23rd Annual Fall Harbor Hop at Lake of the Ozarks

23rd Annual Fall Harbor Hop Logo
The 23rd Annual Fall Harbor Hop is a poker run on the waters of The Lake of the Ozarks that is always held the second week in October. The First Annual Fall Harbor Hop was organized by Randy Kelly of Kelly’s Marina in 1985 as a vehicle for Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealer’s Association to draw more visitors during Autumn. Now the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor’s Bureau manages the event, and has since created the sister event, The Spring Harbor Hop, held the first weekend in May. The Spring Harbor Hop and the Fall Harbor Hop bookend the boating season, although neither mandates the beginning or ending of boating the Lake of the Ozarks.

Both the Spring and Fall Harbor Hops are looked forward to by power boaters and boating enthusiast each year. “Hoppers” draw a playing card at lakeside bars, restaurants, and marinas. The “dealers” locations are along the Main Channel, the Gravois Arm, and the Big Niangua Arm and each location is more than worthy of making it one of your stops. The objective to any poker run, whether on water by boat, or land on motorcycles, is to build a winning poker hand. Start your run at any of the 37 sponsor dealers and draw your first card. The rest of your hand is drawn as you “hop” to 6 other dealer locations and the hand is complete when you draw your seventh card. The completed hand is turned in at the dealer location where you draw your last card. You must turn in your completed hand by 7:00 p.m., Saturday October 11th, 2008 and winners are notified by mail.

Hoppers can play more than one seven card hand (each hand is an optional $15 donation) and new this year, an optional 8th Bonus card can be drawn for an additional $5. Prizes are based on entry donations and Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau retains sixty percent for administering the program and promoting Lake of the Ozarks. Forty percent will be paid to the participants in the form of gift certificates with the following prize allocations:

1st Place - 10%
2nd Place - 9%
3rd Place - 8%
4th Place - 7% each
5th - 10th Place - 5% each
4 Worst Hands - 4% each
Random Drawing for 10 Hands - 2% each
(all ties will share the allocated percentage for the placing)

In addition to the regular prize winners, a section winner will also be recognized. To be eligible to be a section winner, a player must draw all seven (7) cards within one of the four sections.

Atlantis Island Condos is located at the 3.5 mile marker of the Main Channel which is Section II of the Harbor Hop. Our friendly staff will be more than happy to show you around the island and explain the details of our Columbus Day Closeout pricing. Original pricing has been discounted by thirty-five percent and includes a 32’x12’ boat slip, with a thirty day closing. Now, more than ever, is the time to claim Atlantis Island as your island vacation retreat.

Hercules heads towards it's new home at Port Of Atlantis Island

Checkpoints Gravois Arm -Section1

8 mm: Richard Knoggin's Pub & Grill

7 mm: Hillbilly Yacht Club Restaurant & Bar

7mm: Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar & Grill #1

7mm: Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar & Grill #2

5mm (Soap Creek): Gas Hole at Beauty View

5mm: Westport Yacht Club

3.5 mm (Mill Creek): Three Pigs on the Water

Checkpoints Dam, Main Channel, 10 mm -Section II

3 mm: Glencove Marina

3 mm: Village Marina & Yacht Club

4 mm: Bait & Bagel Marina

4 mm: Docknockers Beach Bar & Grill

7 mile cove: Horny Toad Entertainment Complex

7 mile cove: Shady Gators #1

7 mile cove: Shady Gators #2

7 mile cove: Toad Cove/Tropical Sunsations

8 mm: Bobber's Restaurant at Alhonna Resort

10 mm (Lynch Cove): Frankie and Louie's Beach Front Bar and Grill

The Toad at Toad Cove

Bait N Bagel Marina at The Lake of the Ozarks

Shady Gators, across the cove from The Horny Toad

Checkpoints 13mm - 24 mm, Main Channel -Section III

13 mm (Chimney Cove): Bambooze / Point Oasis Marina

16 mm: MarineMax/ Port Arrowhead Marina

17.5 mm: Backwater Jack's Restaurant & Bar

1 mm Glaize Arm: Dave Mungenast Yacht Club Marina

1 mm Glaize Arm: Bridgeview Marina & Ship Store

19 mm: Dog Days Restaurant & Bar #1

19 mm: Dog Days Restaurant & Bar #2

19 mm: Kelly's Port Marina

21.2 mm (Woodland Cove): Shorty Pants at Salty Dog Marina

21.5 mm: Glencove at The Knolls

24 mm: Paradise Tropical Restaurant & Bar

Dog Days Restaurant at the 19 mile marker

Checkpoints 28.5 mm - 47 mm, Main Channel & Big Niangua Arm -Section IV

28.5 mm: Miller's Landing Restaurant & Bar

2 mm (Linn Creek Cove): Fish & Co. Restaurant & Bar

31 mm: Captain's Galley Restaurant & Bar

33 mm: Bull Dogs Beach House (Tequillaville)

