Powerboating In Paradise Vol22#3

Magazine Showcasing The Florida Powerboat Club Lifestyle

FALL 2022 EDITION Vol. 22#3

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com

OFFICE MANAGER

Jackie Jones jackie@flpowerboat.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lina Montes fpclina@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Pete Boden Jerry Wyszatycki Stu Jones

EVENT MANAGEMENT

Jackie Jones jackie@flpowerboat.com Megan Smith admin@flpowerboat.com

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Megan Smith admin@flpowerboat.com

VIDEO PRODUCTION

Stu Jones Ryan McCoy 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

Monday

CONTENTS

4. LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

FPC president Stu Jones shares that along with the high points of a successful 2022, there were some unsettling issues that might have threatened FPC's future.

6. ORANGE BEACH POWERBOAT WEEK

FPC Members explored Alabama's coastal waters with a two-day poker run format, and took advantage of the fabulous lodging, docking, dining and entertainment offered by the event's presenting sponsor, The Wharf.

38. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS OWNERS RENDEZVOUS

Now established as an annual event, this Midnight Express Owners Rendezvous settled in at Bimini, then ventured off to Chub Cay, Paradise Island and beyond, with extended day trips that included the Exumas!

40. BAHAMAS POKER RUN

Celebrating 31 years, this annual summer tradition enjoyed a sixday, multi-island format that ventured to new destinations including Spanish Wells and Harbor Island, Bahamas.

52. NORWAY'S 10 TH ANNUAL ARENDAL POKER RUN

In the wake of the pandemic, Stu & Jackie Jones finally got a chance to follow through on a long-standing invitation by the organizers of the Arendal Poker Run in Norway, to come and see how the Norwegians have fun on water....Viking Style!

58. CONCEPT OWNERS KEY WEST RUN

This annual factory-sponsored event brought over 20 Concept teams together for the summer ride from Key Largo to Key West. Highlights included the Boca Grande Beach rendezvous and a sunset party overlooking Key West Harbor.

60. BAHAMAS SUMMER BLAST

With more FPC members wanting to visit the Bahamas, a second summer event made perfect sense, as over 20 powerboat teams enjoyed this 500-mile round-trip Powerboating in Paradise adventure.

70. EMERALD COAST POWERBOAT WEEK

With enjoyable fall temperatures and no rain in the forecast, FPC members came from two dozen states to get in the fun and enjoy the scenic boating, sandy beaches and vibrant night-life that Destin & Fort Walton Beach are known for!

ON THE COVER: FPC teams get into formation for the "Money Shot"as the Bahamas Summer Blast gets underway with Miami in the backdrop.

This team of lovely FPC girls kept everyone entertained at Emerald Coast Powerboat Week!

YouTube: Florida Powerboat Club www.youtube.com/user/FLpowerboatClub

www.facebook.com/flpowerboat Instagram @flpowerboat

WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM

As I sit down to write this LFP for the Fall issue of Powerboating in Paradise, it happens to be early October and exactly four weeks from the launch of the Key West Poker Run November 8th. My writing format for this letter tends to be less editorial in nature, and typically more personal in scope, often including some level of reflection from the previous year of events and activities, followed by a projection of how the Key West Poker Run is shaping up.

As a creature of habit, I will remain true to format, and I will begin by sharing that 2022 was a year of highs and lows. Among the high points, is the fact that we are now operating in our 30 th year since the club’s formal incorporation in June 1993. Punctuating that high point, FPC saw almost record attendance at most of our 2022 events, raising the bar for the number of our annual participation statistics, which are measured by “total” boat registrations of all events, from January through November.

Offsetting these highs, was the harsh blow from a frivolous and preposterous personal injury lawsuit against FPC, (four lawsuits in total) that were served in November 2019 and related to a 2017 accident on the Key West Poker Run. This launched a 30-month roller coaster ride of litigation that forced FPC into a tedious, frustrating and costly defense-mining process that ended with an 11 th hour cash settlement earlier this year, costing FPC over six-figures in the end. Unfortunately, that trickles down to everyone who participates on FPC events and will eventually have repercussions across the sport of poker runs throughout the nation. It translates to tougher measures with respect to gathering waivers from all participants and puts more focus on the process of securing adequate liability insurance coverages from all participants. So, when we badger you for signed waivers and email you with these new guidelines, please understand the source.

The irony of this case, appears more tragic than the actual accident. The former club member whose life we saved, was reported to have sustained injuries with an 85% likelihood of mortality. But he is alive today, because our FPC safety management program worked! Medics responded quickly and our MDFR fire-rescue team helicoptered him immediately to Miami where he received critical care and major surgery within hours. So, that is the thanks we get? Instead, a lawsuit that could have potentially closed the doors to FPC! As for their scumbag personal injury attorney that fabricated the case against FPC and made up a laundry list of crap about FPC’s responsibility to anticipate and somehow magically transmit a warning to the driver of the 100-mph+ powerboat, that he was speeding towards a huge yacht wake…? Well, a normal person with sound mind, cannot make this stuff up. Sadly my friends, this is what is wrong with our broken legal system, and I share this warning for all of you. Just slow down and be careful out there , because that is YOUR responsibility, not MINE. And if you don’t, accidents can happen, and this sewer rat will sniff his way into your lives, the way he found ours.

So, back to the good stuff! Holy Geez- Key West is on fire, again! We are four weeks away with a roster of 245 teams, and that means we will likely kiss last year’s record of 273 registered teams. Honestly, the marinas and most of the lodging in Key West is sold out, so we might not see that number get too much higher. I don’t even care where we land on registration numbers, because the only digits I care about right now, are 3 and 0 . Happy 30th Birthday Key West Poker Run!! To all those who have partaken in this signature event, whether it was then or now, Thank You! You are the reason this event has reached and sustained its status as a world class poker run event, which is aging quite gracefully! Be safe out there, and we’ll see you in Key West!

Stu Jones

FPC President & Founder

SWEET HOME Alabama

there’s more to come.

By Jason Johnson

In just a few short years, the Florida Powerboat Club’s Orange Beach Powerboat Week Poker Run in Orange Beach, Ala., has turned into one of the club’s most popular events, and for good reason. First and foremost, the location is unlike any other FPC event in that the variety of waterways to explore, including the Intracoastal Waterway, several bays and offshore opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico, is a perfect fit with The Wharf, the all-in-one host location of the poker run since Jones and company started it in 2019.

Add in a few ideal hang-out spots, near-perfect weather and a wellrounded fleet of 55 boats with more than 200 participants overall, and it’s easy to see why Texas performance boater Chad Havens, who has attended all three of the Alabama-based happenings (it was cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic), called the Orange Beach Powerboat Week Poker Run a “can’t miss event.”

