CELEBRATING 32 YEARS OF THE FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB LIFESTYLE
The Ultimate Display Of High-Performance Hardware For 32 Years Running!
Discovering The True Meaning Of Chillin' In The Keys!
WITH POWER AND PRESTIGE, THE MERCURY RACING 500R SETS THE NEW STANDAR FOR LUXURY HIGH-SPEED PERFORMANCE Y STANDARD PERFORMANCE.
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER
Stu Jones
stu@flpowerboat.com
OFFICE MANAGER
Megan Smith admin@flpowerboat.com
EVENT MANAGEMENT
RESERVATIONS & LODGING
Jackie Jones jackie@flpowerboat.com
Sydney Jones events@flpowerboat.com
EVENT LOGISTICS & DOCKING
John Wittenberger Jr.
Gen Mgr- Marine Operations john@flpowerboat.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN & PHOTO DESK
Lina Montes fpclina@gmail.com
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Ryan McCoy- Producer mccoymedia@me.com
VIDEOGPAPHY & DRONE
Andre Alvarez
Ryan McCoy
Michael Sheaks
Tyler Jones Stu Jones
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ryan Ferraro, Tyler Jones Stu Jones
FPC HEADQUARTERS
Florida Powerboat Club
1305 NE 23rd Ave.
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
MAILING ADDRESS: 1031 NE 28th Terr
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
Tel: 954.545-1414
Fax: 954.782-2452
www.flpowerboat.com
POMPANO OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday 10 AM - 5 PM
CONTENTS
6. LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT:
Stu Jones revisits the idea of a global performance boating community, connecting in a way like never before, with the renewed interest in a World Powerboat Club boating exchange, and reminds us that FPC is taking a hard line of safety compliance on club poker runs.
8. THE 32ND ANNUAL KEY WEST POKER RUN
Almost an entire issue has been dedicated to FPC’s largest poker run, which met some serious challenges along the way. Enjoy this feature which is broken down into bite-sized chronological chapters for the six-day adventure.
Gilberts Lunch Stop-Setting new records every year ................ 34
Friday Night Lights: The Conch Republic Seafood company.... 44 provided a fantastic venue for the annual Key West Body Painting Exhibition
Saturday Fun Run- Eye in the Sky- as FPC chopper crews.........48 chase the teams
Cats VS Vees: The most impressive lineup of high.......................50 performance anywhere!
Saturday Raft Up Rendezvous: Woman Key...............................74
Saturday Night Bash- Food, fun, poker cards.............................
and lots of awards!
82. WINTER FUN RUN TO KEY LARGO:
FPC Kicks off 2025 with a chilly escape to paradise!
ON THE COVER: Key West Poker Run sponsor docks at Conch Republic
Seafood company!
Models: FPC Girls Courtney, Bella & Emily
Photos by Tyler Jones
A World Powerboat Club exchange would open up global boating adventures, like attending the Arendal Poker Run in Norway!
Iam happy to report that we are cruising into 2025 at a rapid pace, having already launched our first boating event, the Winter Fun Run to Key Largo, with a solid event roster of FPC members and a fleet of amazing powerboats! We are full speed into the next event, our Miami Boat Show Poker Run to Hawks Cay Resort, and you’ll see a new Naples event on the agenda for March. Please flip to P98 of this issue for the full FPC 2025 calendar of events!
For this edition of my Letter from the President, I would like to focus on two important topics. The first has to do with the astonishing statistics that never cease to amaze me, which relate to the vast geographic representation of members from all over the country, not to mention international attendees, who travel as far away as Europe to attend our FPC events. On an event as small as the recent Winter Fun Run at 30 registered teams, there were a total of twelve states represented plus an international entry, our longtime member Wally Castro, a Cigarette dealer from Puerto Rico who used this event to shake down a new Cigarette Nighthawk. Projecting these numbers to a larger scale, when considering all of the (11) events on the
FPC’s annual roster and the supersized Key West Poker Run in November, there are literally thousands of attendees who join us for these events every year, many of whom travel thousands of miles to enjoy the Powerboating in Paradise experience with FPC. My first observation is simply, WOW!Look what we created, and look how many people’s lives we have influenced. My second observation comes from the curiosity that drives me, and it begs the question, “I wonder what it would be like tovisitthesemembersintheirownbackyard,andgoboating inadifferentcountryandwithdifferentcultures?”
