Powerboating In Paradise, Vol 11 #3

VOL 11 #3

A MAGAZINE SHOWCASING THE FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB LIFESTYLE

t s e W Key K E R

PO UN RCIAL EDITION SPE

Emerald Coast

ROCKS ad name 2011 WHIRLWIND THE GULF SPRING TOUR Five Poker Runs Twelve Weeks

Summer Fun in the Florida Panhandle!

Hang on for the ride!

BAHAMAS POKER RUN Another adventure in Paradise!

Miss Boat Week

2011

Melissa Gordon

WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM

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st e W y Ke K E R

CONTENTS

PO UN RCIAL EDITION

A Magazine Showcasing the Florida Powerboat Lifestyle

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4 EDITOR/PUBLISHER Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Juan C Grisales fpcmag@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Kim Katz fpcmag@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Stu Jones Christian Meighan Romona Robbins

EVENT COORDINATORS Jackie Jones fpcevents@gmail.com

Laura Schrader fpcservices@gmail.com Drew Kravitz dockmaster@flpowerboat.com

MEMBER SERVICES

Laura Schrader fpcservices@gmail.com

DIRECT ALL INQUIRIES TO Florida Powerboat Club 1214 S.W. 6 st Pompano Beach, FL 33069 Tel: 954.545-1414 Fax: 954.782-2452 www.FLPOWERBOAT.com

POMPANO OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 10 AM - 5 PM

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT FPC Founder Stu Jones lets the cat out of the bag about a new direction for 2012 poker run events!

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PARTY CENTRAL It’s not JUST about the boating.

Every poker run has a party going on somewhere!

TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2011 It was a welcome change to adopt a one-day format and a hundred mile course! The Tampa Bay Poker Run proved that sometimes, Less is More!

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NAPLES POKER RUN 2011 By virtue of its name alone, Florida’s Paradise Coast might well be the most popular of Florida’s named coasts, although it may be surprising for many to hear that it remains unspoiled and ready for discovery.

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SMOKIN’ THE SOUND POKER RUN 2011 One thing Biloxi has on Las Vegas is water... and lots of it! With a weekend packed full with daytime boating fun, there was still plenty of time for the highrollers to hit the casinos at night!

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JACKSONVILLE POKER RUN 2011 One of the few great cities in Florida that is split down the middle by a mighty river. Appropriately, she has been coined Florida’s River City, thus making her the ideal home the Jacksonville Poker Run which has reached the ripe age of ten years!

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SUNNY ISLES POKER RUN 2011 To celebrate twenty years of Powerboating in Paradise, Florida Powerboat Club staged a commemorative poker run, tracing the course of that very first Sunny Isles Poker Run that lit the torch that has been burning ever since.

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BAHAMAS POKER RUN 2011When the summer weather takes hold in South Florida, winds become calm, seas become docile, and FPC members become anxious for adventure in foreign ports!

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EMERALD COAST POKER RUN 2011 With over 150 registered teams, the 2011 edition of Emerald Coast Poker Run returned to “business as usual” just one year after the BP oil spill, and raised over $140k for local youth charities!

All copyright laws apply. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher

ON THE COVER: Noriega Point along Destin’s inner harbor provides a front row seat to the parade of boats during the Emerald Coast Poker Run. MODEL: Miss Boat Week 2011 Melissa Gordon, a.k.a Queen of the Emerald Coast Poker Run,won her title at The Swamp Nightclub, as one of the Emerald Coast 2011 events. See her sexy pictorial p. 89.

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letter from the

PRESIDENT W Stu & Jackie Jones

GOT A COMMENT FOR ME? E-MAIL ME AT STU@FLPOWERBOAT.COM

e hope you enjoy our fresh new look for this issue of Powerboating in Paradise, as we blitz the 52nd Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, and head out for the Key West Poker Run, just one week later. So wherever this copy landed, we hope you enjoy our largest issue in over two years, which hopefully means some good things are happening in the world of performance boating! Since this is our last 2011 issue of the magazine before we roll into 2012, it may be the appropriate time and place to take a quick look back at our year in boating. In hindsight, 2011 was certainly a much better than 2010 in so many ways, and it was refreshing to get out and see some new places. I must admit that I cannot resist the allure of seeking new venues and exploring new destinations, but I it just doesn’t seem like the majority of our membership are quite ready for that. To validate that claim, if we look back at the Spring Tour for example, the new events like the Naples Poker Run (April) and the Sunny Isles Poker Run ( June) just didn’t seem to peak the interests of our mainstream membership. On the other hand, popular events like the Miami Boat Show Poker Run, Emerald Coast and our signature Key West Poker Run, will still draw big numbers and offer a little bit of something for everyone.

So where am I going with this? Well for starters, I think that the most obvious fact is that everyone still likes the big events. Sure the checkpoints might be a little crowded, we might have to plan months in advance to be assured of good rooms and dockage, and sure its possible that with a fleet of 100 boats out there, the chances of getting missed by the chopper crew are increased. Nonetheless, we all seem to agree, the bigger events are just cool. More cool boats, more fun people, more friends to make. Hell the two day weekends just aren’t long enough so we are turning poker runs into five, six, even seven day events!

More, more, more.. said the happy powerboater!

And that my friends, club members and fellow boaters...is perfectly fine with me. We like BIG too! Sure it’s more work for the FPC staff. Sure there’s more focus on safety, and an expensive marine event insurance policy, and sure there’s mandatory pfd’s to comply with the insurance regs! Sure the dockage is a hassle, and the stopover logistics become challenging, and sure somebody may get the wrong size tees in their goody bags. But somehow, some way and by some strange miracle, we manage to squeeze through. For the most part, everyone goes home happy.

I can honestly say that I have always gone home happy from every FPC event, no matter where we went or who we were with, it has always been a fantastic journey. But I’m a little older, a little more in tune with the books, and I must painfully admit that some events just don’t do it financially. The reality is, if the “club” as a business cannot survive economics 101, we won’t have a great organization to plan all these cool poker runs in the future.

I am happy to report, and maybe to the dissatisfaction of some members, that FPC will proceed in 2012 with only the strongest, largest and best attended events, as measured by our recent two years of event performance. That means there are six confirmed, bona fide poker run events that are currently locked in for 2012. (calendar p.98) Miami; Tampa; Jacksonville; Bahamas; Emerald Coast and Key West. There you go. After all these years of saying I would do this...I finally did it. Amen Encore? But of course. Now for those who still love the small events...here’s the good news.

FPC will support any member, who would like to plan a smaller fun run event in any off month, that does not conflict with the major FPC events on the schedule. But be prepared to roll up your sleeves, brush up on nav skills, plan the outings or host a casual dinner party, because you are about to walk in my shoes...which by the way, are getting a little worn after twenty years.

Stu Jones

President & Founder Florida Powerboat Club 4

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Every Poker Run Has It’s Own...

PARTY CENTRAL GULFSTREAM PARK in Hallandale Beach

was Party Central for the Sunny Isles Offshore Powerboat Challenge weekend, which included three big events...

Friday Miami to Bimini Challenge, Saturday Sunny Isles Poker Run, and Sunday OPA offshore races.. But make no mistake about it, while the horsepower charged waterborne activities were certainly exciting, things were steaming up throughout the land-based headquarters at The Village at Gulstream Park. From the ladies of Taverna Opa to the exotic car displays from Ferrari Fort Lauderdale and Prestige Imports, to more ladies from Dean’s Gold, to bumping into Dennis Rodman, to the ladies of Betty Bang’s Bikinis to...... well you get the picture!