“I’ve made it to Orange Beach every year since FPC started organizing it and I have to say—and this may sound a little strange— but Orange Beach is actually my favorite venue,” said Havens, who brought Savage, his 40-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran that is powered by a pair of dual-calibration Mercury Racing 1550/1350 engines, to the poker run with several friends. “Everything is just set up so convenient that once you get to The Wharf and you get your boat in the water and park your vehicle, you'll never be in your vehicle again. There's just no need to travel. Your boat is there; the

shopping is there; the food is there; heck there’s even a movie theater there. Almost anything you could possibly want to do is literally within a few steps.

“And it’s geographic location is great—you don’t have to do the same thing twice if you stayed there for a week,” he added. “One day we headed east to Pensacola (Fla.) and the next day we went west to Mobile (Ala.), and the best part is you can play around in the protected water or head offshore if you want to go outside. There are also some really good raft-up locations out there. The Orange Beach area has a lot to offer.”

Havens said he plans to attend the two-day poker run next year and encourage as many of his boating friends to sign up as well.

One person who won’t need any convincing to return in 2023 is Vince Oddo, who is the president of the Texas Offshore Performance Powerboat Squadron (TOPPS) Clear Lake organization and attended the Orange Beach event for the first time in his Cigarette Racing Team 38 Top Gun powered by twin Mercury Racing 500EFI engines. Oddo, and his wife, Rachael, and daughter, Graylon, enjoyed the run with a few friends and other TOPPS members who also made the trip to Alabama with their boats.

“I really enjoyed the poker run—it was a great event and very well organized,” said Oddo, who thanked FPC president Stu Jones and

Just three years in and already at full stride, the Orange Beach Powerboat Week Poker Run at The Wharf on Alabama’s Gulf Coast is becoming a membership favorite—and

his team for recognizing the TOPPS members with two awards during the Saturday night party that included dinner, seven-card poker-hand play and award presentations. “I really enjoyed The Wharf and all of the different locations around Orange Beach. And for us coming from Texas, it was a pretty easy pull since we didn’t have to travel too far.

“We’ll definitely come back—I really liked the variety of waterways that the event offers,” he continued. “You’re able to run through the Intracoastal, you're able to run through the bay and you're able to run offshore near the beach. We decided to head offshore for some of it and wow was that fun. We caught some good air out there.”

Oddo said Sean Porter, the TOPPS Club vice president, also enjoyed his time in Orange Beach.

“It was great to be out there with our fellow club members—hopefully next year there will be even more of us,” Oddo quipped.

Although they didn’t travel as far as some of the Texas participants or some of the FPC members who came from Louisiana, Georgia, South Florida and beyond, Panama City, Fla.-based boaters Jack and Kay Stewart brought their twin Mercury Racing Verado 400R-powered 32-foot catamaran from Doug Wright Powerboats to the event for the second year and had an awesome time.

“The Orange Beach event is one of my favorites, along with Destin— of course they’re both close so that helps,” said Jack Stewart, who

has hauled his Doug Wright as far as Missouri for the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout and to other Florida Powerboat Club events around the state. “The facilities that The Wharf offers are pretty nice and we really love being around like-minded people who enjoy going fast. The water is nice, too. Most of the runs are on the Intracoastal so it’s pretty protected. I prefer that for my boat—I’m not in a big V-bottom or center console so it’s not as fun when it gets over two or three feet.”

Louisiana-based performance boater Scott Favre, who has attended every Orange Beach run thanks to his personal connection to the event, said he and his family had an absolute great time at the poker run in his Sunsation Powerboats 40 CCX that he sold this summer upon ordering a new MTI-V 42 luxury performance center console to complement his 44-foot MTI catamaran.

“The Sunsation was a great boat—we had a blast in it at the Orange Beach event and the Tampa Bay Poker Run the month before,” said Favre, who owns The Wharf—the Gulf Coast location that features a nearby boat ramp, first-class lodging, top-notch dockage, abundant truck and trailer parking, a washdown for flushing and more—with his father, Art, who hosted a lunch on Saturday at his waterfront property for sponsors, friends and VIP.

“I’m hopeful that everyone who came to the event had a good time. I know we were a little limited this year on parking because of the storm the year before, but it worked out. (Continuedonpage8)

Photos by: Pete Boden & Stu Jones

“This event is unique because of The Wharf and also because there are a bunch of little restaurants and bars in the area—none of them are big enough to house everybody for lunch so we split up into smaller groups, which to me works out well with the way Stu sets it all up,” he continued, explaining that the Wharf has come a long way since his family purchased the location 10 years ago. “When I first started doing all this, I approached Stu with the idea and told him we have a ‘one-stop-shop deal’ between the marina, the conference rooms, hotels and condos, restaurants and bars, and more, so no one really has to leave, which is good. And here we are several years later.”

Favre added there is soon going to be even more to offer his fellow Florida Powerboat Club members in Orange Beach as his father purchased 86 acres of the Bama Bayou property on the north side of the Intracoastal Waterway across from The Wharf this summer and development is in the works on a new marina that will be called The Wharf Landing. “It’s going to take us a year or two to have the marina in place, but once that’s the case, this event can get as big as it wants to after that,” Favre said.

Sounds like music—cue Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama—to everyone’s ears right there.

Scott Favre | LA | Team NEVER ENOUGH | 40' Sunsation

Terrell & Lara Haydock | TX | Team I SED 8U | 36' Sunsation

Mike Kelley | TX | Team THE CAT'S ASS | 28' Eliminator

I SED 8U Crew

Clark Beecher | TX | Team EL GATO | 39' MTI

John VanDyck | MI | Team REHAB | 30' Concept

Chad Havens | TX | Team SAVAGE | 40' Skater

IN PARADISE

MORE MYSTIC THAN EVER BEFORE.

A new class of center console for Mystic, the M5200 is here to lead the pack. Built for the biggest adventurers, this fifty-two foot beauty perfectly pairs speed and elegance to create the ultimate on-water experience and luxury feel.