Ten years ago, I began to formulate a master plan and I called it World Powerboat Club, which had great momentum until 2020 when the global pandemic put everything on the back burner. The idea was quite simple: To first take inventory of all the relationships with boaters that we have met from around the world, and then create a network or platform that offers a reciprocal host program, where members can connect on a global scale, and exchange their (native )boating experiences with other members from far away places.
Stu & Jackie Jones
Imagine for example, a boater from Michigan or from New York, who has always wanted to go boating in the Mediterranean Sea along the French Riviera from Monaco to St. Tropez, or island hop from Mallorca Spain to Ibiza! An exchange between members of this platform, could easily facilitate adventures and provide experiences that are otherwise unattainable. The concept is still festering in my belly, and for those who are interested in such a platform, please email me your thoughts and ideas, to Stu@flpoweboat.com. I have already enjoyed many such experiences, and I truly believe this is something that could provide live-changing adventures for so many of our boating friends!
The second matter of great importance, which I will leave you with, can be addressed in a simple paragraph. If you like boating with Florida Powerboat Club, and you want to continue attending our events, then be prepared to the follow the safety guidelines that are clearly stated in the membership agreement and with every event registration form. Come with a good attitude, be respectful to other boaters, always wear your lifejackets on FPC events, have proper liability insurance, register and pay for ALL of your crew members attending the event, drive responsibly, stay within safe speeds for the conditions that are present, and don’t even THINK about drinking alcohol and
driving on our runs. If you and your crew can manage these simple guidelines we welcome you Florida Powerboat Club with open arms. For those who cannot checkoff these boxes above, I’m afraid there is no place for you at FPC, and you will have to go boating on your own, or with the other careless, reckless, disrespectful boaters who will eventually ruin our sport due to the mindless stupidity and avoidable accidents that keep knocking us down! This is a very fast sport, and getting faster every year! We have to stick together and never compromise when it comes to boating safety, and even more so in the performance boating arena.
We wish everyone a safe and prosperous 2025, full of fun experiences and adventures, and we hope to see you on a Florida Powerboat Club event soon!
Stu Jones, Florida Powerboat Club President
Boating in Mediterranean near Ibiza
BVI Poker Run - Possible to join through a global boat exchange program!
KEY WEST 2024: RUNNING FROM RAFAEL!
With Mercury Racing returning as the presenting sponsor for the 32nd Annual Key West Poker Run, the playing field was set for the four-hundred mile roundtrip poker run that would see a stellar fleet of high-performance boats and spirited teams coming in from all over the United States, Canada and Europe to attend. With an uninterrupted run of thirty-two consecutive years since the first adventure in 1993, it is often easy for FPC organizers to imply that the event runs on cruise control after all these years, but sadly nothing could be further from the truth.
The truth lies in the fact that Mother nature and her fall Florida hurricanes, can absolutely put an event of this magnitude into a tailspin, not just for the organization staging the run, but for virtually every registered participant, sponsor, staff member and service provider that is in any way connected to the poker run. Well, it may have been hurricane Helen and later,
Milton that’s stirred the pot and reeked havoc on Florida’s Gulf Coast in the weeks leading up to the Key West Poker Run dates, it was uninvited guest RAFAEL, that shut the Poker Run down in the early stages! Several Florida-based boaters lost boats or were blocked from getting their boats from powerless marinas, causing many registered attendees to cancel the event in the aftermath. But it was Rafael, a smaller category 3 Hurricane with 120 mph winds, that targeted the Florida Keys as the first departure group rolled out from Miami on Tuesday Nov 5th. With the storm tracking in the direction of Key West, the Wednesday run was scratched from the agenda due to the severity of the sea conditions, and that left Thursday and Friday for the remaining teams to make their way safely through the scenic Florida Keys. Indeed, most teams opted for the north passage through the Gulf of Mexico to manage the final leg of the run from Bahia Honda to Key West, staying clear of turbulent Atlantic coastal waters.
Story by: Stu Jones
If the two powerful fall hurricanes Helene and Milton were not enough, Florida boaters once again braced for yet a third storm, RAFAEL, which arrived conveniently at the height of the 32nd Key West Poker Run!
In addition to the Miami-based departures from Haulover Marine Center, TNT Marine Center and Grove Harbour Marina, an organized group of about eight teams departed from Fort Myers Beach, traveling together to their designated lunch stop and check-in location at Faro Blanco Marina in Marathon, which included lunch at Lighthouse Grill on property.
