CONCEPT OWNERS KEY WEST RUN

Photos courtesy of Concept Boats

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 Dirty Little Secrets. 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 enjoyed the Saturday dinner at the Hyatt. We were having so much fun that we didn’t want to head back Sunday, so we joined a couple other owners and headed off to Dry Tortugas! What an adventure that was!”

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