Steve & Lynnette Turner | TX | Team MIAMI TWO STEP | 38' Cigarette

FPC Girl Brittini

John Wittenberger Jr | NJ | Team BAD DECISIONS | 30' Spectre

Mike Stone | TX | Team SKIMMING STONES | 38' Fountain

PARADISE

Phillip Smith | GA | Team SMITH | 38' Donzi

SMITH Crew

BEER MONEY TOO! Crew Paul Bertucci | MS | Team BEER MONEY TOO! | 39' Deep Impact

Jack & Kay Stewart | FL | Team BLUE BAYOU | 32' Doug Wright

Stephen Dummer | MS | Team LOOSE CANNON | 38' Cigarette

FPC Girl Kaitlyn

Octavio & Karen Valdivia | GA | Team AWESOME ONE | 44' Concept

Mark & Lona Albert | TX | Team LICKALONAPUS | 35' Fountain

James Furlow | MS | Team RRR | 34' Fountain

Brandon & Naomi Segers | FL | Team BUYOUT | 43' Donzi

George & Carre Olson | TX | Team CARRE ON | 35' Marlago

FPC Girl Brittini

Octavio Valdivia | AL | Team BLUEBAYOU | 51' Outerlimits - 2nd Entry

CARRE ON Crew

Jason & Tiffany Youell | TX | Team BAD ADDICTION | 34' Nor-Tech

J.T Byrne | TX | Team BYRNE'N DAYLIGHT | 34' Nor-Tech

Bill & Jen Howell | GA | Team NO COMPLAINTS | 34' Nor-Tech

NO COMPLAINTS Crew

FPC Girl Brittini

Keith Johnston | LA | Team OUTERLIMITS | 42' Outerlimits

Steven & Casey Head | AL | Team TUTZ | 35' Formula

Vincent & Rachael Oddo | TX | Team LOADED GUN | 38' Cigarette

Jim Bates | TX | Team WGAS | 33' Avance

FPC Girl Sandra

Craig & Paula Ackerman | GA | Team LEVEL UP | 39' MTI

Chris & Brandy Humphrey | TX | Team 39 MTI | 39' MTI

Kruis Retherford | AL | Team GLASSTREAM | 36' Glasstream

Sean Porter | TX | Team GOING DEEP | 35' Donzi

John & Connie Fahmy | GA | Team SOUTHERN YANKEE | 34' Sunsation

Larry & Heather Montelaro | LA | Team FULLY INVOLVED | 34' MTI

Mark & Eileen Fischer | FL | Team DEEP IMPACT | 39' Deep Impact

Kevin Kurkowski | TX | Team THE GRASSY ASS | 35' Fountain

Charles Clark | TX | Team WE B TRIPIN | 36' Deep Impact

Shane Guidry | LA | Team RELENTLESS 38 | 38' Skater

WE B TRIPIN Crew

Ricardo Chaves | AL | Team IN DEBT | 34' Fountain

Chris & Beth Jarreau | LA | Team SHAKE N BAKE | 38' Fountain

Team WIRED UP | 38' Fountain

IN DEBT Crew

Justin Digiovanni | TX | Team GINGER | 34' Pilini Marine

Ken Armstrong | TX | Team PHANTOM | 48' MTI

James Lager | TX | Team HEART ON | 51' Outerlimits

HEART ON Crew

GINGER Crew

Weston Harlow | FL | Team IN 2 DEEP | 35' DCB

Mike Boyle | FL | Team XCAT | 34' Pilini Marine

Poker Card #2 - Favre residence

FPC Girls Serenity & Brittini

IN 2 DEEP Crew

MISS Orange Beach Powerboat Week

Miss Powerboat Week - Sage

After its early beginnings in 2019, when the Midnight Express factory offered its first owners’ Rendezvous from Miami to Bimini, the event has gained great momentum. Fast forward to May 2022, and a record 40 Midnight Express owners rallied from two locations, Lake Boca in Palm Beach County to the north, and Haulover Marine Center to the south, a marina with a large concentration of Midnight owners in rack storage. The mid-May weekend offered a favorable Gulf Stream crossing, and by late Friday morning the 40 teams and more than 200 guests settled in at Bimini Bay Marina, on the doorstep to the Resorts World Bimini Hilton.

For many reasons it’s understandable that Bimini has become an extremely popular weekend getaway for South Florida boaters, and many of the first-timers soon discovered why. The short ride from Miami at just 50-plus miles for the Gulf Stream crossing made for an easy one-hour ride, but it was surely the wide variety of exciting waterborne activities, including snorkeling at the concrete shipwreck Sapona and anchoring along the sandy beach at Honeymoon Harbour, that took the wow factor up just a few more notches.

The fun did not stop when the boats were docked and guests took to land, as Midnight Express organizers pulled all the stops with a lavish owners’ appreciation dinner high-atop the Resorts World Hilton in the Monkey Business ballroom. It was a time to kick back, share experiences and photos with fellow Midnight owners, enjoy the breathtaking views in all directions, and dig into a hearty

" The trip was phenomenal-we will be back every year. The friendships we made through Midnight Express made it even more fun! "

-Shelby Mattingly-

buffet dinner featuring fresh lobster caught and prepared by local Biminites (a term used to refer to natives on the island of Bimini).

By Sunday, the departure from Bimini offered two options, to either head back to homeports in Florida, or the alternative…an adventure eastbound to Chub Cay and the landmark Atlantis Resort, on Paradise Island. While many of the teams were content to enjoy the two-day Bimini experience, about a dozen Midnights headed east across the Bahama Bank, for the 90-mile trek to Chub Cay for fuel and a quick dip in the pool. The final leg, just 41 miles to the south ended a great day of boating, with all teams settled in at Atlantis Marina, the most popular boating and yachting destination in the Bahamas.

Participants might have been content to park the boats and enjoy two full days of worldfamous amenities of Atlantis, including lavish rooms at The Cove, the Rapids River adventure, epic waterslides, The Dig underground aquarium, a vibrant Atlantis casino, and endless dining… but Midnight Express organizers made boating a top priority on the agenda.

Story by Stu Jones | Photos courtesy of Midnight Express

For the next two days in Nassau, boating excursions included a 200-mile roundtrip to the Black Point in the Exumas, followed by another daytrip to Spanish Wells, about 45 miles east from Paradise Island. The cruising agenda was headed up by Nassau native and area boating expert Captain Jordan Lampkin, who, along with a team of local guides, created an experience that was beyond all expectations for so many who joined in!

FPC Member Deris Ceresa, who attended the event with first mate Amanda Ennis and friends in his black and blue Midnight Express 43, shared their experiences. Amanda recalled, “It was amazing how well planned these daily excursions were!"

"We had local guides taking us places we would never imagine going, and we saw parts of the Bahamas we could never see otherwise!” Deris added, “We went to this far off island in the Exumas and pulled up for lunch…and at first, I wasn’t sure the locals liked any of us. I cranked some Bob Marley on my JL Audio bullets and threw out some cold beers, and next thing you know, everyone’s partying!”

While so many participants enjoyed an experience that provided great lifelong memories and created new boating friendships, the Midnight Express Bahamas Rendezvous event proved that “owning” the boat is just the first step of the boating lifestyle experience. Getting out and USING your Midnight Express for an amazing adventure in paradise, is what makes it all worthwhile! Thanks to Midnight Express owners Eric & Harris Glaser and their team, for offering a fantastic experience, as appreciation to their loyal Midnight owners.

