VOL 20#3 FALL 2020 KEY WEST
SHOWCASING THE FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB LIFESTYLE
EMERALD COAST
RE-BOOT!
This Summer Panhandle event gets the club Back on Course!
KEY WEST
FALL FUN RUN
FPC Members discover Big Things Can Come in Small Packages!
TAMPA 2020:
THUNDER & LIGHTNING
As FPC members roared on Tampa Bay to celebrate 10 Years of this popular event, local Tampa sports fans cheered on their NHL hockey team to a Stanley Cup Championship!
PLUS...
Those Lovely FPC GIRLS! WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM
A Magazine Showcasing The Florida Powerboat Club Lifestyle FALL 2020
Vol. 20#3
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com
OFFICE MANAGER
Alyssa Caiazza alyssafpc@gmail.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Lina Montes fpclina@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Jerry Wyszatycki Pete Boden Jim Stewart Stu Jones
EVENT MANAGEMENT
Jackie Jones jackie@flpowerboat.com
VIDEO PRODUCTION Stu Jones Ryan McCoy Joe Kotrady Ryan Christen
CONTENTS 4 LETTER FROM PRESIDENT: STU JONES
4
6 EMERALD COAST POWERBOAT WEEK 2020
6
22 FALL KEY WEST FUN RUN: SEPTEMBER 2020
40
22 TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2020
44
Stu Jones reflects on how the freedom of powerboating isn’t threatened by the Covid-curse. In fact, it’s the one past-time that makes the “new normal”, not so bad after all! After a six-month pause and the longest unforeseen break in a FPC’s 27-year track record of continuous poker run events, the 28th Emerald Coast poker run finally re-ignited the FPC torch as seventy teams gathered for some sun-drenched fun!
After three cancellations of the Bahamas Poker Run slated for summer 2020, a handful of FPC members were ready for ANY alternatives! Key West offered the perfect PLAN B, and six powerboat crews discovered how smaller events can pack bigger surprises.
After being forced to cancel its April 2020 poker run plans due to Covid-19 hotel & restaurant closures in Downtown Tampa, FPC managed to rally a 45-boat fleet for a late September rendezvous, and celebrated ten years of this constantly evolving Gulf Coast powerboat fling.
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 - Thursday 10 AM - 5 PM
ON THE COVER: Powerboats passing under Tampa Bay's Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa Bay Poker Run FPC Girl Shelbie YouTube: Florida Powerboat Club https://www.youtube.com/user/FLpowerboatClub
FPC Pompano Beach Headquarters Traveling? Need to lighten the load? Enjoy the digital version of this issue of Powerboating in Paradise Magazine on...
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All copyright laws apply. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher
SEE THE COMPLETE DIGITAL EDITION OF POWERBOATING IN PARADISE MAGAZINE AT WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM
Letter
FROM THE PRESIDENT Max, Stu, Jackie & Tyler Jones
T
he Final Frontier. That is the one profound thing that I discovered about offshore powerboating that drew me to the sport and fueled my passion to create and sustain the Florida Powerboat Club since the early nineties. Sure, the adrenaline rush of going fast is intoxicating. The bling and wow-factor of these high-powered machines makes them showstoppers everywhere they go. And of course, the social aspects of the group setting, which is the premise of all poker run events, solidifies offshore powerboating not just as a sport, but as a chosen Lifestyle. But for me it is the Final Frontier experience, that got me here and kept me here for almost three decades.
With all those forms of entertainment cancelled, what do we have left? Boating…in all its forms. Pontoons, runabouts, powerboats, fishing boats, cruisers, and yachts. It’s the one recreational pursuit, that keeps 6-12 family members or close friends and guests in close quarters, yet far away from all others, thereby containing any threat of catching, or spreading “the Covid curse”. It’s not an exact science, but at least it’s comforting to know, we can still enjoy our passion, because offshore powerboating is truly the one form of recreational escape that will help us keep our sanity, until we find the holy grail, a vaccine for the Coronavirus.
So, what exactly is the significance of this concept of the Final Frontier! The point is that there are few forms of recreational motorsports left in this world, that can give its participants the freedom to do whatever, and go wherever they please, whenever they please. Imagine yourself one moment, in a traffic jam on the interstate, with cars honking horns and emergency vehicle sirens screaming as they pass you on the shoulder. Then, within hours, you are on your boat running offshore into the blue waters of the Atlantic, heading eastbound to Bimini for a weeklong adventure with FPC, or southbound to Key West for an adventure with hundreds of other equally passionate weekend warriors. There are few words to describe the freedom, and the adventure that one can enjoy with your family or closest friends on board, with a full tank of fuel and a compass heading that will land you somewhere in the Heart of Paradise.
As we roll out this issue of Powerboating in Paradise, the first few copies will land at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, followed by FPC’s 28th Annual Key West Poker Run. With FPC unable to stage poker runs for just over five months earlier this year, I am happy to report that since August we have managed to launch the Emerald Coast Powerboat Week event, followed by a re-scheduled Tampa Bay Poker Run in September. Both events receive great editorial coverage in this issue, and we have included some preevent coverage for our Key West Poker Run, which has magically reached about 150 powerboat teams!
Now take this concept of the Final Frontier and apply it to our current global Covid-19 crisis. Very few recreational sports can be enjoyed under the CDC’s social distancing constraints. Major league sports and many forms of entertainment are spectator-driven and therefore many of them have been cancelled or postponed indefinitely. Golf and country clubs…shut down for months, until management re-formatted the way they served their clientele. Rock concerts, music venues, corporate functions, industrial trade shows, festivals, parades, holiday celebrations…. shut down, cancelled, until further notice.
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Of course, we’ve made many changes to the non-boating aspects of these FPC poker run events, as we have been forced to downsize our gatherings for captains meetings, lunch functions and poker run parties. However, the good news is, we have not been forced to compromise any of the “boating aspects.” Indeed, our participants will be able to enjoy the freedom and adventure of the Final Frontier, and all it has to offer. Thanks to all of you for your continued support because it is you, our club members and industry sponsors, that kept FPC afloat through these challenging times.
Stu Jones,
FPC President & Founder
Comments: stu@flpowerboat.com
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WIDE OPEN SPACES!
AFTER A SIX MONTH COVID-19 POKER RUN HIATUS, IT WAS COMFORTING FOR FPC MEMBERS TO RECONVENE IN THE POPULAR DESTIN-FWB SUMMER HOTSPOT FOR SOME HORSEPOWER IN PARADISE. DESPITE A FEW CHANGES TO THE TRADITIONAL EVENT ITINERARY TO ACCOMMODATE CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES, THE BOATING EXPERIENCE WAS AS GOOD AS EVER, BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO THAT SIMPLE SLOGAN USED BY MERCURY RACING....WIDE OPEN!