For the Miami teams, numbering well over 125 boats, the lunch stops were divided into four scheduled stops, including Gilberts Key Largo, Blackwater Siren ( across from Gilberts) Sundowners Key Largo for the Nor-Tech owners, and Playa Largo Resort for the Cigarette Racing owners group. Somehow, despite the challenges, the lunch stops went well and most attendees reported a great lunch experience at the respective locations.
On the Thursday run, it was tragic news to hear of a late afternoon boating accident near Key West, that claimed the life of a young 28-year old woman, Stephanie Rodriquez, who was riding on a quad-engine center console boat that lost control in the Calda channel. As of the date of this publication, Florida Powerboat Club has yet to receive the completed accident report from Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, but this is by far, the worst incident in recent years and we are forever saddened by this tragic loss of this beautiful young woman.
After hearing of this incident, and from this point forward, this tragic loss cast a dark shadow over the Key West event for organizers and participants alike, as we all prayed for the injured on board and for the family of the woman who had perished. The 32nd Key West Poker Run will be remembered forever by many of us, but sadly for all the wrong reasons.
Photos: Pete Boden, Ryan Ferraro, Jeff Helmkamp, Tyler Jones, Michael Sheaks
Eileen Fischer
Poker Run Participants leaving from Gorve Harbour Marina
Midnight Express- 52 Vitesse model
Heather, Cassandra & Katherine rose to the occasion by helping with the poker cards!
Ben Robertson/ Christian Dahlberg | Sweden | Team YAZZ | 42' Fountain
Byron & Christy Storms | AZ | Team DEEP IMPACT | 39' Deep Impact
Richard Leon | MA | Team MIAMI VICE | 38' Fountain
FPC Girls Bella & Courtney
Team YAZZ from Sweden!
Winning Isn’t Everything?
It’s all about winning. And nobody wins like Fountain. Every race, every trophy, every award - we’ve conquered them all. Nothing delivers like a Fountain.
Stu Jones & Matt Trulio | FL | Team TOP GUN FLIGHT 1130 | 38' Cigarette
Chaz Owens | GA | Team OUTLAW WOMAN | 29' Eliminator
Thomas & Lisa Cox | GA | Team ST THOMAS | 40' Nor-Tech
Joshua & Kyly Ballon | MA | Team ALWAYS SOMETHIN' | 39' Cigarette
Greg & Jennifer Connell | TX | Team LEGEND MARINE GROUP | 39' Nor-Tech
Paul (PJ) Jordan | TX | Team BABBO | 34' Nor-Tech
Robert Cripps | SC | Team SMFC | 42' Mystic
FPC Girl Daniella
Ryan & Rachael Garnett | TX | Team FLIGHT 311 | 39' MTI
Frank Schultz | TX | Team NOR-TECH | 39' Nor-Tech
Bob & Charlene Ladas
MA
Team
Ryan Schrimpf | MO | Team RUNNIN GUN | 38' Cigarette
Cory Peter | IN | Team LEADED | 42' Mystic
RUNNIN GUN Crew
Mat C. & Ann Marie Raymond III | NC | Team MISS GRACE | 48' Fountain
OPENING FALL 2025
Enhance your boating experience at Legendary Marina Resort in Blue Water Cay, The Bahamas
Located in the heart of Nassau, Legendary Marina Resort at Blue Water Cay aims to transform boating in The Bahamas. With convenient air access and a central location within the islands, Blue Water Cay offers the perfect link between your home and exciting new adventures on nearby islands. The facility has over 600 dry storage slips for boats up to 55 feet and 120 wet slips for vessels up to 220 feet, along with an on-site marine parts and certified service center plus concierge service for your boat, ensuring more time spent on the water and less on logistics.