SJ

Deris Ceresa - Team MIDNIGHT

BIMINI and BEYOND!

While many recreational boaters add the BAHAMAS to their boating bucket list, the reality for some of these explorers is that they rarely get any further than Bimini, a small island chain that lies just 50 miles east of Miami. For the 31 st running of the FPC Bahamas Poker Run, Bimini was just a warmup, as an extended agenda took teams to Chub Cay, Paradise Island and Spanish Wells for the ultimate Bahamas adventure!

Story by Stu Jones

Florida Powerboat Club celebrated its 31st running of the annual Bahamas Poker Run with a colorful fleet of over twenty powerboats from all over the United States, including a European entry, a 38' Donzi team from Germany! The weather was as good as could ever be expected for the gulf stream crossing, as the boats made a 7am early start from Haulover Marine Center, a practice that generally assures calm seas for the first leg to Bimini. Indeed, with the light winds the ocean was tame, giving all the boats a smooth ride through the colorful blue waters of the gulf stream.

Arriving in Bimini, most teams settled in at the landmark Bimini Big Game Club to clear customs and immigration, a process that seems to have improved for this 2022 excursion, now that the Bahamas government has initiated an online portal called Click2Clear, which allows boat owners to electronically initiate their Bahamas cruising permit with boat and crew registration details. Upon arrivals, Captains are required to visit the traditional government offices with crew

documents and immigration cards, but the over processing time for each crew appears to have decreased substantially.

Once cleared and settled, teams eventually made their way out onto the waterways for local attractions including snorkeling at the Sapona shipwreck, followed by the controlled stingray feeding at Honeymoon Harbour, a crowd favorite, especially for the younger kids attending!

The Bimini visit was headquartered at the landmark Resorts World Bimini Resort, which features upscale lodging, a large marina, refreshing pools, a handful of onsite dining options, and a casino for the players and gamblers in the group. On the second day, the boats rendezvoused at the North Beach, where participants enjoyed a relaxing day of sand and surf.

By Sunday, it was time for the next adventure, as about 17 boats made their way 90 miles eastbound across the Bahama Bank to Chub Cay, located in the Berry Island chain. This stopover offered fueling, lunch in the Chub Cay clubhouse,

and time for most to cool off in the spacious resort pool. Later that day, the teams made their way across the 40mile bumpy stretch, crossing the Northwest Channel into Nassau/Paradise Island, settling in at Atlantis Marina.

Day four of the run was a non-boating day, as participants enjoyed the amenities of the magnificent Atlantis Resort & Marina, including its countless pools, beachfront, waterpark attractions, marine life aquariums, dining options, along with a world- renowned casino. Even with all this to offer on the grounds of Atlantis, it was still fun to venture out that evening, as several attendees escaped from Paradise Island to dine at the historic Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant in old Nassau.

For day number five, the adventure returned to the pristine waters east of Paradise Island, as a local tour guide Captain Jordan escorted the poker run fleet on a 100-mile roundtrip excursion to Spanish Wells, in the Eleuthera chain

of islands. Over the next seven hours, participants visited the local pig beach, dined at the area's hot spot called Wreckers Bar, and finished the afternoon with a playful raft- up at a secluded sandbar in paradise, near Royal Island.

Concluding the six-day adventure, poker run teams departed Tuesday morning for the 200 mile return trip to Miami, only to discover that both Bimini and Chub Cay had exhausted their fuel supply due to the beautiful weather and large volume of boating travelers passing through the Bahamas. Others managed to drive their big thirsty machines in a more conservative fashion, soon discovering they had far more range than expected, just by backing down on the throttles. Another small group were fortunate to try a small fuel dock in a quaint village on Andros Island, taking on enough $8.00 per gallon fuel to get back to the mainland safely. After all, what's an adventure without a few little challenges along the way!

Photos by: Jerry Wyszatycki & Stu Jones

Karsten Melcher | Germany | Team GERMANY1 | 38' Donzi

Stu & Jackie Jones | FL | Team SUPERHAWK | 48'6" Sunseeker

Stu & Jackie Jones

Tyler, Jackie, Stu & Max Jones -SUPERHAWK Crew

Dawn & Donald Hadden | SC | Team DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS | 44' Concept

Roger & Pam Anderson | TX | Team WILD HORSES | 39' Nor-Tech

DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS Crew

WILD HORSES Crew

Max Zeldich | FL | Team SUPER BAD | 36' Cigarette

Mike Pizzelanti | FL | Team WASABI | 42' Mystic

WASABI Crew

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Darin & Marcy Watkins | LA | Team NOR-TECH | 39' Nor-Tech

Daniel Kurzejewski | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 39' Nor-Tech

Skip & Jessica Magee | LA | Team QUARANTINE | 39' Nor-Tech

QUARANTINE Crew

Jeremy Riggs | OH | Team FAST BASTARD | 51' Outerlimits

Scott Carlson | WA | Team KNOT TIED DOWN | 38' Formula

Hays & Karlyn Wilson | FL | Team VELOCITY | 39' Nor-Tech

TRIGGER B Crew

Mark Fitzgerald | MD | Team STATEMENT | 36' Statement

Mike & Olivia Lopez | IL | Team GRAY AREA | 40' Sunsation

Ken & Faye Milstead | TX | Team EZ MONEY | 38' Statement

EZ MONEY Crew

STATEMENT & KNOT TIED DOWN Crews

William Koufas | FL | Team CHEAP SKATER | 32' Skater

Peter Burke | MA | Team TRIGGER B | 41' Outerlimits

CHEAP SKATER Crew

Dustin Clouatre | LA | Team TRASHY | 38' Technohull Grand Sport

North Beach Bimini Raft-up

Snorkeling at the concrete shipwreck Sapona

Team WASABI girls

Sandbar at Royal Island near Spanish Wells

1st Place - Mike Pizzelanti - Team WASABI

3rd Place - Karsten Melcher - Team GERMANY1

2nd Place - Scott & Carissa CarlsonTeam KNOT TIED DOWN

North Beach Bimini Raft-up

10 th ANNUAL ARENDAL POKER RUN – NORWAY

It was 2019 when the invitation was extended by Norway’s Arendal Poker Run organizer Rune Hogevoll, to Stu & Jackie Jones to attend with this annual event, but sadly the timing didn’t work. The global pandemic followed, knocking the event off its perch in 2020, and the run then continued into its ninth year for 2021. Fast-forward to 2022 and the 10th Anniversary celebration, attendance was looking robust, and the invitation was extended again. The organizer's offer was enticing, with free trans-atlantic airfare, poker run party passes, VIP guest status and rides on several participant boats! It was impossible to resist, and off we went on Norway’s newest airline NORSE Atlantic Airways, with direct flights on a Boeing 777 Dreamliner from Fort Lauderdale to Oslo.

