VOL 16 #4
A MAGAZINE SHOWCASING THE FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB LIFESTYLE
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A Magazine Showcasing The Florida Powerboat Club Lifestyle WINTER 2017-MIAMI BOAT SHOW EDITION Vol. 16#4
EDITOR/PUBLISHER Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com
OFFICE MANAGER
Tracey Gutierrez admin@flpowerboat.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Lina Montes fpclina@gmail.com Juan Carlos Grisales fpcmag@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Jerry Wyszatycki Stu Jones
EVENT MANAGEMENT Jackie Jones jackie@flpowerboat.com Alex Egan alex@flpowerboat.com
TV & VIDEO PRODUCTION Stu Jones David Steel Ryan McCoy Mike Frenden Travis Nellem Joe Kotrady
DIRECT ALL INQUIRIES TO Florida Powerboat Club 1214 SW 6th 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
CONTENTS 4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Stu jones reflects on the club's 25 year history and how poker run organizers, manufacturers and poker run enthusiasts need to come together and make some tough decisions about the challenges faced with today's outrageous speeds.
6 KEY WEST POKER RUN 2016
Now in its 24th year, Florida Powerboat Club's signature poker run enjoys perfect weather for the annual pilgrimage to that one playground we all know as Key West!
8 KEY WEST: WEDNESDAY DEPARTURE
Over fifty teams took advantage of this earlybird departure, giving them less crowded poker run venues and one extra day to enjoy their escape to paradise.
26 KEY WEST: THURSDAY DEPARTURE
With well over 100 teams taking part over this 170 trek from Miami to Key West, it's nothing short of a military-scale operation. Yet somehow it went off without a hitch.
4 6 8 26
66 POKER RUN VILLAGE & SPONSOR PARTY
We love our sponsors so much...we gave them their entire Party Night at the Key West Poker Run Village, to recognize them for their continued support.
66
72 SATURDAY RAFT UP WOMAN KEY
We all know how much fun it is to raft-up, crank the tunes and enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow poker runners. The new location at Woman Key was the perfect setting for this raftup in paradise, as close to 200 boats congregated!
72
78 SATURDAY NIGHT AWARDS
Its not a poker run without playing out the poker cards and giving out some great prizes! The Saturday night party at Conch Republic Seafood Company brought all the teams together for an evening of food, fun and entertainment!
80 SAFETY MANAGEMENT UPDATE
Poker Run safety is not something that can be taken for granted. It takes a regimented approach that recruits top law enforcement assets and rescue personnel that can respond to accidents. The FPC Safety Management Program celebrates four years since inception in 2013. Key West Poker Run Village
78 80
94 WINTER POKER RUN- SNEAK PEEK
FPC Pompano Beach Headquarters All copyright laws apply. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher Traveling? Need to lighten the load? Enjoy the digital version of this issue of Powerboating in Paradise Magazine on...
There's no better to kick off the 2017 boating season than a quick romp to the middle Keys. Here's a little teaser from the January escape to paradise, while the rest of the country was blanketed with blizzards! ON THE COVER: Lunch stop at Gilberts, Key Largo, Florida COVER GIRLS: FPC model Heidi at Key West Poker Run
94
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SEE THE COMPLETE DIGITAL EDITION OF POWERBOATING IN PARADISE MAGAZINE AT WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM
L E TTE R F RO M THE
PRESIDENT A
s the doors open to the Miami International Boat Show in Virginia Key, I would say we have a lot to be thankful for around Florida Powerboat Club circles. It was at this very boat show, in February of 1992 that I put on my “powerboat club” hat and started talking to boat show visitors about joining poker runs to the Keys and Bahamas. “A polka run?” replied a guy from Boston... “How does that work?” Suffice it to say, that’s a question that I’ve had to answer about a zillion times in the years that followed, and I could probably pen a book-alone, that chronicled all the funny remarks and comical experiences I’ve had on that journey. But the mere fact remains, and makes me step back a little and ponder the reality… I have been organizing poker runs and rallies now for 25 years. We’re not talking about a couple of events a year. The Florida Powerboat Club has averaged about 12-15 events annually since year one (1992), and typically I will attend and support at least six other poker runs annually, outside Florida Powerboat Club’s event calendar. From Georgia to Texas to Arizona, north to Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Michigan…I have attended almost every major event on the National circuit at least once, while others several times. The math is crude and I don’t keep a diary, but I figure that sometime in late 2018, I will have staged and/or attended 500 powerboating events. I will be 59 years old when that happens, but I may look 69 from all the sun drenched skin. My boys will be 12 & 14 years of age, and magically my wife will still look like she is in her 30’s.
4 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE |
Stu, Max,Tyler & Jackie Jones
The point is, I will have a lot to be proud of and thankful for. The reality is, I will still have to work for 10 more years until my kids get through college! Since, I haven’t got a damn clue how to survive outside of the world that I have created; I have pretty much dedicated the rest of my career to this sport. Yes, it’s kind of a nice way of saying, “I still work for you guys, whether I want to or not.” But having all of this experience, means nothing to me, nor can it have value to any of my powerboating peers, if I am unwilling to share my experiences, and utilize that knowledge to improve our events and make safety a top priority. I have applied every logical and prudent guideline to our event formats, and will continue to implement the “best safety practices” on all runs…whether they are small 20-boat events, or monster events like Key West, approaching 200 registered teams. But we are one organization, amidst what is now, a globally recognized sport. If the other organizers and clubs are not willing to get tough on safety, and start applying thoughtful, logical, prevention-geared formats to their events, the accidents will just keep happening, and more precious lives will be lost. Above all, if the “sport” keeps allowing big powered cats to run amuck on poker runs at 170+ mph …
I will predict now, that more lives will be lost in the years to come. So join me please, in Taking Back Our Sport in 2017.
As I wrap of this edition of my LFP, it’s exciting to announce that we are finally laying the groundwork for Wor ldPowerboatClub.com, and a global network of events, labelled World Poker Run Tour (www. worldpokerruntour.com). This enormous, yet un-structured network already exists, and has been growing rapidly in five continents. It’s time to connect the people, the clubs, and the events that glorify the powerboating lifestyle, under one umbrella. This is a project that has been in the works for twenty-five years, and it’s time has finally come. There is a brief intro to this concept on Page 86. Thank you for reading this far, it means a lot to me. Please share your comments with me via email, or come say HI, at Booth F620 at the Miami Show.
Stu Jones President-Florida Powerboat Club
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 5
poker
RUN
WITH ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES, LIGHT WINDS AND CALM SEAS, IT WAS THE IDEAL SETTING FOR FPC’S 24TH ANNUAL KEY WEST POKER RUN, WHICH FEATURED AN AMAZING ROSTER OF NEARLY 180 POKER RUN TEAMS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND EUROPE. ASIDE FROM SAFETY CONCERNS OF MOVING THE FAST AND FURIOUS FLEET FROM MIAMI TO KEY WEST SAFELY, ORGANIZERS STILL FACED ONE DAUNTING CHALLENGE...”WHERE CAN WE PUT ALL THESE BOATS?”