Stu & Jackie Jones | FL | Team KING OF CLUBS | 39' Nor-Tech
Joseph Castellana | NY | Team AWESOME | 38' Skater
Mat Raymond
FPC Girl Courtney
Bill & Shelley Zausch | IN | Team MYSTIC | 42' Mystic
Xavier Fauvel | FL | Team CONCEPT OF KNIGHTS | 30' Concept
Brian Murray | NJ | Team MIDNIGHT | 43' Midnight Express
Jeremy Porter | IN | Team FORMULA | 38' Formula
Dan Kurzejewski | FL | Team ANYA | 40' Nor-Tech
Bill Raisbeck | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 40' Nor-Tech
FPC Girl Bella
Craig & Paula Ackerman | GA | Team LEVEL UP | 39' MTI
Jason Efron | FL | Team PARTY OF FIVE | 39' Cigarette
Deris Ceresa | FL | Team PHANTOM BLACK | 43' Midnight Express
Shawn & Shelby Aksamit | AZ | Team INSTAGATOR | 38' Skater
Anthony & Ivonne Sans | FL | Team SANS OF THE SEA | 45' Nor-Tech
Kenny Armstrong | TX | Team PHANTOM | 48' MTI
James & Tammy Johnson III | NJ | Team NEVER ENOUGH | 50' Nor-Tech
Patrick Dunn | CT | Team FUELING AROUND | 32' Sunsation
Dennis & Brianna Delatorre | FL | Team DEEP IMPACT | Deep Impact 499 Sport
Max Zeldich | FL | Team SUPERBAD | 36' Cigarette
FPC Girl Daniella
Mike Francisco | IL | Team THUNDER STRUCK | 38' Formula
Bob Scanlon | FL | Team AIRSHIP | 34' Airship
Adam Panichi | PA | Team "THE G SEA" | 41' Outerlimits
Randy & Sherelle Scism | MO | Team MTI | MTI 482
FPC Girls Courtney & Bella
Gilbert's Lunch
There was a time in the late 1980’s when the Everglades Poker Run from Fort Lauderdale trekked down to the Florida Keys, making Gilberts a routine lunch stop along the way. That tradition continued until a German entrepreneur took over the property in the early 1990’s and decided to rent his transient docks to liveaboard sailors with old, immobilized sailboats. Soon, the rustic resort with 37 hotel rooms and a dilapidated Tiki bar was barely accessible to transient boaters, including Florida Powerboat Club, which had begun running events to the Florida Keys in 1992. For years the FPC boats kept passing by to other destinations in the Keys, and then one day during a brief fuel stopover, the German owner, Reinhart Schaupp came to Stu asking, “I see you guys down here a lot lately, how can we get these powerboaters to start coming here to buy fuel?” The response went something like this. “How about you get rid of these derelict blow boats, clean up your docks, install some fenders and cleats, and focus on a better menu in the restaurant!”
After that short meeting and a few follow-up visits by Stu and a handyman friend, the much-needed changes were made. With the docks cleared and a powerboat-friendly owner eager to stimulate new business with the deep-pocket gofast crowd, FPC started making Gilberts its unofficial Florida Keys headquarters. Then in the year 2000, FPC opened an office at Gilberts and began seeking investors to purchase the property from the German. While that venture may have sailed, Gilberts was eventually sold to new owners a decade later, and the new team was eager to forge a strong partnership with FPC. The rest is history, and to this day FPC has made Gilberts its most popular lunch stopover for virtually every event, and the Thursday run for the Key West Poker Run, somehow sets a new record every year for number of boats and guests visiting for lunch. SJ
Joe & Nikole Gilstorf | MI | Team G-FOURSE | 41' Cigarette
Fiday Night Lights!
The Key West Poker Run Village at the Conch Republic Seafood Company was created in 1999, with the premise that FPC members and their invited poker guests needed to have a playground they could call their own. Furthermore, the venue was designed for marine industry sponsors to provide them with a display venue to showcase their latest boats, motors and bling to the thousands of powerboat enthusiasts in town. The solution, was a four-day format starting Thursday, with boats on display in the water and on land, great food every from 11am to 11pm, a bar within a sixty seconds walking distance to re-hydrate the spirit, and of course entertainment to keep the festive vibe thumping along!
Leading the entertainment agenda, the Key West Body Painting exhibition has stood the test of time for several years, and is usually staged on Thursday evening as the kickoff event on the main stage.
For the 2024 Key West event, the weather challenges forced organizers to adopt a revised agenda of events, which carried the Thursday night body painting event to Friday evening, which seemed to fit just perfectly into the event format. Special thanks to our returning local painters Hector, Meike and the other artists who joined in, as well as the brave ladies who bared (almost) all to put on a great show! It was a fun evening delivered in a casual Key West style, hosted by Stu Jones who was joined by radio personality Bill Hoebee from Wail 99.5, to introduce the contestants. Congratulations to all the winners and we hope you enjoy the photos! SJ
SATURDAY = PLAY DAY!
More Boats, Bikinis and Big Horsepower!