See page 66 for Sunny Isles >

Gambler’s Paradise

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JACKSONVILLE

BILL’S VIP card Required

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t may have a nice ring to it, and we’re not even sure if there IS a Jacksonville Bill’s in real life, but it would certainly be the appropriate neon sign over the patio bar at Bill Pyburn Jr’s waterfront home on the St. Johns River. You see, it’s almost like the landmark Shooter’s Fort Lauderdale meets Rehab at the Hard Rock in Vegas...but it’s in Jacksonville? Just pull up the the spacious dock with lines and fenders ready, raft up to the nearest similar sized boat, walk down the seriously long dock to work up your thirst, grab a Goose & Red bull from the sexy little barmaid, then jump in the pool to cool off. VIP card required ...unless of course, you are registered for the Jacksonville Poker Run..

See page 46 for Jacksonville >

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iloxi Mississippi has long lived up to it’s reputation as a mini-Vegas for the southern folk, but rarely has anyone associated Biloxi with it’s natural attributes.. miles and miles of coastal waters and backwater bayous.

So with the top rated casinos at night, and the Smokin’ the Sound Poker Run by day, any gambler who is also a powerboater, was pretty much in heaven.

See page 40 for Smokin’ >

AUTISM AWARENESS

Aldo Waters ran his 39’ MTI, Team 1N110, which symbolizes his commitment to Awareness of Autism disorders. www.autismspeaks.org.

See page 82 for Emerald Coast > POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

ad name

The Sunshine Skyway bridge (I-275) provided a breathtaking aerial as a wave of poker run boats made their way from Egmont Key to Tampa Bay.

PHOTOS: Christian Meighan 10

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2011

TAMPA BAY Back to the Bay-sics!

With multiple day events and hundreds of miles on the agenda of many FPC poker runs, it was a welcome change to adopt a one-day format and a hundred mile course! The Tampa Bay Poker Run proved that sometimes, Less is More!

As far back as the mid-nineties, Florida Powerboat Club has been cruising the waters of Tampa Bay, and historically the allure has always been towards the downtown St.Petersburg waterfront, which offers a vibrant nightlife, great dining, abundant marinas and a variety of accommodations. For powerboaters and yachtsmen, the ultimate destination and certainly the crown jewel of the St. Pete waterfront, continues to be the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Marina. With a first class, recently renovated 72 slip marina and a luxurious hotel that is listed with the National Registry of Historic Buildings, the Vinoy was a natural choice as headquarters for Florida Powerboat Club’s “official” return to the Tampa Bay area.

With some assistance from our local boating friends including Ron Long and Mike Erturk, we mapped out a poker run course that essentially kept the Tampa Bay Poker Run in where else, but Tampa Bay. That simple logic stems from the fact that Gulf of Mexico waters can kick up on occasion and ruin a poker run agenda, so the plan was simple…

Stay in the bay, so the boaters can play! And Play they did!

Starting with poker card #1 from the Vinoy Basin docks Saturday morning, the anxious group milled near the landmark St Petersburg

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Pier, and with the signal from our OffleaseOnly.com paceboat, rooster tails soon dotted the horizon, as a pack of fast cats became the front runners of the thirty seven boat fleet. A second poker card was handed off at Egmont Key, just a few miles beyond the Sunshine Skyway, where the boats turned and headed towards the north-eastern corner of Tampa Bay…a.k.a Downtown Tampa. Jacksons Bistro provided plenty of dockage for the fleet not to mention a fabulous lunch, and right on schedule, the poker runners throttled up for the next leg of the run to the popular Hula Bay Club, located at the Tampa Harbour Yacht Club Marina. Another card, a quick turn, and hammer down on a new heading! For the fifth and final checkpoint, participants seemed pleased with the selection of the Sunset Grille at Little Harbor, near the small town of Ruskin, where many teams docked their boats and enjoyed the relaxing vibe and the scenic Tampa Bay view to the west.

What a great way to wind down a perfect day on the water.

If nothing else, the format was simple, the course not too challenging, and the spring weather was truly sublime. Plan on seeing this event in 2012!

—Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com 11

TAMPA BAY Cat Play

1. Shawn Vinson from Missouri in BAT BOAT a 44’ MTI with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

2. Dennis Raia (NY) in his 42 MTI, Team CATTAGIOUS, powered by Mercury Racing 1075’s.

3. Larry Goldman and Brad Schoenwald in LAMBORGHINI MIAMI, a 46 Skater with Sterling racing engines.

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4. Bill Pyburn Jr. from Florida in PURE PLATINUM a 38’ Skater with CHIEF 1350SC’s.

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TAMPA BAY Cat Play

5. Kelly Sills from Louisiana in PAPER CHASER a 40’ Nor-Tech with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

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6. Ken Armstrong from Texas in HELLRAZOR a 44’ MTI with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

7. David Woods from sponsor PIER 57 in his dealer sponsored 48 MTI, powered by Mercury Racing 1075’s.

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8. Glenn Kennedy from Wisconsin in TOP GUN PERFORMANCE a 36’ NorTech with custom engines.

9. G. L. Harvie from Vermont in DRAMBUIE ON ICE a 44’ MTI with Chevy engines.

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TAMPA BAY Cat Play

10. Albert Haynesworth from Tennessee in TERMINATOR a 48’ MTI with Mercury Racing 1350’s.

11. Buddy Thomas in

GOLD DIGGER, a 50 Outerlimits with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

12. John O’ Loughlin from New York in RED EYED EXPRESS a 40’ MTI with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

13. Tom Abraham from

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New York in his 36’ MTI with Mercury Racing 700’s.

14. Jim Wiley from Florida in XXX a 44’ Nor-Tech with Cobrapower 1200SC’s.

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TAMPA BAY v -Power 15. David and Leann

Branton from Louisiana in their new Nor-Tech 39 Center Console with triple Mercury Verados.

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16. Patrick Bedard from

Canada in GO-FAST a 43’ Outerlimits with Mercury Racing 700’s.

17. Scott Swisher from

Florida in WHIRL WIND a 43’ Nor-Tech with Keith Eickert 850SC.

18. Mark and Eileen

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Fischer from Florida in EILEEN’S FIFTY a 50’ NorTech with triple Nor-Tech 1000’s.

19. Michael Merritt from

Ohio in MERRITTORIOUS a 45’ Cigarette with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

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TAMPA BAY v -Power 20. Joe Sabo from

New Jersey in MORNIN’ SMOKE a Cigarette with Cobrapower 1000’s.

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21. Ed Rieskamp from Indiana in BLOWN INVESTMENT a 47’ Fountain with Sterling 1200’s.

22. Grant Freeman from

Missouri in ULTIMATE DISTRACTION a 38’ Donzi with Mercury Racing 700’s.

23. George and Shannon

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Argyros from California in DONZILLA a 43’ Donzi with Mercury Racing 700’s.

24. Craig Barrie from

Florida in the factorysponsored Donzi ZR Comp with Mercury Racing 700’s.

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TAMPA BAY v -Power 25. Mike Allweiss in his

38’ Donzi ZRC, which provided media coverage of the event, with St. Pete Times writer Terry Tomalin aboard.

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26. Sean Gallivan from

New York, in his 39 NorTech, KING OF CLUBS powered by Mercury Racing 700’s.

27. Craig Belfatto from

Florida on EUREKA RACING a 36’ Concept with twin Mercury Outboards.

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28. Bill Robbins(TX) with

sponsor Scott Ryerson on board, from SUNCOAST POWERBOATS. Aces Full is a 38 Fountain with Mercury Racing 525’s.

