MAHOGANY & MERLOT 2021 POSTPONED UNTIL 2022
At Mahogany and Merlot (M&M), we love Vintage Hydroplanes. The only thing we love more than the boats, are the amazing people who make the sport possible. That makes their safety our number one priority. We have spent the last several months planning to make M&M 2021 the biggest and best vintage hydroplane event on the West Coast. Unfortunately a huge spike in the number of patients needing hospitalization in North Central Washington has left the region's hospitals over crowded. To determine what type of Emergency Medical Services would be available if there was an accident, we reached out to Kent Sisson, the North Central Regional Emergency Response Coordinator for Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Grant and Kittitas counties. We spoke with Kent several times and he “strongly recommended that we not hold the event” because “we are currently at a point in which available hospital bed space is extremely limited. ICU bed space has been non-existent. . .” Not being content with one answer, we also contacted The Emergency Preparedness Director at Lake Chelan Hospital Ray Eickmeyer as well as the Emergency Medical Director at Central Washington Hospital. They both asked that we cancel M&M because there was no space at their hospitals. Monday morning Kaila Brownlee, the Community Liaison for the Chelan County Health District told us that things had not gotten better over the weekend and “Hospital rates have remained the same and it is recommended for us NOT to encourage large events at this time.” Not wanting to leave any option unexplored, we asked Bob Wartinger Co-Chairman of the APBA Safety and Rescue Committee as well as President of the UIM’s prestigious International Medical and Safety Commission, to assist us with finding Emergency Medical Services in the Chelan area. After thoroughly investigating the situation and evaluating the options he is strongly recommending that the event be postponed until 2022. We agree with the Public Safety Officials as well as ABPA's own safety experts and have reluctantly agreed to postpone M&M until 2022. This was a very difficult decision, but the entire Powerboat Racing Community is unanimous in taking a stand for safety. This decision has been reviewed and endorsed by: APBA President Chris Fairchild, APBA Vintage Chairman Jeff Buckley APBA Region 10 Chairman Aaron Stephens M&M Race Chairman and Hydroplane Museum Director David Williams M&M Chief Referee Patrick Gleason M&M Risk Manager Gordy Cole Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you back out on Lake Chelan in 2022! Mahogany & Merlot Vintage Hydroplane and Boat Show is an annual ‘on-the-water’ boat show and FREE family-friendly event! Each year we showcase Vintage Unlimited Hydroplanes, Vintage Inboard ‘Limited Class’ Hydroplanes and Antique & Classic Mahogany Runabouts from the Golden Era of pleasure boating. See them running exhibitions all weekend long!
Photos from 2017 Mahogany & Merlot.
Imagine up to ten big Unlimiteds thundering through the waters, recreating the action of earlier years. We are talking about boats like Miss Wahoo, Miss Budweiser, Miss Burien, Miss Thriftway, Atlas Van Lines, Pay 'n Pak and the newly restored Notre Dame! These same raceboats, now beautifully restored and preserved, will return to Lake Chelan next October. Hydro exhibition races will begin early Saturday morning (weather permitting!) and again on Sunday morning.
Also showcased will be up to 25 beautifully restored smaller inboards (limited class) Hydroplanes and Racing Runabouts. While the Unlimited Hydroplanes run the WWII Aircraft Power Plants, these vintage 'limited' class boats utilize a variety of automotive-based engines. You will also have the opportunity to purchase a "Pit Pass" to enter Thunder Alley presented by the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum so you can get up close to the boats and talk to the crews! On Saturday only, Mahogany & Merlot will once again continue along 'Mahogany Row' at Don Morse Park & Marina on beautiful Lake Chelan. Presented by the PNW Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society, meticulously restored Antique & Classic Mahogany Chris-Crafts, Centurys, Gar Woods and other makes from a bygone era will line the docks for your viewing and voting pleasure. In between looking at all the hydroplanes and boats, browse through our Vendor Village presented by The Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, with vendors offering an array of art, crafts, local produce, gifts, clothing, one of a kind items, vintage goodies, more. Don't forget - you can also enjoy all the action from our Lakefront Beer & Wine Garden featuring Vin du Lac Wines, ales from Mac & Jack's and great mixed drinks provided by Blue Spirits! There is so much to do at Mahogany & Merlot! Make plans now to come and enjoy a perfect weekend with the perfect entertainment! Proceeds benefit the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
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Presented by For more information or to be a sponsor of 2021's event, contact Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum Executive Director
David Williams at 206-764-9453 or ddw@aol.com Official Sponsors |