After dealing with the challenges of a passing hurricane earlier in the week, the boating weather improved just a little more by the day, allowing for a large group of boats to arrive on Friday, and then by Saturday, it was time to play! Despite many participant cancellations due to named-storm insurance restrictions and travel challenges, more than half of the 250+ registered teams had their boats fueled and ready for adventure! As always, the FPC photo and video crew was locked and loaded, as two helicopter teams were ready for the task with six hours of flying time on Saturday were scheduled over local Key West waters.
The first ninety minutes with the chopper crew was reserved for FPC Key West sponsors, who are instructed to head to the south side of Key West, an ideal location due to its close proximity to the airport and an area that is often is clear of the high traffic. US coast guard Key West reminded
FPC organizers to always stay clear of congested Key West harbor, including the shipping channel where cruise ships make way to and from Key West. Special thanks to FPC video producer Ryan McCoy, who coordinated these efforts with a team of talented photo and video professionals, including Jeff Helmkamp, Ryan Ferraro, and Mike Sheaks. It is an extremely difficult task to manage the logistics of these photo flights, with so many boats going in all different directions, and therefore the placement of FPC event decals is paramount to identifying and shooting these poker run teams.
Editor’sNote:AsthepresidentofFPCandorganizerofthese events,theeditorisstillpuzzledbeyondbelief,athowmany teams are still not wearing PFD’s in this high-performance boating arena, as evidenced by many of the photos in this editorial feature.
Above /Below: DJ Ceresa had his crew Super-sized for Key West.
Conch Rep Seafood company Sponsor dock.
Jackie Jones with FPC Girls Hannah, Sydney, Courtney & Bella
CATS VS VEES VS STERNDRIVES
Compared to a decade ago, it seems that the ongoing debate between various members of the performance boating community about which hull style (Cat vs Vee) performs best, or which style of propulsion ( Sterndrive vs. Outboard) is most suitable for the offshore performance arena, has slowly smoldered away, or at the very least, remains on light simmer. The well-documented transition from old school performance v-bottoms from the likes of Apache, Cigarette, Fountain, Nor-Tech and Wellcraft to a surge of new center console models from more than a dozen mainstream performance builders, has certainly changed the landscape of the performance boating world as we once knew it.
It is now crystal clear, that there are more makes and models, more hull styles, and more engine options than ever before. Whether it's a twin 500R outboard cat that cruises all day at 100mph with eight grown adults riding comfortably on board, or a stern-drive center console Cigarette that runs triple digits with Mercury Racing 1100’s on 90-rec pump gas, the choices today are endless. Regardless of the status of the ongoing debate among enthusiasts, what matters the most is keeping Johnny Q Powerboater satisfied, and it seems that most of the key players in the sport have found their personal Holy Grail. Nothing could better illustrate this fact, than the amazing fleet of high-performance hardware that was displayed on the 2024 edition of the Key West Poker Run.
VS OUTBOARDS
James Adams | FL | Team MARLBORO MAN | 59' Cigarette Tirranna
Sam Gabriel | NJ | Team RAGING BULL SUPPORT | 50' MTI
Mario Diaz | FL| Team AMARA | 41' Cigarette
MARLBORO MAN Crew
Andrew Rocco | NH | Team TIME CONSCIOUS | 39' MTI
FPC Girl Bella
Paul Nigito | NJ | Team ENOUGH SAID | 52' Outerlimits
Kevin & Melissa Welch | MA | Team TA DA PINS | 39' MTI
Jack Villars | France | Team JACK | 40' MTI
Team ENOUGH SAID 1st mate Katherine.