WORDS BY STU JONES
I
n November 1993, twenty two Sonic powerboats assembled in Fort Lauderdale, and under the organizational umbrella of the newly formed Florida Powerboat Club, headed southbound to the Florida Keys. Destination…Faro Blanco Resort & Marina in Marathon, which included and agenda for a day trip to Key West to view the Offshore World Championships. This event set the stage and became the impetus for what is now FPC’s signature poker run event, which as just 24 years young, has evolved into a “bucket list” poker run for so many
6 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
passionate, enthusiast powerboaters from around the globe. It goes without saying, that managing a 180-boat fleet encompasses so many challenges for the organizers, and some often wonder how it succeeded after all these years. As the writer of this content, I would have to conclude, that I too, am still wondering the very same thing! Clearly, the Key West Poker Run has touched the lives of thousands over two and a half decades, and when something reaches critical mass of this magnitude, a simple concept comes into play.. Merely, that Big is Beautiful!
PHOTOS BY JERRY WYSZATYCKI & STU JONES
In the Florida Powerboat Club world, where bringing passionate people together for an exciting escape to paradise is the mission, the “BIG” factor seems to be the one common denominator that has widespread appeal among attendees. The question always pops up from the vast majority of attendees and sponsors.. as they plan their departure day...” What’s the biggest Day with the most boats? That’s when WE want to go!” Of course, too many boats in one place, at one time, can also have a negative effect on an event’s success, which
is why FPC began stretching out the poker run agenda to include multiple departure days..as many as four runs, Tuesday through Friday in the earlier days, but more recently, the Wednesday and Thursday departure has seemed to work just fine…with split stopover venues in Key Largo and Marathon along the 170 poker run course. We hope you enjoy the following fifty-plus pages of photo editorial, featuring the adventurous members of the Florida Powerboat Club and our very supportive industry sponsors! SJ
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 7
RUN DAY 1
O
nce upon a time FPC offered four event departures for the Key West run, from Tuesday through Friday, but the rationale for this format has diminished in recent years. It all started back in the APBA Offshore days, when the Key West Worlds often pulled well over a hundred-plus racing teams, and for hard-core offshore enthusiasts, the Tuesday Key West departure gave these
8 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
fans a chance to enjoy the poker run and arrive early enough to catch all the racing heats, Wednesday through Sunday. Of course, the racing climate has changed, with smaller race turnouts and less urgency on the part of fans to arrive early, and soon the Wednesday run became much more popular. continued on page 10
David Landsman | MD Team GOLDDIGGER- 50'Outerlimits
Karl Waite & Malgande Nokham | FL Team MINE - 48'Fountain
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 9
Kicking things off at the new Haulover Marine Center, there was plenty of hustle & bustle, as boats of all descriptions were launching and staging at the modern new facility, preparing for the 10am start. Soon after the FPC Ocean Hawk 33 was lowered down into the water by the massive 74,000 lb. rated Wiggins forklift, we were underway on the ICW for the rendezvous at Haulover Inlet with the FPC chopper, followed by an exciting ride along the skyscraper lined beaches towards Government cut. With light winds and lake-like ocean conditions, we were pumped up for a great day ahead….and couldn’t wait to catch up with the rest of the pack at Grove Harbour Marina, for an amazing day of boating ahead!
David Tievy | MD Team SPEC-OPS IV - 48'Fountain
Ray & Kristine Gremaux | NY Team BIG SHOT! - 42'Mystic
Jason Hearn | WV Team MCT RACING - 32'Formula
Right on schedule, after grabbing the first poker card at Grove Harbour Marina, the first group of highperformance boats hit the throttles and set their course for Key Largo… then Marathon, with a final romp offshore into Key West. Most would agree that the warm temperatures and calm seas made for a simply superb day of Powerboating in paradise.
10 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Chris Ribeiro | TX Team LOW MAINTENANCE - 38'Donzi
ted eden c e r p an un drives. unce n o n n 5 ster oa 6 t 5 d d e 0 an leas antly g is p he 520, 54 n i c ignific a s t R a r y s o r r f e u aMerc r deliv ue and ultr gram e o ks r w o p er g bac 65 p orq n t w i 5 c r o r a e o p h R , re y 0, 540 gh hig ercur M ty. rou th 52 of all, arran nce th t ng wi w i e s i r r d e e e e B t w p . r limi Repo ing ex stems 2-yea d driv rol sy e e t v v i n s o o r n c imp rehe igital comp sive d a n o h t p i s re ges w packa e s e h t s
• • • • •
e rebat h s a C g kits n i g g i DTS r trols n e o e r C F rt o Effo r e Z value l i a Free t e 0 ,200 r 8 $ une 3 J o t h p g u U 6 thro 1 y r a Janu
AILS OWER T P E E R D O T FOR R /R ACE E M L O C A . G R DE R ACIN U Y O R Y U C MER SEE
James Lee | KS Team DOUBLE TAKE 46' Skater
Loren Peters | MO Team CHANGE ORDER - 40'MTI
Cole & Grant Whitcher | CA Team SAVAGE - 40'Skater 12 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
DOUBLE TAKE Crew
Rocco & Danielle Rocco | NH Team TIME CONSCIOUS - 38'Statement
Don & Alice Lightfoot | TX Team FOOTLOOSE TOO - 52'Nor-Tech
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 13
DEPARTING GROVE HARBOUR MARINA AFTER CARD #1
Paddy Sullivan | MD Team CODE BLUE - 38'DONZI
Jonathan Rooks | MI Team OUTERLIMITS - 52'Outerlimits
Andy & Eileen Templeman | IN Team PREMIER OBSESSION - 39'Nor-Tech
Brett & Tyler Miller | KS Team RECOVERY - 40'Skater
Christian & Andrea McCauley | NH Team ALL SET - 46'Outerlimits 14 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 15
Heading out from Gilberts for the scenic ride through the upper Keys
Jake and Gina Nossaman | OK Team WIRED UP - 48'MTI
Travis Reed | MO Team WHITE LIGHTNING/SMITH POWER - 36'Skater
Cliff & Mellissa Anderson | TX Team PAPER CHASER - 36'Eliminator
Derek & Nora Wachob | OK Team BLACK DIAMOND 52'MTI & Derek Wachob | OK Team BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS 34'MTI
16 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
NAUTI GIRL Crew
Parnell & Wendy Olson | MI Team WICKED WON - 41'Saber
Bob & Kari Blanford | FL Team BOB 39'See Vee
Steve and Marina Johnson | FL Team NAUTI GIRL - 38'Formula
Michael Ciasulli | NJ Team MAXON AUTO GROUP - 38'Skater
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 17
DOUBLE TAKE Crew
Jim Stockton | TX Team CHICS DIGIT - 42'Fountain
John & Tracy Wittenberger | NJ Team ON THE ROCKS- 36'Sonic
David Beach | NJ Team ROCK & RYE III - 37'Outerlimits
James Lee | KS Team FREEDOM 28 - 28'Skater
18 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE |
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 19
BISCAYNE BAY OFFERED CALM WATERS FOR SOME HIGH SPEED CAT-PLAY
Lane & Chris Christianson | TX Team FAST LANE - 52'Outerlimits
