Though speedonthewater.com chief photographer Pete Boden snagged a few boats in flight during last weekend’s Boyne Thunder Poker Run, the 15th annual event in Northern Michigan didn’t deliver its typical spectacular array of big-air images. At least for most of Saturday’s run, Lake Michigan was as flat as it gets, which was not good news for a photographer who lives to catch big V-bottoms and catamarans soaring through the air, but great news for those who get to ride out the landings.

Sure, Maximus would have looked amazing in the air. But the breathtaking 45-foot Cigarette looked just fine in the water. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

As in the rest of life, water conditions have their trade-offs for everyone involved.

Still, Boyne Thunder attracted its usual mix of top-shelf hardware. Among the more eye-catching boats in the mix was Dave Burgess’ well-known 45-foot Cigarette Racing Team V-bottom called Maximus. Based in St. Clair, Mich., Burgess, who also owns the first Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats SL 41 powered by triple Mercury Racing Verado 400R outboards—and that unique boat is for sale—picked up the substantial flat-deck 45-footer a few months back.

Of course, Maximus would look great in the air above Lake Michigan. But as you can see from the image above, it also looked spectacular knifing through the lake’s uncommon glass.

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