STORY: STU JONES
I
n the twenty-eight years since FPC’s early beginnings, many new records have been set along the way, including the 269 boat roster for the 2019 Key West Poker Run, and the most powerboat events staged in one year by FPC, which was 22 events back in 1998. But little did we know, a new record would be set in 2020, and not necessarily one to be proud of. FPC went almost six months, 172 days to be exact, without staging an organized FPC poker run event, due to government issued Covid-19 restrictions. Thankfully, Emerald Coast Powerboat Week broke the streak on August 12, when poker run teams started rolling into Destin-Fort Walton Beach for the annual summer event. It was the third consecutive year since FPC injected new life into a struggling event, by moving its powerboatcentric format away from a local charity group, with great
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results for everyone attending. And with a 100-boat roster for two years in a row in 2018 and 2019, FPC was poised for another great outcome in 2020, until the sinister Covid-19 virus put a dent in those plans. But shortly after Florida’s executive orders by the State’s Governor DeSantis were lifted, the phone started ringing, and the registrations started flowing. By the first day of the four-day affair, sixty-eight entries appeared on the registration roster, and FPC organizers were quite pleased with the outcome. That said, Covid-19 social distancing guidelines were very much a top priority, and the normal festivities associated with the Powerboat Week format had to be modified extensively. Gone were the spirited evening festivities such as the Harborwalk Village Trucks ‘N Boats Parade, Thursday’s Miss Powerboat Week Contest, and the Friday night AJ’s Captains Party. Thankfully, there was one large
PHOTOGRAPHY: JIM STEWART & STU JONES
Covid-friendly venue in town that could accommodate the nearly three hundred attendees under one roof, and FPC was pleased to partner with the Destin-Fort Walton Convention Center (formerly Emerald Coast Convention Center) to stage the Saturday night poker run dinner and awards party. With all those changes to the event format, that did not dampen the spirits of the Emerald Coast participants, because as far as the boating agenda was concerned, everything was just as normal. And it was fantastic. With at least a dozen teams rolling into town Wednesday and early Thursday, there were enough boats in the water for the traditional Thursday lunch run, which headed off towards Niceville, a small town on the north side of Choctawhatchee Bay. But with a dark summer storm cloud
looming to the north, and the occasional lightning bolt to remind us of Mother Nature’s bossy ways, the small fleet scattered in the opposing direction, landing a number of teams at Juana’s in Navarre, and a handful at Fort Walton Beach’s FUBAR, a waterfront eatery formerly named HELEN BACK, which has always been popular with local boaters. By Friday morning dozens more teams had rolled into town from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma to the west, Kentucky and Tennessee to the north, and the Carolinas to the east. Clearly this Emerald Coast Powerboat Week format was still very much appealing to any powerboat owner that was willing to make a 500 to 600-mile drive with the boat in tow. Perhaps that may explain why the FPC membership roster has increased its representation from all of these southern states over the last decade.
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 7
Friday
The Friday Fun Run returned to its favorite destination, Juana’s in Navarre Beach, which is by far, one of the most popular boating destinations in the Florida Panhandle, known mostly for its 1,000+ feet of sandy boatfriendly beach, live entertainment daily, and a full dining menu in a casual rustic setting. The normally-expected late afternoon showers, magically did not appear, and the party went on until late afternoon for many of the poker run revelers, and with no Friday Night party at AJ’s due to crowding concerns by management there, the boats became the “party platform” as many teams eventually found their way to the sandy beach at Noriego Point in Destin Harbor. From the balconies of the Emerald Grande, the FPC lodging headquarters, hotel guests would sit on patio chairs with a cold beverage and enjoy a constant parade of powerboats and spirited crews, until well past sunset.
Chris Domino | TX | Team DOUG WRIGHT | 30' Doug Wright / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 300R
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8 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
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Stu & Jackie Jones | FL | Team PROJECT 1080 | 38' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 540 EFI
Greg DelMonte | NJ | Team HARD TO HANDLE | 44' Outerlimits / 2-Mercury Racing 700 SCI
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COAST TO COAST Crew
Scott & Monica James | SC | Team COAST TO COAST | 33' DCB / 2-Mercury Racing 450R
Steve & Lisa Young | AL | Team NAUTI HABIT | 38' Statement / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 11
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Brox & Bree Baxley | SC | Team IMPROMPTU | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing 450R
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12 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
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John & Connie Fahmy | GA | Team SOUTHERN YANKEE | 34' Sunsation / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400
Shelbie andLauren
FOUNTAIN Crew
Frankie & Molly Tubbs | AL | Team FOUNTAIN | 38' Fountain / Mercury Racing 2-500 EFI
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Mallory
Kyle Fowler | SC | Team A-SALT WEAPON | 38' Fountain / 3-Mercury Racing 400R
Terrell & Clara Clark | TX | Team SUNSATION | 36' Sunsation / 2-Mercury Racing 540
George & Carre Olson | TX | Team DRIVE THIS | 42' Fountain / 2- Mercury Racing 525
Jim & Lynne Archambault | GA | Team KEEPIN' IT REAL | 43' Outerlimits
KEEPIN' IT REAL Crew
Steven & Casey Head | AL | Team TUTZ | 35' Formula / 2-Mercury Racing 502 EFI
Hays & Karlyn Wilson | OK | Team VELOCITY | 39' Nor-Tech / 3 Mercury Racing Verado 400R
16 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE |
Becca
Saturday Saturday morning kicked off right on schedule and despite a small threat of morning showers, the weather held out and poker run teams enjoyed sunny skies for the rest of day. The poker run course kept its 120-mile roundtrip Sandestin to Pensacola format, with an agenda that directed teams to visit five poker card checkpoints in the morning hours at the east end of the course, then head westbound towards Navarre and Pensacola, where a variety of five different lunch stops were offered. The numerous choices prevented over-crowding at any one given lunch venue, a consideration that was well-received by the hosting restaurants, who all reached out to FPC later to thank us for the business. Juana’s and East River Smokehouse provided lunch options in Navarre, while Hemmingway’s and Hooters at Pensacola Beach Boardwalk served about 125 guests. A 3rd Pensacola location, Flounders Chowder House was also added to the lunch options, where at least a half dozen teams enjoyed the relaxed beachfront atmosphere.
Miss Powerboat Week and sun-drenched crew members were making their way back to their Destin-Fort Walton homeports, which included Brooks Bridge Marina, Harborwalk Village, AJ’s Destin, and Legendary Marina farthest to the east. Teams had plenty of time to relax back at their luxurious Emerald Grande condos, and get ready for the Saturday night festivities. By 8pm the Destin-FWB Convention center ballroom was entertaining over 200 guests, all of them nicely “distanced” throughout the massive hall, with well-spaced 10-top round tables throughout the room, poker card tables attended by the lovely FPC Girls, and buffet lines with servers on the opposite wall. On the big video screens, aerial videos of the two days of poker run action played, along with a sexy slide-show of all the Miss Powerboat Week contestants, which gave participants the chance to vote using a ballot right on their dinner tables. Once again, Covid challenges created a new format, which allowed organizers to crown Miss Powerboat Week right there at the Saturday party.
By late afternoon the full-bellied captains ( myself included) SALTWATER STEEL Crew
Jos & Jennifer Bekkers | FL | Team SALTWATER STEEL | 43 'Saltwater Steel
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In the center of the huge banquet hall, there appeared an empty eleven-seat table where all the captains wanted to be sat at some point that evening. Indeed, it was the FINAL TABLE, which awaited those players holding the Top Ten poker hands, who would play off in a sudden death game of Texas Holdem, for the $ 10,000 poker run grand prize! The 11th seat, well that was for the newly appointed final table dealer. Congratulations to all the winners for an exciting final round, and these winning teams are listed on page 36. With a roster of seventy poker run teams, and with an entirely new event format to accommodate the challenges of Covid-19, Florida Powerboat Club members, event sponsors and venue partners, somehow managed to make it all work for the 250-guest event roster! We are just hopeful that the 172-day streak of having no poker run events in 2020, is a record that will stand the test of time and never be broken.