29. Gabriele Jasper from

New Jersey in SOLLIEVO a 42’ Outerlimits with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

Congratulations to Gabe for winning the Tampa Bay Poker Run!

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TAMPA BAY v -Power 30. Terry Sobo on NorTech 39 Center Console, powered by triple Mercury Verado 300’s.

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31. Anton Holstrum (SC) in COUNTRY GIRL, a Cigarette 42X powered by Mercury Racing 700’s.

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AND THE WINNERS ARE...

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The Saturday night dinner & awards party took place at VUE Sushi & Martini Bar, where the promise of a stellar evening was met with mixed reviews. Nonetheless, the show must go on, with Sponsor presentations and Peoples Choice awards in many categories.

Congrats to all of the winners, and we promise to return to Tampa in 2012 with a great itinerary and some new additions to the agenda!

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

FESTIVALS

of speed

Sunday featured the Festivals of Speed just steps from the Vinoy Resort. With hundreds of exotics, classics, imports and muscle cars on display, it was a motorhead’s dream. FPC provided display areas to sponsors, with Nor-Tech and Suncoast Powerboats each displaying boats at the show. It was a perfect way to wrap up a fantastic poker run.

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hat’s truly unique about the stretch of southwest Florida’s coastal paradise, is that while the northern reaches of Naples and Marco Island feature sandy beaches, upscale resorts and multimillion dollar mansions, in contrast the southern extremes yield quite the opposite...the unspoiled splendor of mother nature. In a word, the Everglades. This stark transition offers a distinct departure from the more populated coastal areas of the sunshine state, and for any boater with a thirst for adventure, The Paradise Coast not only lives up to it’s namesake, it offers so much more.

With the FPC (founder) feeling compelled to freshen-up the 2011 poker run calendar , it seemed fitting to relocate the annual Spring Sanibel-Fort Myers Poker Run to a new home-port, and the Naples Bay Resort was the perfect venue for the re-location.

Just four weeks after the Tampa Bay Poker Run, an eclectic mix of FPC members from Texas to New York, piloted a small fleet of powerboats ranging from thirty to eighty feet through Gordon’s

Pass, and turned southbound towards Marco Island. With light winds and clear skies, the turquoise waters were intoxicating, and the shoreline which had been in sight just a few miles to port, soon disappeared as the pace-boat lead the group further south. Proceeding into open gulf waters, as if to nowhere, the Garmin revealed that the fleet had cleared well beyond the shallow Cape Romano shoals, and it was time for a swift heading change from the pace-boat. After a plotted turn to the east, land eventually re-appeared, but this time, it lacked a concrete shoreline.

Cruising through the Indian Key Pass, and with not a single boat or building in sight, it became apparent to our first-time crews that this was not a typical day-trip for most boaters in the area, and in just minutes, the scenic meandering waterway became the gateway to the small, often forgotten, Everglades City. First sight, a small airstrip, then quaint Florida homes lining the waterway and even historic sights such as the once popular Rod & Gun Club. To any first-time visitor, it may seem to be a lost civilization in the

middle of nowhere, and perhaps there are residents who may be fond of this heritage. Indeed, Everglades City does carry a colorful past, as a once industrious community that played a vital role in the Southwest Florida economy, and more recently as a smuggling command post.

Our boating destination was the relatively new Everglades Isle RV Resort, an upscale motor coach park with first class marine facilities, fuel docks and a pleasant staff. After a wonderful luncheon in the clubhouse at Everglades Isle, FPC members and participants took to the swamps for adventurous air-boat rides, which were followed by afternoon showers. But it didn’t dampen the poker run spirit, and participants took shelter in the Everglades Isle Clubhouse.

After the storm cleared, the remaining boats had a safe and dry ride back to Naples, where the group congregated at the Riverwalk Restaurant in TIN CITY, for wonderful dinner and the camaraderie that makes it all worthwhile!

—Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com

NAP By virtue of its name alone, Florida’s Paradise Coast might well be the most popular of Florida’s named coasts, although it may be surprising for many to hear that it remains unspoiled and ready for discovery.

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The stylish Naples Bay Resort & Marina provided a first class venue as poker run headquarters. Luxurious accommodations included one and two bedroom condominiums, and the marina featured floating docks with a friendly staff. www.naplesbayresort.com PHOTOS: Christian Meighan

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A. Nick Amelio from Florida in his 43’ Nor-Tech. WUT WUZ I THINKIN’ is a 4300 Supercat with Mercury Racing engines. Nick accepted Peoples Choice Award for Best Catamaran

A

at the Poker Run Party.

B.Bill Robbins from Texas in ACES FULL, a 38’ Fountain with Mercury Racing 525’s. Congrats to bill for winning Best VBottom, as a thanks for contributing his Fountain as our Official Paceboat.

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Sunday in Naples

featured the Taste of Collier Food Festival at nearby Bayfront, a popular waterfront retail and dining complex, which is popular with boaters. Visitors enjoyed succulent samplings of gourmet foods from the area’s most popular restaurants which featured menus from around the world! Entertainment included and ice sculpting contest, live music and it was a fantastic spring day that raised money for local charities.

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C. Mark and Eileen Fischer from Florida in their 50’ Nor-Tech.

EILEEN’S FIFTY is a 50’ Nor-Tech Supervee with Nor-Tech 1000’s

D. Red Reynolds (WI) in his 80’ Nor-Tech Roadster, LADY LISA. With twin Caterpillar 2000HP turbo diesels, the boat runs over 60mph!

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E. Michael Merritt from Ohio in his 45’ Cigarette powered by Mercury Racing 1075’s.

MERRITTORIOUS is the re-styled Kilo boat that ran 170+ with a full canopy and Sterling engines.

F. Mark Palanchian from Florida in is 38’ Formula, NEXTERA POWER MARKETING. The 382 model is powered by Mercury Racing 525’s.

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The Naples Poker Run to Everglades City was the perfect venue for this rare adventure on the Paradise Coast.

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G. Robert & Betsy MacDonald (FL) in their 38’ Fountain Executioner powered by Ron Potter engines, made their FPC poker run debut in Naples.

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EVERGLADES airboat rides

Participants enjoyed a lavish lunch at the Everglades Isle Club house, and soon it was time to explore the area. There are many ways to penetrate deep into the swamps of the Everglades and an offshore powerboat is not one of them. More than half a dozen local airboat operators provide exciting guided tours through the mangrove swamps, and you may even spot a few gators along the way. For about $50 per person, the ride is well worth it. We enjoyed our tour with www.speedysairboattours.com. For information on Everglades City visit www.florida-everglades.com.

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POWERBOATINGIN INPARADISE PARADISE POWERBOATING

Six Years post Katrina, Biloxi Mississippi has risen from the depths of despair, to being back on top as a resort playground with something for everyone, and the Smokin’ The Sound Poker Run was a perfect playbill on land and sea.

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ILOXI Mississippi is home to all the big names in the casino business, and three resorts shared the spotlight with participants of the annual Smokin’ the Sound Poker Run in mid-May. Beau Rivage, IP Casino, and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino rolled out the red carpet, and the dice, as poker runners and offshore racers mixed it up for a high performance weekend! Three days of exciting activities kicked off Thursday evening at the Beau Rivage, as Smokin’ The Sound organizers launched their eventful agenda which had something for everyone...A poker run for recreational weekend warriors, and offshore races for the professional racers, as the Offshore Super Series (OSS) got its season opening race underway.

