2011 Key West Offshore Power Boat Races

[tropicdiver]

This year's races were marred by three deaths during the races (first deaths in the past 16 years). The winds were up, as well as the seas. The race went on all three days and fortunately, Sunday was free of any deaths. After attending the last 2 year's, I finally feel like I know where to set up for next year's race, as the sun, water, heat and distance can cause havoc for capturing the "just right" shot.

[Nikonfan]

Since this is an NC thread I won't critique other than saying I love the shots. I will make some other observations though.

- These are some sexy boats! Especially yellow #47!
- Having grown up on lakes and boats my first thought when I saw these pictures was that it was kind of scary and dangerous looking. Then I read your comment. My thoughts go out to the families
- How can the pilot of the grey boat see??
- Just how close were you and what was the focal length? Some of these shots make it look like you were right there

[tropicdiver]

Originally Posted by Nikonfan

Since this is an NC thread I won't critique other than saying I love the shots. I will make some other observations though.

- These are some sexy boats! Especially yellow #47!
- Having grown up on lakes and boats my first thought when I saw these pictures was that it was kind of scary and dangerous looking. Then I read your comment. My thoughts go out to the families
- How can the pilot of the grey boat see??
- Just how close were you and what was the focal length? Some of these shots make it look like you were right there

That gray boat, "Cintron" is my second most favorite boat of the regular offshore racers. #1 is Miss Geico, but she didn't race, because of the deaths of their friends on Wednesday, is what I heard.

The shots with just water or small Keys in the background were taken from the jetty at the south end of Ft. Zachary Taylor Beach on Friday morning with a 100~400 and they got as close as a quarter mile or so (sometimes closer) and the shots with Key West in the background were shot with a 70~200 2.8 L IS, on Sunday, and the boats were about the same distance (I had wish I had taken my 100~400), as I was on a boat and told we would be within an 1/8 mile, which really didn't happen.

[DigitalScape]

Well done, Bob.

[tropicdiver]

Here are a few more I pulled up from this past weekend.

[Nikonfan]

Originally Posted by tropicdiver

That gray boat, "Cintron" is my second most favorite boat of the regular offshore racers. #1 is Miss Geico, but she didn't race, because of the deaths of their friends on Wednesday, is what I heard.

The shots with just water or small Keys in the background were taken from the jetty at the south end of Ft. Zachary Taylor Beach on Friday morning with a 100~400 and they got as close as a quarter mile or so (sometimes closer) and the shots with Key West in the background were shot with a 70~200 2.8 L IS, on Sunday, and the boats were about the same distance (I had wish I had taken my 100~400), as I was on a boat and told we would be within an 1/8 mile, which really didn't happen.

Thanks for the info. Very helpful!