Arriving in Oslo, it was comforting to be greeted by our personal driver, who ushered us on a scenic ride through Oslo and Norway’s rural countryside, to this quaint and immensely beautiful coastal town of Arendal, complete with is town dock which would function as poker run headquarters for the weekend event. After sleeping off the jetlag, we felt human again on

Friday and were soon boarding Rune's 43' Nor-Tech for a fun run through the local waters to a charming restaurant where a variety of powerboat crews had gathered. FPC member Asbjorn (Abe) Abrahamsen was one of the first to greet us, and we soon realized he was an avid boater and event co-organizer working closely with Rune and his team on the planning details of the poker run. What a great start to our adventure, as we changed rides to yet another 39’ Nor-Tech and cruised back to Arendal.

What transpired over the next few days was by far one of the most exciting poker runs we have ever attended, with the breathtaking beauty of the Norwegian coastline and heart-warming hospitality from our hosts. Special thanks to event organizer Rune Hogevoll, FPC member Abe Abrahamsen, colleague Nicholay Rylander and our longtime friends Trond & Marie Schou, who we visited at their summer cottage near Arendal on Sunday after the poker run. Everyone there went out of their way to make us feel special, and we look forward to returning very soon!

Stu Jones

Story & Photos by Stu Jones

Miami-based Concept Boats is a company that prides itself on building quality powerboats and maintaining its family-owned heritage for more than 35 years. One thing that the patriarch of the Avila family and Concept Boats founder Luis Avila learned in the early stages, is that organizing fun boating adventures for Concept owners is one tremendous way to build customer loyalty, not to mention have a little fun with owners of Concept models, from 24 to 44 feet. The Concept owners Key West Fun Run does exactly that, and the July 2022 event kept the annual tradition alive and well.

More than 20 Concept teams assembled in Key Largo on the second Friday in July, and soon the pack of Concepts throttled up and were running through the scenic baywaters for the 110-mile trek to Key West. With windy conditions that bumpy coastal seas to deal with, organizers, Luis and son Eric Avila, showed consideration for the teams with smaller boats, opting for the protected route on the north side of the Lower Keys, keeping boats in calm protected waters all the way to Key West.

Upon arrival in Key West harbor, docking for the fleet was divided among Galleon Marina and the Key West Bight city marina in the Historic Seaport, with most lodging at the nearby Hyatt Centric on Front St.

The first evening gave participants freedom to dine as they wish and roam Duval Street, which made the Hyatt a terrific location, with close proximity to the best dining, bars, and entertainment.

Saturday morning, the group assembled for a short ride westbound to the landmark Boca Grande Key located in the heart of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. It is a terrific location for local boaters to enjoy the great outdoors along its sandy shoreline. Later that evening, Concept Boats hosted a wonderful outdoor dinner function at the Hyatt Centric Resort, with breathtaking harbor views and that world-famous Key West sunset.

FPC members Dawn & Donald Hadden attended their first Concept Owner Key West Run in their new 4400 model, powered

by quad Mercury Racing 450Rs, and named DirtyLittleSecrets. We tracked Donald down recently who shared their experience with our FPC editor. “It was our first Concept event, and we really met some nice people! The ride down was beautiful, the parties were fun, and we enjoyedtheSaturdaydinnerattheHyatt.We were having so much fun that we didn’t want toheadbackSunday,sowejoinedacoupleotherownersand headedofftoDryTortugas!Whatanadventurethatwas!”

This extended trip to Dry Tortugas included a tour of the Historic Fort Jefferson and added another 150 miles to the agenda for these boating teams. It illustrates that when you explore, you just keep wanting more!

Congratulations to the Concept Boats factory team for another great adventure and for giving back to their loyal owners, with a well-organized three-day excursion though the scenic Florida Keys.

Stu Jones

Photos courtesy of Concept Boats

Summer BAHAMAS REBOOT

A WISE PERSON ONCE SAID, IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT! SUCH CAN BE SAID ABOUT THE AUGUST SUMMER BLAST TO THE BAHAMAS, WHICH MADE A REPEAT PERFORMANCE TO ITS JUNE COUNTERPART.

Story by Stu Jones

After an exciting adventure to the Bahamas staged in June just two months earlier, it was evident to FPC organizers that by combining Bimini, Chub Cay, and Nassau-Paradise Island into an exciting six-day format, there was something for everyone. Moreover, the practice of offering a shortened three-day version to members who for various reasons could not get away for extended boating vacations, seemed to have widespread appeal, as about half of the 22 registered boating teams checked off that box.

Staging and launching from Haulover Marine Center went extremely well, mostly due to small event size, low marina traffic from moving to a mid-week departure, and on this beautiful Wednesday morning shortly after 7am, the fleet made its way out of Haulover Inlet. With the FPC chopper crew in hot pursuit, the light winds and sunny skies combined for some incredibly calm summer conditions, ideal for the perfect money shot.

After an enjoyable gulf stream crossing, the boats gathered at Bimini Big Game Club for customs clearance and soon the group was off to Honeymoon Harbour just a few miles south, for an exciting stingray feeding experience. This popular attraction is typically over-crowded on every summer weekend, but the Wednesday outing gave FPC attendees the perfect VIP parking experience, along the sandy beaches of Gun Cay. Within minutes the bait cups were handed out and the local stingray population was out in full force, enjoying afternoon squid treats and a playful occasion they call the “human interaction experience.”

After a continuous agenda of organized fun both on-water and off, Friday morning came quickly, and with the anticipation of a wave of Miami-based weekend warriors setting course for Bimini, it was the perfect moment to escape the quaint and pleasant island. While some headed westbound to South Florida homeports, about ten teams navigated the Bahamas Bank to Chub Cay, for fuel, lunch, and a refreshing dip in the pool.

By late afternoon, the group was settled in at Atlantis Marina, followed by check-in at the COVE, one of the premium towers at this globally popular Paradise Island resort.

With so much to do at Atlantis, FPC scheduled a full day for participants to relax at the resort and enjoy its many amenities, while the second day put boating back on the itinerary, with a schedule daytrip to Spanish Wells. This 45mile destination proved to work well for teams, in comparison to Exuma daytrips that typically generate twice the travel distance, more fuel consumption and less time to enjoy activities at the destination. The new Spanish Wells format provided three different stops, all close to each other, thanks to local Nassau guide Jordan Lampkin, who has helped FPC with guided adventures for many recent years.

