Powerboating In Paradise Vol 20#1

Page 1

VOL 20#1 WINTER 2020

Featuring...

SHOWCASING THE FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB LIFESTYLE

KEY WEST POKER RUN 2019 Complete Coverage of Florida Powerboat Clubs Signature Poker Run With Record Attendance of 270 Teams!

KEY WEST

HIGHLIGHTS • WEDNESDAY DEPARTURE • THURSDAY DEPARTURE • POKER RUN VILLAGE PARTIES • SATURDAY AERIALS

PLUS...

WINTER POKER RUN 2020 Sneak Peek WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM


1,400 boats in water and on land. More than 1,100 exhibitors. 1,000,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. MiamiBoatShow.com

February

13–17

MIAMI MARINE STADIUM


A Magazine Showcasing The Florida Powerboat Club Lifestyle WINTER 2020

Vol. 20#1

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 Stu Jones

EVENT MANAGEMENT Jackie Jones jackie@flpowerboat.com

VIDEO PRODUCTION Stu Jones Ryan McCoy Joe Kotrady Ryan Christen

DIRECT ALL INQUIRIES TO Florida Powerboat Club 1214 SW 6th St. Pompano Beach, FL 33069 Tel: 954.545-1414 Fax: 954.782-2452 www.FLPOWERBOAT.com

POMPANO OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 10 AM - 5 PM

CONTENTS 4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT: STU JONES

FPC President Stu Jones reflects on the two biggest trends in the constantly changing performance boating world and outlines FPC’s new format at the Miami Boat Show

6 KEY WEST POKER RUN 2019

Just when we were beginning to thing 200 boats was a pretty big deal, FPC saw a record 270 registered teams for the 27th edition of this blockbuster November outing!

4 6

8 KEY WEST 2019 - WEDNESDAY RUN

8

32 KEY WEST 2019 - THURSDAY RUN

32

42 KEY WEST POKER RUN VILLAGE EVENTS

42

Multiple departure dates have numbered as many as four for the Key West event in recent years, but the new earlybird getaway is Wednesday, which reached a roster of nearly 60 teams for 2019. With a record of nearly 200 teams traveling the 170-mile course for the Thursday run, FPC was forced to get very creative with managing the lunch and fuel logistics. See how it took Five lunch stops to feed the roster of almost 900 hungry poker runners! Florida Powerboat Club's new VIP Powerboat Week format was well-received in 2018, which may explain why nearly 100 poker run teams from across the Southern States returned to the Emerald Coast, for five days for Boats, Bikinis and Big Horsepower!

83 SATURDAY HELICOPTER AERIALS

Although the wind, waves and overcast skies put a damper on the Woman Key raft up plans, at least a handful of weekend warriors got out on the water to rendezvous with our FPC chopper, seeking that ultimate Money Shot!

83 96

96 SNEAK PEEK: WINTER POKER RUN 2020:

While most of the country was digging out of giant snow banks and braving the cold winter, about 23 poker run teams escaped to tropical paradise, visiting the landmark Faro Blanco Resort in Marathon. On The Cover: Key West Poker Run participanst lining up for the poker run start in Biscayne Bay. Models: FPC Girls Romana, Lindsey & Mallory

FPC Pompano Beach Headquarters Traveling? Need to lighten the load? Enjoy the digital version of this issue of Powerboating in Paradise Magazine on...

https://www.facebook.com/flpowerboat https://www.youtube.com/user/FLpowerboatClub

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

W

e are excited to kick-off a new decade with a robust calendar of poker run events for 2020 and an equally robust North American economy that has given so many of you the resources to enjoy your powerboating lifestyles. From replacing older boats with shiny new ones, to adding a 2nd boat to the toy fleet, or doing full-scale restorations and repower projects, the go-fast boaters are spending like never before, with a great outcome for the performance marine industry. And there’s no better time, or place, to jump on that buying-bandwagon than at the Miami International Boat Show, which opens its doors on Virginia Key as this issue of Powerboating in Paradise begins circulation. Make no mistake about it. Miami 2020 will be off the charts in so many directions, because performance manufacturers have been fully engaged in developing new hulls and power options, that cover the full gamut of what we now consider to be bona fide “performance boat”. Just two decades ago, performance v-bottoms ruled the poker runs, while about one of every five poker run boats, was a cat hull. About that time the first center consoles started showing up, while most hardcore enthusiasts laughed and poked fun at these modified fishing boats, and those ridiculous looking outboards. Fast forward twenty years, and those modified fishing boats are sleek, colorful, multi-engine dream machines! Fast as hell, yet spacious and comfortable, and capable of leaping tall waves with a single bound! Ok I watched a lot of Superman as a kid…but you get the point! And then there’s the revolution of out-board catamarans. a.k.a. the "cat-craze". The growing demand for twin-Mercury Racing outboard-powered cats is on fire. Like the center consoles, an amazing transition has unfolded in just a decade. At one time, forty to fifty foot 2,000 HP cats stole the show, along with the wallets of their owners. But look around at the Miami Boat show, and we’ll all see a handful of newer, leaner cats….still sexy and colorful, still able to seat six, still able to go 100mph all day long, but for half the purchase price and a quarter of the operating cost of their big ancestors. Even rich guys like saving a few bucks, and these modern rebooted 2.0

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versions, are getting a lot of mileage, in more ways than one. Times and trends keep changing in the boating world, and I commend our performance boating industry for keeping pace with exciting products that continually renew our passion for the powerboating lifestyle. With more reliable and fuel-efficient power, along with advanced hull design and creature comforts for passengers, going fast and having fun on the water no longer must end with untimely breakdowns or frequent visits to the gas dock. Combine that with the growing popularity of poker runs on a global scale, it’s a great time to be in this sport and it’s even a better time to be a member of this great organization that you have all helped build over the last three decades! On a final note, I am both pleased and proud to be attending the 2020 Miami Boat Show for my 30th consecutive year! Since 1991, it’s an event that I look forward to every year, and a place where I feel at home with my extended powerboating family. But you won’t find a Florida Powerboat Club booth in the F-tent at the Miami Boat Show this year. What?! Yes it sounds crazy, but after five years at the new Virginia Key location, I realized that the maximum amount of contact with our FPC members and our performance industry peers, occurs when I visit with the boating displays out on the docks, and make the rounds to see exhibitors in the big tents. We have been location-challenged in the corner of the big F-tent for the last few years, so it’s time for a change. We remain loyal supporters of NMMA and the Miami Boat Show management team, and you will continue to see the Show’s full-page ads here in the FPC magazine, which we place at no charge to NMMA. It’s just that, thirty years is a long time to work a boat show, and I just needed a little change in the format. Please join us for an exciting 2020, and if we don’t see you at the Miami Boat Show, hopefully it will be at an FPC Poker run event soon! Stu Jones, President Florida Powerboat Club