Adam Carpenter | MI Team DISCRETE - 34'Sunsation
David & Kacie Womack | TX Team INTIMIDATOR - 38'Fountain
Rick DeNeve | IA Team SUNSATION - 32'Sunsation
20 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 21
Josh Navarro | FL Team DOUG WRIGHT - 32'Doug Wrigh
Dave Dusendang | MI Team OUTERLIMITS - 46'Outerlimits
Cover Girl Heidi 22 | POWERBOATING
Roger & Pam Anderson | TX Team EASY MONEY - 39'Nor-Tech
Frank Jr Jannucci | NJ Team UNDERDOG - 35'Formula
IN PARADISE
Stu & Jackie Jones | FL Team FPC- 33'Ocean Hawk SAFETY BOAT Sponsored By Boats Direct USA
Curtis & Debbie Gano | MI Team PRIMAL INSTINCT - 38'Cigarette
Dr Ino Halegua | FL Team GREECE LIGHTNING - 38'Cigarette
Johan Mustad | Team KUKA LEIF - 43'Nor-Tech
FPC Girl Luissa
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 23
Beau and Tiffiney Renfroe | GA Team DIRTY MONEY - 36'Skater
Jared & Heather Morris | IA Team SUNSATION POWERBOATS - 34'Sunsation
Dustin Zumo | OK Team NAUTI ASSESSMENT - 38'Cigarette
24 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Derek Wachob | OK Team PLAN B - 42'Cigarette
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 25
DAY 2
RUN
WORDS BY STU JONES
I
f you’ve ever experienced a poker run with 50 or more powerboats running together for 170 miles, you’d have a good appreciation of what the Wednesday event delivers. Now double that, to about 115-plus powerboats…and you’ll now get the Thursday departure experience. Bigger. Much bigger! For the 2016 edition, it was well orchestrated, due in part
26 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
to the addition of the new Haulover Marine Center to the staging mix. Adding to the North Miami flow, a handful of boats trickled in from Fort Lauderdale, while a baker’s dozen appeared from TNT Marine center, located just a few miles west of the Haulover Inlet. What transpired, was an incredible offshore romp from Haulover Inlet, passing South Beach to Government Gut, as nearly 50 teams weaved through the south side of Port Miami, providing
With a constantly growing event and the continuous flow of boaters from out-ofstate, having great marina partners has been paramount to the success of the Key West Poker Run. Less than two years ago, FPC fell victim to economics, as the owners of SeaIsle Marina in downtown Miami changed their business model, to become a full-time, annual slip rental format. This essentially evicted FPC from the facility for poker run staging, and FPC was forced to lean on local marina operators to pick up the slack.
With open arms, Grove Harbour Marina welcomed FPC members for staging, overnight docking, trailer and vehicle parking, while the neighboring Courtyard Marriott and Ritz Carlton provided across-thestreet accommodations. Kicking events off every morning, entailed FPC spreading out fresh coffee and bagels dockside, as the Grove Harbour staff worked feverishly to launch and fuel boats, and help our participants get out on the water.
Of course, it wouldn’t be perfect, without the ceremonious poker card pickup off the Grove Harbour fuel docks! Taking this task seriously, with their boxing gloves mounted on PVC poles, the Grove Harbour boys have made this a fun, scratch-free experience! Thanks to Alan Lima and all the staff at Grove Harbour Marina…and we wish you success with your very exciting expansion plans, commencing soon!
PHOTOS BY JERRY WYSZATYCKI & STU JONES
a colorful change to the otherwise industrial backdrop of rustridden ships berthed alongside mammoth cranes. As the boats passed under the landmark Rickenbacker Causeway, it would be the last glimpse of Miami that these crews would see for the next few days. After all, the Thursday run calls for a five-day, four-night program in Key West, and for this moment, these anxious participants were fixated on the adventure that
they’d been planning for months! With a rendezvous at Grove Harbour Marina for a bonus poker card (worth the effort) the Thursday pack grew by another fifty boats, and the mass exodus began with staggered departures from a milling point just outside Dinner Key channel. Boating weather conditions measured a 9.5 on a scale of ten, making for a great ride in all three classes… continued on page 28
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 27
Eskil Hansen | Norway Team NOR-TECH - 50'Nor-Tech Note: Matching military helicopter!
High Performance leading the way with heart-pumping triple digit speeds, followed by Performance class teams that were dialed in at 85-90, and the tail gunners in the center consoles and sport cruisers, managing whatever speeds
seemed right for the wind-exposed crew. Make no mistake about it…While center consoles are ideal for poker runners with a lot of friends… there exist only two, possibly four seats on most center consoles that are sheltered by the 70
-80 mph winds! So, Captains…we urge you to put yourself in the front or rear bench before you palm the throttles of those Quad Mercury 400R’s up the 6800 RPM! After all, you DO want the ladies to come back, right?
William Betz | NY Team PURE EVIL - 50'Outerlimits
Ray Aquit | FL Team HAMMERTIME - 39'Deep Impact
Tony & Belinda Wormington | MO Team CHIEF ARROW - 40'MTI 28 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Joel & Gylaine Begin | QU Team NO STRESS - 52'Outerlimits
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 29
Gino & Renea Gargiulo with family and matching Lamborghini Aventador
Tim Gallagher | MO Team MTI - 34'MTI
Scott Witt & Jaime Moorman | VA Team OFFSHORE ACCOUNT - 40'Nor-Tech
Shawn & Christin Lather | SC Team DANGER ZONE - 43'Nor-Tech
Gino Gargiulo | FL Team SUPER VELOCE - 52'MTI
30 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Joe Sgro | Team OUTERLIMITS - 43'Outerlimits
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 31
Eric & Maggie Glaser | FL Team MIDNIGHT EXPRESS - 43'Midnight Express OFFICIAL SPONSOR
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS Crew
Jack & Crew
Jack Villars | Team JACK - 44'MTI
Scott Sjogren | IL Team MYSTIC - 42'Mystic OFFICIAL SPONSOR
32 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Fred & Judy Reavis | SC Team MTI - 48'MTI
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 33
LUNCH STOP
T
here’s something about that first poker run stop at Gilberts in Key Largo that tells participants, in a very comforting way..” Hey gang, welcome to the Florida Keys.” We suppose it’s a combination of that rustic atmosphere, huge tiki hut, and pleasant guitar accompanied vocals from local entertainers like Bobby Brown…that
34 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
make up the key ingredients. But let’s not over-analyze it. Instead, let’s just agree that it’s hard to pass up a quick stop at Gilberts without stopping in. For the Florida Powerboat Club, it’s been a tradition for almost twenty years, and somehow it just keeps getting better. With a fantastic kitchen staff that
is capable of serving 300 or more plates in less than an hour, and a bar staff that knows many of our FPC members by their first names, it’s pretty hard to pass up. Thanks to all the Gilberts staff and owners for treating FPC like family… and giving our Key West Poker Run attendees a memorable experience!
