12/8/00 - The Phantom Documentary Part 1 of 2 What exactly is the Phantom, you ask? The Phantom is Cousin Gene's 34' speed boat which was manufactured by Phantom Boats out of Sarasota, FL. It slices through waves like a hot knife through butter, and it reaches speeds of up to 80 mph with its two beastly engines! As you see below, Cousin Gene has his Phantom configured with a Dell notebook computer, a Logitech mouse ball, GPS Receiver and external outdoor flat screen monitor, which all serve two purposes: 1) Global Positioning System (GPS), which provides: a) an exact location of where you are, b) your current heading, and speed, c) complete information on the depth of the water around you and where you are at, and d) the ability to plan a route by pointing and clicking. GPS is THE only way to go! 2) MP3 music jukebox, which provides: a) thousands of CD Quality songs, b) the ability select them on the fly! Gene has it wired into his stereo system, which absolutely cranks. Below is Part 1 of our two part series entitled The Phantom Documentary. Enjoy!
Tara locks up the Intruder, as we get ready to go boating! Keep in mind, it's December 8th and 76', and in Michigan it is 25' and snowing.	Ummm... Did we mention its December 8th? ;)	Look closely through the glass and you will see Peanut in her pose through the reflection... :)
To Gene's house we walk...	...and look back at the beast, hoping it isn't the last time we'll see it...	Gene welcomes us, while simultaneously talking on the phone (he multitasks like no other!)
Rodger says " SQUAWK!!! Hello! SQUAWK!!! Please don't hurt yourself on the Phantom!"	Then Rodger points his head the way we need to walk to get to the Phantom...	Here's the Phantom, being lowered into the water...
Tara looks excited, while Melody and Magnet are sad because they can't go this time...	Meanwhile, the Phantom is still being lowered...	At look back to Gene's -- this could be our last look at civilization as we know it!
"Welcome to the USS Phantom, I am your Captain, Gene. How fast would you like to go today?" Gene laughs...	Hook up external flat screen monitor -- check...	A look across the canal, awesome view isn't it?
Tara simulates her 80 mph pose...	Cousin Gene is hooking up everything to the notebook.	A view toward the intercoastal that we will soon be traveling...
WE'RE READY!!!	System check -- uh oh, the flat screen isn't showing anything!	Within seconds, the Captain goes below deck to fix the problem...
Below deck -- to assure the notebook is secure while traveling at 80 mph, Gene has velcro strips screwed into the hull, and 3 inches of padding!	Ah yes, the external flat screen monitor is working!	Permanently mounted GPS receiver and Logitech mouse.
Can you see us? (Hint: Very bottom middle, we are the green boat!)	The official backing out of the Phantom, to the left of Phantom's home is Cousin Gene's Sea Ray (which he lived on for 6 months when he first moved to Florida).	For maximum drag, Gene lowers the tabs -- "Without the tabs lowered, you can flip the Phantom at high speeds!" Gene tells us, as we sink into our seats...
5.8 mph, says the GPS system, since we are in the no wake zone... Can you see us? Lower middle left, little green boat.	"HA HA!!! (in an evil laugh)" Gene yells! 61.6 mph (in a wake zone in the intercoastal -- don't tell the Coast Guard, cuz you are only supposed to go 30!)	Time to slow down, another no wake zone around the bridge...
Cool restaurant building, huh?	As we go under the bridge, Tara examines the bridge structure...	A look up through the drawbridge...
As we hit another wake zone, some Jet Skier's decide they can catch us... HA! Gene unknowingly shows them the difference between 40 mph and 60 mph, and they quickly fall behind.	A pelican watches over us as we pull in to get gas...	Getting gas on a boat near the Gulf is quite cool, you simply pull up to the dock and a couple guys come out and take care of everything... Getting gas for the Phantom takes quite a while and costs a small fortune since it has a 140 gallon fuel tank!
Be sure to check out Part 2 of the Phantom Documentary!
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