Key West

Poker Run 2020

STORY: STU JONES

K

ey West has always been a popular destination for boaters in every way, shape or form. Whether you’re a retired couple with ample time on your hands to do the amazing “loop journey” which includes an extended stay in Key West, a wandering sailor with no agenda other than to hope for enough wind to muster a 3-knot cruise, or a performance boater on the Key West Poker Run cruising at triple digit speeds….Boaters from all walks of life just love to set their heading for Key West. Regardless of their waterborne mode of travel, most would agree that once you’ve arrived in Key West, it’s worth settling in for at least a few days. Except of course, for those cruise ship passengers who make a stopover in Key West for a few hours, only to be whisked away on the ship, heading to the Mexican ports of call. Four hours is barely enough time to make it two blocks

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on the Duval Crawl, much less rent a scooter to ride around the island or visit one of the many historic sites. Luckily, the Key West Poker Run, by design, is as much about the destination, as it is about the amazing boat ride through the scenic Florida Keys that gets you there. During the Key West powerboat week in November, in addition to the Race World Offshore events, there is so much to do and such a festive vibe of fun-loving people. After twenty-seven years of trial and error, we’ve concluded that three to four days seems to be the right amount of time to let your hair down, make some new friends, eat plenty of fresh seafood, and party like rock stars. It’s all part of the experience, and the Key West Poker Run is an experience that will indeed, put at least a few of your senses on overdrive. The 2019 edition of the Key West Poker Run kicked off in Miami as always, with Haulover Marine Center in North


Todd Fountain | MI | Leads the charge through Haulover Inlet in his 46' Skater - Team TOMCAT PHOTOGRAPHY: JERRY WYSZATYCKI & STU JONES

Miami Beach, and Grove Harbour Marina in Coconut Grove, playing host to well over two hundred poker run teams, as they staged for one of two departure days, Wednesday or Thursday. With a record-setting event roster which approached 270 teams and approximately 1,200 attendees, it’s apparent that the popularity of this November powerboating ritual continues to soar, as many FPC members have described Key West as their “bucket list” poker run event. Apart from somewhat windy conditions which are typical for the month of November, FPC was able to work around the rough seas by diverting the Thursday departure through the protected ICW from North Miami to Coconut Grove. As repeated year after year, the remaining poker run course took the calm-water trek through Biscayne Bay waters, ICW channels and Florida Bay, with a final romp offshore in coastal

waters from Bahia Honda to Key West. The only difference for 2019, was the addition of new lunch venues to manage the nearly 200-boat fast-moving flotilla, and along with the usual Gilberts Key Largo and Faro Blanco Marathon stopovers, FPC assisted manufacturing sponsors Nor-tech Hi-Performance and Cigarette Racing Team, with owner-driven lunch stops at Sundowners and Playa Largo Resort in Key Largo. The Key West Poker Run reported no injuries or mishaps, and considering the vast size of the poker run roster and the hundreds of thousands of cumulative miles logged by the massive fleet, this 270-team event went down in the FPC record books as the largest to date, but surely stands poised to be shattered once again, in 2020. We hope you enjoy the next several pages of photo-editorial coverage, showcasing a global roster of adventurous powerboaters who have made this event what it is today! SJ

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 7


Stu Jones | FL | Team PROJECT 1080 38' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 540

Greg Roth | Canada | Team BABYBLUE BAYOU 38' Hustler

Barry & Stephanie Henson | TN | 50' Skater

Wednesday Run

T

he Wednesday departure has grown in popularity in recent years, as more FPC members are stretching their poker run agendas by an extra day. Among the benefits of leaving on the Wednesday group, are the extended 5-day mini-vacation in Key West and enjoying the less crowded staging and checkpoint locations on the course. Not everyone likes boating around a huge pack of boats, and for those people, the Wednesday departure is a great solution. About 40 boats departed from Haulover Inlet, making their way along the coastal waters, before ducking in at Government cut, and proceeding to the Grove Harbour card checkpoint. Another twenty boats joined the mix at this location, and the three speed groups divided the boats equally for the restart in Biscayne Bay. The docks at Gilberts are capable of handling about sixty boats total with good rafting techniques, but a handful of boats continued past Gilberts and headed straight to Faro Blanco in Marathon.

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Fred & Judy Reavis | FL | stepped it up with a two-MTI poker run entry!

As always, Faro Blanco provided a VP Racing Fuel tanker, which offered higher-octane fuels for the participants with finely tuned Mercury Racing 1350 and 1550 powerplants. Lunch was provided at Lighthouse Grill, and the two checkpoints proved to be more than adequate to balance out the needs of the Wednesday fleet. Other incentives to run the Wednesday departure include access to several luxury villas and vacation homes that can be rented on a weekly basis, ideal for crews with six to ten guests. There are a nice variety of cozy 4-5-bedroom homes in Old Town that rent for under $ 2k per night, and include spacious living rooms, nice bedrooms and private yards with pool and spa. Boating daytrips for the early birds include a variety of destinations such as the Marquesas and Dry Tortugas, so it’s always great to consider the benefits of the earlier Wednesday departure. For more information, call the FPC office. SJ



Greg Harris & Yvonne Aleman | FL | Team MAD PROPS | 32' Skater

Joe & Nikole Gilstorf | MI | Team 50 SHADES | 50' Skater

Zebastian Fohlin | Sweden | Team FOUNTAIN | 47' Fountain

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Geoff & Sue Wanamaker | MD | Team REGULATOR | 34' Regulator


George (Klaus) & Martha Takkula | Switzerland | Team TEAM FINLAND | 46' Predator

TEAM FINLAND Crew LASCOLA Crew

Craig & Franca LaScola | MA | Team LASCOLA | 37' Outerlimits THE ANIMALS Crew

Josh & Terri Anne Pierce | KS | Team THE ANIMALS | 42' Fountain

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 11


Mark & Jennifer Schouten | AZ | Team BRAVO ZULU | 42' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450

BRAVO ZULU Crew

Ted Hosmer joined Stu in PROJECT 1080HP Rob & Kerri Turner | MI | Team TURNER UP | 34' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350

FPC Girl Kelly

Stu & Jackie Jones | FL | Team PROJECT 1080 HP | 38'Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 540's

Jim Schultz | FL | Team FACTORY BILLET | 42'Cigarette / 5-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE... ...and we’re still writing.