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 35
Richie & Melissa Barr | FL Team EXCESSIVE MODERATION - 36'Eliminator
Chet & Cindy Huffman | CA Team WAY NUTZ - 43'Nor-Tech
36 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Cass Shewbart | TX Team LIQUID PROZAC - 38'Cigarette
Kevin & Jenica Eisenbac | MO Team STIRRIN’ IT UP - 33'Baja
Jim Stockton | TX Team CHICS DIGIT - 42'Fountain
Jorge & Ann Arellano | FL Team SUPER BEAST - 39'MTI
Brian & Karen Connelly | NH Team NO AGENDA - 47'Nor-Tech
David DeNicola | NJ Team NOR EASTER - 39'Nor-Tech POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 37
Thursday check point on yacht MIA was sponsored by Nextera Energy Power Marketing
WHERE'S EILEEN NOW? Crew
Mark & Eileen Fischer | FL Team WHERE'S EILEEN NOW? - 52'Nor-Tech OFFICIAL SPONSOR
Christopher Burke | FL Team REEL FAST - 38'Fountain
38 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Benny D'Angelo | ON Team HOUDINI - 38'Cigarette
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 39
DEEP IMPACT Crew
David & Jenny Landsman | FL Team 4PLAY - 39'Deep Impact OFFICIAL SPONSOR
Danny & Dinze Merrell | GA Team PIRATE SPEED - 44'MTI
John & Maria Bettencourt | MA Team LAST CALL - 47'Fountain
40 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Larry & Brenda Chamberlain | MO Team MTI - 42'MTI
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Ed & Surey Garcia | FL Team APACHE PERFORMANCE - 41'Apache Cruising Neon Honey Harbour, Georgian Bay
George & Martha Takkula | FIN Team FINLAND - 42'Fountain
Brett Manire | MO Team PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER - 41'Cigarette Cruising Neon Honey Harbour, Georgian Bay
42 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Jimmy & Gina Smith | CA Team CRESCENDO - 42'Mystic Cruising Neon Honey Harbour, Georgian Bay
Josh Navarro | FL Team DOUG WRIGHT - 32'DOUG WRIGHT
Ron Roman & Deni Ricucc | NJ Team MOTLEY BLUE - 36'Cigarette
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Garry & Nancy Robertson | ME Team MY DIAMOND - 43'Nor-Tech
Noel & Gretchen Speranza | FL Team RETAINAGE - 42'Fountain
Tom Abraham | NY Team NOTORIOUS - 42'MTI
Michael Alexander | NY Team TJA MOTORSPORTS - 32'Skater
44 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 45
I
YACHT CLUB
f there ever was a “true landmark” resort in the Florida Keys, the Faro Blanco Resort & Marina would qualify at the top of that list. After all, its name-sake White Lighthouse remained standing for decades during the property’s reign in the seventies and eighties, ranking as a #1 stop for boaters visiting the Florida Keys. Matt Garland/ Kenny Schomp | KY Team DOWNTOWN1 - 40'Skater
Tom & Terry Beagle | KY Team BAR-NONE - 36'Sunsation
Oystein Tenold | Team NOR-TECH - 36'Nor-Tech
46 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
But even when the property fell on hard times, and was closed in 2002, that landmark lighthouse remained in tack, and became the focal point of the entirely new, luxury property that opened in January 2015. In fact, it was Florida Powerboat Club that the first boating group, in January 2015 for the Winter Poker Run… occupying the Hyatt Place rooms and the marina’s modern new marina, when it re-opened for business.
Since then, FPC has utilized Faro Blanco Resort as a strategic checkpoint for fuel and lunch on the Key West Poker Run, adding a tremendous impact on the smooth flow of boats to Key West.
Ken Armstrong | TX Team PHANTOM - 48'MTI
Glenn Salyer | KY Team LAKE CUMBERLAND MARINE - 52'Outerlimits
Cary & Julie Whitmore | MA Team EASILY DISTRACTED - 36'Nor-Tech
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 47
Andree Bakkegaard | NO Team PREDATOR - 44'Predator OFFICIAL SPONSOR
Peter Lima | Team MOTION - 35'Motion
Vinnie & Kim Diorio | SV Team CAZZA DIORIO - 42'Outerlimits
Troy Schirk | FL Team NOR-TECH - 39'Nor-Tech
48 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Jeff Layton | AL Team FOUNTAIN - 42'Fountain
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Johan Andersson | Team NOR_TECH - 39'Nor-Tech
Cole Brodie | GA Team BADFISH - 26'Velocity
Stephen Barker | NY Team FOR MY GIRLS II - 43'Nor-Tech
Anthony Bertozzi | VA Team SMOKIN HOT - 38'Cigarette
50 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Shaun & Mary Harrington | MA Team WATER WITCH - 37'Outerlimits
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 51
SANDY DOLLAR Crew
Sandy Estep | FL Team SANDY DOLLAR - 38'Fountain
Scott Favre | LA Team NEVER ENOUGH - 42'Cigarette
Jeff & Marilyn Whitlock | AL Team DO IT - 42'MTI
Dave & Dawn Scotto | ON Team GOTTA GO - 52'Outerlimits
52 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Mike & Maggie Sanz | FL Team BACK IN BLACK - 36'Deep Impact
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Š2016 MERCURY MARINE. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All other trademarks belong to the Brunswick Corporation.
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 53
KMJ RACING Crew
Tim & Jamie Manning | TX Team KMJ RACING - 42'Cigarette
Brian & Angela Manning | SC Team CONTROLLED CHAOS - 42'Outerlimits
Nate & Robin Michel | LA Team REMOTE ACCESS - 47'Outerlimits
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 55
Elmer Morgan | NJ Team WICKED ADDICTION - 40'Skater
Mike & Angela Goldbaugh | AL Team LATE FEE$ - 36'Skater
David Kramer | NJ NAUTI LIST - 38'Fountain
David Sacher | AL Team LEO IV - 36'Deep Impact
Mario Janoschka | FL Team GERMANY 2 - 32'Sunsation
Chris & Jennifer Grant | ON Team PAIN RELIEF - 42'Fountain
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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 57
Henrik Margard | FL Team NOR-TECH - 42'Nor-Tech Monte Carlo (this might be a new record!)