Throughout Friday, poker run boats rolled in from all over the Southeastern States, and by the end of the day, a variety of high-performance cats and v-bottoms were scattered around the local marinas.... with the biggest concentration at THE DOCK, a popular waterfront restaurant in Gulfport, just from Biloxi. After a late night at the blackjack tables, these poker runners were ready to play, and the twenty boat fleet throttled up at 10:30am from the DOCK, winding through the back waters of the bayou before heading out into the Gulf of Mexico. After a series of offshore checkpoints, an area hotspot called Shaggy’s make for a great lunch stopover, as the boats rafted up and put on a colorful show for the locals.

Saturday evening, the IP Casino hosted the poker run awards party, where the the cards were played out and Texas participant KEN ARMSTRONG took home the $ 2,500 grand prize. Unofficially, the Big winners were the participants who played long hours at the Beau Rivage blackjack tables... with some claiming winnings as high as $ 50,000!

Special thanks to Woody Bailey Paul Bertucci and the Smokin the Sound event team for their efforts to get FPC on board to produce the media coverage of this event. For a closer look, there are two hundred photos posted on the FPC website at www.flpowerboat.com —Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com

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1. Thomas and Marianella Roper from Texas on 40 SOMETHING a 40’ Baja.

5. Bill Grantham on Derek Wachob’s 39 Cigarette Topfish, with quad Mercury Outboards.

6. Cass Shewbart from Texas on LIQUID PROZAC a 38’

9. Dolph and Kim William from Louisiana on VIPERS

11. Bruce and Babs Box from Mississippi on BAD

AND VIXENS a 38’ Donzi with Ilmor engines.

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2. Prahnger Draper on TENACIOUS, a 26’ Baja.. got some serious airtime, but stayed on the throttle!

10. Myles Holcomb from Mississippi in his 35’ Cigarette CAFE RACER..

Cigarette with Mercury Racing 525’s.

BOY a 43’ Nor-Tech with with Mercury Racing 700’s.

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3. Rick and Dana Day from Alabama on TIDES PRIDE a 42’ Fountain with Mercury Racing 700’s.

7. Paul Bertucci from Mississippi on BEER MONEY a 43’ Nor-Tech with Nor-Tech engines.

4. Joel Peterson from Texas in his 27’ Fountain.

8. Wes Bass from Louisiana in his 33’ Scarab.

12. Bill Robbins from Texas on Robbins ACES FULL, 38’ Fountain with Mercury Racing 525’s.

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13. David Ortemond (LA) in his 36 Skater, Team LIGHTNING.

15. Ken Armstrong from Texas on HELL RAZOR, a 44’ MTI with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

14. Raymond & Hilda Boudreaux from Louisiana on

LIL‘ BLESSING, a 53’ Airborne with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

16. Derek Wachob from Oklahoma on his customized 17. Richie and Melissa Prince (LA) in their 39 MTI ZR-48 MTI, powered by Mercury Racing 1350’s.

18. Rick and Charolene Milstead from Alabama on CAT GOTCH TONGUE a 30’ Eliminator.

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powered by Precision Marine.

19. Gary Maher on FORCE OFFSHORE a 32’ Force.

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betting on

BILOXI

There were plenty of parties on the agenda for The Smokin’ the Sound Poker Run! From the poker run checkpoints like the Dock and Shaggy’s, to casino parties at the IP and Hard Rock, there was fun for all! Smokin’ the Sound organizers Woody Bailey and Paul Bertucci did a great job hosting this event, and if you plan to return in 2012, you can Bet on Biloxi for a great time!

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The Outback Crab Shack at Six Mile Creek provided 1300 feet of floating dock and a fabulous rustic atmosphere.

A RIVER RUNS

STORY: STU JONES l PHOTOS: CHRISTIAN MEIGHAN

Jacksonville is one of the few great cities in Florida that is split down the middle by a mighty river. Appropriately, she has been coined Florida’s River City, thus making her the ideal home the Jacksonville Poker Run which has reached the ripe age of ten years!

Bill Pyburn Sr., pictured above, began promoting the Jacksonville Firefighters Poker Run back in 2001, and he illustrated the importance of having good facilities for the event by securing dockage at the city-owned Metro Park marina, located adjacent to the Jaguar Football Stadium. Complimented by ample truck and trailer parking, nearby brand-name hotels such as the Hyatt and Hilton, and the enormous waterfront retail complex called Jacksonville Landing, the best ingredients for a successful poker run were in place. With his son Bill Jr. on the team to assist with recruiting, along with a great staff of volunteers to coordinate event logistics, the retired Jacksonville Firefighter forged on, building the event over the years.

Naturally, FPC was a big part of this equation from the early years, promoting the event in the club magazine, website and on television, in the hopes of getting this unique Florida poker run on the map as one of the leading poker run events in the nation. After all, it’s a very very big river...wide, relatively calm most of the POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

time, and a good place to go Fast...yet safely. Combine that with ideal facilities that can accommodate a poker run of this size, and you’ve got a winning hand!

The 2011 edition of the Jacksonville Poker Run logged about sixty five registered teams, from all over the United States and even Canada. This is the perfect re-positioning poker run for northern powerboaters, who bring their boats to Florida for the winter months.

It’s about a five hour drive from South Florida, so members like Benny D’Angelo from Montreal, can plan their trip accordingly, stopping in Jacksonville for the weekend, and then hitting the interstate on Sunday afternoon, to get home for the summer.

Looking around the docks at Metro Park, it was plain to see that some big powered cats were ready for play. There had to be close to twenty Skaters and MTI’s alone, and a least two were equipped with the all-new Mercury Racing 1350’s. Sounds like we’re in for some high speed fun! continued on next page 47

Jacksonville Landing retail and entertainment complex in the heart of Downtown served as poker run headquarters, offering a variety of dining and entertainment around the clock for participants.

continued from page 47 The St. Johns River carves through the middle of Jacksonville for many miles, making its most prominent ninety degree turn, in the heart of the downtown district. It is here, that a series of four bridges can be seen simultaneously, and with Jacksonville Landing and the Hyatt Jacksonville, a stone’s throw away, it is the location of all of the poker run activities. What’s truly unique, is that it’s just twenty two miles to open ocean in one direction, where there is direct access to both northbound and southbound intracoastal waterway. In the opposite direction, southbound from Jacksonville, it’s just over fifty miles to the small town of Palaetka, where the river narrows, and becomes a scenic winding journey in a part of Florida that

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is both breath-taking, and unmistakeably Old Florida. So if you’re taking notes, it’s worth mentioning that Jacksonville is truly a great place to enjoy boating, no matter what type of craft you prefer.

CAPTAINS START YOUR ENGINES Saturday morning the sixty-five boat fleet split into two groups, with the fast boats taking the lead up river, to the first checkpoint. In all, there were six checkpoints on the run, and as always, the most popular was the lunch stop at the Outback Crab Shack at Six Mile Creek. The 1,300 foot dock provided plenty of dockage for both spectators and poker runners alike, and it wasn’t long before the dock party was well underway. The weather held and

it was a great day of boating for all.

Later that evening, and for the second night in a row, the poker runners assembled at the Jacksonville Landing for dinner, where they saddled up at Mavericks Country nightclub to play out their poker hands.

Congratulations to Barry Peters from Jacksonville for winning the poker run, and taking home the cash... Gas money of course!

We hope you enjoy the photo and editorial coverage of the poker run, and as an important closing message from the writer, I want to thank Bill Pyburn Sr. for the ten years he has dedicated to building this event to what it is today, and managing the challenges along the way!

—Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

BOATS blondes

& big horsepower!