About eight teams took flight, making first stop at the Royal Island sandbar, known for its enjoyable rope swings, which can only be enjoyed on an outbound tide, as the scenic

sandbar breaches the water surface for about two hours. This stop was followed by lunch at Wreckers Bar on Spanish Wells, a popular hangout for area boaters, with fresh seafood, including cracked conch which seemed to pair well with cold Kalik beer! The final stop was Pig Beach, where boats anchored in a protected cove, and for just a few bucks, locals provided visitors with tasty pig snacks and quick training lessons on how best to interact with the friendly critters.

With a continuing fair weather forecast for the trip home on Monday, the group staggered their departures, most making a quick stop in Bimini for fuel, and everyone returned safely from the six-day summer adventure. FPC expects to return to this format for at least one of the Summer 2023 events, while the other Bahamas event will head for Elbow Cay’s Hopetown, in the Abacos.

Stu Jones

Photos by: Jerry Wyszatycki & Stu Jones

Ryan & Rachael Garnett | TX | Team INTO THE MYSTIC | 38' Mystic

Robb & Tara Rill | FL | Team DARKCYDE | 38' Axopar

Larry & Heather Montelaro | LA | Team FULLY INVOLVED | 34' MTI

Richard Garcia Jr | FL | Team CHIEF MARINE GROUP | 42' Cigarette

Gaby Pacheco | FL | Team CHIEF MARINE GROUP | 42' Cigarette

Blye Hofstetter | FL | Team CHIEF MARINE GROUP | 42' Cigarette

Tom Hofstetter | FL | Team CHIEF MARINE GROUP | 51' Cigarette

Pete Riveiro | FL | Team LIFEWALLET | 51' Cigarette

Willia Koufas | FL | Team CHEAP SKATER | 32' Skater

Anthony & Jamie Sasso | FL | Team MIDNIGHT | 43 Midnight Express

CHEAP SKATER Crew

MIDNIGHT Crew

MTI Crew

Fred & Judy Reavis | SC | Team MTI | 42' MTI

Brad Hancock | FL | Team ALL HAIL | 43' Midnight Express

Eric & Ivy Ducrou | FL | Team BAD DOG | 39' Nor-Tech

Gregg & Courtney Seaman | CA | Team TRIPLE PLAY | 39' Nor-Tech

Daniel & Lana Dickert | FL | Team HIGHWAY | 42' Freeman

BAD DOG Crew

TRIPLE PLAY Crew

HIGHWAY Crew

Jerry & Barbara Herson | FL | Team PURELY PLEASURE | 46' Nor-Tech

Kevin & Jenica Eisenbach | MO | Team SUPER SOAKER | 38' Cigarette

Brian & Angela Manning | FL | Team RELENTLESS | 38' Fountain

SUPER SOAKER Crew

Story by Stu Jones

It seems hard to believe that a handful of FPC’s annual poker run events have reached or surpassed the 30-year anniversary mark, and each has its own storyline. One of the most unique would be the FPC Emerald Coast Poker Run, which now takes the moniker of Emerald Coast Powerboat Week, due to its multi-day itinerary of fun runs and nighttime parties that sandwich the Saturday 8-checkpoint poker run from Sandestin to Pensacola Beach.

To the organizer, the most significant historical fact is that FPC got involved with the Emerald Coast event at least five years after its early beginnings in 1993, when the club was contacted by the event’s co-founders John Reinhold and Johnny Springfield, who basically said, ”Please come to the Panhandle to see our event and bring some big powerboats with you!” While there are not enough pages in this feature to share the colorful storyline that unfolded over the next two decades, let it be known the pivotal event was that FPC’s founder fell in love with the Emerald Coast upon his very first visit, enjoying the poker run in August 1999 with a small fleet of 22 FPC boats, and the momentum continued from that point on.

Fast-forward to this recent September 2022, it was the second consecutive year that new fall dates proved to work well for organizers and attendees alike. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach area is the epicenter of Emerald Coast’s boating tourism, with Destin’s East Pass, Destin Harbor, Crab Island (not really an island, it’s a sand bar) and Okaloosa Island to the west, all connected geographically with one main artery, Highway 98. The real significance is the abundance of sugary sand beaches in every direction, connected by calm protected intracoastal and bay waters that are attractive to any size boat, from jet skis to powerboats to motoryachts. And the big bonus, moving from August to late September, everyone has agreed the cooler temperatures and less congested waterways have been a big improvement, with more freedom to move around safely, resulting in a superior boating experience for all.

Boaters traveled from as far away as California to attend, while the strongest concentration of attendees hailed from Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia. In more recent years, a handful of teams have been showing up from northern states, including Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia and as far north

While operating in the shadows of its more southern 250-boat Key West counterpart, the Emerald Coast Powerboat Week did not disappoint, as 100 poker run teams traveled hundreds of miles for this 30th anniversary Fall season openeR!

as Michigan, proving that the mobility of these poker run enthusiasts continues to grow, with some teams trailering well-over a thousand miles to attend. One new participant, Robert Kajdanowski who trailered his 36 Baja over a thousand miles from Illinois, told FPC staff at the Saturday night party, “It was a long road trip but worth every mile! I’ve had this event in my sights for a few years, and it far exceeded our expectations. Our family had a blast, and we can’t wait to come back!”

The smooth flow of the event went as planned, with many teams arriving as early as Wednesday, getting their boats on site at Legendary Marina in Destin, which offered boat staging, trailer parking, and overnight docking for 50 of the 100 registered teams. A few miles down Hwy 98, Emerald Grande Resort returned as event headquarters, where guests enjoyed luxurious accommodations in spacious, 2-,3- and 4-bedroom condominium units, many offering breathtaking views of Destin’s East Pass, Noriego Point and Crab Island.

Several teams were in the water by Thursday, taking part in a short shake-down fun run, which culminated with lunch at area hotspot Lulu’s, located at Legendary Marina. Thursday night rolled into the traditional Miss Powerboat Week contest, which returned to Harry T’s, a popular restaurant and club in Harborwalk Village, just steps from the Emerald Grande lobby.

Amazing weather continued, as the Friday Fun Run to Juana’s in Navarre lined the beach with over 100 boats, while participants enjoyed a barefoot encounter in soft sand and a tasty lunch sponsored by Alacomp Insurance. With boats locked down for

the night, teams assembled for the big Captains Party at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, where a bustling sponsor dock featured a colorful and vibrant fleet of multi-engine center consoles, performance cats and V-bottoms that appeared to be competing for the Best Dock Party award! (Editor’s note: need that award for future poker runs!)

Saturday delivered another fantastic day of warm temperatures and no rain for the big event, an 8-stop, 120-mile poker run from Sandestin to Pensacola Beach. The show was impressive as always, and the extra boat count kept the FPC photo and video crew extremely busy, as their mission was to capture every team attending, in search of that magical money shot!