Huston Adams | FL | Team MARLBORO MAN | 51' Cigarette
Jared & Chelsea Bartholomew | NY | Team STEEL TEAM
| 43' Midnight Express
James & Sonia Redding | GA | Team LA MEXICANA | 39' Deep Impact
FPC Girls Courtney & Bella
Justin & Cicely Wagner | MO | Team WAVES AND WHEELS MARINE | 39' Doug Wright
Hugo & Tamara Prigue | FL | Team WAYS AND WHEELS MARINE | 36' Doug Wright
Chris Ribeiro | OK | Team DON'T TELL 'EM | 52' Nor-Tech
Joe Erickson | MD | Team ORANGE CRUSH | 42' Skater
FPC Girls Courtney, Bella & Emily
David Kramer | NJ | Team NAUTI TENDENSEAS | 39' Nor-Tech
Eddie & Emma Collier | TN | Team RIGHT NOW | 39' Deep Impact
Chris Nazetta | IL | Team BLU GATTI | 48' MTI
Matt & Shannon Brayton | CA | Team CHASING TAIL | 39' Deep Impact
Gary Karwowski | FL | Team LOADED DECK | 42' Mystic
Ryan Cullmann | MO | Team INNOVATIVE MARINE DESIGNS | 39' Nor-Tech
Steven Woitkun | NH | Team MUST BE NICE | 42' Mystic
FPC Girl Daniella
Kyle Fowler | GA | Team SMOKIN' 420 | 42' Wright Performance
Bryan Houtchens | CA | Team MEANT TO IMPRESS | 50' MTI
Shane & Carla Jespersen | MD | Team CANCEL THIS 2.0 | 42' Outerlimits
Michael Friedman | FL | Team CRAZY HORSE | 41' Apache
Mark Palanchian | FL | Team TOP GUN FLIGHT 1130 | 38' Cigarette
James Ferrell Jr | FL | Team ALL FIRED UP | 39' Cigarette
Ray & Jill Kowalik | MO | Team BIKINI BOTTOM
42' MTI
An early recon run to Woman Key was made by Stu Jones in the Cigarette Top Fun Flight 1130, revealing that the rafting conditions were moderate at best. Anchoring in the soft sand would present no challenges for most, although the light swell would make it difficult for multiple boat raft-ups, risking damage or crew injury due to the constant rocking. Starting about 10am and over the course of the next two hours, there was a continued exodus of high performance hardware departing from Key West Harbor, for the short 10-mile run to Woman Key, which is part of the Florida Keys National Refuge. With the warmer temperatures and plenty of soft sand at their feet to wade around, many teams enjoyed the rendezvous and were captured by the FPC chopper for some great photo and video action! One of the day’s highlights included a group of Nor-Tech owners who planned a very special event on board Dave Raisbeck’s 92 Viking, where FPC members from Texas, Greg Connell and his first mate Jennifer Bishop exchanged wedding vows.
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
FUN RUN TO WOMAN KEY RENDEZVOUS
Trond Schou from Nor-Tech performed the wedding ceremony for Greg & Jennifer Connell, aboard this magnificent 92 Viking belonging to Dave Raisbeck.
Saturday Night Bash!
With the Conch Republic Seafood company as the official “party clubhouse”, the traditional Saturday evening buyout gave FPC members an exclusive venue to enjoy dinner with their crew and fellow FPC members. For the second consecutive year, a dedicated poker run tent was at full capacity for most of the evening, as the FPC girls dealt the final poker hands to highly-spirited teams, many of whom played out extra cards in pursuit of that ultimate winning hand. With a high value poker run purse at stake, all participants were given a chance to take home some of the $40,000 offered in cash and prizes for the top five winning teams.
Awarding a grand prize Mustang convertible from Offsleasonly.com was no longer on the table after Mark & Eileen Fischer sold their car dealership in 2020, but the Fischer’s have since parlayed their support to FPC with $ 10,000 donation towards the Key West winners on behalf of Deep Impact Custom Boats. Additional prizes included an electric Costa Golf cart sponsored by SD Marine ( 1st place) two Icon electric bikes (2nd place) plus electronics from SCI Communications, and a floating playground from Sun Chill (3rd through 5th place).
The entertainment agenda on the main stage was robust, as dozens of Key West Sponsor Appreciation awards and President’s Choice awards were presented by the FPC team, while the party goers enjoyed the festive evening. With a backdrop of almost thirty boats at the sponsor dock, lit up with colorful LED lighting and with paint jobs gleaming, the evening provided amazing photo ops for hundreds of visitors and guests, along the crowded Historic Seaport docks. Congratulations to all poker run winners, and a very special thanks to our participants, event sponsors and partners, for showing their continued support with Florida Powerboat Club!
SJ
Chris Ribeiro & Crew- Team DON'T TELL 'EM
FPC girls Courtney, Emily, Hannah, Sarah & Bella
1st Place WInner - Derek Ritchie - Team DT78
2st Place WInner Jason Efron - Team PARTY OF FIVE
Good Samaritan Award - Nicholas & Heather Mitchell - Team OFF SITE
Michael Tandoi - Team SPEED RACER
Sexiest Crew - Team CONCEPT
Sexiest Crew - Deris Ceresa - Team PHANTOM BLACK
5th Place Winner - Athony Piraino - Team FULL SEND Best Quint Center Console - Team DEEP IMPACT
James Adams & Crew - Team MARLBORO MAN
4th Place Winner - Kevin & Melissa Welch - Team - TA DA PINS
- Nor-Tech Hi Performance
a
Member Appreciation Award - Michael Alexander - TJA Motorsports
Marc Wilson - Wilson Custom Marine
James Adams & Crew - Team Marlboro Man
Best Performance V-Bottom, Most Enthusiastic Team
Sponsor Award - Grove Harbour Marina Austin Griffin
Sponsor Award - Fountain Boats/Cortez Cove
Simon Williams with daughter Jessica
Sponsor Award
Boats
Stu received special award with
custom made signature plaque from the Nor-Tech employees for the new Nor-tech 390#500 King Of Clubs.