Local model Carol Huff arrived at the Landing with her gal pals for the swimwear show, but with just four models on hand, organizers decided a sexy photo shoot was the best call. Carol and girls posed with Hardin Marine’s big hardware, then jumped on Gold Digger, owned by Buddy Thomas. The blue Main Street bridge was a perfect backdrop for the dockside photo session.

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1 1. Pete Tufaro from Louisiana on RED ROCKET a 40’ MTI.

2. Jody Oliver from Louisiana on MONKET, a 39’ MTI with Sterling Power.

2 3. Dan and Kim Jape from Georgia on SCRAPPY CAT a 36’ Eliminator with Mercury Racing 700 SCi’s.

4. Dennis Sartoris from Jacksonville on TSUNAMI a 36’ Spectre with

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Mercury Racing engines.

5. Jim Wiley from Florida in XXX a 44’ Nor-Tech Roadster with 1200 HP Cobrapower engines.

6. Phillip and Amanda Mahn from Florida on THE CATS MEOW a 32’

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Spectre.

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Top: John Woodruff and gal Nancy, Team WINDSHIP. Below: Brian & Sarah Forehand, who joined Mark Tuck on his 42 Fountain Lightning.

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7 7. Local co-organizer Bill Pyburn Jr. from Jacksonville on PURE PLATINUM a 38’ Skater with 1600 HP Chief engines.

8. NFL Star Albert Haynesworth from Tennes8

see on TERMINATOR a 48’ MTI with Mercury Racing 1350’s.

9. Buddy Thomas from Massachusetts on GOLD DIGGER a 50’ Outerlimits with Mercury Racing 1075’s. (See photo page 62)

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10. Gary Jones from Sarasota on SERVICE ME a 42’ Fountain.

11. Robert MacDonald from Florida on DEUCES a 38’ Fountain with Mercury Racing engines.

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12. Bill Robbins from Texas on ALL IN AGAIN a 40’ Nor-Tech with Mercury Racing 850 SCi’s.

13. Rick and Dana Day out of Alabama on BLACK GOLD a 36’ Nor-Tech with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

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Top: Mike and Angela Goldbaugh wiht Cort, Wittich crew. Below: Laura Schrader, Jackie Jones with party guest.

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14 14. Pat Santa Maria from Massachusetts on PAY BACK a 36’ Skater with Mercury engines.

15. John Woodruff from Georgia on WINDSHIP a 48’ MTI with Mercury Racing 1350’s.

15 16. Robert Gillingham from Florida on LIVING VI CARIOUSLY a 29’ Velocity with a Ron Potter engine.

17. Michael Maggio from Illinois on DRIVEN a 46’ Cigarette with Cobrapower 1000’s.

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18. Bob Eppl from Indiana on TEAM VELOCITY a 39’ Velocity with Mercury Racing 700’s.

19. Some lucky boat got into the mix.

Let’s hope he registers next year.

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Top: Jody Oliver and crew, from LA, enjoyed their first Florida poker run on MONKET, a 39’ MTI. Below: John and Cheryl Bucenell, from VA team SMOKING GUN, a 38’ Cigarette.

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20. Peter Marton from Florida in AVANTI a 33’ Avanti with Mercury Racing 525’s.

21. Dan Davies from Illinois on a 42’ 21

Fountain Race Edition with Mercury Racing 700’s.

22. Joe Sabo from New Jersey on MORNIN SMOKE’ a 38’ Cigarette with Cobrapower engines

23. Michael and Melanie Drury from Mississippi on LIQUID THUNDER a 35’

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Donzi with Mercury Racing engines.

24. Steve and Betsy Britton from Florida on SHAKE-N-BAKE a 30’ Cigarette with Merlin engines.

25. Vu Nguyen from Louisiana on SEE VU PLAY a 38’ Donzi with

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Mercury Racing 525’s.

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Top: Mavericks night club was party central for the poker run.

Below: Canadian Benny D’Angelo and friends at the Saturday party.

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26. Anton Holstrom from South Caro-

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lina on COUNTRY GIRL a 42’ Cigarette with Mercury Racing 700’s.

27. James Pellizzi from Florida on TAP THIS a 39’ Nor-Tech .with Richie Zul 1000SC’s.

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28. Mark Tuck from Virginia on OH SO SEXY a 42’ Fountain with Mercury Racing 700’s.

29. Kort Wittich from Louisiana on NO CEILINGS a 43’ Sunsation with Mercury Racing 700’s.

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30. Kurt Groom from Florida on BERTRAM COMPETITION, a mid 70’s Bertram Raceboat with Custom

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800HP engines.

31. Mike and Angela Goldaugh from 29

Alabama on LATE FEE$ a 38; Donzi with with Mercury Racing 700’s.

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The Saturday night party at Mavericks night club was a big hit with poker teams and their guests.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Buddy Thomas featured his newly rigged 50’ Outerlimits, GOLD DIGGER powered

by Mercury Racing 1075’s.

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THE ST. JOHNS RIVER...A BOATERS PLAYGROUND!

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a a. Bill Pyburn Sr & Jim Suber.

Organizers don’t have to wear PFD’s?

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b. Rod & Terrie Couch 35 Fountain

SPITTEN KITTY. Mike & Michelle Peery along for the ride.

c. George Clay from Kentucky in a 30’ Liberator cat.

d. Barry Harrell (AL) with his all girl

crew including Tiffany Sporl as captain.

e & f. Twin Donzi 22 Classics attended the poker run.

soiree

BILL JR’S

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Bill Pyburn Jr’s riverfront home provided an afternoon retreat from the heat, as a handful of poker run teams stopped by, rafted up and took a dip in the pool.

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IDLE TIME: After pulling a way from the dock at the Outback Crab Shack, there’s a five minute idle out to the open river where the drivers can throttle up.

Time to snug up the life jackets, stow the loose items and get ready for high speed thrills!

2011 SERIES SPONSORS

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cruising down memory lane P

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STORY: STU JONES l PHOTOS: C. MEIGHAN

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POWERBOATINGIN INPARADISE PARADISE POWERBOATING

To celebrate twenty years of Powerboating in Paradise, Florida Powerboat Club staged a commemorative poker run, tracing the course of that very first Sunny Isles Poker Run that lit the torch that has been burning ever since.

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hen Sunny Isles Marina opened in the summer of 1991, the owners wanted some form of fun and excitement to headline their grand opening celebration. Something more than the average gimmick where the police woman jumps out of a squad car and claims to be arresting the marina owner for staging a party without a permit, then strips down to her undies before him as his punishment. (OK that might have happened ) But

the poker run was the main theme of this story, and that’s what you’re about to get.

In July of 1991 the 1st Annual Sunny Isles Poker Run welcomed powerboaters from the local area, and offered a free month of storage at the marina, as part of their $400 registration fee. Not a bad deal, considering it was the hottest new marina in town, located smack in the middle between the two powerhouses Fort Apache continued on next page

ad name

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continued from page 00 to the north and Spinnaker Marina to the south...and just a ten minute hop to Haulover Inlet. The poker run event went off without a hitch, everyone had fun, and Sunny Isles Powerboat Club was formed less than a year later. Fast forward twenty years.

Just ten boats registered for the commemorative event, so apparently the significance of the date got lost in the marketing materials, much to the organizer’s disappointment. But after twenty years he’s had his share of winners and losers, so he sucked up his pride and showed on the dock at Sunny Isles Marina, with fresh bagels and two boxes of joe-to-go for the dockside captains breakfast. Of course in late June its already 85 degrees in the shade at 10am so the coffee was kind of a waste of twenty five bucks!

