While a part of me thinks it would be fun to be in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., this weekend for the Lake Havasu Boat Show, the other part of me—the majority of it—knows coming into town for the opening festivities of the Desert Storm Poker Run next Wednesday is the smartest thing to do, especially when it comes to my family obligations.

John Heieie’s new Eliminator Boats 28 Speedster, which he’ll show off at the street party, should be ready for testing soon on Roosevelt Lake in Arizona.The main reason I’d like to be at the show is to see the new boats and performance products that are being displayed as I write this column. The weather is also usually a delight—and it is today with a high of 84 degrees and not a cloud in the sky, according to weatherman Bob Teague of Teague Custom Marine who is in town for nearly two weeks thanks to his involvement with both events.

Rest assured my five-hour drive to the lake that borders California and Arizona will be filled with thoughts of those boats and their respectful owners enjoying the festive street party along McCulloch Boulevard that starts at noon on Thursday and runs well past sundown. One such owner is John Heieie, who will join Eliminator Boats on the street party to showcase his new 28 Speedster with twin 1,100-hp engines from Larry’s Engine & Marine in Tucson, Ariz.

Unfortunately Heieie’s 28-foot “dragster” isn’t quite ready to be put in the water, but once it is, we’ll have an update on how it rides from the man himself. The Casa Grande, Ariz., boater has owned quite a few Eliminators over the years including a 2004 28 Daytona that he outfitted with twin 710-hp Ilmor Marine engines.

There’s also a somewhat familiar 41-foot catamaran that will be making its official West Coast debut—the M41 Widebody from Dave’s Custom Boats. The list goes on and on, but here’s a quick look at a few of the new models I can’t wait to see. Click on the photos for a detailed caption of each boat.