Frank & Toni Esposito | NJ | Team MYSTIC | 42' Mystic / 4-Mercury Verado 400R Chris Batcheler | AL | Team BAJA | 23' Baja / 2-Mercury Racing 496 HO
Stu Jones
Bill Picot | TX | Team MCOB | 32'Sunsation
Dixie
Kevin Kurkowski | TX | Team THE GRASSY ASS | 35'Fountain / 2-Mercury Racing 525
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1st Poker Card
Jazzmyn
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 21
Robbie & Anjum Ullah | GA | Team D.R. PERFORMANCE | 32' Spectre / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R
LICKALONAPUS Crew Mike & Susan Pascoe | GA | Team COIN OPERATED | 41' Cigarette / 4-Mercury Racing 450R
Mark & Lona Albert | TX | Team LICKALONAPUS | 35' Fountain / 2-Mercury Racing 525
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Kruis Retherford | FL | Team GLASSTREAM | 36' Glasstream / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R
David & Leann Branton | LA | Team VOO DOO | 38'Skater
Stephen & Kelly Marino | AL | Team TWIN LADIES | 35'DCB / 2-Mercury Racing 1100
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 23
Shelbie
Weston Harlow | FL | Team IN 2 DEEP | 35' DCB / 2-Mercury Racing 700 SCI
Daniel Pharris | FL | Team HIGH BID | 34' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R
Josh Kirkland | GA | Team DIRTY DUCK | 42' Cigarette / 4-Mercury Verado 350
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2nd Poker Card
Jack Wilson | FL | Team AFTER FIVE | 70' Maritimo
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 25
Brandon Mayer | FL | Team SWEETWATER LANDING | 40' Mystic / 2-Mercury Racing 450R
Gerald Brown | GA | Team CHATTANOOGA POWER | 42 'Fountain / 3-Mercury Racing 700 SCI
Christopher Villar | FL | Team REEL G.U.S. | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing 450R
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Jorge & Ann Arellano | FL | Team DCB. | 29' DCB / 2-Mercury Racing 700
William & Meghan Wiles | TX | Team NEVER ENOUGH. | 38' Fountain / Mercury Racing 600 SCI
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ONE CARAT | Bell Jet Ranger 505 Derek Wachob | OK | 6 CARAT. | 59'Cigarette / 6 Mercury Racing 450R BLACK DIAMOND | 52'MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 1350/1550 BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS | 34'MTI / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R
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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 31
Keith Snow | MS | Team TERRIBLE | 46' Skater (Top) Jerry Swanson | MS | TEAM 22 | 46' Skater
Jerry Swanson | MS | TEAM AMG | 41'Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 1100
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Emalee
Veronica
Paul Bertucci | MS | Team BEER MONEY TOO! | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Verado 350
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 33
Donald Braddy | FL | Team SWAMP CHOMP II | 35' Everglades
SWAMP CHOMP II Crew
Brad Hancock | GA | Team HAIL RAISER | 47' Nor-Tech / 2- Mercury Racing 1350
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EMERALD COAST POWERBOAT WEEK WINNERS & AWARDS:
SECOND PLACEBILL & MEGHAN WILES
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FIRST PLACEBRETT LASO TEAM RENEGADE
THIRD PLACETEAM TERRIBLE
FOR RESERVATIONS:
THE POWER OF GIVING
Emerald Coast Powerboat Week 2020
FPC MEMBERS RALLIED TO HAVE FUN ON THE ANNUAL EMERALD COAST POWERBOAT WEEK, YET STILL MANAGED TO KEEP FUNDRAISING EFFORTS IN THEIR SIGHTS, RAISING $ 10,000 FOR LOCAL OKALOOSA COUNTY CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS!
W
hile Florida Powerboat Club met the challenges of Covid-19 to keep the Emerald Coast Powerboat Week events on schedule for August 2020, event organizers did not lose sight of their fundraising agenda. Despite the smaller event roster, and evening events being limited to the Saturday night party at the Destin FWB Convention Center, FPC managed to keep fundraising a high priority. After returning to the club’s Pompano Beach headquarters, $ 10,000 of event proceeds, much of that raised at the Saturday night poker run party, were transferred to Florida Powerboat Foundation, a registered 501(C) 3 charitable organization.
Later, five separate checks of $ 2,000 each were then sent to five local Okaloosa County charities, 1) Alaqua Animal Refuge 2) Fisher House of Emerald Coast 3) Destin Kids on Coast , 4) Emerald Coast Science Center, and 5) Okaloosa County’s Sheriff ’s Dept Star Charity. We thank all the FPC members for their continued support and generosity, which helped Florida Powerboat Foundation to keep the spirit of giving very much alive for this Emerald Coast Powerboat Week event. Stu Jones
OCSO Star Charities
Mia Hughes & Jerry Williams Fisher House Eglin Air Force Base.
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Key West Vacation Homes Welcomes FPC! Special OOer!
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Stay and dock at one of our waterfront homes with complimentary boat slip! OOer Valid 11/11/2020-11/15/2020. OOer limited one per reservation. Taxes and fees apply. Not valid with any other specials or holiday weekends. Special ooer only valid for online reservations. Enter PROMO CODE: FPC10 during booking.
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W HEN
SIZE (DOESN'T) MATTER
BIG POKER RUN EVENTS MAY BE EXCITING FOR ALL WHO ATTEND, BUT THIS SMALL GROUP OF FPC MEMBERS WERE IN FOR SOME PLEASANT SURPRISES ON THIS LASTMINUTE EVENT. THE FALL KEY WEST FUN RUN DELIVERED BIG FUN FOR THIS SMALL GROUP, WITH SOME UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ALONG THE WAY. STORY & PHOTOS BY STU JONES
W
hen FPC planned its annual Bahamas Poker Run for June 2020, nobody guessed that Covid-19 government mandates in the Bahamas would shut down international travel with strict Covid testing guidelines. That event was moved to July, and again was cancelled for the same reasons. But then FPC’s last-ditch efforts to keep the Bahamas Run alive in September for a handful of eager members was roadblocked, and plan B was crystal clear. With Florida resorts and restaurants officially open for business, it was a nobrainer to head for Key West and give these patient, but
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frustrated powerboaters, a chance to let their hair down, soak in the sun, and escape the Covid curse for at least a few days. Most poker run enthusiasts like the concept of the group setting, and few would ever expect a six-boat run to amount to much. So wrong. The Fall Key West Fun Run was the perfect event that leveraged the “less-is-more” advantage in every possible way. On the Friday morning of departure, teams enjoyed a dockside breakfast at Haulover Marine Center along with a quick dockside chat, and we were soon on course to Key West for the 170-mile run.
With a quick stop near Grove Harbour to rendezvous with another team, the group headed southbound for a rarely visited lunch stop at Alabama Jack’s, near the Card Sound Bridge. The rustic stopover only accommodates about 8-10 boats at one time and is therefore not an option on any other FPC poker run event. After a scenic ride through the Upper Keys, our destination for the first evening was Faro Blanco Resort & Marina, where we overnighted at Hyatt Place and enjoyed dinner at the Lighthouse Grill. The real bonus…. up front docking in the best slips Faro Blanco has to offer. Nice touch!
BILL & TAMMY DAY WITH FRIENDS
BILL DAY | FL | Team DAYS BOAT SALES | 32'Sunsation CCX / 2-Mercury Racing 450R
Scott & Monica James | SC | TEAM COAST TO COAST | 33'DCB / 2-Mercury Racing 450R
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 41
Roger & Pam Anderson | TX | Team EASY MONEY II / 3-Mercury Verado 350
Fred & Judy Reavis | FL | Team BLEW BY U IV | 42' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing 400R
Lunch at Alabama Jacks, near the Card Sound Bridge
Passing through Jewfish Creek, Key Largo
Continuing the adventure, the next day’s highlight was an elegant lunch stopover at the very exclusive Little Palm Island, where the maximum group reservation is 30 guests. We had just under that number for our seating on the oceanview deck of The Dining Room, and everyone enjoyed the experience immensely. Mother Nature was on our side, offering ideal summer boating conditions, as the adventure continued in Key West. Highlights included an amazing
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daytrip to Boca Grande, an otherwise off-limits destination during huge events like the November Key West Poker Run, and a festive Saturday night group dinner at the Conch Republic Seafood Company. To say this Fall Key West Fun Run was small, is an understatement. But sometimes the best things come in small packages, especially when they are completely unplanned. SJ
Roger & Pam Anderson with friends
Michael & Olivia Lopez | IL | Team GRAY AREA | Sunsation 40 CCX
Little Palm Island
Boca Grande, Mule Keys near Key West
Scott & Monica James | SC | Team COAST TO COAST
Relaxing at Boca Grande, in Mule Keys just 10 miles from Key West ( Off-limits event during November Key West run)
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 43
MONEY SHOT ...2.0!