With a fifteen minute captains briefing under the new tiki hut, we were off and running..with the Bravo Helicopters Jet Ranger in hot pursuit. While none of the original attendees were present from twenty years ago, the club founder was, and he felt pretty good about the whole escapade. And by the way, for those of you who DID make it, that meant a lot to me, and I really appreciated spending that very special day with all of you!

—Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com

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A. Jack D. Sullivan from Oklahoma on RADICAL DECISION a 38’ Cigarette with Mercury Racing 525’s.

B. Mike & Maggie Sanz (FL) in their new Renegade Center Console powered by twin Mercury Verados

C. It was a shake-down run for new member Paul Iser with John Arruda on FLYBOY, a brand new Mystic 50’ powered by Turbine Marine Lycomings.

D. John Costello ran his 39 MTI, formerly Team

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CRC, now Team Cobrapower, to a poker run victory, later that day, as the cards were pullled at Gulfstream Park.

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E.Ron Schwartz from Pennsylvania on WHEELER DEALER a 39’ Cigarette with Mercury engines.

F. The girls of Taverna Opa were quite a hit at the Gulfstream Park race village.

G. Ben Lehman (OK) took delivery of his new 42 MTI just days before the event, making Sunny Isles his maiden poker run with the new boat.

H. Pat & Diane Haughey from Pompano Beach Florida on a 37’ Active Thunder.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ACES FULL Texas member Bill Robbins pulled off an amazing attendance record in 2011, attending every one of the five events on the Spring Tour, in his 38 Fountain, Aces Full. He even volunteered as our Paceboat on two of the five events!

A month later, Bill re-commissioned his 40 Nor-tech cat for the Bahamas and Emerald Coast Poker Runs. Now THAT’S a hard core powerboaterl!

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BAHAMAS fast forward to paradise!

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When the summer weather takes hold in South Florida, winds become calm, seas become docile, and FPC members become anxious for adventure in foreign ports! Bahamas here we come!

Capturing the money shot was on the agenda, as Country Girl lead the roaring pack northbound along Fort Lauderdale Beach, allowing the low, early morning sun to enhance the brilliant colors and graphics of the colorful fleet.

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“Pack light” might be the best advice for anyone attending the Bahamas Poker Run. Bikinis and tank tops for the gals, trunks and tees for the guys.

It’s a wet & wild weekend!

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here’s a right way and a wrong way to do anything, and in the South Florida small-craft boating world, that extends to a very well-accepted doctrine about cruising to the Bahamas. You GO in the Summer, you Don’t GO in the winter. While a fluke stretch of nice weather might open the door to a swift crossing to the Bahamas in the middle of December, the trip home two days later could easily be a Gilligan’s Island sequel. It is truly the summer months, when weather patterns are most favorable for calm seas and a fair-weather crossing over the fifty plus mile stretch of water that is known as none other than, the Gulf Stream.

(I will save the meteorology footnotes and let you look it up on wikipedia, but it’s a good read) The annual FPC Bahamas Poker Run got off to a roaring start on a beautiful July morning, in what could be documented as the nicest crossing we may have seen in recent years. With no detectable wind, the seas were like glass and it was simply superb. continued on next page POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

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Allen & Dana Milarcik from Ohio in their rare, 37 MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, as they prepare to anchor alongside the Sapona shipwreck in Bimini.

continued from page 73 Departing for Port Everglades, the small fleet of boats was no different than any other diverse FPC fleet, with people from the four corners of the world taking part in what might the considered one of the coolest things you can do with a powerboat from the South Florida coastline. (Sorry Key West, I love you too, but for other reasons!)

Our format deviated somewhat from previous years, with a plan to spend two days in Bimini, followed by two days in Grand Bahama and a final night in West End, at the Ginn Old Bahama Bay Resort. With ideal weather and plenty of adventures planned for the five day agenda, most would agree that this was indeed one of the most memorable Bahamas trips ever!

Like many of the islands in the Bahamas, Bimini carries a colorful history, but in many ways it has a special place in the hearts of recreational boaters, fisherman, sailors, offshore powerboat racers and former drug smugglers. Oh, that last group? I just heard about all that stuff after cruising to the Bahamas for the last twenty years, and I’m certain that at least half of what I heard is true. But about being that special place...Bimini is really back on top as a boating destination, and for many good reasons. At just 50 miles 74

from Miami, 57 miles from Fort Lauderdale, it’s close and easy to reach.

With great offshore fishing, excellent undersea adventures and historic sites like the Sapona shipwreck, pristine secluded beaches and coves for anchoring, there is really a lot to do for any type of boater.

But for many years, Bimini lacked a good supply of quality accommodations, making it somewhat harsh for the spoiled American tourists that many of us have become. That all changed when the Bimini Bay Resort & Marina was completed and opened a few years ago. While it was primarily designed as a private condo resort which also offers rental accommodations to outside visitors, clearly the property has been forced to meet the challenges that come along with this style of resort. To meet this challenge, an American resort management firm called Rock Resorts has recently come on board in the last year, and they are doing a wonderful job of accommodating outside guests. More importantly, with two first class marinas on property, they love the boaters! The combination of all these factors has made Bimini a number one boating destination once again, and we can’t wait to return in 2012!

—Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Top Left: Stu & Jackie with Mark & Eileen Fischer, Mike and Maggie Sanz, Bill & Evie Dahl at the Infiniti pool, Bimini Bay Resort. Top Right: Audra Peterson from Texas sums up her feeling about this adventure...WhoooHooo! Right: The Junkanoo Parade passed through Our Lucaya Resort daily, inviting guests to join in on the fun!

Relaxing at Honeymoon Harbour, Bimini’s popular sandy anchorage for boaters.

Big Highlight: Feeding the stingrays!

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Left: Lacie & John from the Ridin Dirty crew.

Right: Laura, Kenny & Jessica in North Bimini.

Bottom: Jackie & Laura bobbing around at Honeymoon Harbour.

Jeff Campbell from Texas had a full crew of eight on board his 37 Active Thunder AVS, powered by Mercury Racing 600SC’s.

James Pellizi from Tampa gave his gal Heather some wheel time on his 39 Nor-Tech TAP THIS. She managed the Zul 1000SC’s with confidence.

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Ken Armstrong from Texas in his 44’ MTI cat, HELL RAZOR, powered by Mercury Racing 1075’s.

Mark & Eileen Fischer from Florida in their 50’ Nor-Tech, EILEEN’S FIFTY Heading out from Port Lucaya to Peterson’s Cay.

Top Left: Cass Shewbert, Lacie & Jeff Campbell. Right: Having Fun at Peterson’s Cay, Grand Bahama. Bottom: Ken Armstrong jumped on board with Mark Fischer for the ride to Petersons Cay.

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OFFICIAL PACEBOAT: Anton Holstrum from South Carolina on his 42 Cigarette COUNTRY GIRL, powered by Mercury Racing 700’s.

Guest Captain: Pat Sullivan at the helm.

Bill Robbins from Texas in his 40’ Nor-Tech Roadster, ALL IN AGAIN, powered by Mercury Racing 850SCi’s

LOOK FOR THIS MONEY SHOT in the Mercury Racing 2012 Calendar TO ORDER: www.mercuryracing.com

Top Left: James Bohannon III and gal Audra Peterson from Texas. Right: Heather Scull & Jackie Jones in Bimini.

Bottom: The Junkanoo Parade for a big hit with FPC members who were enjoying happy hour at Hammerheads.

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Paul Bertucci from Mississippi in his 43’ Nor-Tech, BEER MONEY powered by Triple Nor-Tech 625 HP.