2520 NE 9th Ave Cape Coral, FL 33909

Nor-Techboats.com

contact@nor-techboats.com


Bubba & Brittany Chrisco | OK | Team WAR PARTY | 39' Cigarette / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R WAR PARTY Crew

Jukka Murto & Sebastian Mefsamaki | Switzerland | Team SIPULI RACING SUPPORT TEAM | 38' Skater

ON THE ROCKS Crew John & Tracy Wittenberger SR | NJ | Team ON THE ROCKS | 36' Sonic / 2 Mercury Verado 350

Dawn & Donald Hadden | SC | Team DANGEROUSLY KNOTTY | 32' Belzona / 2 Mercury Verado 350

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Win Farnsworth | SC | Team DOIN' IT WRIGHT | 42' Wright Performance / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Kevin Primmer | Canada | Team MTI |34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Scott Witt | VA | Team OFFSHORE ACCOUNT 33' DCB / 2- Mercury Racing Verado 400R THE SWITCH Crew

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

Bo & Bilge Gregory | AZ | Team THE SWITCH | 34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

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James Branton | LA | Team VOO DOO | 38' Skater

In Memory Of Michael Pierce

Michael & Nicolle Pierce | LA | Team PURE PLATINUM | 38' Skater MC ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS Crew

Matt Borcina | NY | Team MC ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS | 36' Wright Performance / 2- Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Beau and Tiffiney Renfroe | GA | Team DIRTY MONEY | 32' Skater

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Derek Wachob | OK | Team 6 CARAT | 59' Cigarette / 6 Mercury Racing Verado 450R Sponsor

Dan Kleitz | RI | Team OUTERLIMITS | 52' Outerlimits

Chip Miller/ Don Doty | MI | Team LET 'ER RIP | 40' Skater

Don Doty | MI | Team 1YR SKATER | 42' Skater

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Chris & Angela Bradley | TX | Team RAINMAKER | 38' Skater

MOE POWER Crew

Shawn & Sieglinde Moe | NV | Team MOE POWER | 42' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Taylor Scism | FL | Team MTI | 34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 450R

Fred & Judy Reavis | SC | Team MTI | 48' MTI

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Howard & Amie Beindit IV | MI | Team TATONKA | 41' Apache



Trent Toone | FL | Team LIV-N-HOOT | 37' Intrepid / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Evan Bangs | TX | Team IMPLICATED | 35' Donzi

Craig & Paula Ackerman | GA | Team SEA YA | 34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

NAUTI HABIT Crew

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Steve & Lisa Young | AL | Team NAUTI HABIT | 38' Statement / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R


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.midnightboats.com 954-745-8284

www.mycotrailers.com 941-748-2397

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


GUNSLINGER Crew Jason & Krisha Tolliver | OH | Team TOLLIVER | 40' Sunsation / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Curtis Mulch | NJ | Team GUNSLINGER | 35' Cigarette

Derek Wachob | OK | Team BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS | 34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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Roger & Pam Anderson | TX | Team EASY MONEY II 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350


Chris Miller | OK | Team NEVER ENOUGH | 30' Spectre

Jewfish Creek, Key Largo

Jim Bradley | TX | Team ROAD WARRIOR | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Verado 350

Dr Ino Halegua | TX | Team GREECE LIGHTNING | 38' Cigarette Sponsor

Greg & Brenda McCauley | FL | Team MTI | 42' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R Gilbert's Resort Key Largo

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 25


LUNCH STOP AT

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John Wittenberger Jr | NJ | Team BAD DECISION | 30' Spectre / 2-Mercury Verado 350

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David Branton | LA | Team HOTSHOT | 48' MTI Sponsor

Bryan Mullinax | MD | Team SEAKEEPER | 33' Boston Whaler / 2-Mercury Verado 350

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

Bill Pyburn JR. | FL | Team PLATINUM ADDICTION | 42' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

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Florida FWC Boats along with Miami Dade fire rescue teams in county fire boats and on board volunteer boats, made up a strong safety management fleet on both Wednesday and Thursday runs.

Donnie Snyder | CT | Team BLUEPRINT | 44' Concept / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Todd Fountain | MI | Team TOMCAT | 46' Skater

Michael Tandoi | NY | Team RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT | 35' Motion

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Faro Blanco Resort and Marina, Marathon

Chris Colson | FL | Team HTO | 32' Sunsation

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Thursday Run

M

oving nearly two hundred performance boats from Miami to Key West would be a relatively simple undertaking if most of the teams were to navigate the coastal waters offshore, but that would certainly compromise the Florida Keys boating experience. As many seasoned Key West poker runner would agree, it’s that 170-mile trek through protected bays and sounds, connected by narrow, wandering mangrove waterways, that makes the journey as memorable experience. And the best part is, you can do it a hundred times and it just never gets old. Trust me. The massive Thursday fleet assembled at multiple locations in Miami, including Haulover Marine Center and its overflow counterpart, Duffy’s Sports Grill in North Miami. Three miles to the south, TNT Marine Center released dozens of teams, with all the eager crews congregating at Haulover Inlet for the first start. With strong northeast winds, the inlet and coastal waters appeared to be a little unforgiving, and the flotilla began its journey on the eastern arm of the ICW, a course known for its amazing mansion-dotted shoreline that displays the magnitude of wealth in Miami Beach. After cruising through Port of Miami and making the next checkpoint at Grove Harbour Marina, it was a mad dash

for Key Largo, as the red-decal front-runners in the hiperformance class took flight, enjoying the calm open waters of Biscayne Bay. Like clockwork, the Performance class followed, then Sportboat, a green-sticker class that primarily consists of center-console outboard boats. The big challenge for the day, was to find enough stopover locations in the Upper and Middle Keys, for almost 200 boats to settle in for lunch, and for many, a heavy load of fuel. Between Key Largo and Marathon, a total of five lunch locations were offered to participants, two of which were manufacturer sponsored. In Key Largo, Nor-Tech Hi Performance hosted a second consecutive owners’ lunch for just under thirty Nor-Tech teams at Sundowners, while Cigarette Racing hosted an equally sized owners’ event at Playa Largo Resort. Gilberts carried a heavy load of weekend warriors as always, feeding well over 300 for lunch, while Faro Blanco Marina utilized both Lighthouse Grill and the Courtyard’s pool bar to serve a lunch buffet. It was an amazing day of boating, with some interesting stories to go along with it…so let’s just leave it at that. To get the true Key West Poker Run experience, one must attend. SJ

Jeff Layton | AL | Team LAYTON CHEVROLET | 48' Skater

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FPC Girls Allyssa & Mary

Sponsor

Mark & Eileen Fischer | FL | Team DEEP IMPACT | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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Downtown Miami was a picturesque backdrop for the Thursday departure group, which used the ICW course to avoid the rough seas offshore.

