REAL Exclusive Magazine Aboard The Budweiser Turn Boat

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REAL Extreme: Aboard The Budweiser Turn Boat

By Ed Bertha

Photography by Ed Bertha

Guests boarded John and Denise Saputo’s 61 foot Viking cruiser, Golden Eagle III, at 9:00 am, Sunday July 1st. Once upon board, the Saputo’s hospitality was extraordinary. Taking everything in I thought, “What a day we are going to have!”

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With the sun shining brightly Golden Eagle III cast off from the Sarasota Yacht club to its destination and important assignment for the day, Turn Marker Three for the Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix. The large yacht would be the signal for the race boats to make the hairpin turn, a position the Golden Eagle III’s owners have held for over a decade.

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Since the races began in 1985 net proceeds from the Grand Prix Festival have constructed over $14 million dollars worth of facilities serving special needs children and adults. Net proceeds raised this year will help maintain these facilities so that the non-profit agencies who occupy the buildings can direct their program and service money towards the clients they serve. Agencies currently occupying these facilities include The Florida Center, Children First, Community Haven, Sarasota County Special Olympics, and Loveland Center. The philanthropy of the event made the day all that more incredible.

Upon casting off, John blew the bosun’s whistle, calling all front and center to the ship’s galley where he called to order a very important safety meeting. With everyone’s attention on him, he detailed many safety procedures critical for our assignment aboard the turn boat, an exciting, adrenaline filled position to watch the super boats race at speeds approaching 170 miles per hour, but also a potentially dangerous one. John warned that we could be impacted by one of the super boats should it lose control and we would, “Have about 8 seconds to make a decision to jump.”

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John explained evacuating the vessel into the Gulf of Mexico’s water could put us in even more dangerous territory. Jumping off the boat, could mean entering into water serving as the race track screaming with speeding vessels, all with one goal; go fast and win. “Collisions of race boats and turn boats has happened before,” he emphasized. If sensing an impact, we were instructed to jump into the center of the track, not outside, eliminating a possible death trap; jumping into the race way. I quickly and clearly understood why I had to sign a release of liability and litigation to board the turn boat.

Everyone’s adrenaline was on fire and there was an amazing energy of excitement in the air. Denise passed out motion sickness pills as once we were positioned; the only way to get off the boat was to stop the race. We set anchor at turn three, with the Golden Eagle III positioned perfectly to enjoy the action of the race. The Budweiser signs were hung, the turn three flag unveiled and we all took our positions to enjoy the race.

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I was informed that the best viewing area for the media was to enter the wheel house, carefully crawl through the rear window to the sundeck and climb up to the wheel house roof. It certainly was the best spot, a 360 degree unobstructed view of the gulf and race course. The only better seats would be in a helicopter. There were no handrails to balance or secure one’s self and the waves generated by the gulf’s waters, accentuated by the passing race boats, were enough to create a precarious situation, let alone keeping an eye out for a potential impact by one of the race boats. Regardless, it was the roof top where I was enthralled by the racing boats whipping past, barely missing the turn boat and enjoying eye contact with the helicopter’s pilots and passengers blazing by within arms-reach.

I was amazed by the helicopters zipping around the track, just feet and sometimes inches above the race boats. Often they were just inches above the water too, and you couldn’t help to cringe at how close their blades were to the water (and sometimes us). The pilots and crew of the helicopters just smiled and waved as they passed by.

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Being a little too close to the action, I crawled through the maze of people back to the aft deck and made my way down to the main deck. Repositioning myself with a group on the bow I was soon educated about the race. Dangling our legs over the side of the boat and I learned all about the class system, the markings on the boats and the multiple race categories.

Between races we were treated to lunch and everyone relaxed getting out of the sun. Some in the group just couldn’t get enough sun and frolicking in the gulf was in order. The more adventurous took to the wheel house roof where jumping into the gulf quickly turned into diving; a bit too dangerous for me as we were only in about 10 feet of water. Soon it was almost 1:00 pm and everyone took their positions again as race two was about to begin. All over again, it was so much fun, wow!

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John Saputo explains, “Being aboard the turn boat for the Grand Pix, exciting as it is, the responsibility and liability is tremendous but the adrenaline is unsurpassable. The risk of being the turn boat has the reward of love of life and ability to support an event that helps our community.” Our day over I can say I’m now hooked on the Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix!

Thank you John and Denise!

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