Top Left: Flying the Bahamas courtesy flag is a tradition for visiting boaters. Left: Crossing the Gulf Stream in the summer months often provides calm lake-like cruising conditions.

Above: James Pellizi and Heather enjoying the Bimini Beach party.

Newlyweds Harald & Magdalena Bertsch from Germany in their 38 Donzi ZR, powered by Mercury Racing 525’s.

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Curt and Juju Vinson (FL) in their Nor-Tech 39 Supervee with Mercury Racing 525’s. Thanks to Curt and Juju for conrtibuting their cash prize back to FPC after winning the poker run!

Ron Schwartz from Pennsylvania, returned for his second Bahamas Poker Run, in his 39 Cigarette Top Gun WHEELER DEALER, powered by Mercury Racing 700’s.

Top Left: Even the teaming rain would not drive these beach bums out of the water at Old Bahama Bay. Above: Amy from HIGH HEELIN’ got into the Junkanoo Spirit. Left: The girls of Ridin’ Dirty, awaiting departure for Peterson’s Cay.

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Right: The Friday afternoon agenda included a Golf Cart Rally from the pool at Bimini Bay Resort to the northern beaches. The event proved to be an off-road adventure with some comical highlights. Below: Poolside at Bimini Bay Resort & Marina, as the group enjoyed a sunset happy hour party.

Bruce & Babs Box from Mississippi in their Nor-Tech 43 Supervee, Team BAD BOY, powered by Mercury Racing 700’s.

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P A R A D With over 150 registered teams, the 2011 edition of Emerald Coast Poker Run returned to “business as usual” just one year after the BP oil spill, and raised over $140k for local youth charities!

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From Panama City Beach to Pensacola Beach, the Emerald Coast is a summertime playground like no other.

With endless beaches of white velvety sand that gives barefootin’ a whole new meaning, and miles of protected waters that make boating a pleasure for any size craft, this strip of paradise in the Sunshine state is as close to per-

fect as it gets. Mix in some southern hospitality, extensive lodging options and great dining, and you’ve got all the ingredients necessary for a good powerboating poker run. Except of course, the powerboats.

That’s where the Florida Powerboat Club comes in. Since 1999 when the first wave of about twenty Florida

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

I S E Powerboat Club members brought their boats to Destin- Fort Walton Beach, it was apparent that this was a great summer getaway. At the time, the Emerald Coast Poker Run was in its 6th year, and featured a diverse entry roster of runabouts, cruisers, fishing boats, pontoons and even a handful of offshore powerboats.

in the Panhadle

STORY: STU JONES l PHOTOS: ROMONA ROBBINS & STU JONES

The course was long...Sandestin to Perdido Key in Alabama, the entry fee low...just $200 bucks...and the Saturday night party was packed toe-to-toe in the Elks Lodge in Fort Walton Beach. And it was fun!!

That started the wheels turning, as Florida Powerboat Club got on continued on next page

Poker Run Registraton Fee: $550. Funds raised by the poker run for youth charities: $140,000. Getting a good parking spot on the beach at Juana’s...

Priceless.

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Frank Sandro and the gang from Emerald Grande in this 73’ Roscioli EMERALD GRANDE POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

continued from page 83 the Emerald Coast band wagon, and never looked back. Within a couple of years, the registration roster went over 100 teams, and even peaked at over 200 teams on occasion back in the glory days just five or six years ago.

The charity side of the poker run is also unique, and carries a great track record for fund-raising, primarily for youth-oriented programs, since the early days when co-founders John Reinhold and Alan Laird got started.

As the event grew, raising more money every year for charity, the fund-raising model become more structured, and in 2004 the group filed as a 501(c)3 charity and became the Emerald Coast Foundation. At the same time, a Boat Week format was adopted, which added a series of land-based events to the poker run, and raised the bar for both the participants enjoyment and for the event’s fund-raising potential.

This event management model continues to yield the best possible results for the participants, organizers, fund-raising committees, and the local economy, as the 2011 Emerald Coast Poker Run filled hotels, restaurants and marinas, not to mention, set a new record for the charity proceeds. Within just days of the event’s completion, Emerald Coast Foundation president, Chris Sehman, reported a final tally of net proceeds over $140,000, which is dispersed across eight local non-profit youth organizations.

So what is there to tell you about the 2011 Edition of the Emerald Coast Poker Run? We’ll let the pictures tell the story!

With the exception of a few rain showers through the course of the five day Boat Week agenda, the poker run went off without any major incidents. One boat was reported to have lost control and rollover after erratic driving, but this was not a boat on the poker run, and the operator was charged with two counts of reckless driving by Florida Fish and Wildlife officers.

So please enjoy the photo editorial, and thanks to those of you who joined us! See you again next year!

—Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com

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The new Team Fountain sponsored the Emerald Coast Poker Run and arrived with an entourage.

Emerald Coast 2011 winners John and Cher Floyd took home the Grand Prize 2011 Ford F-150, sponsored

by Gary Smith Ford.

Johnny Ballard from TX had a sexy crew on board his new 43 Nor-Tech, WRONGFULLY ACCUSED.

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1. Craig Mytelka from VA in his 43’ Sunsation with ILMOR MV725 HP. 2. Alan Swindoll from TX in his 47’ Fountain.

3. Ray Andrus from TX in his 32 Active Thunder.

4. Steve & Betsy Britton from FL in their 30’ Cigarette SHAKE N BAKE, powered by Merlin engines 5. Tom & Rachel Regan from TX in their 38’ Cigarette HOLD ON TIGHTER with Mercury Racing 525’s 6. Anton Holstrom from SC in his 42’ Cigarette named COUNTRY GIRLwith Mercury Racing 700’s.

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7. Roger Anderson from TX in his 42’ Fountain EASY MONEY with Mercury 525’s.

8. Scott & Brandie Wolfe (AL) in their 27 Baja , Team Bankrupt$y 9. Amos and Deb Lisenby from Panama City in their 42’ Fountain KNOTY - KNOTY with Mercury Racing 700’s.

10. Lance Panepinto from LA in his 30’ Baja Outlaw..first time on Emerald Coast event.

11. Emerald Coast veterans David & Jan Newman from FL in their 28’ Sunsation JANSATION.

Destin Plastic Surgey sponsored the checkpoint in Joe’s Bayou, Destin POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

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12. Brian & Chanda Yelton from TX in their 47’ Fountain with triple Mercury Racing 525’s

13. Terrell & Lara Haydock from TX in their 36’ Sunsation I SED 8U with Mercury Racing 600’s SCi’s.

14. Rick Koleman from GA in his 46’ Black Thunder with Eikert engines.

15. Kent Streeter from AR in a 35’ Donzi MISS MYMONEY II with ILMOR engines.

16. Joe Williams from FL in his 28’ Sunnsaton, Team RED RIDER.

17. Thomas & Marianella Roper from TX in their 40’ Baja Outlaw, 40 SOMETHING

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Miss Boat Week 2011 Melissa Gordon

competed with over 20 contestants at the Swamp in Ft. Walton Beach. (Not Ft. Walten as the tank top may claim)

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19 18. Jim & Lynne Archambault from GA in their 42’ Nordic KEEPIN’ IT REALwith Mercury Racing 700’s.

19. Bobby Campbell from FL in his 27’ Fountain 1-850-ASPHALT.

20. Bryan Davies from LA in his 38’ Hustler KING DING A LING.

21. Bryan & Karen Little from KY in their 42’ Fountain BIG BLUE. Below: The BIG BLUE crew having fun at AJ’s

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22. Dave Martino and Ken Gauci from FL in their 47’ Fountain EXOTIC DRIVEN with triple Teague Custom Marine engines.

