years and it’s had constructive outcomes ever since day one from the folks, boats, ambiance and most significantly the climate.

“I’m so happy to see all the familiar faces after this long cold winter—it feels great to finally defrost,’ he added, then laughed. “My team and I have hit every Fort Myers Offshore, and Florida Powerboat Club Run this winter but there’s nothing like being on your home-water hosting your own event.”

Waddington agreed. “This is a great day to have a great day,” he mentioned. “I can’t give enough credit to our service department for getting everyone ready for this run.”

As it has for the previous 11 years, the run started after the standard morning breakfast and welcome tackle at Performance Boat Center headquarters. The first cease was the Cave Bar and Grill in Camdenton. From there individuals had the choice of heading to Big Dick’s Halfway Inn in Gravois Mills or Fish And Company in Camdenton earlier than returning to Performance Boat Center and the adjoining Lakeside Grill in Yacht Club.

The eclectic fleet departed Performance Boat Center late Saturday morning.

South Carolina’s Davey Tharp, who took supply of a Performance Powerboats P360 catamaran color-matched to his Sunsation 32 CCX middle console through the 2025 Spring Fun Run, was again within the combine. Though Tharp mentioned he plans to make use of each boats on his native waterways this summer season, he’ll be again for the Lake of Ozarks Shootout in late August.

“The best part about these runs for me is getting out front of the pack to get away from all the sporty water conditions,” he mentioned, then chuckled.

Hard to overlook for its sheer mass, Ron Szolack’s 46-foot Tom Cat Skater catamaran powered by Mercury Racing 1550/1350 engines was a show-stealer. Szolack had deliberate to host earlier Tom Cat house owners Todd and Danielle Fountain and speedomthewater.com writer Matt Trulio at his lakefront dwelling for the weekend, however a household occasion got here up for the Fountains and Trulio’s Friday flight out of Sarasota, Fla., bought scrubbed.

But Szolack doesn’t lack for keen passengers, so he didn’t need to run solo.

“It’s the first run of the year and a great time to stretch the legs on Tom Cat,” he mentioned. “I love Tom Cat—I’m so happy to have it back. It handles the big water with ease.”

Enjoy extra pictures from Saturday’s occasion.

Currently internet hosting an house owners occasion within the Bahamas, MTI nonetheless had a powerful presence on its home-water. Among the Wentzville, Mo., firm’s loyal purchasers who loved the day was Scott Garth of Champagne, Ill., who ran MTI-V 42 middle console powered by quad Mercury Racing 450R outboard engines.

Garth is a giant fan of Performance Boat Center-produced occasions. And for good motive.

The Tom Cat Skater was a beast to behold on the Lake of the Ozarks.

“I’ve made new friends on every run,” he defined. “This group of individuals are what makes these occasions wonderful and worthwhile. The individuals are nice. And it’s even higher when we’ve heat climate and clear skies.

“I plan on spending as much time at the lake as I can and put many hours on my MTI,” he concluded. “I can’t wait to spend time with old friends and meet new ones along the way. There’s no place like Lake of the Ozarks.”

MTI had its sometimes sturdy exhibiting of catamarans and middle consoles eventually weekend’s affair.

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