What is the ‘2009 Sunsation Raft Off Event’ being held in conjunction with the Harrison Twp. OPA race?

The Sunsation raft off is a long weekend get together of fellow Sunsation owners and customers of other brand performance boats who have received a special invitation. This is our way of facilitating a gathering of boaters who enjoy the social aspect of high performance boats and an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. It also coincides with the Harrison Township OPA races and this event provides a format to enjoy the races and support our local community. The festivities begin on Friday afternoon and last until Sunday afternoon.

When is the Sunsation Raft Off/ OPA RACE?

July 24th, 25th, and 26th

Mark you calendars!

Who is invited to the Sunsation Raft Off?

All Sunsation owners and their guests. However this year we are also opening registration to any other boat brand and their owners. If you have not received a notice in the mail about the owners Raft off, be sure to call Sunsation to get on the mailing list. Also, if you have a friend with another brand boat you would like to have join us this year, please let us know and forward this info on to them.


Do I need to have/wear life vest?

This is not formally a run, this is a gathering of high performance boat enthusiasts. You can choose to never leave the dock if you wish and simply come for the social aspect. We do highly encourage all boaters to wear life vests while underway on the water.


Can my buddy with his 'Brand X' tag along?

You better believe it! This year is all about changing up the status quo. We are adapting to the economic climate of the year and see this as an opportunity to gather the boating community together for a fun and relaxing weekend away from the stresses of our market.  The non-Sunsation boats are granted a very special invitation to the raft off event this year!

Entry Fee… this thing costs money?!?

$75 That’s it!

 

Sounds pretty cheap for a three day event, what is included with the fee?

 

“Hot Grill” an open cookout dinner on Friday night where Sunsation will provide a “Hot Grill”

Each guest is responsible for their own food, we will provide the grill.

Two cold breakfasts: on Saturday and Sunday mornings, offering fruits and veggies, cereal, milk and OJ

 

A reserved luncheon at Jacks Waterfront Bistro on Saturday is scheduled from 11:30-1:30 Pay-As-You-Go

Also included is reserved boat docking Friday, Saturday and until 10:30 Sunday morning with all the electrical and water hookups you need. Your assigned slip will be reserved for you all weekend which means you can leave your lines and shore power if you like. Your slip will be waiting when you get back from the lake.

 

Shuttle Buses provided to and from Beacon Cove Marina to the OPA Dry Pits. The shuttles will be running from Metro to a local establishment for dinner Saturday evening beginning.

Do I have to pull my boat out at the end of each night?

Absolutely not! The slip is yours for the entire weekend. People can launch on Friday afternoon and not pull out until Sunday afternoon. This privilege is included in your Raft Off fee. Typical procedure for everyone else at Metro Beach marina is that once you've left your slip, it is gone and some other boat will grab it from you. Not during the Sunsation Raft Off! Once you've laid claim in your stake on the docks, it's yours for the weekend. Another great advantage of this relaxing summer event!


Can I sleep on my boat each night?

Of Course!

Do I want to sleep on my boat each night?

That is entirely up to you. There are plenty of hotels with in driving distance of Metro Beach. Check our accommodations page for details. However most attendees will stay on their boats.


How / Where / When do I register come the day of the event?

First thing you do is walk over to the docks and find your assigned slip. Your slip will have a colored index card with a number on it.

Next, take the numbered card with your slip number to the registration office near the boat docks and talk to one of the lovely Sunsation ladies. They will give you a bag of goodies that will include an itinerary of the OPA races and a listing of where the raft off’s will take place.

OK, I'm sold on the accommodations and marina… can you tell me about the actual Raft Off Plans?

There will be limitless options for participants of the Raft Off Weekend. Some boats will head to Detroit Saturday morning to do a fun run by the riverfront. Some may run up the channels while many may decide to sleep in and relax Saturday morning! It is entirely up to you what and how much you do!

 

Sunsation has reserved the space along the river for docking and the waterfront rooms at Jacks for a luncheon from 11:30 to 1:30. This space is reserved for participants of the raft off and OPA race crews. However, it is traditional restaurant style dining with a full menu, so you can dine anywhere you like or just pack a lunch if you prefer.

 

We have planned an official raft off in Muscamoot bay commencing at 1:30 on Saturday lasting until you want to leave! However, shuttle busses will begin running between the Metro beach headquarters to Buffalo Wild Wings in downtown Mt. Clemens at 5:30 pm so keep this in mind if you plan to shuttle downtown for dinner and festivities. From Downtown, busses will run to Beacon Cove for the party at their Marina lasting into the night. This will be another great location to mingle with fellow power boaters and OPA race Teams and Crews.

 

What kind of speeds will we be traveling?

This is not a run, it is a Raft Off. We encourage every power boater to exercise caution and run their boats at safe speeds while on the lake.

How long does the Raft Off last on Saturday?

1:30pm till ???

Saturday sounds like fun, but what happens on Sunday? THE BIG RACE!!

Sunday we have an exciting Raft Off planned. We have worked alongside the OPA Race organizers to provide a front row location along the straightaway in front of Beacon Cove Marina where each registered participant can raft off together to watch the race unfold right in front of us! The race has a scheduled start time of 12:30 which means all boats interested in participating in this raft off location will need to be anchored and tied up between 11:00 11:45 or you will not have access to the location. The race Safety crews must close the course 30 minutes prior to the race so no boats will be allowed access to our area after this strictly enforced time.

 

Sounds like fun, where will the Raft Off be headquartered?

Metropolitan Beach (more commonly called: Metro Beach)
31300 Metro Parkway
Mt. Clemens MI 48046-6905
(800) 477-3172

Distance from large metropolitan areas:

Chicago IL: 300 miles

Ft.Wayne IN: 220 miles
Albany NY: 540 miles (via Ontario)
St. Louis MO: 575 miles
Virginia Beach VA: 750 miles
Atlanta GA: 750 miles
Kansas City MO: 815 miles
Oahu HI: 4480 miles

Dubai UAE: 8900 miles (via Northwest Air)

Metro Beach is a publicly owned and operated marina on the western shore of Lake St Clair. It is a HUGE marina with plenty of docking

The launch ramp at Metro is perfectly capable of handling Sunsation’s and powerboats of all sizes. There is a nominal fee to use the launch ramp that is not covered in the raft off fee

 

What if I want to come, but I don’t know anyone involved?

 

Just give us a call at the Sunsation Factory or shoot us an email, we will be glad to help you!

810-794-4888 or by email on our contact page on the website at www.sunsationboats.com/contact.asp

 

 

This is going to be a great weekend, we hope to see you there!