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Ron Roman Ricucci | NJ | Team PURE EVIL | 47' Outerlimits

Todd DePetris | FL | Team BANK RUN | 38' Cigarette

Jack Villars | Switzerland | Team JACK | 43' MTI

William Pater | MI | Team GOOD TO GO | 36' Nor-Tech

Greg Delmonte | NJ | Team HARD TO HANDLE | 44' Outerlimits

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Frank Scheelen | TX | Team TOP FUN | 36' Nor-Tech

Tom & Rachel Regan | TX | Team ELEANOR | 36' Nor-Tech

FPC Girl Romana

Noel & Gretchen Speranza | FL | Team RETAINAGE | 44' Concept / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Mark Headley | OH | Team MAIDEN AMERICA | 42' Fountain

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 37


Fred & Judy Reavis | SC | Team BLEW BY U 4 | 42' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Jeff & Marilyn Whitlock | AL | Team DO IT | 42' MTI

Michael & Debra Alexander | NY | Team TJA MOTORSPORTS | 32' Skater / 3-Mercury Verado 300

Jimmie Harrison | FL | Team FJ PROPELLER | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

George Pasha IV | CA | Team IV FUN | 38' Cigarette

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Don Verkuylen | FL | Team SUPER VELOCE | 52'MTI


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


TA DA PINS Crew

Scott & Stacy Rosenbach | IL | Team BAD HABIT | 48' MTI

Kevin & Melissa Welch | MA | Team TA DA PINS | 42' Cigarette

BODACIOUS, TOO Crew

H. Neil & Cindy Campbell | FL | Team BODACIOUS, TOO | 42'Mystic / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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Mike & Maggie Sanz | FL | Team QUICKSANZ |29' DCB / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

John & Suzanne Stella | NY | Team SEND IT | 38' Statement / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Brian Johnson | DE | Team MTI | 44' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

David Sacher | NY | Team LEO IV | 36' Deep Impact / 3-Mercury Verado 350

James & Sonia Redding | Mexico | Team LA MEXICANA 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 41


Michael Lund | MA | Team SEAGULL SIZZLER | 42' Outerlimits

HUNDRED PLUS Crew

Jared Hardin | CA | Team HUNDRED PLUS | 39' Outerlimits

David Carey | MD | Team HARD EIGHTS | 37' Midnight Express / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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Allen Chase | NY | Team CHASE-IN-RAYS | 40' Hustler

CHASE-IN-RAYS Crew

Michael & Angela Rorie | FL | Team TIME FLY'S | 42' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

STATEMENT Crew CONTROLLED AGGRESSION Crew

Nick Buis | FL | Team STATEMENT! | 38' Statement! / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Justin & Erin Lucas | TN | Team CONTROLLED AGGRESSION | 32' Sunsation / 2-Mercury Verado 350

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

ANOTHER BAD HABIT Crew

Stephen Barker | NY | Team X-FACTOR | 42' Cigarette

Blake Olson | TX | Team ANOTHER BAD HABIT | 38' Cigarette

Kent Fiedler | Canada | Team LAST TOY XV | 42' Fountain

Chad MacDonald | CO | Team MY TIME | 35' Donzi / 2-Mercury Verado 350

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 45


Sal Olivia | NY | Team X-SCAPE from NY | 42' Cigarette

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

David Gordon | FL | Team MISS TREATED | 39' Nor-Tech

Chris Mattingly | KY | Team NEVER ENUFF | 46' Outerlimits

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Docking at Playa Largo as the Cigarette owners lunch started to take shape

Sponsor

LOADED GUN Crew

Doug & Sheri Falcone | NJ | Team MARINE UNLIMITED | 42' Mystic / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Michael & Cory McClellan | MO | Team LOADED GUN | 38' Cigarette

Scott & Natalie Pollio | NJ | Team TROUBLE MAKER | 35' Cigarette

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 47


THURSDAY LUNCH STOP AT

It seems like yesterday when Florida Powerboat Club approached (then) Gilberts owner Reinhardt Schaupp about turning the run-down Key Largo property into a vibrant stopover location for poker runs and transient boaters. For most of the nineties, FPC events passed by its sagging docks, which were lined with derelict sailboats and lacked fenders and mooring cleats. It was uninviting to boaters, and above all, a missed opportunity for commerce with a constantly growing FPC event roster. The year was 2001, and Stu Jones made an offer to the owners, who didn’t want to spend a dollar on the dock upgrades. If Gilbert’s owner would remove the barnacleinfested sailboat squatters from its docks, FPC would purchase and install dozens of piling fenders and mooring cleats, and

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replace the rotted deck boards, at its own expense. Within just one year, the Key West Poker Run 2002 lined Gilberts docks with more than 80 powerboats, and once-empty tiki bar, was packed with over 300 powerboaters from all over the continent, who enjoyed the rustic vibe of this cozy waterfront. The owners rejoiced and began dumping more money into the property over the next decade, turning the once-forlorn marine resort into vibrant business, which was eventually sold in a multi-million-dollar deal to a successful Miami-based entrepreneur. Fast-forward to 2019, and Gilberts continues to be a landmark, must-do stopover for all Florida Keys poker runs, and for local and transient boaters who enjoy its casual vibe, great food and friendly staff.


