By strict definition, summer ends on September 22. Yet for much of the high-performance boating population, it ended with the 37th annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout last Sunday. Now Labor Day weekend is here, and though the weather is still toasty in many parts of country there isn’t much in the way of organized event during the next three days.
There are three brand-specific exceptions to this—all at the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri. The final outings in Big Thunder Marine’s new-for-2025 Fountain Friday and Cigarette Saturday are on tap this weekend, as is the last run of second-year Sunny Sunday series produced by Performance Boat Center.
You could do all three if you happen to have something from Cigarette, Fountain and Sunsation at your docks.
On the offshore racing side, the inaugural Chicago Grand Prix happens this weekend. Produced by Race World Offshore and sanctioned by the first-year World Powerboat Racing Association, the event features two days of competition on Lake Michigan. Of the 18 teams registered so far, five are from the Super Cat class and four are from the Pro Class 1 ranks.
The Chicago affair leads into a decent month for the sport with the Powerboat P1-produced St. Petersburg Grand Prix—the final race of the Monster Energy Triple Crown Series offshore racing—sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association is set for September 5-7. Fans of the sport in Southwest Florida won’t have to wait long, much less travel far, for the next event. The Race World Offshore Clearwater ‘Nationals’ are scheduled for September 26-28.
On the pleasure-boating-event side, the resurgent Pirates of Lanier Poker Run returns to the North Georgia waterway September 11-13. So far more than 70 boats are signed up, according to new organizer Zach Martin. The Florida Powerboat Club Emerald Coast Powerboat Week follows September 18-21. Based in Destin, Fla., it is hands-down the marquee event of the month.
So there’s lots to do between now and October if you’re up for it. No need to take fall all that seriously.
At least until it really arrives.