WITH THE COVID-19 CRISIS IN THE MINDS OF ALL FPC MEMBERS FROM ACROSS THE NATION, IT DIDN'T HURT TO TO LET THE HAIR DOWN AND PUSH THE THROTTLES FORWARD, FOR A FLORIDA RENDEZVOUS WITH LIKE-MINDED POWERBOAT ENTHUSIASTS. WITH THE LOCAL TAMPA HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY STRUGGLING TO GET BACK ON TRACK, OVER 200 WEEKEND VISITORS ENJOYED THE DOWNTOWN TAMPA SCENE FOR FESTIVE ESCAPE, AS FPC CELEBRATED TEN YEARS FOR THE TAMPA BAY EVENT AND MADE THAT SUNSHINE SKYWAY MONEY SHOT A TOP PRIORITY!
STORY: STU JONES
A
fter getting FPC back into momentum with the Emerald Coast Powerboat Week a month earlier, a record setting 46 poker r un teams were locked and loaded for the late September r unning of the 10th Annual Tampa Bay Poker Run. But it was not without a measurable level of fr ustration for FPC organizers and many participants, as the event was poised to hit the throttles five months earlier in April, until Covid-19 government inter vention closed hotels and restaurants statewide. With new September dates on the calendar, there was one consolation that would have to be addressed, as FPC was forced to work out a special agreement with the organizers of the annual (IBEX) International Boat Builders Exhibition & Conference, to share the use of the Tampa Convention Center docks. With a 30-boat poker run roster, that seemed manageable, until the numbers started climbing much higher and FPC needed to explore all options. But almost the same moment that the docking dilemma seemed imminent, IBEX
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officials decided to “pull the proverbial drain plug” on the physical trade show, and opt for a Virtual Trade Show format, giving FPC access to the entire inventory of transient dockage at the Tampa Convention Center. To that end, we say…” Thank You IBEX” For FPC, the show must go on, and indeed it did. As early as Wednesday, a handful of teams were already at the Davis Island boat ramp, launching their boats and getting an early start to three days ahead, in a boating playground that is abundant with cr uising options and lunch destinations on almost every direction. And when the boat is docked for the night, being headquartered from landmark hotels including the Tampa Downtown Marriott on Water St., and the Westin Waterside Resort, participants have an endless number of evening entertainment options in this bustling, vibrant Florida city. Whether it’s a stroll down the Tampa Riverwalk which hugs the shoreline of the Hillsborough River and connects major hotels, city parks and popular dining establishments, or
Chloe PHOTOGRAPHY: PETE BODEN & STU JONES
jumping in an Uber to historic Ybor City, there are endless options to turn an poker run into an adventurous extended vacation. For the sake of simplicity, we summonsed the early-bird arrivals to meet up at American Social, a hip bar/restaurant conveniently located just steps from our two host hotels. The place was rocking and was the perfect launch pad for our weekend festivities. By Friday morning, most of out-of-town visitors had arrived and were soon launched and ready for the scheduled fun run, which would head across Tampa Bay to a popular waterfront eatery called Tiki Docks, located at the IGY Maximo Marina. But with at least half of the event roster not present as the boats milled round near the Tampa Convention Center docks, it soon became apparent that a large percentage of registered local teams, were planning on making today’s run a rendezvous location, so away we went. We hit the throttles not a moment too soon, as the hot September morning was already knocking on 90
degrees, with very light winds, so the only relief was getting the boats on plane for that rush of wind at 65 mph! OK…. 65 for some of us….100+ for the rest of you speed freaks! Arriving at IGY Maximo, proved beyond any doubt that this event was well-supported by the local powerboaters. The usual suspects included a strong showing of Statement owners led by company cofounder Nick Buis; Former OPBA president and poker run organizer Ron Long and his wife Elaine, exboat racer Billy Glueck who mustered up the energy and wallet to tune and launch the totally awesome 46 Cougar Raceboat POPEYES; and that usual handful of local Spectre and Skater cat owners that include the Munyan brothers & Chris Lamorte. With the expected lunch rendezvous attendance of about 25 powerboat teams, it was amazing to see close to 40 teams present, but even more astonishing to see the Maximo Marina staff fully engaged in welcoming and directing traffic.
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 45
Friday Everyone seemed pretty thrilled with their first experience at the somewhat new Tiki Docks, a well-managed eatery that is a new spin-off brand from the very successful 23 Restaurants chain (better known as Ford’s Garage) Special thanks to all the restaurant and marina staff for making us all feel very welcome! Later Friday evening with all the boats docked and teams settled in for the night, participants were able to do their poker run check in with Ms. Jackie (FPC) and her staff at the Marriot, to get their captains bags. In keeping with FPC safety guidelines, staggered captains meetings were offered using a specially arranged seating plan in a large meeting room that was set up by the Marriott’s catering staff, keeping the Covid guidelines in place. It was the perfect setting, and above all it allowed FPC to maintain the structure and quality of our event formats, while meeting the new guidelines that hotels and restaurants have the responsibility to maintain.!
Chloe and Joslyn 46 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
FPC Salutes OUR 2020 SERIES SPONSOR Florida Powerboat Club is pleased to introduce our 2020 Series Sponsor line up! These leading manufacturers have renewed their commitment to support Florida Powerboat Club and assist us in every way by participating at major poker run events and providing additional financial resources to improve the quality of the poker run experience! With this support FPC can continue to produce safe, exciting poker runs to a variety of destinations in paradise!