Sponsor

Eric Glaser | FL | Team MIDNIGHT EXPRESS | 60' Midnight Express / Quad 7-Marine

Sponsor

Skip Braver & Erik Christiansen | FL | Team CIGARETTE RACING TEAM | 41' Cigarette / 4 Mercury Racing Verado 450R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 49


Mike Bolin | CA | Team ROSIE | 39' Outerlimits

DRINKIN FOUNTAIN Crew

Karsten Melcher | Germany | Team GERMANY | 38' Donzi

Tonka Simpson | Bermuda | Team DRINKIN FOUNTAIN | 38' Fountain / 3-Mercury Verado 300

Al & Dana Mazzarella | FL | Team MIDNIGHT EXPRESS | 43' Midnight Express / 5-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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MEG

S B A T A 1650 TAB

N O C DTS

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David Beach | NJ | Team ROCK & RYE IV | 44' Outerlimits

WEED WACKEN Crew

Brandon Purkiss | CA | Team WEED WACKEN | 34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Tim Gallagher | FL | Team BLACKWATER | 43' Blackwater / 4-Mercury Verado 350

Adam & Cathy Ramirez | CA | Team LAST CALL | 48' MTI

52 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE



Chris Ryder | NY | Team CRISIS MANAGEMENT | 36' Skater

tt CRESCENDO Crew

Jimmy & Gina Smith | CA | Team tt CRESCENDO | 42' Mystic / 3-Mercury Verado 350 LOONEY TUNE Crew

Elliot & Erica Wiczer | IL | Team LOONEY TUNE | 41' Cigarette / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

54 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE |


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This multi-million dollar marina facility, located directly on the Intra-Coastal Waterway, offers the latest technologies and innovations in dry storage. With one call your boat will be ready for you to blast out the inlet and be in the ocean in minutes.

Call 305-945-3934 to be a part of the action! Check us out at www.haulovermarinecenter.net New home of Midnight Express and Marine Technology Inc (MTI) performance boats.

WWW.WESTREC.COM

Stop by and see all that we have to offer: 15600 Collins Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33154


W

ith its spacious marina, fuel dock, restaurant, pool and central location on the bay waters of Marathon, Faro Blanco Resort & Marina continues to be an integral part of the poker run agenda for all FPC events. With that huge fleet to manage for the signature Key West event, even further upgrades had to be put in place, starting with the VP Racing fuel tanker, which was placed in one corner of the marina, to offer higher octane fuel grades and a few extra nozzles. To feed the hungry boaters, Courtyard Marriott next door, offered a poolside buffet lunch, and along with the Lighthouse Grill, over 300 guests were served during the Thursday lunch stopover. Participants also had a chance to pick up a bonus poker card voucher nearby, from an anchored 100-foot yacht, which was sponsored again by Nextera Energy Marketing. After this stopover, it’s just fifty miles to Key West, and it’s always easiest to take the offshore route, which can be accessed from Seven-mile bridge, or from the Bahia Honda bridge further south. With some concerns about high wind and bumpy sea conditions, a handful of participants thought the northern passage through the Saddlebunch Keys might be a calmer and more prudent decision, but tricky navigation in these waters caught a few off-guard with soft groundings. In hindsight, and going forward, FPC will always suggest taking the Marathon to Bahia leg (12 miles) offshore to test the waters first. If the seas are too rough to endure, at that point, the boats can run back to the inside route via Bahia Honda bridge. SJ

56 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


Sponsor

Mark Palanchian | FL | Team NEXTERA ENERGY RESOURCES | 102' Maiora

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 57


Jorge & Ann Arellano | FL | Team OGP | 42' Fountain Poker Run Edition / Mercury Racing 600 SC

Scot Conrad | FL | Team SLT COLLECTION | 43' Midnight Express / 4-Mercury Verado 350

Nicholas & Heather Mitchell | MA | Team DADDY'S GIRLS | 38' Fountain / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

58 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


Join the club. Join the fun. Five levels of membership to suit your boating lifestyle. PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP

• Access to all FPC events and parties. • Powerboating Video. (Dozens of titles to choose.) • Powerboating in Paradise Magazine subscription. • Embroidered Club T-shirt in your choice of colors. • Access to all Membership discount programs. PLUS:

• Premium Outer Banks club polo shirt. (Ladies tops available.) • Premium embroidered club hat. • Additional Powerboating video. • Venus Swimwear gift voucher. ($75-$100 value.) PLUS:

Premium Concierge Services • Priority booking status for rooms and dockage on all FPC Events. • Marina and marine service 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.

$479.00/year*

GOLD MEMBERSHIP

COMMERCIAL MEMBERSHIP

Membership Includes all of the Standard Membership benefits, PLUS:

Membership Includes:

• Premium Outer Banks Club Polo Shirt. (Ladies tops avail.) • Premium embroidered club hat. • Additional Powerboating Video of your choice

• Discounted rates on FPC Magazine ads • Discounted rates on all web advertising/banner programs. • Access to all FPC events and parties. • Listing on our website affiliate section. Commercial Members also have the opportunity to run promotions and discounts through FPC events.

$379.00/year*

$349.00/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*

SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP Membership Includes:

• Club T-shirt in your choice of colors. • Powerboating Video of your choice (Dozens to choose.) • Powerboating in Paradise Magazine subscription. • Access to FPC parties • Discounted Boat Show tickets. $89.00/year*

*Overseas and international memberships will have a slightly higher rate to compensate for mailing/shipping costs.


Sponsor

DOUBLE R Crew

Sponsor

Peter & Raymond Roberts | CANADA | Team DOUBLE R | 56' Nor-Tech/ 3-Cummins Turbo Diesels

Ramon & Katia Vera | FL | Team BULLETPROOF | 35' Bulletproof Custom Powerboats / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Chris Mastronardi | Canada | Team OUTERLIMITS | 50' Outerlimits

60 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


Burton Kirsten | ME | Team L'IT JET | 34' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

FPC Girl Lindsey

Frank & Toni Esposito | NJ | Team MYSTIC | 42' Mystic / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Keith & Karen Rockman | FL | Team SUNSATION | 34' Sunsation / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Parnell & Wendy Olson | MI | Team L'ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT 36' Concept / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 61


Jukka Murto | Finland | Team ALGOTS VARVA | .39' Nor-Tech / 2-Mercury Racing 525

ALGOTS VARVA Crew

George & Carre Olson | TX | Team DRIVE THIS | 42' Fountain / 2-Mercury Racing 525

Cody & Veronica Lovins | TX | Team SPECIAL PURPOSE | 45' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

62 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE |


Andre Flottmann | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Jason & Melissa Hill | MO | Team STATEMENT | 35' Statement! / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 450R Sponsor

Randy Kent | MO | Team MIDWEST BOATING CENTER | 37' Pillini Marine / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 63


