High-Performance Powerboat Fans Renewing Wyoming Snowmobiling Tradition
From offshore racers such as New York’s Billy Mauff to go-fast pleasure-boat owners including Minnesota-based Adam Seraphine, performance-boating enthusiasts began converging yesterday in the far-flung locale of Saratoga, Wyoming, for an annual snowmobile rally. Hosted by former offshore Michael “Doc” Janssen, the owner of the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort host-venue, the speed-on-the frozen-water meetup has been happening for more than a decade.
Speedonthewater.com co-publisher Jason Johnson and his wife, Stephanie, were among the early participants.
Some of the best-known members of the go-fast boating community are hitting the snow in Wyoming this weekend.
“The weekend at Doc’s is always a blast,” said Johnson, who later returned to enjoy the event with a longtime friend. “Saratoga is remote, but that’s part of what makes it such a great adventure. The lodge is cozy. The hot springs are super cool. And the group that shows up every year is amazing.”
A few years later, former speedonthewater.com national advertising sales manager Ryan Johnson got into the act.
In addition to those who wouldn’t miss it, each year’s event sees newcomers such as Snook and his wife, Melissa, who own a beautifully redone 47-foot Fountain. The couple hauled their sleds more than 1,400 miles from their home in Mancelona, Mich., to the Sarasota property.
Saratoga adventure novices, Justin and Melissa logged 1,400-plus miles on the road to be there.
The Snooks arrived Wednesday and hit the trails Thursday.
“Snow conditions weren’t the best but they also weren’t the worst,” said Justin. “We found some deep stuff on the backsides of the mountains and in the trees.”
Though the Snooks brought their own snowmobiles, the resort offers rental sleds as well as all the requisite snow gear required to keep guests from freezing solid.
“I didn’t get as many pictures as I had hoped I would,” said Justin. “I just kind of locked it all in my mind.”
Today, the couple will be joined by their performance-boat lovers for another mountain adventure. The nightly parties—including Saturday’s evening’s costume affair—in the Saratoga Lodge are sure to enhance to their adventure.
The wide-open terrain is heaven for power-loving snowmobile fanatics.
“It should be fun,” said Justin.
A longtime participant, Seraphine explained the event’s appeal—and why he’ll never miss it if possible.
“We love coming out to see our boating friends in a different environment—it’s an experience that’s tough to replicate anywhere else,” he said, then chuckled. “And of course, it’s a chance to hang out with (fellow Minnesota-based go-fast catamaran owner) Jeremy Tschida.
“Last night a group of us—Jeremy Tschida, Billy Mauff, Rusty Williams and John and Julie Tokar—went to the Cheyenne Club at Brush Creek for dinner,” he added. “The place is amazing, and it has a 36,000-bottle wine collection.”
Whatever fuzziness remains from last night’s feast will surely clear with today’s ride.
Said Seraphine (center in red pullover), “It’s an experience that’s tough to replicate anywhere else.”
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