www.blackwaterboats.com 855-476-1405
www.deepimpactboats.com 866-726-3403
www.mercuryracing.com 920-921-5330
www.mycotrailers.com 941-748-2397
www.mysticpowerboats.com 386-736-2247
www.nor-techboats.com 239-567-5030
www.performanceboatcenter.com
Missouri: 573-873-2300 | Florida: 954-237-0332
To inquire about sponsorship programs contact Stu Jones 954-684-9333
Saturday
Saturday morning the fun was about to shift gears, and after a dockside breakfast at Tampa Convention Center, forty-five teams began to rumble in the harbor and one-by-one, plucking their poker card from the lovely FPC girls Chloe and Joslyn. The 10:30 start ensured that teams would have time to stage the “money shot experience” with the chopper at Tampa Bay’s Sunset Skyway bridge, then pickup another poker card at Egmont Key, then arrive at one of three designated lunch stops on the Manatee River well before noon. Aside from a few hiccups and a poker run party crasher that caused a disturbance during one of the staged photo sessions, the morning logistics went to plan. The practice is using multiple lunch stops by Florida Powerboat Club on the larger event, is about to take on a new level of significance, as event formats are forced to adapt to Covid guidelines. Large group seatings are no longer appealing to many restaurant managers, who are forced to stay within strict seating and capacity guidelines. In keeping with these parameters, FPC was forced to limit each lunch group to about 75 guests, and with a 220-person event roster, this required three lunch stops for the Tampa Bay Poker Run. Nonetheless, two of the three restaurants performed flawlessly, and we want to thank those management teams for being prepared and welcoming FPC. A third establishment did
48 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
not fair so well, but we will give them another chance sometime in the future. Saturday evening the group congregated at Jacksons Bistro in Downtown Tampa, where a wonderful dinner was served, and poker hands played out…in a very pleasant setting. As an added attraction, the local NHL home team Tampa Lightning played out a nail-biting game six, potentially winning the Stanley Cup as we shared the venue with hundreds of Bolts fans. Well, the Bolts did not win on that evening, but three of our lucky poker run captains shared a $ 5,000 purse for pulling the top poker hands. Special thanks to FPC member Wes Harlow, who after winning first place, then donated $ 1,000 of his prize money back to fellow FPC members! The Pensacola native who ran his 35 DCB in the run, had expressed concern that he would like to see a successful Key West Poker Run for the club, and offered a $ 200 signing bonus to any member who would register for FPC’s Key West Poker Run that evening. Thanks Wes…it worked… we gained five more entries, and you had enough cash left over to pay for your fuel and hotel! Like you, we all had fond memories of this 10th Anniversary Tampa Bay Poker Run. Stu Jones
Icom Command Mic VHF Radio
Garmin 7612 XSV x 2 Units
Special thanks to SCI for their product support on the FPC official pace boat PROJECT 1080 HP. Twin Garmin 7612 XSV chartplotters, Icom VHF radio system, and Icom handheld marine and aviation-band radios... providing PROJECT 1080 HP with the complete electronics package
1 st Card Stop
Steven & Casey Head | AL | Team TUTZ | 35' Formula
Chloe and Joslyn
Steve Petty | FL | Team GLASSTREAM 360 LS | 36' Glasstream / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R
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Beau and Tiffiney Renfroe | GA | Team DIRTY MONEY | 36' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing 700
Jim Wiley | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 39'Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350
Chris LaMorte | NJ | Team SKATER 36 | 36' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing 700 SCI
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Dan Raimondi | FL | JENNY | 34' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350
Jason & Christy Stross | FL | BLACK BOATS MATTER | 38' Statement / 3-Mercury Verado 350
Noel & Gretchen Speranza | FL | RETAINAGE | 44' Concept / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 53
DONZI Crew Jorge & Ann Arellano | FL | Team DCB | 29' DCB / 2-Mercury Racing 700
Deris Ceresa | FL | Team DONZI | 38' Donzi / 2-Mercury Racing-Modified
Luis Sotero | FL | Team TODO O NADA | 38' Donzi / 2-Mercury Racing 1075
54 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
EGMONT KEY POKER CARD #2
Pat McDonald | FL | Team LAZY LADY | 48' Ocean Yacht
Chloe
56 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Christopher Villar | FL | Team REEL G.U.S. | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing 450R
REEL G.U.S Crew
Chris & Kimberly Erickson | FL | Team ERICKSON MARINE | 35' Contender
Sponsor
Robbie & Anjum Ullah | GA | Team DR PERFORMANCE | 32' Spectre / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R
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Daniel Munyan | FL | Team BAD BUSINESS | 34' Statement! / 2-Mercury Racing 450R
Ed & Jacquie Rachel | FL | Team WIDE OPEN | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350
Scott & Monica James | SC | Team COAST TO COAST | 33' DCB / 2-Mercury Racing 450R
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 59
M3800 Crew
Ryan & Amber Zivitski | FL | Team M3800 | 38' Mystic / 4-Mercury Racing 300
Sponsor
JOE JACKED Crew
Wayland Joe | IL | Team JOE JACKED | 42' Mystic / 4-Mercury Racing 450R
BODACIOUS, TOO Crew
H. Neil & Cindy Campbell | FL | Team BODACIOUS, TOO | 42' Mystic / 3-Mercury Racing 400R
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UNLIKE ANYTHING ON THE WATER M4200
M Y S T I C P O W E R B O A T S . C O M 386-736-2247
Since the Tampa Poker Run 2018, when FPC began the search for the Holy Grail to capture that perfect "Money Shot" as the group of powerboats passed under Tampa Bay's Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the challenge has been repeated for three consecutive years. In the very first take back in March 2018, it was "all" the poker run boats taking a shot at one time, and somehow we pulled it off, with a little "pucker factor" from a few poker run teams, and certainly from the sail boater who was caught in the middle. Whoops! But since the event has grown in numbers, now reaching 45 register teams for the September 2020 edition, it only seemed smarter and safer to break up the photo sessions into smaller groups by their designated "Speed Class". All of the FPC members were on board with the plan, and our 2020 photo results were amazing!Â
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Tony & Jessica Gielow | FL | Team SKIDS OFF | 39' Midnight Express / 4-Mercury VERADO 275
Rob BuShea | FL | Team DIVEOCEAN | 39' FrontRunner / 4-Mercury Racing 450R
TRY IT NOW! Crew
Ryan Foster | FL | Team TRY IT NOW! | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing 350
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 63
IN 2 DEEP Crew
Weston Harlow | FL | Team IN 2 DEEP | 35' DCB / 2-Mercury Racing 700 SCI
Craig & Paula Ackerman | GA | Team SEA YA | 34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 450R
Sponsor
Brian Hoar | VT | Team X RACER 2.0 | 36' Statement! / 2-Mercury Racing 450R
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With the growing popularity of the Tampa Bay Poker Run and the challenges faced by restaurant owners in serving large groups, FPC was forced to create a multiple-lunch-stop format for the Tampa Bay Poker Run. The Manatee River was the perfect destination, with more than a half-dozen popular waterfront restaurants along its shores through Bradenton on the south shore, and Ellenton on its north shore. With three official lunch destinations selected to serve the 45-boat, 200-guest poker run event, this was the perfect way to mix up food and fun, giving all participants a chance to enjoy the camaraderie with their fellow FPC members. Thanks to all of our restaurant partners for making this a great Saturday of boating fun for our participants!
Woody’s River Roo – Ellenton, FL Casual rustic vibe, limited dockage on the inside basin but a long finger dock supported over fifteen high-performance boats with rafting. Guests raved about how the private
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tables were all reserved in advance and abundance of tasty appetizers were served within moments of arrival. Great job by the Woody’s staff…High Marks!
Caddy's Bradenton/ Tarpon Point Marina: Bradenton, FL Thanks to a totally prepared Tarpon Point Marina dock staff for an amazing greeting as the poker run teams had plenty of dockage pre-reserved, making the arrival a breeze! Restaurant staff were on the ball, although reports were that the kitchen may have gotten backed up due to extra crew members being added to the FPC guest count.
This is outside an organizer's control and is not an easy problem to overcome when it happens. Caddy’s apologizes for any delays in food service, and we ask FPC participants to report their crew numbers accurately prior to event, so restaurant management can be prepared.
PIER 22 Restaurant/ Twin Dolphin Marina: Bradenton, FL Not a hiccup encountered! Plenty of transient docking provided and although it was a five minute walk to Pier 22 Restaurant, crews were able to stop at the Twin Dolphin Marina dock office to get their poker card, before arriving for lunch. Food was amazing and service outstanding. Nothing more to say‌Well executed by staff... Happy customers, Home Run!
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 67
Sponsor
Nick Buis | FL | Team STATEMENT | 42' Ultimate / 2- Mercury Racing 1075
TEAM OBSESSION Crew
Ryan Snyder | FL | Team DEPLORABLE | 38' Fountain / 3-Mercury Verado 350
Rufus & Leslie Scott | GA | Team OBSESSION | 47' Fountain / 3-Mercury Verado 525
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Florida Powerboat Club offers a “Commercial Member” program which is designed for individuals or companies that are engaged in some form of commerce that relates to the marine industry. In many cases these members provide special discounts and offers to FPC members, so we invite you to contact them and keep your boating-related needs within the FPC family.
Join us in welcoming these
NEW FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB COMMERCIAL MEMBERS: MICHAEL LAYTON
JOHN COSKER
706-359-6899 adrenalinepowerboats.com mike@adrenalinepowerboats.com
386.736.2247 mysticpowerboats.com j@mysticpowerboats.com
P.O. Box 611 Lincolnton, GA 30817
1848 Patterson Ave. DeLand, FL 32724
CJ KUSMIERZ
SVEN TEUBER
Adrenaline Powerboats
Bluefin Marine Consultants
Mystic Powerboats Inc.
