Wacky Regatta Staged Off Key Largo

KEY LARGO (CBS4) – Teams from Texas, Michigan and Florida clambered to the finish line in handcrafted vessels during the offbeat weekend "Anything that Floats" regatta race off Key Largo.

Resourceful crews navigated homemade watercraft constructed of literally anything to stay afloat, including wood, PVC, buckets, boat bumpers and beer coolers, along the regatta's half-mile waterfront course between the Caribbean Club and Sundowners Restaurant late Saturday afternoon.

Team Golden Jugs, from Key Largo, lashed together empty plastic swimming pool chlorine jugs into a floating, gold-colored raft to cross the finish line in the fastest time.

An entry from Dallas, aboard the Yardwork Sucks, won the Slowest Boat Award for its boat, a converted wheelbarrow fashioned to pool noodles. Their "oar," a yard broom, likely contributed to their not-so-speedy demise.

Several hundred fans cheered on their favorites from shore and from spectator boats that lined the course to watch the wacky races.

Other prizes awarded were for the best-costumed crew, most creative vessel, vessel containing the most participants that still floats and best hard-luck story.

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