34.5 mm: Captain Ron's Bar & Grill

35 mm (Hurricane Deck): Pirates Point Gas Dock

38 mm: Bear Bottom Resort, Restaurant & Lounge

47 mm: Halfway Inn Restaurant & Bar

Captain Ron's Bar & Grill at Buccaneer Bay

Interview with Jenni Dunbar of Under Destruction Racing (Offshore Super Series)

Atlantis Island Condos had the chance to catch up with Jenni Dunbar of Under Destruction Racing after their whirlwind rookie season in the Offshore Super Series. Under Destruction took second place overall in the super vee lite class, missing the National Championship Title to Wild Ride by just one point.


Jenni Dunbar of Under Destruction Racing gives the thumbs up. Picture by offshoresuperseries.com

Mark and Jenni are a husband/wife team out of Highlandville, MO. Mark handles the driving chores, while Jenni fulfills the teams “need for speed” with the throttle. Under Destruction’s amazing rookie turnout makes them serious contenders for the 2009 OSS season which kicks off towards the end of March in Biloxi, Mississippi at the Smokin’ The Sound event. Expect to see Mark and Jenni Dunbar at the top of the point standings when the OSS National Championship rolls into Lake of the Ozarks for the finale next season.

Mark & Jenni Dunbar at the 2008 Offshore Super Series Awards. Picture by offshoresuperseries.com

Atlantis Island Condos: Wow, what a rookie year! What prompted you and Mark to throw your hats into the ring of powerboat racing?
Jenni Dunbar: We have raced alot of things, Mark races dirt bikes, 4 wheelers and drag cars and I got into racing 4 wheelers about 3 years ago, but as for boat racing we started out as fans. We went to several of the races and got to meet some of the other racers and just decided to give it a try. So far we really enjoy it.

AIC: Under Destruction took two checkered flags in 2008. Which victory was the sweetest for you, Lake Havasu City, or Lake of the Ozarks?
JD: You know both of them were great. Havasu because it was our first win ever was awesome, but also Lake of the Ozarks because it finished out our season and proved that it wasn't just luck on the first win and it made it such a close race for the national championship title. We had no idea where we had ended up in points until the awards and we were pinched out by 1 point.

AIC: Describe the action inside the cockpit during a lap…
JD: The action changes all the time depending on where you are on the course and how many boats are around you. The corners can be quite intense, especially the first one because we are all wanting the same thing, to come out of that first corner in front. We talk alot about where the other boats are, how fast we are going, and we only yell a little! There is a lot to be in control of inside the boat and a lot of gauges and other things to pay attention to.

AIC: There was confusion in some circles (mine included) concerning the National Champion title. Wild Ride took the title in your class (Vee Lite) by just one point. Can you explain the scoring system for those of us who are new fans to the sport?
JD: Points are assesed from each race in the series depending on how you finish. 1st place gets 100 points, 2nd gets 95, 3rd gets 91, 4th gets 88, and so on. You are allowed to miss one race and get last place points, if you miss another you don't get any. The most accumulated points at the last race wins.

AIC: You are the only female "throttle man" on the circuit. Do you think that some of the other teams may have underestimated you and Mark because of this?
JD: Yes I definitely know they did because they told us. They thought Mark was crazy to have me in the boat and that we wouldn't last long. But after the first few races they realized we were here to stay and were a force to be reckoned with. We definitely proved ourselves to the other racers and to ourselves.

AIC: Powerboat racing has been referred to as "NASCAR on the water". What are some of the similarities?
JD: There are more similarities in the super vee lite class than in the others. We actually start in a 2 x 2 grid formation. Our boats all have the same Mercury 525 engines. It is a spec class. We run as hard as our boats will go. We run a points system. We have sponsor stickers all over our boats. And if we happen to crash it would be like hitting concrete.