On Track Incentives, LLC
616-893-7503 bluefinconsultants.org info@bluefinconsultants.org
+1813-500-7110 ontrackincentives.com sven@ontrackincentives.com
Port St. Lucie, FL
11125 Winthrop Lake Drive Riverview, FL 33578
MICHAEL & NICOLE LUND
SCOTT PORTA
508-678-4547 bordenlightmarina.com office@bordenlightmarina.com 1 Ferry Street Fall River, MA 02721
386-428-7417 portaproducts.com portaproducts@aol.com 1601 Tionia Rd. New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
BILL DAY
RUDY DIPIETRO
Borden Light Marina
Days Boat Sales & Service
Porta Product Corp
Renaissance Prowler
1-888-413-8315 daysboatsales.com bill@daysboatsales.com
954-274-6648 www.renaissanceprowler.com Rudyjr@aol.com
101 Arrowhead Ct Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
13040 NW 43rd Avenue Opa Locka, FL 33054
PETER/ RAYMOND ROBERTS
FRANK SCHEELEN
+1 705-487-7575 doublerperformance.com office@doublerperformance.com
+49 (0) 7741 96 94 25 scheelen-racing.com email: info@scheelen-racing.com
50 Line 9 N, Oro-Medonte, Ontario L0L 1T0
Im Unterberg 11 D-79761 Waldshut-Tiengen
JIMMIE HARRISON
BRANDON MAYER
954-467-7723 fjprop.com jimmie@fjprop.com
1-888-413-8315 sweetwaterlanding.net bmayer14@yahoo.com
200 sw 6th St Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
16991 State Road 31, Fort Myers, FL 33905
KEVIN SCHULTE
HUGO DOMINGEZ
Hardline Products
Vandalize Boats
1-888-413-8315 hardlineproducts.com sales@hardlineproducts.com
305-635-0005 vandalizeboats.com info@vandalizeboats.com
7766 SW Jack James Drive Stuart, FL 34997
3480 NW 21st Street Miami, FL 33142
DoubleR Performance
Frank & Jimmies Propeller
Scheelen-Racing
Sweetwater Landing Marina
NEW FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB COMMERCIAL MEMBERS: RICHARD GARCIA
WALLY J. WOLANSKE
33055873094 boatdepotonline.com boatdepot@live.com
7169981197 exogear.co walter.wolanske@exogear.co
101500 Overseas HWY Key Largo, FL 33037
301 Clematis St. West Palm Beach, FL 33401
PEDRO RIVEIRO
ANDREW POKORNY
Boat Depot
Spinal Armor
The Firm Realty Group
Powerstroke Performance
3056190257 peteriveiro.com peteriveiro@gmail.com
2399104169 powerstrokeperformancespecialties.com andrew.pokorny@gmail.com
26 Bahama Ave Key Largo,FL 33037
5660 Division Drive Fort Myers, FL 33905
TOM CROWLEY Oakdale Yacht
6318046592 oakdaleyacht.com tom@oakdaleyacht.com 520 Shore Drive Oakdale, NY 11769
TWISTED METAL Crew
Billy Glueck | FL | Team TWISTED METAL | 42' Fountain Race Boat
Keith Overton | FL | Team STATEMENT | 38'Statement / 3-Mercury Verado 350
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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 mens OGIO club polo shirt. • Premium Concierge Services • Priority booking status for rooms and dockage on all FPC Events. • Marina and marine service referrals for your powerboat. • Nautical assistance to a variety of marine resorts and boating destinations. • Planning and hotel/slip reservations for your Florida boating weekends. • Personal assistance(up to 4 hours) for boat shoping by FPC President Stu Jones( Hourly rates apply for additional time spent)
$479.00/year*
GOLD MEMBERSHIP
Membership suggested for married couples Includes all of the Standard Membership benefits, PLUS: • Second membership for spouse/partner included • Premium mens OGIO Club Polo Shirt. • Premium womens OGIO Ladies Tank Top $379.00/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. $279.00/year*
COMMERCIAL MEMBERSHIP Membership Includes:
• Discounted rates on FPC Magazine advertising • Discounted rates on all web advertising/banner programs. • Access to all FPC events and parties. • Business listing on our website affiliate section. • Business card introduction Ad in FPC magazine. 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 in Paradise Magazine subscription. • Access to FPC parties • Discounted Boat Show tickets. $89.00/year*
*Overseas and international memberships will have a slightly higher rate to compensate for mailing/shipping costs.
Keith Goodson | FL | Team THIS IS US | 50' Azimut - Poker Card #3
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Ron & Elaine Long | FL | Team ALL NIGHT LONG | 35' Statement / 2-Mercury Verado 350
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 73
Greetings Participants, Sponsors & Event Partners, We are so pleased to see the positive momentum of our Florida Powerboat Club events get
back on pace, with recent events in Destin, Tampa and now Key West. With the challenges of Covid-19, we never imagined that Key West 2020 would exceed 150 registered poker run teams, producing a roster of nearly 700 participants who will contribute tremendously to the lumbering Key West local economy. Absent from our four-day Key West agenda, will be the World Superboat Championship Races, and with the continued focus on maintaining CDC social distancing guidelines, it goes without saying that our usual Poker Run Village format and evening entertainment agendas will be missing from our normal event format. But surely that won’t dampen the spirits of our enthusiastic participants, many of you just happy to be out on the water and sharing the adventure with your fellow FPC members. I do ask all of you, to share with me the responsibilities of recognizing that while we may wish to forget about Covid-19 for a few days, and the challenges it has presented in all our lives, this is not an option. The coronavirus it is still very much a threat all of us, our families, our friends and our fellow FPC members. For some of in the over sixty age group, and for those like myself who have had respiratory illness in the past, those risks may be even higher. So I ask all of you, to please take nothing for granted. To punctuate this point, I remind everyone that the City of Key West has been very proactive in the battle against Covid spread, taking serious steps to cancel all major events including Fantasy Fest, Songwriters Festival, and the RWO Powerboat races to name a few. To this day, even the major cruise lines are blocked from making Key West a port of call. With our Key West Poker Run not being an officially sanctioned Key West event, and by virtue of our event format, FPC has been given a green light to continue our 28-year annual tradition. I feel extremely fortunate, even privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead our members and industry sponsors, back to the Conch Republic, at a time when other tourism groups are being asked to stay home. We could use a little “escape”, and it’s no secret that FPC very much needed this event to get back on our feet. For that, I thank you all immensely! I have just two requests: 1) On the Water: Please do not let down your guard on safety while you are in the boats… especially those running in the performance classes at higher rates of speed. Your life jacket is your best friend. Please use it when the time is right!
2) On the Land: I ask you all to please be proud of your affiliation with FPC, practice discretion with social distancing in public places, and above all, remember that the Covid curse is still very much a threat to all of us. Your mask is your best friend. Please use it when the time is right! Thank you all!