Larry & Emily Hill | FL Team MAXIMUS - 45'Cigarette
Brian Johnson | MD Team STERLING SILVER - 44'MTI
Robert Hooker | FL Team BALI BLUBY U - 43'Nor-Tech
Don House | FL Team HOUSE PARTY - 36'Cigarette
Rooster Tail "MONEY SHOT" from DANGER ZONE
Tom Gourzis | PA Team DEEZ KNOTS - 38'Statement
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Rick Kirk | OH Team BUCKEYE NATION - 39'Cigarette
James & Debra Leonardo | NY Team GOLD RUSH - 50'Nor-Tech
John Young | CA Team DV8 - 43'Azimut
Rusty Rahm | KS Team DESTINY - 54'Sea Ray
Mark Palanchian | FL Team NEXTERA ENERGY POWER MARKETING- 91'Eagle (MIA) POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 61
Jeff Campbell | TX Team CENTER OF ATTENTION - 38'Statement
Nick & Pricilla Buis | FL Team Statement! - 38'Statement
Todd Werner | FL Team STATEMENT - 38'Statement
Tony Canale | GA Team SONIC - 32'Sonic
Brad Schoenwald | FL Team HARDIN MARINE/PBN - 38'Cigarette
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Richard Gerth | Team OUTERLIMITS - 42'Outerlimits
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 63
Chris Mastronardi | Team BIG BAD WOLF - 50'Outerlimits
Jukka Murto | SW Team FINLAND - 43'Donzi
Michel Karsenti | FL Team GROS COCHONS - 32'Doug Wright
Chris Fisher | Team RECOVERY ROOM - 38'Statement
64 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
FPC MODEL Heidi
FPC MODEL Janeece
FPC MODEL Luissa
FPC MODEL Jesica
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 65
KEY WEST HISTORIC SEAPORT
DAY 3
T
he Key West Poker Run Village evolved soon after FPC moved it’s Key West party headquarters to the Conch Republic Seafood Company, in the Historic Seaport. What started as simply finding a restaurant large enough to support a party
66 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
for six-hundred or more attendees, has since evolved into the rental of a huge parking lot parcel, boat docks, and a fourday party that is visited by thousands! Whether you’re a Key West poker run participant, an offshore racer, or just a
performance boating enthusiast who drives down for the fun….the Key West Poker Run Village provides a backdrop of great food, first class sponsor displays and an inwater lineup of high-performance boats that is utterly amazing by day and by night!
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 67
E
very great poker run begins with a stellar roster of cool powerboats from all over North America and beyond, but it doesn’t end there. To complete the package and enhance the experience for the hundreds of participants, an organizer relies on supportive sponsors to help meet the budget requirements of a fullscale, signature event! Every year Friday night at the Key West Poker Run Village is dedicated to Sponsor Appreciation night, where upwards of 30 major sponsors, primarily from the performance marine trades, are recognized for their participation and loyal support of this event. Along with our 2016 presenting sponsor Mercury Racing, and our Grand Prize Sponsor, OffLease Only, we took time to thank each and every company involved….and recognize those key individuals and our industry peers for their contributions. We couldn’t do it without them!
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July 20 - 22, 2017
www.piratesoflanier.com
Key West Poker Run Village - Conch Republic Seafood Company
Jeff Stull - HARDIN MARINE
Stu Jones & FPC Girls at Ocean Hawk display
Eric & Maggie Glaser - MIDNIGHT EXPRESS
Mark Wilson of WILSON CUSTOM MARINE got party crashed by FPC Girls
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Jessica, Luissa, Heidi
Our Key West recruits were a big hit!
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SAT U R DAY R A F T U P F U N
DAY 4
WORDS BY STU JONES
I
t’s no secret that most FPC members put a lot of effort into getting their boats and crews to Florida, ready for the Key West Poker Run. Then, after an enjoyable 170-mile ride to Key West, they are very content to dock the boat and not see it again until Monday when they return to Miami. And for the other 160 teams, there’s the Saturday fun run and raft up party. After all, the other school of thought
is…we came all this way from Miami at wide open throttle and never once had a chance to load the cooler and crank up the new JL audio system! Indeed, as poker run organizers, we get it more than you know. That’s why it was a tough pill to swallow when National Wildlife Refuge officials targeted Florida Powerboat Club’s Boca Grande party, after it had been staged successfully for over fifteen years. We
won’t get into all the politics of that fiasco, but let’s just leave it at the simplest analogy of all. We have fun on our boats, we party hard, we like loud music, bikinis and beer. So, leave us alone Wildlife people because last time we checked, no fish, birds or butterflies were harmed in the fifteen years we partied along the shores of Boca Grande. Nuff Said…We were asked to find a new place to party, and after countless reconnaissance missions, we found it at Woman Key. continued on page 76
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PHOTOS BY JERRY WYSZATYCKI & STU JONES
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The crystal- clear waters , warm surf temperatures & soft sandy bottom made this new anchoring location a big hit with the poker run teams!
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Woman Key is part of the Mule Keys and falls with in the perimeter of the National Wildlife refuge. As long as boaters stay away from the beach, wildlife officials give this rendezvous spot a thumbs up.
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 75
Bob Berg | FL Team THE PROGRAM - 97'Hargrave Yacht Bob's Crew
We were asked to find a new place to party, and after countless reconnaissance missions, we found it at Woman Key. Indeed, it’s still part of the Mule Keys and is still under the jurisdiction of the National Wildlife Refuge, however, the new anchoring spot is completely in-water, not touching the offlimits shoreline, and
76 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
not impacting any wildlife on the island’s beach or uplands. So, with this new location, we were fortunate to have light winds and a beautifully sunny day. Somehow the poker runners figured the rest out on their own, and we had a magical, fun day less than ten miles from Key West harbor.
See our newest model at the Miami International Boat Show 2017 on display at the Mercury Racing in-water location.
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 77
The Saturday night Poker Run Awards Bash is the one big event on the entire six-day agenda, that gathers all the FPC members and their crews together for one big evening of food, fun, awards presentations and of course, to play out their poker hands. As a backdrop to the party, there’s always plenty of entertainment and visual stimulation. On one end, it’s the many well-lit Poker Run Village displays, including the latest new powerboat models from Deep Impact, Blackwater, Sunsation, Cigarette, and Sonic…along with high performance engines and hardware from presenting sponsor Mercury Racing, along with Hardin Marine, Chief Engines and Wilson Custom Marine.