Best Restomod Boat - Max Zeldich - Team SUPERBAD
Sponsor Award - Kevin Skiba - Mercury Racing
Three teams received Broken Propeller Awards
Sponsor Award - Manny Oses - Renegade Powerboats
Second Place Winners Team PARTY OF FIVE trying out their new Icon E-bikes
Sponsor Award - Eric & Hagen Glaser - Midnight Express
Sponsor Award - A&B Marina Mark Corbelli
Sponsor Award - Alex Thompson & Carlos Ruga Cigarette Racing
Sponsor Award - Jeremy Porter - Formula Boats
Best Dressed Crew - Michael Tandoi - Team SPEED RACER
Sponsor Award - Legend Marine Group TX
Best Sound System - Eric Avila - Team CONCEPT
Best Classic Boat - Frank & Christi Ungarten Team FRANK'S MARINE SERVICE - 36' Apache
Special thanks to the entire team from Florida Powerboat Club
CHILLIN’ IN PARADISE!
For the first adventure of 2025, Florida Powerboat Club members were in for a bit of a chill , and although temperatures dropped to record lows, the festive spirits remained high!
Story by: Stu Jones
One of FPC’s longest running events kicked off the 2025 calendar year with the late January Winter Fun Run, which returned to Playa Largo Resort in Key Largo hosting a fleet of about 26 registered powerboat teams. While the event is generally promoted as a “mid-winter escape to paradise”, giving powerboat enthusiasts from northern climates a chance to enjoy a weekend adventure in tropical paradise, Mother Nature put a little spin on the agenda by serving up some almost-record colder temperatures.
In the days leading up to the Friday morning departure from Coconut Grove, a wintery storm system wreaked havoc across southern states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida’s panhandle, with record snow in coastal cities including Pensacola, Destin and Tallahassee. That brought a cold front to South Florida that put a chill in the air that dropped down into the low fifties, as the teams gather at Grove Harbour Marina for the 11am departure to Key Largo. And yet, in spite of the colder temperatures, it
was apparent that many teams who hailed from homeports including NY, NJ, MI, MN, MO, IL, AZ, GA, TN …all agreed that while it was unexpectedly colder in Florida than usual, it was by far a better (and warmer) place to be than the sub-zero temperatures back home.
After a casual dockside breakfast and a quick captains meeting, the amazing display of high-performance hardware from the leading manufacturers was tuned and ready for action, setting out in Biscayne Bay for the short romp to Gilberts in Key Largo for the scheduled lunch stopover.
Leading the charge, FPC’s new official support boat, KING OF CLUBS, which celebrates the 500th build of the wildly popular Nor-Tech 390 Sport model. With the FPC President Stu Jones ( your writer), at the helm, a crew of guests were welcomed on board, as the family of Oregon native Brian Blount had been rendered boatless due to a mechanical failure on the family’s new cat.
It was the perfect platform for the family to enjoy the Florida Keys for their very first time, partly because they had never ridden on a Nor-Tech center console, and especially in view of the fact they had travelled thousands of miles to attend.
With a cold damp chill in the air, most would agree that the first leg of the run to Key Largo wasn’t the most comfortable ride, but by early Friday afternoon and after a warm and hearty buffet served up by the team at Gilberts, the tiki bar DJ had the teams dancing the chill away and it was a festive weekend from that point onwards!
After settling in at the luxurious Playa Largo Resort, the evening cocktail party was moved from the windy outdoor venue at Sole by the Sea, to the comfort of the main lobby bar, where a casual setting gave the FPC members a chance to meet new boating friends and enjoy the camaraderie of the 100-plus fun run participants who came from more than a dozen states to attend.