AIC: What do you think needs to happen to thrust the Offshore Super Series into the national spotlight?
JD: I think we would need better tv coverage, and good race venues where you can see all of the action that our races have to offer, and bigger sponsors to help get offshore racing out to the public to where when you say I'm going to an offshore powerboat race they know exactly what you are talking about.

AIC: If you could have any sponsor in the whole wild world, who would you want it to be?
JD: That’s a difficult one, right now we would just like a big sponsor, but the best sponsor is one that enjoys the sport and wants to be involved in all of the aspects of it. We can give the same advertising exposure as a billboard but ours is traveling and is a fraction of the cost of most businesses advertising expenses for a couple of months and we are seen by 10,000 people or more on a race weekend.

AIC: Any changes being planned for the boat for your sophomore season?
JD: More speed of course, that’s what everyone wants. We are going to do some testing with some different props and just get more comfortable with the boat and replace things that are worn. Just normal maintenance.

Under Destruction team members Jenni and Mark Dunbar with the checkered flag from their Offshore Super Series debut at Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Picture by underdestructionracing.com

Team Under Destruction takes their second checkered flag of the 2008 season at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Picture by offshoresuperseries.com

Atlantis Island Condos congratulates Under Destruction for a phenomenal rookie showing, all the Offshore Super Series teams for a superb season, and to the following teams for their hard fought 2008 OSS National Championship Titles:

Vee Lite-Wild Ride

Vee-Miccosukee

Cat OB-Fluid Sealing Products

Turbine Extreme-Miss Geico

Cat Lite-AMSOIL

Cat Supercharged-WHM

Extreme-CRC

To learn more about Under Destruction Racing please visit their website. You can contact Jenni and Mark Dunbar at underdestructionracing@gmail.com
For more information about Atlantis Island Condos and our Offshore Super Series National Championships views please visit our website. For more pictures of the racing action at the Lake of the Ozarks please visit our image gallery.

How much is Venus 203?

Venus is the second completed building on Atlantis Island, near Jackson Branch Cove (3.5 mile marker) of the Lake of the Ozarks. Named after the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, Venus features commanding main channel views and is adjacent to the pool and piazza.

Venus 203 is close to both the pool and the piazza

Venus 203 is a middle unit on the second level and is just steps away from the popular piazza. This unit falls under our lowest price point and has been reduced to only $159,900, and includes a 32’x12’ boat slip, with a 30 day closing. Even with the original pricing of $182,900, this unit was a steal. The new 24k price reduction makes this unit hard to pass up and adds a lot to the decorating budget for this 3 bedroom, 2 bath unit.

This unit has 9’ ceilings and an open floor plan that capitalizes on it’s majestic Lake of the Ozarks views. Walking through your front door, your eyes are drawn to the lake that is your backyard, visible through the panoramic 12’ glass door that leads to your covered terrace. Your terrace will quickly become one of your favorite spots in your home on Atlantis Island. Measuring at 14’9” x 11’6” it is roomy enough for grilling out steaks and shrimp on the barbie, but also cozy enough to relax on a chaise lounge with the latest beach book while the sailboats drift by on the water in front of you and the ceiling fan blends in with the lake breeze.

The lake greets you as you enter V203

Middle Unit Floor Plan, Atlantis Island Condos

The unit is upgraded with Weston Noce 18” ceramic tile in the entryway, kitchen, dining area, main bath, and master suite bath. The large tile really stands out and lends a sophisticated touch to the unit as a whole. The kitchen has been upgraded to black appliances that bring a classic eye-catching contrast to the windswept bronze counter top and brownstone light fixtures in the kitchen and dining area. Above the breakfast bar, the decorative gold/black/copper lighting fixture, ties the color scheme together and sets a relaxed, warm, homey feel to the unit.

Venus 203 Kitchen

Decorative lighting fixture above the Windswept Bronze breakfast bar

The 17’6”x17’4” family room has standard carpet that is maple syrup oatmeal in color and the focal points are the electric fireplace and the 12’ panoramic insulated glass doors that lead to your terrace. The space above the fireplace is pre-wired for your plasma television. The light fixture is brownstone, as are the other light fixtures in the other living spaces.