Stu Jones, FPC President & Founder
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 77
KEY WEST POKER RUN 2020
PARTICIPANTS
Dawn & Donald Hadden.............. SC 30’ AMT.....................AMERICAN BAD ASS
Kevin & Melissa Welch................. MA 42’ Cigarette...........................TA DA PINS
Howard & Amie Beindit IV........... MI 41’ Apache................................TATONKA
Steve & Teresa Presley................ TN 41’ Cigarette...............LIVING THE DREAM
Michael Friedman....................... FL 41’ Apache.........................CRAZY HORSE
Mike & Susan Pascoe.................. GA 41’ Cigarette................... COIN OPERATED
Wally Wolanske........................... FL 37’ Axopar........................SPINAL ARMOR
John Wittenberger SR.................. NJ 39’ Cigarette..................... ON THE ROCKS
Andy Imhof................................. MD 43’ Black Thunder................. EL PADRINO
Frank & Frank Jr Jannucci........... NJ 39’ Cigarette........................ FUNDSALOW
Alex Tembelis.............................. NY 43’ Black Thunder................ MCMONSTER
Todd Amandus............................ FL 39’ Cigarette....................... SMOKIN GUN
Robert Jenkins............................ MO 46’ Black Thunder Offshore.Black Thunder Offshore
Bill Robbins................................. TX 39’ Cigarette..........CENTER OF ATTENTION
James Slattery............................ FL 43’ Blackwater.....................BLACKWATER
Robert Revera............................. FL 39’ Cigarette................................LEVEL 5
Dennis Delatorre......................... FL 41’ Blackwater....PLANTATION BOAT MART
Bud Porter.................................. IL 39’ Cigarette......................... RELENTLESS
Mark & Eileen Fischer................. FL 39’ Blackwater.....................BLACKWATER
Stu & Jackie Jones...................... FL 38’ Cigarette......................PROJECT 1080
Derek Wachob............................. OK 59’ Cigarette...............................6 CARAT
Kevin & Jenica Eisenbach............ MO 38’ Cigarette.....................SUPER SOAKER
David & Leann Branton............... LA 59’ Cigarette.................................... AMG
Wesley Abraham......................... NY 36’ Cigarette..............LIP SHIP CIGARETTE
John Ruiz.................................... FL 59’ Cigarette........... POWER OF ATTORNEY
Jeff & Brenda Jacobs................... MD 36’ Cigarette......................... WE’RE BACK
Bill Nohle.................................... MD 50’ Cigarette................. THUNDERSTRUCK
Brian Teyssier.............................. PA 30’ Cigarette............................CIGARETTE
John Ruiz.................................... FL 50’ Cigarette........... POWER OF ATTORNEY
Noel & Gretchen Speranza.......... FL 44’ Concept............................RETAINAGE
Daryl Turner............................... TX 46’ Cigarette........................RUMRUNNER
Eric Avila..................................... FL 44’ Concept.................... CONCEPT BOATS
Peter Zizzo.................................. IL 46’ Cigarette............................CIGARETTE
Randy Kohorst............................ FL 36’ Concept........................... STIX DOWN
Frank Lovato............................... NJ 42’ Cigarette...........................NO XCUSES
Parnell & Wendy Olson................ MI 36’ Concept........................ WICKED WON
Don House.................................. KY 42’ Cigarette........................... MAYHEM V
Ron Levy..................................... FL 32’ Concept...............................CONCEPT
Stephen Barker........................... NY 42’ Cigarette............................. X-FACTOR
Jorge & Ann Arellano.................. FL 35’ DCB...............................151 EXPRESS
John Ruiz.................................... FL 42’ Cigarette........... POWER OF ATTORNEY
Chad Havens............................... TX 35’ DCB.......................................SAVAGE
Sonny Meraban........................... IL 42’ Cigarette..........................CHECKMATE
Dennis Delatorre......................... FL 39’ Deep Impact.PLANTATION BOAT MART
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James & Sonia Redding............... GA 39’ Deep Impact........................LA MEXICANA
Alan Lima................................... FL 84’ Lazzara..................................BACKSTAGE
Mark & Eileen Fischer................. FL 39’ Deep Impact........................ DEEP IMPACT
Neil & Cindy Campbell................ FL 74’ Lazzara......................... BODACIOUS, TOO
Robert & Jackie Rauch................. FL 39’ Deep Impact........................... FOURGASM
John Ruiz.................................... FL 141’ Mangusta................POWER OF ATTORNEY
David Sacher............................... FL 36’ Deep Impact...................................LEO IV
Richard Bennett.......................... SC 52’ MTI.....................................................MTI
Al & Christy Newell...................... KY 38’ Donzi................................ BLOWN ASSETS
Derek Wachob............................. OK 52’ MTI.................................BLACK DIAMOND
Paddy Sullivan............................ MD 38’ Donzi...................................... CODE BLUE
Don Verkuylen............................ FL 52’ MTI.................................... SUPER VELOCE
Seth & Jeni Therrien.................... FL 38’ Donzi..............................CRUSH GROOVIN
Lane Christianson........................ TX 48’ MTI.......................................... FAST LANE
Luis Sotero.................................. FL 38’ Donzi..................................TODO O NADA
Fred & Judy Reavis...................... SC 48’ MTI.....................................................MTI
Deris Ceresa................................ FL 38’ Donzi.......................................DONZI ZRC
Alex Pratt.................................... MI 48’ MTI..........................................GOOD BOY
Robert Provalenko....................... SC 45’ Everglades............................. RAMBLE ON
John Woodruff............................ GA 48’ MTI...........................................WINDSHIP
Joey McAllister............................ GA 35’ Formula................................PURE VISION
Sam Gabriel................................ NJ 48 MTI......................................RAGING BULL
Mat & Ann Marie Raymond......... NC 48’ Fountain................................MISS GRACE
Alan Matthews............................ NY 42’ MTI...........................................THE WOLF
Jeff Hoefling............................... IN 42’ Fountain........................TOO LIVELY CREW
Bill Melchione............................. NJ 42’ MTI.....................................................MTI
Bret Laso..................................... SC 40’ Fountain.................................. RENEGADE
Fred & Judy Reavis...................... SC 42’ MTI.....................................................MTI
Mike & Holly Riggs...................... NC 38’ Fountain............................................ NSF
Bob & Charlene Ladas................. MA 42’ MTI..................................................MTI-V
Tom Crowley............................... NY 38’ Fountain..........................OAKDALE YACHT
Robyn & Kevin McCarty............... IL 42’ MTI......................................... CHILLAXIN’
Kyle Fowler................................. GA 38’ Fountain.......................... A-SALT WEAPON
John O’Loughlin.......................... NY 39’ MTI...................................... UNFORGIVEN
William & Meghan Wiles............. TX 38’ Fountain.......................... NEVER ENOUGH
Michael & Sarah Howe................ FL 39’ MTI.................................LIGHT SPEED 2.0
Dave & Karen Peterson............... FL 53’ HCB......................................SEA DREAMS
Pete Riveiro................................ FL 34’ MTI............................................THE FIRM
Giovanni & Magda Milito............. FL 38’ Hustler....................................... TRIGGER
Derek Wachob............................. OK 34’ MTI...................BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS
Chet & Cindy Huffman................ CA 44’ Intrepid.................................. STILL NUTZ
Craig & Paula Ackerman............. GA 34’ MTI................................................SEA YA
Chris Colson................................ NJ 39’ Lavey Craft......................FLUID FRIENDLY
Shannon Hamilton...................... GA 50’ Mystic................................ LOW ALTITUDE
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 79
John Cosker................................ FL 42’ Mystic...............MYSTIC POWERBOATS
Al / Chris Sadow......................... CT 39’ Nor-Tech................... HAMMER DOWN
Darryl Cuttell.............................. OH 42’ Mystic...................................DARANA
Jimmie Harrison.......................... FL 39’ Nor-Tech.......................FJ PROPELLER
Benji/Chris Mastronardi.............. ON 42’ Mystic................... DOUBLE DIAMOND
Hans Othar Blix........................... FL 39’ Nor-Tech........................... 2TWENTY5
Wayland Joe............................... IL 42’ Mystic..............................JOE JACKED
Patrick McCarty........................... LA 39’ Nor-Tech............................POST CALL
Robert Lockyer............................ FL 40’ Mystic....................... BLUE MYSTIQUE
Travis Musgrave.......................... KY 34’ Nor-Tech................................. FASTLY
Chris Cox..................................... NY 40’ Mystic.................................... MYSTIC
Tammy & Mike Redden............... SC 34’ Nor-Tech.........................KRYPTONITE
Douglas Gooch............................ KY 38’ Mystic..................... HIGH MAINTENCE
Mark & Eileen Fischer................. FL 118’ Ocean Alexander............EILEENS WAY
Edmundo Tamayo....................... FL 38’ Mystic.................................FIT 4 LIFE
Chris Mastronardi........................ ON 50’ Outerlimits....................OUTERLIMITS
Barry & Stephanie Henson.......... TN 55’ Neptunis................................SPLASH
Brian & Danni Forehand.............. NC 50’ Outerlimits........................BE FORE U
Nick & Christi Evans.................... IN 50’ Nor-Tech................... BURNIN BENJI’S
Scott Higgs.................................. MO 50’ Outerlimits.................... BOOBY TRAP
Brad Hancock.............................. GA 47’ Nor-Tech.........................HAIL RAISER
Chris & Shelby Mattingly............. KY 46’ Outerlimits................... NEVER ENUFF
John Mehalik.............................. FL 46’ Nor-Tech............................ NOR-TECH
Greg DelMonte............................ NJ 44’ Outerlimits.............HARD TO HANDLE
Matthew & Lori Schulz................. MI 45’ Nor-Tech....................................LOLO
Jeb & Stephanie Bradshaw.......... NC 42’ Outerlimits....................OUTERLIMITS
Henrik Margard / Schou............. FL 45’ Nor-Tech............................ NOR-TECH
Peter Burke................................. MA 41’ Outerlimits....................... TRIGGER B
Roger & Pam Anderson............... TX 39’ Nor-Tech.....................EASY MONEY II
Connor & Allye Toomey............... MD 39’ Outerlimits...................... OUTTA LINE
Christopher Villar........................ FL 39’ Nor-Tech..........................REEL G.U.S.