On the opposite end of the venue facing the Key West Historic Seaport, the breathtaking in-water show featured the top manufacturing and dealer sponsors on the run, along with club members with the latest offerings in high performance, cats, vees and performance center consoles. With stereos cranked, crews dancing onboard, cockpit and underwater LED lights blazing, this show was simply over the top…indeed a record for FPC on this 24-year event! It’s truly a high-stakes poker run event, and with over $ 40,000 in total prizes up for grabs, it makes sense to get up to the FPC event trailer, meet the lovely FPC ladies that deal the cards, and take a shot
at winning that OffleaseOnly sponsored 2016 Mustang Convertible. As an added incentive, OffleaseOnly offered the Grand Prize winner a $ 20,000 Purchase Voucher, for the vehicle of their choice! Amidst all the fun and excitement, poker run videos from the helicopter played on a 14’ foot video screen, while People’s Choice Awards were presented in over twenty categories. Congratulations to all the winners, including Matt Garland & Kenny Schomp from Kentucky, for winning the Grand Prize! SJ
Offlease Only GRAND PRIZE $20,000 Check Mark & Eileen Fischer stepped in to present Grand Prize Check to Matt Garland & Kenny Schomp
BEST V BOTTOM | Andree Bakkegaard BEST CATAMARAN | Gino Gargiulo Team 35'PREDATOR IN PARADISE Team SUPER VELOCE 52' MTI 78 |PREDATOR POWERBOATING
BEST CLASSIC BOAT | Ed & Suri Garcia Team APACHE PERFORMANCE - 41'Apache
SEXIEST CREW AWARD | Ray Aquit TEAM HAMMERTIME -3 9'Deep Impact
Stu & Jackie presenting to Scott Greager CONCH REPUBLIC SEAFOOD COMPANY
BROKEN PROPELLER AWARD | Chris & brother Mike Ciasulli - Maxon Auto Group
MOST ENTHUSIASTIC TEAM | Karsten Melcher - Team GERMANY I
Jackie Jones & Tracey Gutierrez FPC
Mark & Eileen Fischer, & Jackie Jones
BEST PAINT & GRAPHICS | Shawn & Christin Lather Team DANER ZONE
OUTERLIMITS POWERBOATS AWARD- Dave Scotto
BEST NEW BOAT | Deep Impact 39'Sport
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Florida Powerboat Club's Safety Management Program Tu r n s 4 Ye a r s Yo u n g A f t e r L a u n c h i n g i n F e b r u a r y 2 0 13
If there ever was a good time to talk about poker run safety, that time is now. The previous summer of 2016 was marred with one tragedy after another, and sadly these accidents were very close to home for many of us. From the accident in Lake Lanier Georgia which claimed four lives, to the Loto accident in late August, taking the lives of FPC members and close boating friends, these are just two examples of what raw speed and power can do if used in the wrong place, at the wrong time. In the sport of high performance boating, there is really no room to describe these tragedies as “freak accidents” that could have happened to anyone. Only a fool would make that conclusion, and in order to learn more, we all need to study the facts. Occasionally, the facts are unclear and cloudy, especially to those were not witnesses, but most often, there is one common thread that contributed to the horrific outcome.…Speed.
80 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Go with the original. Go with the best.
Making coolers for 25 years. aocoolers.com 800-336-5208
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 81
Let’s face it, we have a sport that has an insatiable thirst for speed and performance, and an emerging performance marine industry that is all-too ready to satisfy that thirst. It’s clear that the boat builders, engine manufacturers, and John Q Racer are not going to give up. As long as those players agree to do business, it’s a free world, and those 180-190mph recreational powerboats are creeping onto….(correction) Leaping onto the poker run scene. It’s time for some change in our sport! I can’t tell other organizers what to do, but I can have control over our own Florida Powerboat Club events. Here are some of the key elements and changes to our Safety Management Program, which was initiated four years ago, Feb 2013 at the Miami International Boat Show.
• First Responders on every major poker run event- Local County Fire Rescue boats with full life-saving staff and equipment, on the poker run course. • Florida FWC patrol boats or volunteer boats running with the fleet at all times- with County dive-rescue paramedics on board, at all times. • (3) Speed classes- with staggered starts at beginning of the run
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• Start First- Hi Performance Class – New speed max 125mph • Start Next: Performance Class – 75-100 mph • Start Last: Sportboat Class- 50-70 mph All classes of boats pay a Safety Management fee, that is a separate line item on the registration form, and those funds go towards securing and paying for the above rescue and patrol teams on the poker run course. For every boat owner, Insurance is mandatory, as well as attending a captains safety meeting in a meeting style setting, not a loud noisy bar. Enough said...if you want to be a responsible poker run organization, these are the safety measures you need to adopt ..now. If you need help, I'm willing to assist. We have had tremendous success with our Safety Management Program in the last four years, and the best news is….not one rescue diver has had to be deployed. When we calculate the number boats entered on FPC events in the last four years, and factor in the mileage of our very long courses…this number is staggering, and we are very proud of it. But safety is an ongoing priority, and we will never let our guard down. Accidents can happen any time, but we have to do our part to prevent them in every way possible! Have a safe 2017!
MOM ALWAYS TOLD YOU
AFFORDING THE PLEASURE OF LUXURY HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER THAN WITH FPC’S FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP CLUB.
T
he concept of fractional ownersh ip for yachts and aircraft is certainly not new, but Florida Fractional Club puts a new spin on the concept, by adding a center console powerboat and a Class A motorhome to spice up the f leet. Consider the benefits of owning a boat, yacht or RV, with no maintenance or management worries, and only one quarter of the cost to go it
alone. Besides, with your work agenda, family commitments and busy travel schedule, you can’t possibly have enough TIME to justify sole ownership! It’s time to take a closer look at the Florida Fractional Club program. So lessen the financial burden, eliminate management worries, and share the toys with your friends. Mom would be very pleased!
CONTACT: STU JONES | STU@FLPOWERBOAT.COM PH: 954.684.9333
84 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
MOTORYACHT : $ 375,000 quarter share/ $ 4,000 monthly (Full time crew + Storage -Maintenance -Insurance) *Image of proposed 70' Azimut is for illustration purposes only. Actual yacht used for Fractional Program may differ.