Richard Szesnat | NY | Team POOR DIRT FARMER | 50' Outerlimits

POOR DIRT FARMER Crew

Jesse & Stephanie Neumann | MN | Team SALTY WIFE | 45' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Eric & Ashley Matzen | NY | Team PIPE DREAMS | 36' Skater

64 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


PHANTOM Crew

Ken Armstrong | NY | Team PHANTOM | 48' MTI

Pierre & Meghan Brousseau | CANADA | Team THE STOOGES | 39 ' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Jason & Loren Yates | VA | Team ORANGE CRUSH | 50' Hustler

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 65


Shannon & Alicia Hamilton | GA | Team LOW ALTITUDE | 50' Mystic

Garry & Nancy Robertson | ME | Team MY DIAMOND | 52' Nor-Tech

Alan Lima | FL | Team GROVE HARBOUR MARINA | 42' Cigarette / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Stephen Sweet | IL | Team SWEET SPOT | 42' Scout / 4-Mercury Verado 350

66 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

FPC Girl Mallory



William Betz | NY | Team EXCUSES | 48' MTI

Hans Othar Blix | NORWAY | Team 2TWENTY5 | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Roman Sanchez | ME | Team R3 | 45' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

68 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


Laurent Besnier | France | Team GROS COCHONS | 32' Doug Wright / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Dave Raisbeck | FL | Team RAISERS EDGE | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

David & Sarid Arnold | GA | Team D-STRESSED | 33'Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Verado 350

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 69


J.T. Byrne | TX | Team OH FOR FIN'S SAKE | 33' Power Play

Kyle & Georgina Weese | OK | Team SPLITTIN 10'$ | 40' Formula

David Rudiger | OH | Team OHIO | 42' Mystic / 4-Mercury Verado 350R

70 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE |


Francis Marfyak | CT | Team YEAH BABY | 35' Formula

Al & Chris Sadow / Dean Albanese | FL | Team HAMMER DOWN | 34' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Craig Hargreaves | WA | Team SPOOLED UP SUPPORT | 42' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 71


Sam & Maria Galasso | NY | Team SAGA | 47' Fountain

Brad Williams | FL | Team GRANDE YACHTS | 38' Fountain / 3-Mercury Verado 350R

Jeb & Stephanie Bradshaw | NC | Team OUTERLIMITS | 42' Outerlimits

72 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE



Benji & Chris Mastronardi | Canada | Team DOUBLE DIAMOND | 42' Mystic / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Ray & Kristine Gremaux | NY | Team BIG SHOT! | 24' Mystic / 3-Mercury Verado 350 Sponsor

74 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Bernie Neuhaus | NJ | Team MARINE UNLIMITED SALES | 38' Mystic / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 450R


Curtis Watkins | FL | Team EVIL WOMAN | 45' Nor-Tech / 5-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

HAMMERTIME Crew

Ray Aquit | FL | Team HAMMERTIME | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Sponsor

Mark & Nancy Tuck | VA | Team TIMBERCAT | 36' Wright Performance / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 75


Brian Metcalf | CA | Team NATIVE SUN | 40' MTI

COLD ONE CONFESSION$ Crew

Michael & Neveda McClallen | IL | Team COLD ONE CONFESSION$ | 37' Active Thunder

Bobbie & Lynn Kieber | CA | Team BIG BAD N BLUE | 35' Cigarette

APACHE Crew

Ed & Surey Garcia | FL | Team APACHE | 41' Apache

76 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


Sites of Key West

Kyle Fowler | GA | Team BAD A$$ET |35' Fountain Not a registered Poker Run Team

Considering hiring this team for Poker Run support! Dan Desantis | MA | Team MCLAREN BOSTON | 38' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing 1100

Key West Historic Seaport

Ray & Jill Kowalik | MO | Team BIKINI BOTTOM | 42' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 77


Leon & Mayli Ramos | FL | Team SAVAGE | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Verado 400R Chet & Cindy Huffman | CA | Team STILL NUTZ | 39' Nor-Tech

Russell & Patty Hayes | CA | Team ELIMINATOR | 28' Eliminator

Matt & Ann Marie Raymond | NC | Team MISS GRACE | 48' Fountain / 5-Mercury Verado 350

78 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


Chris & Quinn LaMorte | NJ | Team SKATER 36 | 36' Skater

Sponsor

Geoff Tomlinson | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 39' Nor-Tech provided by Midwest Boating Center / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 450R

Bill Day | KY | Team DAYS | 32' Glasstream / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 79


Bill Robbins | TX | Team CENTER OF ATTENTION | 39' Cigarette / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Bennett & Jimena Loftin | FL | Team SIDE CHICK 36' Deep Impact / 3-Mercury Verado 275

Tom Klocker | OH | Team NO ETA | 42' Cigarette / 4-Mercury Verado 350

80 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Jeff & Brenda Jacobs | MD | Team WE'RE BACK | 36' Cigarette


A & B Marina Key West

Robert Lockyer | KY | Team PATRIOT MARINE | 32' Skater

CENTER OF ATTENTION Crew

Matt Garland/Kenny Schomp | KY | Team DOWNTOWN | 42' Mystic / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Todd & Heidi Anne Chartier | MD | Team SIDE CAR XL | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 81


Dr. Michael Janssen | CO | Team CENTER FOR SPINE & ORTHOP / WATCH YOUR BACK | 53' Outerlimits

Anthony Bertozzi | VA | Team SMOKIN HOTT | 38' Cigarette

Lawrence Coelho Jr. | CA | Team RAPID RABBIT | 28' DCB

Luke/Corey Leibel | FL | Team MAD MAX | 45' Cigarette

Tom Gourzis | PA | Team OPA II | 42' Cigarette / 4-Mercury Verado 350

82 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE |


KEY WEST POKER RUN VILLAGE

Poker Run headquarters at Conch Republic Seafood Company, Key West Historic Seaport

