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6 minute read
30th ANNUAL BAHAMAS POKER RUN 2021
EAST BOUND & DOWN
FPC MEMBERS CELEBRATED 30 YEARS OF EXPLORING THE BAHAMAS IN JUNE BY NAVIGATING EASTBOUND FROM MIAMI, STOPPING IN BIMINI FOR A TWO-DAY FLING, THEN CONTINUING EAST TO CHUB CAY, BEFORE TAKING THE FINAL SOUTHEAST HEADING INTO NASSAU HARBOUR, FOR A GREAT ESCAPE TO PARADISE.
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STORY: STU JONES
When it comes to the South Florida boating scene, the majority of boaters would agree that cruising to the islands of the Bahamas is their most coveted adventure. When the summer months roll around and weather changes yield light winds and calm gulfstream conditions, recreational boaters start prepping for the eastbound adventure that provides countless destinations in boaters paradise. For the Florida Powerboat Club, the adventures have spanned thirty years, with the very first Bahamas run staged from Sunny Isles Marina in North Miami to Bimini.
Back then in May 1992, it was a mere 12-boat fleet with average length at about 28’ feet, so clearly that part of the equation has changed drastically in comparison this 30th anniversary event with 26 registered teams and an average length of 42 feet. We won’t even try to calculate the insane amount of horsepower for this fleet! What hasn’t changed is the allure of this beautiful 700-island chain, the turquoise waters, pristine beaches and pleasant charming nature of the native Bahamians. the morning winds and hopefully have a smooth ride across the 54 miles gulfstream crossing from Haulover Inlet. Like anything when it comes to Mother Nature, that’s not an exact science, and in within ten miles of departure, captains were re-calculating their balance between throttle speed and trim, to achieve as smoother ride for the crew and less strain on the boat hardware. Even on the FPC’s 38 Cigarette Top Gun, a boat that is known for its rugged offshore pedigree, it was a more comforting ride for the Jones family at 40 mph, and that seemed to be the common ground for most of the captains, as the fleet slowly separated in to a long caravan of weekend warriors, on their course to Bimini.
Arriving in Bimini there are a few landing options for customs and immigration clearance, some chose Bimini Big Game Club, while others went straight to our destination at Bimini Bay Marina, which is the host marina for Resorts World Bimini Hilton. After the usual frustration of the Bahamas clearance process, it was time to enjoy the area waters, as the majority of the pack headed southbound to Honeymoon Harbour, a popular anchorage that is home to an extended family of friendly stingrays and docile nurse sharks
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PHOTOGRAPHY: JERRY WYSZATYCKI, STU JONES
It doesn’t hurt to bring along a few pounds of squid if you want to have that close-encounter with Mother Nature’s sea creatures, and on this occasion everyone got a chance to enjoy this great experience! Saturday was equally exciting with a visit to the landmark Sapona shipwreck for snorkeling, while the most adventurous and certainly more agile voyagers climbed the jagged concrete and rustic rebar hull, for the privilege of jumping from the ships forward deck. It was content overload as these once-in-a-lifetime photos soon made their way onto dozens of IG and Facebook pages around the nation!
Saturday evening the teams joined the Jones family at a poolside suite to play out their poker cards, and at the very least rinse off the salt water in the pool, after a sun-drenched day of boating fun, Bimini-style.
While just a few teams returned to Florida after the Bimini weekend, as planned the remaining fleet, about twenty boats in all, headed further eastbound across the Bahama Bank, first visiting Chub Cay for lunch and a quick squirt of fuel, then proceeding on a southeast heading for the last forty-mile leg to Nassau-Paradise Island. The destination choices were Atlantis Resort & Marina on Paradise Island, and the all-new Margaritaville Resort on Nassau, neared the cruise-ship terminal and steps the popular Nassau straw market. Sadly, with the forces of the pandemic and the Bahamas Government’s accelerated anti-covid policies, the entire Straw Market and many of the downtown retail shops remained closed for our visit. Not that this created any issues for our weekend warriors, as many were content to relax around the pool and take in some of the area attractions and dining options. A good number of poker run teams did manage to enjoy an exquisite dining experience at Nassau’s oldest and most highly acclaimed Graycliff Hotel, known for its extensive wine collection, hand-rolled cigars, and in-house Chocolatier! Yes, they have their own chocolate and cigars. It really is, BETTER in the BAHAMAS! Special thanks to all of our teams and sponsors for joining us on this memorable 30th Anniversary Bahamas adventure, the longest running annual event on FPC’s event calendar! SJ
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SMOKIN HOTT Crew
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Mike Pizzelanti | FL | Team WASABI | 42' Mystic / 3-Mercury Verado 350
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Roger & Pam Anderson | TX | Team WILD HORSES | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing 450R
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Rob Boulware | FL | Team THE FLORIDA HUSTLER | 40' Sunsation / 3-Mercury Racing 450R
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John & Robin Cosker | FL | Team MYSTIC POWERBOATS | 42' Mystic / 4-Mercury Racing 450R
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Bruce Prescott | FL | Team JACKIE BLUE | 38' Mystic / 4-Mercury Racing 300R
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Robert & Crissy Lockyer | FL | Team CATTIVO | 44' Mystic / 2-Mercury Racing 1100
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Delanie Walker | TN | Team STRICTLY BUSINESS | 50' Outerlimits / 2-Mercury Racing 1100
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Thomas Taylor | FL | Team TBANK | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing 400R
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Terry & Crissy Sobo | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350
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Stu & Jackie Jones | FL | Team PROJECT 1080HP | 38' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 540 EFI
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H. Neil & Cindy Campbell | FL | Team BODACIOUS TOO! | 42' Mystic / 4-Mercury Racing 450R
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Mike & Olivia Lopez-Team GRAY AREA
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