• 2011 70’ Azimut Flybridge Motoryacht • Twin MAN Turbo Diesel 1360HP • 1,300 hours- all maintenance current • Cabins + Crew quarters • Twin SeaKeeper stabilizers (very desirable)
• Homeport: Fort Lauderdale & Bahamas (summer) • Follows FPC Poker Run events • 10 weeks guaranteed/ charter rev-share • Full time captain / part time stew •Three year program/ sell or trade up
POWERBOAT: $ 45,000/quarter share / $400-monthly –S&M (Storage + Maintenance + Insurance + launching) • 2016 33’ Ocean Hawk Center Console • Twin Mercury 350HP Verado – color match • Top of the line electronics, stereo, Color change Ocean LED • Custom trailer with two scooters • Brand new boat, not yet titled • Full time dry storage by FPC included in program • Poker Run event fees and launches included • Sportboat class- 60mph cruise/ 70mph+ top speed • Florida- Bahamas – occasional out of state events
CLASS A MOTORHOME: $ 40,000/quarter share / $ 250 S&M (storage + maintenance + insurance) • 2008 GulfStream Tourmaster – 63,000 mi. • Freightliner Chassis/ 425HP Cummins Turbo Diesel (Pusher) • 43’ Long – triple slide • 3 HD TV’s in cabin including 50” ent. Outdoor ent .center • Sleeps (5) comfortably – 3 Rooftop A/C unites • Master bedroom Queen/ with walkin closet, washer dryer • 10,000 lb. tow capacity for boat and/or tow vehicle • Access to Matching tow fleet: 12’ Horton motorcycle trailer • 28’ enclosed car trailer, 2013 Kia Soul 6-Speed with rally graphics. Also available to compliment RV use(rental program) 12' motorcycle trailer | 28' toy trailer | 2013 Kia Soul with towbar
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 85
Imagine a global Powerboating community with easy access to boating clubs, poker run events and passionate people... just like You! It's no secret that the powerboating lifestyle has become the fabric of our lifestyle for many Floridians, and it’s likely the main attraction that brought some of us here to Florida in the first place‌. or kept native Floridians from ever leaving. With tropical weather that permits yearround boating opportunities, and a performance marine industry that is very much alive, it’s no wonder that world has taken notice, and attracted many like-minded enthusiasts to the Sunshine State for decades. For these reasons, along with some tireless marketing efforts and the power of social media, Florida Powerboat Club has evolved as an
international organization, with membership that expands far beyond international borders. Our membership roster now span more than 30 states, north to Canada, south to the Central America and across the Atlantic to more than fifteen European countries. To illustrate this, our recent Key West event fielded teams from more than a dozen countries, confirming that the scope of our reach has achieved an all-time high. The result, is that FPC has built relationships with powerboating enthusiasts, poker run event organizers, and performance industry colleagues, in no less than five continents.
Montana
Michigan
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WORLD POKER RUN TOUR What this translates to, is that with a strong focus on building an international organization, and by enlisting Ambassadors from every state, every province, and from every country where the powerboating lifestyle has become deeply seeded, the opportunities are endless. Imagine an organization, where your fellow member can entertain you in the South of Spain, and take you for a cruise to the world class island of Ibiza. Or picture yourself on the Monaco Poker Run, weaving amidst
amazing yachts and glancing over at the historic streets that have hosted the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco for decades. These are but a few of the possibilities, that will come by embracing the World Powerboat Club. I invite you to share your interest, by consider volunteering as a World Powerboat Club Ambassador, and together we will take our powerboating lifestyles to a whole new place. SJ
SEEKING AMBASSADORS
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GROUND BREAKING NEWS IN THE GROVE
Grove Harbour Marina is pleased to annnounce exciting expansion plans that include new marine facilities and first class dining on property!
WE REMAIN FULLY OPERATIONAL DURING RENOVATIONS Authorized Mercruiser Service Center
• T H E F R ES H M A R K E T O N SI T E
• D I S CO U N T S F O R F P C M E M B E R S
• COCONUT GROVE NIGHTLIFE
• 1 1 0 W EST S L I P S / 3 0 0 D RY R AC KS
• 4 0 K W I G G I N S & T R AV E L I F T
• D I R EC T ACC ES S TO B I S C AY N E BAY Lo re m i p s u m • YAC H T B R O K E R AG E
• LU X U RY H OT E L S & D I N I N G 88 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
2 6 4 0 S. BAYSH O R E D R I V E , M I A M I , F LO R I DA 3 3 1 3 3 P H | 3 0 5 . 8 5 4 .6 4 4 4 FA X | 3 0 5 . 8 5 4 .0 2 1 0 G ROV E H A R B O U R M A R I N A .CO M
I N M E M O RY O F
Dear Tom You have become a big part of the Florida Powerboat Club family, giving us all something very special. Whether it was a helping hand on the dock, grabbing a dock line or taking that extra late night walk to the boat to make sure the lines were tied properly. You magically appear with a repair part that nobody could find, or somehow found the energy to pull an allnighter to get a transmission changed, so your customer could finish the poker run. Even the little things mattered to you...like walking across a crowded bar to say Hi,
extending a firm friendly handshake with your monstrous right bear paw, while handing over a Bacardi & diet from your left! You were always one step ahead, and always looking out for everyone. While staying focused on the BIG picture, you somehow never lost sight of the LITTLE details. Yes indeed, you gave us all something very special. You gave us YOU. We will miss you buddy, and we'll remember you always! Fair weather and following seas brother.
I N M E M O RY O F
Dear Jim, Thank you for being so good at what you did best. Your photography skills were simply amazing, and you helped Florida Powerboat Club to look its best, for nearly a decade. Whether it was flying at 100 mph twenty feet off the water's surface, to get that amazing rooster tail money shot, or elbowing your way through the crowd at the Miami Boat Show Bash for a sexy swimwear photo, you always delivered.
FPC members might not recognize you, because you were always behind the scenes, performing your craft with skill and focus. In fact, your image focus was so impeccable, we're still amazed in the FPC art department how you rarely submitted a fuzzy shot, out of thousands of frames captured. They were just always tack sharp! Thank for being talented, hardworking, and most all, loyal to FPC. We will miss you!
Join the club. Join the fun. Five levels of membership to suit your boating lifestyle. PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP
• Access to all FPC events and parties. • Powerboating Video. (Dozens of titles to choose.) • Powerboating in Paradise Magazine subscription. • Embroidered Club T-shirt in your choice of colors. • Access to all Membership discount programs.
PLUS: • Premium Outer Banks club polo shirt. (Ladies tops available.) • Premium embroidered club hat. • Additional Powerboating video. • Venus Swimwear gift voucher. ($75-$100 value.) PLUS:
Premium Concierge Services • Priority booking status for rooms and dockage on all FPC Events. • Marina and marine service refferals for your powerboat. • Nautical assistance to a variety of marine resorts and boating destinations. • Planning and hotel/slip reservations for your Florida boating weekends.
$479.00/year*
GOLD MEMBERSHIP
COMMERCIAL MEMBERSHIP
Membership Includes all of the Standard Membership benefits, PLUS:
Membership Includes:
• Premium Outer Banks Club Polo Shirt. (Ladies tops avail.) • Premium embroidered club hat. • Additional Powerboating Video of your choice: • Venus Swimwear gift voucher. ($75-$100 value.) $369.00/year*
STANDARD MEMBERSHIP Membership Includes: • Access to all FPC events and parties. • Powerboating Video. (Dozens of titles to choose.) • Powerboating in Paradise Magazine subscription. • Embroidered Club T-shirt in your choice of colors. • Access to all Membership discount programs. $259.00/year*
• Discounted rates on FPC Magazine ads • Discounted rates on all web advertising/banner programs. • Access to all FPC events and parties. • Listing on our website affiliate section. Commercial Members also have the opportunity to run promotions and discounts through FPC events. $349.00/year*
SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP Membership Includes:
• Club T-shirt in your choice of colors. • Powerboating Video of your choice (Dozens to choose.) • Powerboating in Paradise Magazine subscription. • Access to FPC parties • Discounted Boat Show tickets. $79.00/year*
*Overseas and international memberships will have a slightly higher rate to compensate for mailing/shipping costs.