W

hen you have a thousand participants and over thirty major sponsors supporting the Key West Poker Run, it’s important to have one central meeting place where all can come together over the course of this four-day, festival of fun! The Conch Republic Seafood Company on the doorstep to the Key West Historic Seaport has made this possible since 1999, and over the years FPC has worked closely with their team to keep making it better. The Key West Poker Run Village once again included a wide variety of on-land exhibits including performance boats from the leading manufacturers, with Mercury Racing on site to support their manufacturers, dealers and performance boating enthusiasts using their mobile marketing tractor trailer rig. Adding to the format, a huge selection of marine accessories from sponsors like Hardin Marine and Wilson Custom Composites, plus exotic cars and toys from Team Black Diamond and McLaren of Boston. Complementing the land-based show, the in-water presence of

the sponsor dock was over the top, with the latest performance boat models rafted up with amazing paint schemes, dazzling underwater lights and night-club-caliber stereo systems that delivered a new level of Wow-factor like we have never seen! A great entertainment agenda returned to the Poker Run Village, including the Thursday night Body Painting Expo, Friday’s Sponsor Appreciation Day, and the big Saturday night Poker Run Awards party. It’s no wonder why thousands of guests pass through this venue with their phones out, snapping photos and video clips for great social media posts and memories to share back at home! Between bikinis, body painting, and big horsepower, the Key West Poker Run Village is indeed, a phone-battery-killing machine, and that’s why it’s right up there with Duval Street, as a must-see destination in Key West during powerboat week! Enjoy the photos of our highlights! SJ

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 83


The Key West Poker Run Village at Conch Republic Seafood Company offered a variety of display options on land and in water for the leading performance marine manufacturers and dealers.

Performance Boat Center 32' Sunsation CCX

Mike Layton | GA | displayed his latest Adrenaline Powerboats model

Dan Kleitz from Outerlimits hosting a sponsor video segment

Jackie's team of FPC Girls in the apparel tent

84 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


thursday night

Body Paint

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 85


Saturday

Helicopter Aerials

Mark Palanchian | FL | Team NEXTERA | 38' Cigarette ( A Stu-approved loaner for the afternoon )

Team PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER testing the raceboat on Saturday for the Race World Offshore finals

86 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


FPC Girl Brooke

NorTech Hi Performance boats rafted-up in the protected waters near Fleming Key when the big Woman Key raft-up location was ruled out due to high winds.

Johan Andersson | Sweden | Team JOY RIDE | 39' Nor-tech

Matt Migliazzo | KS | Team LAUNDERED MONEY | 38' Donzi

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 87


Hugo Domingez | FL | Team VANDALIZE BOAT WORKS | 30' Vandalize Boat Works

Bill Grigo | NY | Team ADJOURNMENT | 36' Fountain

Brian Forehand | NC | Team NSF | 52' Outerlimits / 2 Mercury Racing 1350/1550

88 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


Bobby & Kendall Berk | FL | Team VIRGIN GUN | 38' Cigarette

Bruno & Rebecca Perree | FL | Team MEGAWATTS | 39' Outerlimits

Alex Pratt | MI | Team NOR-TECH | 45' Nor-Tech / 4- Mercury Verado 400R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 89


Mark Stoddart | Canada | Team MTI | 48' MTI

Oystein Tenold | AZ | Team TJ VIKINGS | 36' Nor-Tech Supercat / Mercury Racing 1350's

Steve Lyman | AZ | Team NICE PACKAGE | 39' Nor-Tech / 4- Mercury Verado 400R

90 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE |


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: KEVIN SCHULTE

BILL DAY

Hardline Products

Days Boat Sales & Service

1-888-413-8315

1-888-413-8315

hardlineproducts.com

daysboatsales.com

sales@hardlineproducts.com

bill@daysboatsales.com

7766 SW Jack James Drive Stuart, FL 34997

101 Arrowhead Ct Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

SCOTT PORTA

BRANDON MAYER

Porta Product Corp

Sweetwater Landing Marina

386-428-7417

1-888-413-8315

portaproducts.com

sweetwaterlanding.net

portaproducts@aol.com

bmayer14@yahoo.com

1601 Tionia Rd. New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168

16991 State Road 31, Fort Myers, FL 33905

JOHN COSKER

CJ KUSMIERZ

Mystic Powerboats Inc.

Bluefin Marine Consultants

386.736.2247

616-893-7503

mysticpowerboats.com

bluefinconsultants.org

j@mysticpowerboats.com

info@bluefinconsultants.org

1848 Patterson Ave. DeLand, FL 32724

Port St. Lucie, FL

Other FPC Commercial Members Listed Below: Frank Scheelen - scheelen-racing.com

Michael & Nicole Lund - www.bordenlightmarina.com

Jimmie Harrison - fjprop.com

Peter/ Raymond Roberts - doublerperformance.com

Hugo Domingez - www.vandalizeboats.com

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 91


Sponsor Appreciation

Radio personality Bill Hoebbee & Stu Jones

T

here are many reasons why the FPC Key West Poker Run continues to be such an amazing experience for thousands of participants over the years, and at the top of that list of reasons, is the much appreciated sponsorship support from a long and very loyal list of performance marine manufacturers. Mercury Racing remained as the Presenting sponsor, while OffleaseOnly returned as Grand Prize sponsor, along with a roster of nearly thirty of the leading manufacturers, dealers and aftermarket product suppliers. The Friday sponsor appreciation day is dedicated to recognizing these sponsors, who are invited to receive special awards and have photo-ops with the FPC girls!

AO Coolers displayed in Key West for their first time

92 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Peter Roberts for Nor-Tech Hi Performance Boats

Kruis Rutherford & A.L. Kirkland for Glasstream

Brendan West for Marine Concepts

Marissa & Sara

Sara, Mary, Allyssa, Marissa with Jackie Jones


Dan Kleitz (left) for Outerlimits

David Tievy accepted for Superior Communications Inc

Scott Price owner of Hardin Marine and long time sponsor

Tim Gallagher, Eileen & Mark Fischer - Blackwater Boats, Deep Impact, Offleaseonly

Forrest, Leo & Craig Wilson for Wilson Custom Composites

Bryan Mullinax & Nichols Buckman for Seakeeper

FPC Girls Steve Miller joined Stu and the FPC girls for Mercury Racing Presenting Sponsor Award

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 93


Saturday night

Stu and Jackie Jones

S

aturday evening is reserved by the Conch Republic Seafood Company as a private members-only affair, as nearly 1,000 participants assembled for the big bash to enjoy a fabulous dinner and play out their poker cards. The weather was magnificent for the evening party, which got an early 6:30pm start due to the three-rounds of dinner seatings required to feed 900 guests. This was the absolute limit for dining according to the restaurant management, so several participants were given an optout choice to dine elsewhere, then join the party later to play out their poker hands. The big poker run tent had a steady but manageable flow of participants, who could play out their hands and purchase additional cards to increase their odds of winning. With Bahamas Relief as the designated recipient of these proceeds, FPC eventually used these funds to load a tractor trailer with bundles of plywood and sheetrock, which were later shipped to Bahamas to repair and construct new homes in Abaco and Grand Bahama Island. With the cards played out, there was a 1st place dead-heat tie between Miami’s Ed Garcia ( 41 Apache) and a new member David Carey (37 Midnight Express) A single round playoff dealt a pair of eights to our new member, who’s boat name quite strangely is , “HARD EIGHTS”. Congratulations to all the poker run winners, and thanks to our participants who helped to make this a festive and exciting evening of poker run fun! SJ