23. Derek Wachob from OK had his 65 Viking WOUND UP cruising the course.

24. Weston Bass from LA in his 33’ Wellcraft BAM BAM with Mercury Racing engines.

25. Kyle Tallo from LA in his 35’ Fountain SWEET T.

26. Jim Kerneckel from TX in his 38’ Cigarette TOP GUN.

27. Johnnie Sexton from FL in his 36’ Sonic IT’LL DO II with Mercury Racing engines.

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28. Joe Pandak from TX in his 36’ Cigarette GLADIATOR with Mercury Racing 525’s.

29. Gerald Brown from TN in his 42’ Fountain ILLUSION with Mercury Racing 525’s.

30. Fred & Rusti Kilcrease from GA in their 36’ Apache with Mercury Racing 525’s.

31. Bill & Wende Harrison from GA in their 36’ Sunsation HARRISON CONTRACTING

32. William & Carroll Smith from TX in their 42’ Fountain, DEALERSHIP.

Chris Bradley enjoyed the poker run on his new 40’ NorTech Roadster cat.

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Tremblay and John Arruda from FL in this awesome 44’ MTI named TURBINE EXPRESS with twin Turbine Marine 1500HP Lycomings.

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34. Eric Belisle from FL in his 32’ Spectre WHY WALK WHEN YOU CAN RUN, powered by twin Mercury Outboards.

35. Brian & Michelle Ritchey from TX in their 36’ Skater FOURSUM.

36. Mark & Diana Santos from TX in their 36’ Skater FREQUENT FLIER with Brad Smith engines.

37. Zane & Amanda Mead from TX in their 42’ MTI named OVERKILL with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

38. Jody Oliver from LA in his 39’ MTI, Team MONKET, with Sterling power.

39. Nate & Robin Michel from LA in their

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36’ Spectre, team DOGHOUSE.

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Saturday Night’’s Alright

The Big Saturday Night party was a packed house at the Emerald Coast Conference Center in Fort Walton Beach.

With great food, an open bar and live entertainment from hometown favorite Ron “Elvis” Adams, the roof was rockin!.

IDLE TIME Clockwide from top: -Jeff Cambell, Ridin Dirty.

- Mark & Eileen Fischer, Eileens Fifty.

- Drew Fleming, Game Over.

-Mike Fulgham- Yea Baby

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Cigarette’s Skip Braver and David Woods of Pier 57.

40 40. Jerry Swanson from Mississippi, in his 46’ Skater, Team TERRIBLE

41. Rafe Guidry from LA in his 36’ Spectre RAFE ‘N IT with customized Mercury 500’s.

42. Bill Robbins (TX) ALL IN AGAIN, 40’ NorTech with Mercury Racing 850’s.

43. Team info unknown.

44. Glen & Terri Hartzog from LA in their 36’ Nor-Tech C-YA

45. Allen & Starla Bruce from SC in their 33’ Eliminator FUELISH BEHAVIOR with Mercury 500efi’s pumped up to 860HP.

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46. Chris Bradley from TX in his 40’ Nor-tech Roadster with Mercury Racing 1075’s.

47. Aldo Waters from OK in his MTI with Mercury Racing engines. Team 1N110 promotes Autism Awareness.

48. Jake & Gina Nossaman from OK in their 29’ DCB, JAKE BRAKE

49. Ken Armstrong from TX back again in this 44’ MTI HELLRAZOR with Mercury Racing engines

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50. John Woodruff

from GA in his 48’ MTI WINDSHIP with Mercury Racing 1350’s.

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WINDSHIP came complete with Entertainment program at AJ’s on Friday night.

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2011/12 OCTOBER 28, 2011

CALENDAR

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BAM MARINE.................................. 10

Co-Sponsored by PETERS & MAY

BROWARD IMPACT ......................... 23

This events celebrates the Kickoff of the FPC Fall Season and features: THE MISS KEY WEST POKER 25. #ONTEST 'RAND 0RIZE A -USTANG #ONVERTIBLE s 0RESENTED BY /&&,%!3%/.,9

NOVEMBER 8-14, 2011

19TH ANNUAL KEY WEST POKER RUN s 0RESENTED "Y -%2#529 2!#).'

-IAMI TO +EY 7EST

&OUR DEPARTURES 4UES &RIDAY s &0# 3 3)'.!452% %6%.4 s EXPANDED 0OKER 2UN 6ILLAGE

CIGARETTE RACING TEAM ............... 05 CORAL LAGOON RESORT ................ 57 DEEP IMPACT ................................ 19 DOLLER OFFSHORE ........................ 28 DUPONT REGISTRY ......................... 61

2012

FEBRUARY 17, 2012

GROVE HARBOUR MARINA .............. 37

MIAMI BOAT SHOW BASH s Raleigh Hotel. South Beach, FL

HABOURTOWNE MARINA ................ 69

FEBRUARY 23-26, 2012

HIDEAWAY MARINA ......................... 49

MIAMI BOAT SHOW POKER RUN Miami to Islamorada

ILMOR HIGH PERFORMANCE ........... 17

s POK (OLIDAY )SLE 2ESORT #HEECA ,ODGE s FEATURES 0OKER 2UN 6ILLAGE

KEY WEST POKER RUN................ BACK

MARCH 30 - APRIL 1, 2012

LEGEND MARINE GROUP ................. 15

TAMPA BAY POKER RUN

MERCURY RACING .......................... 02

2ENAISSANCE 6INOY 2ESORT 3T 0ETERSBERG

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW ................................... 59

MAY 18-20, 2012

OCEAN LED .................................... 63

With Festivals of Speed + Poker Run Village

JACKSONVILLE RIVER RALLY POKER RUN Downtown Jacksonville - St Johns River JUNE 21-24, 2012

BAHAMAS POKER RUN

ODYSSEY BATTERIES ...................... 63 OFFLEASEONLY/BOATS DIRECT ....... 13 PERFORMANCE MARINE TRADING ... 51

Featuring: Bimini Smugglers Run

PETERS & MAYS ............................. 25

AUGUST 9-14, 2012

PIER 57 MARINE ............................. 09

2 ANNUAL EMERALD COAST POKER RUN nd

Destin / Ft Walton Beach The Big One!

OCTOBER 26TH

20TH ANNUAL FT LAUDERDALE BOAT SHOW BASH

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE TV ..... 53 SHOGREN PERFORMANCE MARINE... 27 SKATER NATION.......................... 6 & 7 STATEMENT.................................... 35

+ICKOFF +EY 7EST 0OKER 2UN

SUNCOAST POWERBOATS .............. 29

NOV. 6-12, 2012

SUPERIOR COMMUNICATIONS (SCI) ............................................... 39

-IAMI TO +EY 7EST

TEAGUE CUSTOM MARINE .............. 99

20 ANNUAL KEY WEST POKER RUN TH

&OUR DEPARTURES 4UESDAY &RIDAY s FPC’s Signature Event!

Please confirm with FPC office before making travel plans. Dates subject to change.

Visit our website www.flpowerboat.com for updated information.

TOTAL DOLLAR INSURANCE ........... 33 NEXT ISSUE: WINTER 2012 MIAMI BOAT SHOW ISSUE

#/.4!#4 53 s &0#%6%.43 '-!), #/- s 777 &,0/7%2"/!4 #/98

ADV DEADLINE JAN 15, 2012 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

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fpc key west cover IV

November 8th - 14th 2011 Key west, Florida.

See our Poker Run Village Nov 10th - 13th at the Conch Republic Seafood Company for more information www.flpowerboat.com 954-545-1414