The space above the fireplace is perfect for plasma televisions

The 16’x14’ master suite is a retreat for the couple of the house. Designed with the Lake in mind, two windows invite the view inside and when they are open you can hear the lake lapping at the seawall below. The suite includes a walk in master closet in the bath area. The master bath includes a double vanity with cultured marble and features an extra large shower with a ceramic tile bench seat.

The lake lapping at the seawall below lulls you to sleep at night

Master bath in Venus 203

Venus 203 master bath shower

The unit also includes two 10’x10’ bedrooms that are situated off of each side of the main entry. Each bedroom includes the standard carpet that is in the family room and has a window and a nice sized closet with sliding doors. Either of these rooms can be easily converted into a home office.

Reduced to only $159,900, Venus 203 is dollar for dollar, THE best condominium value at The Lake of the Ozarks.

Lake of the Ozarks Main Channel View

For more pictures of Venus 203, as well as other pictures of Atlantis Island please visit our image gallery.

2008 Offshore Super Series National Championships Wrap Up

Party Cove moved from Anderson Hollow Cove to The Horny Toad this past weekend. Not really, but that is how it appeared from Atlantis Island Condos as the flotilla of boats paraded past as they headed to the “place to be” September 28th for the Offshore Super Series National Championships. The lake was humming with the collection of Mercury outboards and the excitement of the crowd. The word of the day was “horsepower” and approximately 10,000 spectators got to see just that as Miss Geico officially sewed up her National Championship in the Offshore Super Series Turbine Extreme class for 2008. Miss Geico averaged 122.80 miles per hour, under clear skies and summer like temperatures, beating JBS Racing by 15 seconds.


Miss Geico takes the checkered flag at the OSS National Championships, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Under Destruction capped off a stellar rookie year by capturing the checkered flag at the Lake of the Ozarks. This husband/wife team (Mark Dunbar/Driver and Jenni Dunbar/Throttleman) from Highlandville, Missouri are local favorites at The Lake of the Ozarks. The team quickly became a force to be reckoned with during the second race of the OSS season with a first place finish in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. They racked up two fourth place finishes in Biloxi, Mississippi and Kinner, Louisiana. Under Destruction stayed in reach of the number one spot in the standings with two third place finishes in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida and Orange Beach, Alabama. Wild Ride takes the 2008 National Championship in the Vee Lite class by only one point.
Under Destruction missed the Offshore Super Series 2008 National Champions in the Vee Lite Class by just one point to Wild Ride.
The big winner of the weekend was The Lake of the Ozarks itself. This was the second year that the National Championships have been held here and the successful weekend cemented the areas status as a powerboat haven.

Who won the OSS Races at the Lake of The Ozarks?

Official Results-Offshore Super Series National Championships


OSS 750

1st: Talking Trash (#30) Jimmy Winters/Vinny Rifice

OSSC850

1st: Fury (#88) Guy Costa/Ray Delaney
2nd: D&M Motorsports (#33) Brian Haupt/Dennis Hillhouse
3rd: WHM Motorsports (#5) Billy Mauff/Jay Muller
4th: Shocker (#123) Richie Prince/Bob Bull
5th: Ronripple.com (#1) Steve Page/Joey Gratton
6th: Team CRC (#7) Mike DeFrees/Jeff Harris


Team AMSOIL averaged 88.27 mph

OSSCL

1st: AMSOIL (#77) Paul Whittier/Bob Teague
2nd: Peppers (#2) George Stancombe/Mike Stancombe
3rd: Teampropstop.net (#388) Raymond Contreras/Alvin Heathman
4th: Popeye’s Famous Chicken (#13) Will Ros/Stan Ware


Team Fluid Sealing Products averaged 92.80 mph

OSSCO

1st: Fluid Sealing Products (#111) Allen Campbell/Ryan Beckley

OSSCX

1st: Team CRC (#007) Mike DeFrees/Jeff Harris
2nd: Bud Light (#11) Mike Seebold/John Tomlinson
3rd: Bad Moon Risin (#100) Jeff Tillman/Bob Morgan


Miss Geico averaged 122.80 mph

OSSTX

1st: Miss Geico (#113) Marc Granet/Scott Begovich
2nd: JBS (#121) Jeff Stephenson/Joe Sirocki

