Operator stated that he was in the area of the lake's dam with another boat.  Operator and the other party decided to head back to Canyon Lake Marina, traveling west bound from the dam.  Operator stated that he and the other boat were "racing".  Operator stated that he was traveling at full throttle at a speed estimated by Operator to be 45 MPH.  Operator stated that he was traveling behind the other boat at a distance of about 100 yards.  Operator stated that while traveling in the above described manner, he was attempting to light a cigarette.  Operator stated that he was bending down behind the operator's console, out of the wind, attempting to light the cigarette.  During this activity, Operator's boat tracked to the right.  Due to the time of day, 10:50 PM, Operator did not notice that his boat's course was altered.  Subsequently, Operator's boat collided with the shore in Jacob's Creek Park.  Operator's boat struck a stone retaining wall causing extensive damage to the boat's bow and keel.  Also the boat's outdrive suffered extensive damage having been drug up onto the  rock shore about 37 feet from the water's edge.
Hancock                       