Saturday culminated with the big party moving back to Margaritaville in Harborwalk Village, where the entire top floor of the restaurant was reserved for the poker run teams. During dinner the Sponsors were recognized, and President's Choice Awards presented, as teams played out their poker cards with the FPC girls. By 10pm, the customary final table of ten players, faced off for several elimination rounds, each playing out a five-card hand. With the best poker hand, the Grand Prize was awarded to Justin Giovanni from Texas, who appears to have a knack at the game, having won the Orange Beach Powerboat Week, just five months earlier! FPC congratulates all the winners and thanks everyone for attending this momentous occasion, as we celebrated 30 years of this fantastic fall blockbuster, earning its status as a Signature Poker Run on the FPC’s annual calendar!

Stu Jones

Photos by: Pete Boden & Jimmy Stewart

MISS Powerboat Week-Harry T's

For thirty years the tradition of staging a Miss Powerboat Week on the Thursday before the poker run has stood the test of time! The contest returned to Harry T’s upstairs bar, which is clearly not a large enough venue for the festive occasion, but in a peculiar way, this might be what makes it such a fun night. With standing room only at the bar and guests lining high-top tables elbow to elbow in a hot muggy bar, one might confuse the venue with a college pub after winning the Saturday home game! But it was that imperfectness, that made the 30th Annual Miss Powerboat Week a party to remember.

Once again Ms. Amber from Elite Events rallied some of the sweetest contestants imaginable from across the Gulf Coast, plus three

contestants from distant places including Virginia Beach, Daytona Beach, and Sarasota…. all with measurably long road trips to endure. But most were attracted to the fact that their recruiter promised not only a shot at the Miss Powerboat Week title, but also a three-day work-play vacation, and the chance to meet some fun members of the Florida Powerboat Club. Of course, the chance to ride on a powerboat surely sweetened the pie! Thanks to our ten judges who ponied up $100 each to sit at the judging table, and to our eleven lovely contestants for looking beautiful and making us all smile!

Stu Jones

Patrick & Kristen McCarty | LA | Team POST CALL | 39' Nor-Tech

J.T. Byrne | TX | Team BYRNE'N DAYLIGHT | 34' Nor-Tech

FPC Girl Sandra

Preston & Hailee Collins | TX | Team IN REEL DEEP | 39' Nor-Tech

Greg Tolson | FL | Team POWERTRIPS | 34' Nor-Tech

Mike Boyle | FL | Team XCAT | 34' Pilini Marine

William Koufas | FL | Team CHEAP SKATER | 32' Skater

FPC Girl Chloe

CHEAP SKATER Crew POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Mark & Lona Albert | TX | Team LICKALONAPUS | 35' Fountain

Robert & Kelly Kajdanowski | IL | Team NASTY HABIT | 36' Baja

Steven & Casey Head | AL | Team TUTZ | 35' Formula

LICKALONAPUS Crew

TUTZ Crew

NASTY HABIT Crew

FPC Girl Lauren

Beau and Tiffiney Renfroe | GA | Team DIRTY MONEY | 36' Skater

Justin Digiovanni | TX | Team GINGER | 34' Pilini Marine

Stephen Dummer | MS | Team LOOSE CANNON | 38' Cigarette

John & Tracy Saucier | LA | Team UNDOMESTICATED | 43' Nor-Tech

GINGER Crew

FPC Girl Lauren

Devin Wozencraft | CA | Team WOZENCRAFT | 30' Skater

Victor Hawkins | FL | Team OUT NUMBERED | 30' Sonic

Kevin Kurkowski | TX | Team THE GRASSY ASS | 35' Fountain

FPC Girl Sage & Brooke

Chris & Shelby Mattingly | KY | Team NEVER ENUFF | 43' Midnight Express

Craig & Paula Ackerman | GA | Team LEVEL UP | 39' MTI

Vu Nguyen | LA | Team SEE VU PLAY | 38' Donzi

Mike Stone | TX | Team SKIMMING STONES | 38' Fountain

Lance & Paula Panepinto | LA | Team FLYING HIGH | 30' Baja

Mark & Laura Fitzgerald | MD | Team STATEMENT | 36' Statement

Steve & Lisa Young | AL | Team NAUTI HABIT | 38' Statement

Dan & Nancy Wall | NC | Team WALL NUTS | 36' Doug Wright

FPC Girl Brooke

NAUTI HABIT Crew

WALL NUTS Crew

Brant & Tracey J Fuhs | FL | Team EVERY SUMMER H AS | 34' Sunsation

Dennis & Amanda Phillips | FL | Team CLEAN MONEY | 39' MTI

Robert McAtee | OK | Team ROBALDO | 42' Mystic

Jim & Lynne Archambault | GA | Team KEEPIN' IT REAL | 43' Outerlimits

FPC Girl Sandra

Dawn & Donald Hadden | SC | Team DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS | 44' Concept

Octavio & Karen Valdivia | GA | Team AWESOME ONE | 44' Concept

Chad Van Tilburg | FL | Team HIGHLIMIT | 44' Concept

DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS Crew

HIGHLIMIT Crew

Safety boat operated by Kenneth Worley (Okaloosa EMS) Safety boat operated by Brian Parkton (Okaloosa Sheriffs Office)

Cameron Bailey | TN | Team GLASSTREAM | 36' Glassstream

Cliff & Mellissa Anderson | AZ | Team AIR SIGN | 34' MTI

AIR SIGN Crew

Ed & Kathy Champion | MO | Team BIG THUNDER MARINE | 34' Fountain

Weston Harlow | FL | Team IN 2 DEEP | 35' DCB

Nick & Priscilla Buis | FL | Team STATEMENT | 42' Statement

Chad Havens | TX | Team SAVAGE | 40' Skater

Al & Christy Newell | KY | Team BLOWN ASSETS | 30' Adrenaline

IN 2 DEEP Crew

SAVAGE Crew

Russell & Christina Kirkland | GA | Team FLOOR.DA WORLD | 34' Sunsation

Eric Glaser | FL | Team MIDNIGHT EXPRESS | 43' Midnight Express

Ryan & Rachael Garnett |TX | Team INTO THE MYSTIC | 38' Mystic

Kyle Fowler | GA | Team A-SALT WEAPON | 38' Fountain

FLOOR.DA WORLD Crew

INTO THE MYSTIC Crew

Derek & Nora Wachob | OK | Team 6 CARAT | 59' Cigarette

Derek & Nora Wachob | OK | Team BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS | 34' MTI