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ONLY 2 SPACES AVAILABLE... ACT NOW!
The Winter Poker Run 2017 gave 20 poker teams a great escape to the tropical warmth of the Florida Keys. Here are a few shots from our fabulous weekend with our fellow FPC members. Complete coverage in our next issue.
W INTER POK ER RUN
94 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
IT’S TIME TO HANG THAT...
MONEY SHOT! FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB IS READY TO HELP YOU DECORATE THOSE EMPTY WALLS AT HOME, AT WORK OR IN YOUR GARAGE! • 12-color Professional Canon printing system • Custom sizes from 8x10" to 24x36 In -house! • Larger sizes..no problem! • Variety of frames to choose from, shatterproof Lucite
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16x24 20x24 20x30 24x30 24x36
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CALL US: 954-545-1414 EMAIL: stu@flpowerboat.com
2017 EVENTS JAN
WINTER POKER RUN TO FL KEYS
FEB
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
FEB
ACTIVE THUNDER........................................................... 63 AMERICAN CUSTOM MARINE......................................... 49 Monty’s Miami Beach Marina. Food - Fun - Live Entertainment! AO COOLERS................................................................... 81 22nd ANNUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW POKER RUN ASAP............................................................................... 55 This exciting event takes on a new direction as we visit Faro Blanco BLACK WATER................................................................ 33 Resort and Marina - Marathon, FL, which features Hyatt Place rooms BIG THUNDER MARINE.................................................... 59 and marine facilities. BOOST POWER ENGINES ...............................................IBC BRAND X......................................................................... 71 TAMPA BAY POKER RUN The Tampa Bay Poker Run returns to the highly acclaimed Renaissance CUSTOM MARINE............................................................ 25 Vinoy Resort & Marina plus historic Birchwood Hotel on the vibrant DEEP IMPACT...................................................................13 St. Pete waterfront. DOLLER OFFSHORE MARINE........................................... 43 FAST LANE TRAVEL ........................................................ 93 FPC FORT MYERS POKER RUN FLORIDA FRACTIONAL CLUB ......................................... 84 After a three year absence, FPC returns to the luxurious landmark Pink Shell Resort and Marina, Fort Myers, FL. FPC MEMBERSHIP.......................................................... 91 FPC PICTURE ORDER...................................................... 95 4th ANNUAL KEY WEST AIR LAND SEA POKER RUN GROVE HARBOR MARINA................................................ 88 Miami to Key West...In addition to powerboats, this event welcomes LIVORSI............................................................................19 cars, motorcycles and even recreational aircraft! MERCURY RACING...........................................................11 MERCURY RACING.......................................................... 53 2nd ANNUAL FLORIDA-HAVANA POWERBOAT RALLY MIAMI BOAT SHOW......................................................... 21 Key West to Havana Cuba. 38’ Hull requirement due to gulf stream seas. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS....................................................... 29 Registration due 90 days prior event. Depart Key West on Thursday NOR-TECH........................................................................ 31 18th - 4 nights in Cuba - Return to Key West, Monday the 22nd. OCEAN LED..................................................................... 41 16th ANNUAL LEVERICK BAY BVI POKER RUN OFFLEASE ONLY................................................................ 5 Puerto Rico to Virgin Gorda, BVI. Round 1 of 3-Event Caribbean OUTERLIMITS.................................................................. 77 Triple Crown Series. (FPC Coordinating all logistics & boat shipping PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER.........................................15 with ro/ro vessels via Port of Jacksonville to Puerto Rico.) PIRATES OF LANIER........................................................ 69 SCI SUPERIOR COMMUNICATIONS.................................. 39 2nd ANNUAL EUROPEAN POKER RUN TEXAS OUTLAW CHALLENGE.......................................... 51 Stuttgart Germany to Italy with optional 24Hr LeMans Extended trip. SMOKING THE SOUND POKER RUN................................. 45 Drive brand new Porsches across the European countryside and join the Autobahn 150mph club! SPEEDWEAR................................................................... 81 TEAGUE CUSTOM MARINE..........................................BACK 26th ANNUAL BAHAMAS POKER RUN TNT................................................................................. 69 Bimini (Thurs - Sun) and extended trip to Abacos (through Wed July 5) TOTAL DOLLAR INSURANCE........................................... 83 Resorts World Bimini Hilton + luxurious villas available. Two Abaco WESTREC MARINAS...................................................... IFP destinations planned! WORLD POWERBOAT CLUB............................................. 86 WOZENCRAFTINSURANCE.............................................. 71 ST MAARTEN SXM POKER RUN
27-29 16-20 17
FEB
23-26
MAR 16-19
APR
21-23
MAY 5-7
MAY
18-22
MAY
25-28
JUN 9-16
JUN-JUL
29-2
JUL
20-23
AUG 8-13
SEP-OCT
29-1
NOV 7-13
Winter Poker Run to Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key - Limited number of spacious marina view villas available! Miami Boat Show returns to its new venue at Virginia Key. Visit FPC and our new booth location at booth F-620 in the main tent.
AD INDEX
25th ANNUAL FPC MIAMI BOAT SHOW BASH
(Event #3- Triple Crown Series) St. Thomas USVI to St Marten (one day run) Three days in SXM. Poker run Sunday July 23rd.
25th ANNUAL EMERALD COAST POKER RUN Destin & Fort Walton Beach FL - Boat Week activities begin Tues Aug 8th! This is FPC’s top Charity fund-raising event, partnering with Emerald Coast Foundation to raise almost $150K annually!
FPC FALL BIMINI BLAST Fort Lauderdale to Resorts World Bimini Hilton( Friday dep- return Sunday)
FPC 25th ANNUAL KEY WEST OFFSHORE POKER RUN
Two departures Wed/Thurs from North Miami and Coconut Grove Celebrate FPC’s 25th Silver Anniversary for this Signature Poker Run Event! Plenty of entertainment at the Poker Run Village!
96 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
ADVERTISING DEADLINED: NEXT ISSUE VOL17#1 AD MATERIALS: APRIL 15TH Disclaimer: Please note the 2017 event planning is a constantly ongoing process, that will most certainly see changes to dates and events along the way. The following calendar includes some (tentative dates) along with new events that are currently in the planning stages with venue hosts and sponsoring organizations. It’s important that you do NOT purchase airplane tickets, book hotels, or make plans to attend, without first confirming with the Florida Powerboat Club office. Visit www.flpowerboat.com for updated information.
SUBSCRIBE TO POWERBOATING IN PARADISE MAGA ZINE DELI V ERED 4 T IMES A YE AR
CONTACT US: 954.545.1414 | WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM | Stu@flpowerboat.com