94 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


Stu & Jackie Jones with FPC Girls David Carey (left) - Team HARD EIGHTS - Grand Prize Winner, received a $25,000 voucher towards the purchase of any vehicle(s) at Offleaseonly's five Florida stores

Ed Garcia - Team APACHE - Second Place Winner

Team NOR-TECH - Manufacturers Cup Winners 3rd Place

Greg & Stephanie DelMonte - Team HARD TO HANDLE - Third Place Winners

Team SWEDEN - Farthest Traveled Award & the lovely FPC Girls

Jim Lee, KS - Team CHRISTINA - Sexiest Crew Award

John & Natalie Wittenberger - Team BAD DECISION - Best Dressed Team

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 95


WINTER POKER RUN 2020

Powerboating In Paradise magazine returns with our Spring 2020 Issue which will contain feature coverage with a detailed story line and photo captions for all of the teams that participated in the clubs first 2020 event

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: STU JONES

Club kicked off the new T hedecadeFloridawithPowerboat a mid-winter escape to paradise, in

the heart of the Florida Keys. Twenty three registered teams from all over the United States congregated in North Miami for a departure from Haulover Marine center, and took a 100-mile trek through the Upper Keys to Faro Blanco Resort in Marathon. Here’s a few nice highlight photos, and we promise full coverage in our next issue of Powerboating in Paradise. SJ

96 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE


POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 97


JAN 24-26

| WINTER POKER RUN: FARO BLANCO, MARATHON

FEB 13-17

| MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW: VIRGINIA KEY

FEB 20-23

| 25TH ANNUAL MIAMI BOAT SHOW POKER RUN: MIAMI TO KEY LARGO

MAR 12-15

| MTI OW N E R S F U N R U N : FLO R I DA K E YS

MAR 19-22

| SPRING KEY WEST POKER RUN - MIAMI TO KEY WEST

MAR 26-29

| PALM BEACH BOAT SHOW: WEST PALM BEACH

APR 16-19

| 10TH A N N UA L TA M PA BAY P O K E R R U N : TA M PA - S T. P E TE R S B U RG

AMERICAN CUSTOM MARINE........................................ 43 AO COOLERS................................................................. 67 BRAND X...................................................................... 67 DEEP IMPACT........................................................... 5, 35 FPC MARKET PLACE..................................................... 91 FPC MEMBERSHIP........................................................ 59 HAULOVER MARINE CENTER........................................ 55 JETDOCK...................................................................... 53 LIVORSI MARINE...........................................................51 MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2020...................IFC MERCURY RACING....................................................... IBC MIDNIGHT EXPRESS..................................................... 21 MYCO TRAILERS............................................................. 9 NOR-TECH.................................................................... 13 OFFLEASE ONLY........................................................... 31 OUTERLIMITS............................................................... 15 PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER...................................... 17 SCI SUPERIOR COMMUNICATIONS................................ 39 TNT CUSTOM MARINE.................................................. 73

*This is a courtesy listing - not an FPC event

| 2ND A N N UA L MIDNIGHT EXPRESS BIMINI MAY 15-17 *NEW DATES OWNERS RENDEZVOUS

MAY 28-31

| ORANGE BEACH POWERBOAT WEEK: THE WHARF, ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA

JUNE 19-24 | 2 9TH A N N UA L BA H A M A S P O K E R R U N : *NEW DATES B I M I N I , C H U B C AY, N A S SAU, E X U M A S JUNE 12AUG 9

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: NEXT ISSUE APRIL 15, 2020

| FP C S U M M E R P O K E R R U N TO U R B EG I N S ! MULTIPLE EVENTS NATIONWIDE THROUGH AUG 2020.

AUG 12-16

| FPC EMERALD COAST POWERBOAT POKER RUNDESTIN- FORT WALTON BEACH

SEPT 18-20

| FALL BIMINI BLAST- NORTH MIAMI TO BIMINI

OCT 9-11

| TBA - EUROPEAN TRIP IN PLANNING STAGES

NOV 4-8

| FORT LAUDERDALE BOAT SHOW: MULTIPLE VENUES

NOV 11-16

| 28TH ANNUAL KEY WEST OFFSHORE POKER RUNMIAMI TO KEY WEST

DEC 12

| SEMINOLE HARD ROCK WINTERFEST BOAT PARADEFORT LAUDERDALE, FL

SUBSCRIBE TO POWERBOATING IN PARADISE MAGAZINE DELIVERED 4 TIMES A YEAR

Disclaimer: Please note the 2020 event planning is a constantly ongoing process, that will most certainly see changes to dates and events along the way. The following calendar includes some (tentative dates) along with new events that are currently in the planning stages with venue hosts and sponsoring organizations. It’s important that you do NOT purchase airplane tickets, book hotels, or make plans to attend, without first confirming with the Florida Powerboat Club office. Visit WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM for updated information.

WATCH FPC ON YOUTUBE - SUBSCRIBE TO FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB !!

CONTACT US: 954-545-1414 | FLPOWERBOAT.COM | STU@FLPOWERBOAT.COM FOLLOW US: Florida Powerboat Club @florida powerboat club @stufpc @flpowerboat


NATURAL PROGRESSION QC4 860 STERNDRIVE The naturally aspirated QC4 860 shares all of the high performance running qualities of its turbocharged siblings. Designed, developed and manufactured inhouse, the 9.0-liter V-8 engine pumps out 860 horsepower on 89 octane (Rec 90) pump fuel. Mercury Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) technology provides luxury-carlike drivability. All of this with an unprecedented 2-year limited factory warranty.

MercuryRacing.com/860


Please join us for your next boating adventure with the Florida Powerboat Club. With highest tourism levels in Florida on record, its important to start planning at least three or more months in advance. Please visit our website for event updates. *Membership and insurance is required to participate in all FPC events

FEB 20-23, 2020

MAY 18-28, 2020

OCTOBER EVENT PENDING

NOV 11-16, 2020


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