Derek & Nora Wachob | OK | Team BLACK DIAMOND | 52' MTI

John & Connie Fahmy | GA | Team SOUTHERN YANKEE | 34' Sunsation

FPC Girl Sandra

Robert & Mariann Sengelmann | LA | Team SENGO | 45' Nor-Tech

Greg Bent | LA | Team ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT | 40' Nor-Tech

Al Jr. & Liz Copeland | LA | Team SWEET HEAT | 39' Nor-Tech

Chase Cullifer | MS | Team TUNED-UP FOUNTAIN | 42' Fountain

SWEET HEAT Crew

Jorge Arellano | FL | Team 151 EXPRESS | 29' DCB

Kruis Retherford | AL | Team GLASSTREAM | 36' Glasstream

Reese & Liz Brown | TX | Team LIMITLESS | 42' Nordic

Jorge Arellano | FL | Team 151 OUTERLIMITS | 39' Outerlimits

Jorge Arellano | FL | Team 151 WARLOCK | 42' Fountain

FPC Girls Sage, Laurens

Eddie Collier | TN | Team RIGHT NOW | 39' Deep Impact

Mark & Eileen Fischer | FL | Team BLACKWATER | 41' Blackwater

James & Sonia Redding | GA | Team LA MEXICANA | 39' Deep Impact

BLACKWATER Crew

LA MEXICANA Crew

FPC Girls Sage, Lauren

Jack & Kay Stewart | FL | Team BLUE BAYOU | 32' Doug Wright

Roger & Pam Anderson | TX | Team WILD HORSES | 39' Nor-Tech

Larry & Heather Montelaro | LA | Team FULLY INVOLVED | 34' MTI

Wes Johnson | FL | Team JANE'S ADDICTION | 38' Statement

FPC Girls Sage

Scott & Laurie Kowalski | FL | Team MINIMAL LOSS | 36' Statement

Team LICENSE TO CHILL | 38' Fountain

FPC Girls Nikki & Sandra

Scott Thies | SC | Team TUNNEL VISION | 36' Statement

Stephen & Kelly Marino | AL | Team CALM DOWN | 37' DCB

Steve Gillooly | NC | Team A WAVE FROM IT ALL | 42' Cigarette

Jerry Swanson | MS | Team AMG | 41' Cigarette

Alden & Alison Thornton | FL | Team BLUE BELL | 39' Nor-Tech Superfish

A WAVE FROM IT ALL Crew

Saturday Night Awards Party

Changing poker run party venues is somewhat of a ritual for poker run organizers, as various aspects of an event can change over the years. In the last five years, Emerald Coast Powerboat Week has used the Emerald Coast Ballroom and an outdoor tented venue at Emerald Grande, Margaritaville at Harborwalk Village, and the Emerald Coast Convention center, as headquarters for the Saturday party.

The number one priority on the part of organizers is simplicity and safety, so eliminating the hassles of driving and ubering for a night time party is always preferred. Margaritaville checked off that box and offered a great menu of food, fun and spirits, so FPC organizers returned for the 2022 event!

While participants dined over two scheduled seatings, sponsors were recognized with Sponsor Appreciation Awards and more than a dozen Presidents Choice Awards were presented. Poker card hands were played out by the lovely FPC Girls, and by 9:30pm, it was time to pull the top ten players for the 10pm final table. It was a festive evening and a great way to wrap up the 30th Anniversary celebration of FPC’s second largest poker run event. SJ

Sponsor Award - Eric & Hagen Glaser - Midnight Express Powerboats

Team - MIDNIGHT EXPRESS

1st Place Winner - Justin DiGiovanni - Team GINGER

Stu & Jackie Jones

3RD Place Winner - Steven Dummer - Team LOOSE CANNON

2nd Place Winner - Robert Kajdanowski - Team NASTY HABIT

Sponsor Award - Kruis Retherford - Glasstream Powerboats

Sponsor Award - Stephen & Kelly Marino - AlaCOMP Insurance

Sponsor Award - Rod McGlothen - Performance Boat Center Best Catamaran - Abigail & Jordan - Team BLACK DIAMOND Most Enthusiast Team - James Redding - Team LA MEXICANA

Sponsor Award - Ed & Kathy Champion - Big Thunder Marine Sponsor Award - Tim Nichols, Mark & Eileen FischerPlantation Boat Mart - Blackwater - Deep Impact

Best Dressed Team - Jorge Arellano - 151 Express

Best Performance V Bottom - John & Cher Floyd - Team INXS

Jackie Jones & FPC Girls

Sponsor Award - Greg Bent - Bent Marine

Sponsor Award - Eric Avila - Concept Boats

Sexiest Crew - Kristen McCarty & Crew - Team POST CALL

Best Team Name - Craig & Paula Ackerman - Team LEVEL UP

Best Center Console - Chad VanTiberg - Team HIGHLIMIT Farthest Traveled - Devin Wozencraft - Team WOZENCRAFT

Best Paint Graphics - Scott Kowalski - Team MINIMAL LOSS

RICHARD GARCIA

JOHNS

Miramont Interests 832-691-1581

REESE BROWN VINCENT ODDO LES VOUDRIE

Office Furniture Connecti 832-368-2066

Precision paint worx 618-972-3513

ANDREW POKORNY

Powerstroke Performance 239-910-4169

reese@mt-tx.com ofconnection.com voddo@ofconnection.com kayla.voudrie@techdata.com spademade.com rick@spademade.com

RICK SPADE

Spade Kreation 513-383-6825

STEPHEN MILES

Stephen Miles Design | 270-570-4442

DAVID SHAEFFER FRANK SCHEELEN

T&D Custom Painting 616-841-1086

Scheelen-Racing +49 (0) 7741 96 94 25

JOHN HERMAN

Total Marine 201-741-6817

SPRAGUE STEVE

powerstrokeperformancespecialties.com andrew.pokorny@gmail.com stephenmilesdesign.com propaint er7970@yahoo.com tanddcustompainting.com david@tanddcustompainting.com scheelen-racing.com info@scheelen-racing.com totalmarine.com tcaruso@totalmarine.com tuppens.com boatking@earthlink.net ultimatemarine.com kevin@ultimatemarine.com

5660 Division Drive Fort Myers, FL 33905 5931 B State Rout 56 Owensboro KY 42301 9500 Henry Ct Suit 50 Zeeland MI 49464 Im Unterberg 11 D-79761 Waldshut-Tiengen 160 Water St Norwalk, CT 06854 5999 Homeland Rd Lake Worth FL 33449 3419 WD Judge Dr #150 Orlando, FL 32808

JOSEPH LABON

9595 Six Pines Dr Ste. 8210 The Woodlands TX 77380 750 Almeda Genoa Ste. A Houston TX 77047 14 Bridge St. Osage Beach| MO 65065 11308 Dallas Boulevard Cincinnatti OH 45231 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 97