Joe Peffley.................................. NC 32’ Phantom...........................SINISTER 2
Chad Kohmescher........................ OK 39’ Nor-Tech.................................... OMD
Manny Oses................................ FL 38’ Renagade....RENEGADE POWERBOATS
Greg Bent................................... LA 39’ Nor-Tech............................HELL BENT
ISAAC BURGOS............................ FL 33’ Renagade............................ 33 OPEN
Curtis Watkins............................. FL 39’ Nor-Tech........................EVIL WOMAN
Randy Kent................................. MO 38’ Renegade.MIDWEST BOATING CENTER
Daniel Kurzejewski...................... FL 39’ Nor-Tech............................ NOR-TECH
KEITH LEWIS................................ FL 33’ Renegade......................... RENEGADE
John & Suzanne Stella................ NY 39’ Nor-Tech........ PERFECT PRESCRIPTION
Michael Tandoi............................ NY 40’ Skater..................... OUT OF CONTROL
80 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Bubba & Brittany Chrisco............. OK 36’ Skater.......................Mrs. WAR PARTY
Jason Tolliver.............................. OH 40’ Sunsation.................. BAD DECISIONS
Kelly and Anna Kraiss................. AZ 36’ Skater................................... TOP CAT
Brett Manire................................ MO 40’ Sunsation.PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER
Brant Daniels.............................. KS 32’ Skater................................... KANSAS
Mike Lopez................................. IL 40’ Sunsation.........................GRAY AREA
Daren & Megan Waligora............ MI 32’ Spectre.................... WET INTENTIONS
Win Farnsworth........................... FL 80’ Sunseeker................................... 007
Matt Carlson............................... NJ 30’ Spectre.....................RISKY BEHAVIOR
Rocco & Danielle Rocco................ NH 34’ Victory.....................TIME CONSCIOUS
John Wittenberger Jr................... NJ 30’ Spectre......................BAD DECISIONS
Jorge & Ann Arellano.................. FL 36’ Warlock.........................151 EXPRESS
Chris & Lindsey Miller................. OK 30’ Spectre......................NEVER ENOUGH
David Wilks................................. SC 43’ Wellcraft............ SLIPPERY WHEN WET
Shane Franks.............................. MI 42’ Statement..........................SADDLEUP
Mike Dewitt................................. IN 36’ WRIGHT PERFORMANCE.FORT MYERS INVESTMENTS
Steve & Lisa Young...................... AL 38’ Statement...................... NAUTI HABIT
Matt Borcina............................... NY 36’ Wright Performance............MC ELECTRICAL
Keith Overton.............................. FL 38 Statement........................ STATEMENT
CONTRACTORS
Travis Weeks............................... NC 36’ Statement...........PERFORMANCE EAST
DIAMOND SPONSORS: BLACKWATER BOATS
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DEEP IMPACT BOATS
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SUPERIOR COMMUNICATIONS INC
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 81
FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB 2021 Event Calendar
JAN 22-24
| WINTER POKER RUN TO FARO BLANCO RESORT, MARATHON
FEB 18-21
| 26TH MIAMI BOAT SHOW POKER RUN- KEY LARGO
MARCH 17-21
| SPRING KEY WEST POKER RUN: MIAMI TO KEY WEST
APRIL 15-18
| 11TH ANNUAL TAMPA BAY POKER RUNDOWNTOWN TAMPA
MAY 14-16
| 2ND ANNUAL MIDNIGHT NIGHT EXPRESS BIMINI RENDEZVOUS
MAY TBA
| 2ND ANNUAL ORANGE BEACH POWEBOAT WEEK, THE WHARF
JUNE 17-22
| 30TH ANNUAL BAHAMAS POKER RUN: BIMINI/NASSAU/EXUMAS
JULY / AUG
| FPC SUMMER POKER RUN TOUR- MULTIPLE VENUES USA/CANADA
AUG 12-17
| BAHAMAS SUMMER BLAST: BIMINI/CHUB/ NASSAU (NEW DATES)
SEPT 22-26
| EMERALD COAST POWERBOAT WEEKDESTIN- FWB (NEW DATES)
OCT 8-10
| FALL FUN RUN- KEY LARGO- COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND (NEW EVENT)
NOV 10-15
| 29TH ANNUAL KEY WEST POKER RUN – WED & THURS DEPARTURES
DEC 1
| HOLIDAY SEASON EVENT- TBA
Disclaimer: Please note that FPC event dates list on these pages were published at the time of printing in Fall 2020. Since then, event dates and venues may have been modified, so it is important to always refer to the FPC website www.flpowerboat.com before making any event plans.
WATCH FPC ON YOUTUBE - SUBSCRIBE TO FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB !! CONTACT US: 954-545-1414 | FLPOWERBOAT.COM | STU@FLPOWERBOAT.COM
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82 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
AMERICAN CUSTOM MARINE.......................................... 9 AO COOLERS................................................................. 65 BLACKWATER.............................................................. 27 BRAND X...................................................................... 39 DEEP IMPACT................................................................. 5 FPC 2021 CALENDAR SALE.......................................... 57 FPC MARKET PLACE................................................69-70 FPC MEMBERSHIP........................................................ 71 HAULOVER MARINE CENTER........................................ BC KEY WEST VACATION HOMES....................................... 39 LIVORSI MARINE...........................................................51 MARINE CUSTOMS....................................................... 65 MERCURY RACING....................................................... IBC MARINE DESIGN CORPORATION.................................... 55 MIAMI BOAT SHOW POKER RUN 2021.......................... 37 MYCO TRAILERS........................................................... 17 MYSTIC POWERBOATS................................................. 61 NOR-TECH.................................................................... 13 PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER...................................... 35 PROJECT 1080 FOR SALE............................................. 74 SCI SUPERIOR COMMUNICATIONS................................ 49 SHORE THING STORAGE ............................................... 19 TNT CUSTOM MARINE.................................................. 29 WINTER POKER RUN 2021............................................IFC
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