OSSV

1st: Miccosukee Indian Gaming (#30) Brett Furshman/Billy Glueck



Team Under Destruction averaged 83.57 mph

OSSVL

1st: Under Destruction (#104) Mark Dunbar/Jenni Seeser-Dunbar
2nd: Typhoon (#29) Jim Natolie/Randy Schleuss
3rd: Wild Ride (#51) John Kostelac/Larry Kostelac
4th: IMCO Quality Marine Products/Lucas Oil (#10) Jimmy Spiros/George Auriemma
5th: Worthy Risk (#28) Brad Johnson/Scoti Childs
6th: Octane (#411) Eddie Zaldokes/Scott Cornell
7th: Adrenaline Rush (#55) Doug Grimaldi/Dave Powell

Pictures of Offshore Super Series National Championships(OSS Races)

These pictures were taken in the turn 5 area, just down the main channel from Atlantis Island Condos, September 28, 2008 during the OSS National Championships. This was the second year that The Horny Toad complex has hosted this annual race.


Miccosukee and Under Destruction head into turn 6



Racing action at the OSS National Championships, Lake of the Ozarks



Under Destruction going into turn 6



Adrenaline Rush (#55) & Typhoon (#29) between turns 5 & 6



Wild Ride with chase helicopter capturing the action from above


Wild Ride, the cross in the left of the picture is at Cross Pointe Camp and Retreat Center


IMCO Quality Marine Products leads Worthy Risk to the turn


Under Destruction


Typhoon


Wid Ride


Miccosukee

What can I fish for at The Lake of the Ozarks?

Fishing near Atlantis Island

The Lake Of The Ozarks is a year round destination for professional and recreational anglers. Several annual tournaments are held in the bass rich waters, including the Big Bass Bash, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, and the Stren Bass Series. The plentiful bass include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Kentucky (Spotted) Bass, Rock (Goggle Eye) Bass, and White Bass.
Crappie fishing also draws a large crowd to the lake. Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters Tournament usually makes at least one stop on its tour. The crappie normally do not spawn until the Dogwoods bloom, but the hardcore angler knows to look for them near heated fishing docks in the cooler months beginning in October and lasting through March.

Black Crappie

Catfish, both Channel and Flathead, offer a different challenge for both seasoned and amateur anglers.

Channel Catfish

Bluegill can be found all over the lake, especially near docks. Bluegill and perch fishing are fun for all ages but are especially exciting for younger anglers who are just learning to enjoy the sport.




Bluegill

The paddlefish is Missouri’s official aquatic animal and is also known as a spoonbill. Paddlefish are one of the oldest fish known to man. Fossil records show that they first appeared 300 to 400 million years ago, before the first dinosaurs. It is caught by blind snagging. Paddlefish season is March 15 to April 30.

Paddlefish a/k/a Spoonbill

Seven of Missouri’s State Record Fish have been caught at the Lake of the Ozarks.
These trophy fish include:

41 lbs 2 oz Muskellunge, caught by Gene Snelling of Camdenton, MO, March 9th, 1981, using pole and line.

53 lbs 0 oz Bigmouth Buffalo, caught by Dennis Shafer of Stover, MO, April 6th, 1996, using the snagging method.

Bigmouth Buffalo

36 lbs 12 oz Smallmouth Buffalo, caught by Allen Schweiss of Bloomington, IL, June 10th, 1986, using pole and line.

40 lbs 8 oz Freshwater Drum, caught by Ronald Wagner of Waterloo, IA, July 16th, 1980, using pole and line.

80 lbs 0 oz Bighead Carp, caught by Kyle Schneider of Ballwin, MO, October 9th, 2004, using pole and line.

80 lbs 0 oz Bighead Carp, caught by Keith Lowry of Paola, KS, September 11th, 2004, using a jugline.

Bighead Carp

39 lbs 8 oz Striped Bass, caught by Jason Kirk of Camdenton, MO, October 11th, 2002, using the jug fishing method.

Striped Bass

Two of the state record fish were caught during October. This time of year is not just great for fishing, it is also great for fishing for the “Big One”!
October is host to at least three fishing tournaments. The 23rd Annual Missouri State Buddy Bass Championship is held October 18th and 19th at Deer Valley Park in Sunrise Beach. The 18th Annual White Bass Tournament is a one day event held October 25th at the Gravois Mills Public Access. October 25th also kicks off the 14th Annual Fall Classic Buddy Bass Tournament. This two day event is sponsored by Alhonna Resort in Lake Ozark, less than 5 miles from Atlantis Island Condos.