Battleship Run To Celebrate 35th Anniversary On Seneca Lake
Produced by the Rochester Offshore Powerboat Association in Upstate New York, the Battleship Run will turn 35 years old when it takes over Seneca Lake on July 18-19. To put that milestone in perspective, the Battleship affair is older than the Florida Powerboat Club’s Emerald Coast and Key West poker runs, the outfit’s longest-standing domestic events, which will celebrate their 33rd birthdays this year.
Without question, the Seneca Lake happening is among the longest-operating events in high-performance boating.
A family-oriented event, the Battleship Run on Seneca Lake will turn 35 years old this month. Photo by Rodney Olson.
By design and intent, it also is casual and small. Third-year Rochester Offshore Powerboat Association president Tom Warda, the only founding member still active with the club, said he is expecting 40 to 45 entries this year.
“Our run is very laid back, very comfortable and down to earth, and we like it that way,” Warda explained. “Our limit is 55 boats. We had 75 boats one year and it wasn’t a lot of fun because we don’t have many places that can handle that many boats.
“The Battleship run quite possibly is the most-comfortable boating event in the country,” he continued. “We may not have five-star hotels and brand-new floating docks, but I honestly believe that we have the nicest people running and attending this event that you will find anywhere.”
A unique MTI 40 R/P catamaran will be in the 2025 Battleship Run mix. Photo by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.
This time around, a one-of-a-kind MTI catamaran will be in the fleet. Upstate New York’s Kelly O’Hara is bringing his carbon fiber 40-foot race/pleasure catamaran to the event.
“The Battleship Run has been a success for 35 years mainly due to the fun friendly atmosphere created by the ROPA team of directors and volunteers,” O’Hara said. “The friendships created or renewed each year at this event make it a summer highlight for so many boaters.
The event derived its name, at least in part, from what Warda described as “U.S Navy floating facility” moored near the middle of the 37-mile-long waterway. It was a frequent sight during club outings on the waterway.
A longtime performance-boating fan, Warda owns an outboard-engine-powered 22-foot Progression sportboat.
“What was done there was always shrouded in secrecy,” Warda added. “So we decided to name our fun runs after the popular Battleship board game since we were focused on safe, family-oriented fun. Thus a legend was born and continues to this day.”
Registration for the 2025 Battleship Run is still open.
Editor’s note: Joining O’Hara in his 40-foot catamaran, the author will be on scene at the 2025 Battleship Run.
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Portfolio: Rodney Olson
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