When we announced our first Speedonthewater.com/Mercury Racing Verado 400R Sport Catamaran Roundup set for Aug. 23 on the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri, the news garnered overwhelmingly positive response and one big recurring question: Who will fill the previously unannounced role of the third co-pilot?

Needless to say—but we’ll say it anyway—we had plenty of volunteers. But speedonthewater.com co-publisher Jason Johnson and I were looking for someone with marine media credentials to join us and our test-driving dream team of Bob Teague, John Tomlinson and Grant Bruggemann.

The speedonthewater.com test team (captured here during the 2018 Miami International Boat Show) has added the final piece of the puzzle for its upcoming sport catamaran roundup. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

We’re pleased to announce that Jared Powell, the New York City-based 40-year-old publisher of Wave To Wave Performance Boat Magazine, a digital publication, has agreed to join the test team for event, which will be based out of the Camden On The Lake Resort in Lake Ozark, Mo., in advance of the annual Super Cat Fest event organized by Alvin Heathman.

“I grew up reading Powerboat magazine, so to be part of something like this—I know it will sound silly—is a dream come true,” said Powell, who launched Wave To Wave (read the story) a little more than a year ago and will be paired with Tomlinson for the upcoming sport catamaran roundup. “It’s going to be such a great event overall. And to be riding with one of the best throttlemen and drivers in the world is just so humbling. Plus, Johnny is one of the nicest guys out there.”

In addition to gathering data during performance evaluations, Powell will capture and publish short videos during the event.

While Johnson will work with Bruggemann during the roundup, I’ll be teamed up with Teague, a longtime friend and colleague I’ve tested boats with since 1995. At present, DCB Performance Boats, Fountain Powerboats, MTI, Mystic Powerboats, Pilini Boats, Skater Powerboats and Wright Performance Powerboats/Performance Boat Center have committed to participating in the event.

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