The ninth annual Kuttawa Cannonball Run in Old Kuttawa, Ky., opens today with a lunch run to Prizer Point Marina on the shores of Lake Barkley. A raft-up outside the marina follows. Using houseboats as a floating island, some 50 to 60 boats of the 120-plus vessels registered will be part of the afternoon fleet.
This hardly qualifies as riveting news, of course, but there is a story behind it. Not all raft-ups during go-fast boating uses houseboats as a focal point, a floating island so to speak.
The tale began five years ago on the Thursday night before the Friday Kuttawa lunch run. Then partners in a houseboat in Kuttawa Harbor Marine, Donnie and Cara MacLeod, Stephen and Heather Miles and a slew of family members and friends were celebrating Donnie MacLeod’s 40th birthday. The discussion turned to running separate boats the next morning, and the celebratory mood being what it was they decided leave their go-fast boats at the stocks, stick together and take the houseboat to the raft-up the following morning.
Deep in the party spirit, the tequila-fueled group decided to assemble his gift, a popcorn machine. A sea of popcorn on the floor greeted those who woke early, at least until Cara MacLeod’s got out the leaf blower. Given that it takes a solid hour-and-change to get from Kuttawa Harbor to Prizer Point, the boat left early.
The houseboat was the solo “island” for the run that year, but the idea took and the island grew. Last year’s raft-up centerpiece included three houseboats and a cruiser. A similar turnout is expected today, and a line of boats will from each side of the flotilla.
Light news, for sure, but the point is merely this: There is a story behind everything, and every now and then late-night ideas become traditions.—Matt Trulio