Saturday morning saw warmer temperatures and sunny skies, as the group departed for the scheduled lunch fun run, taking a scenic tour through the backwaters of the Marvin Adams cut from Blackwater Sound, through Largo Sound and mangrove waterways to the Atlantic Ocean, which was surprisingly manageable due to the west winds. It was a short hop less than twenty miles offshore to Whale Harbor Channel, where the boats turned in to Islamorada, making the all-new Three Waters Resort the official lunch rendezvous spot for the Saturday run. Formerly named Postcard Inn & Holiday Isle
Resort, the Three Waters Resort featured renovated rooms and upgraded amenities, opening the door to another possible weekend event venue for FPC in 2026 and beyond.
Before returning to Playa Largo Resort on the protected backwaters of Florida Bay, a small handful of participants ventured off to Papa Joe’s Waterfront in Islamorada, a popular boating stopover for locals, which had recently undergone a major renovation, including a spacious dining room, outdoor picnic area, and the best attraction, new docks. This adds yet another great bayside dining option for boaters traveling through the Upper Keys, although it does take some careful navigation using the chartplotter, to reach this spot without incident. ( as witnessed by the crew on board the King of Clubs…shhhhh our little secret)
With everyone safely back at Playa Largo after a scenic day of boating, Saturday evening offered a casual format for all participants, many of whom explored off-property to enjoy local restaurants including the Fish House, Conch House, Lazy Lobster and nearby Snappers, all of which are known for their amazing fresh and locally caught seafood.
Sunday provided the warmest and sunniest of the three days, giving everyone a pleasant ride back to homeports including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. Special thanks to all FPC sponsors and participants for joining us on this chilly-but-fun launch to the exciting lineup of 2025 FPC Powerboating in Paradise events.
SJ
Photos by: Tyler & Stu Jones
Ryan Cullmann | MO | Team LETS BOAT | 39' Nor-Tech
Sal & Stephanie Olivia | MO | Team X-SCAPE II | 40' Mystic
Jason & Lisa Hill | MO | Team BOUGHT OUT | 38' Fountain
Michael Tandoi | NY | Team SPEED RACER | 44' MTI
Jeremy & Lis Stradley | MI | Team 90% | 42' Mystic
Cordell Goddard | MO | Team BIG THUNDER | 34' Fountain
Jim and Tammy Johnson | NJ | Team NEVER ENOUGH | 42' MTI
The docks at Playa Largo Resort.
Marvin Adams cut in Key Largo, scenic waterway from Blackwater Sound to the Atlantic coastal waters.
• Triple Mercury Racing 400R-V10
• Mercury Racing DTS Controls
• Vesselview 502 Digital Display
• Mercury Racing Ventera Propellers
Automatic 3-engine fresh water flush system
Underwater lights and complete onboard lighting package
Full range of Garmin Marine products furnished by SCI. (2) 22" chartplotters, Autopilot, scanner, VHF radio, rearfacing camera
Keyless ignition system with remote fob.
Stu Jones at helm of the new Nor-Tech 390-500 "King Of Clubs"
On
maiden voyage during Key West Poker Run 2024
Sureshade Sunbrella electric retractable cockpit shade
Inverter-powered
Leading GPS technology security & tracking system
cabin air conditioning system
18-speaker JL Audio system
High quality Alcantara and Spradling Fresco fabrics throughout cockpit & cabin.
Marine Mat decking throughout cockpit & gunnels
Custom aluminum Myco triple axle trailer with tongue mounted boarding ladder, fresh water brake flush and wash down system, LED lighting, motorcycle ramps, tool box and much more!
FPC NOR-TECH 390-500 "KING OF CLUBS"
TheFPCNor-Tech390-500wasintroducedattheFortLauderdale BoatShowandmadeitspokerrundebutattheFPCKeyWestPoker thispastNovember. PoweredbyMercuryRacingtriple400R-V10 outboards, this 390 Club Sport celebrates the 500th 390 Sport model, which was introduced by Nor-Tech in 2011. Along with the dedicated team of professionals at Nor-Tech Hi-Performance
Boatsthatbuiltthiswell-equippedsportcenterconsole,therewere several other partner-companies that played a key role in make thisboataveryuniqueproject,creatingaperformanceboatthatis perfectlyadaptedforitsroleonFPCpokerrunevents.Thisfeature article is solely dedicated to all those who participated in the creationofKingofClubs!
NOR-TECH HI PERFORMANCE
BOATS: Since 1991, Norwegian co-founders Trond Schou and Nils Johnsen have built a legacy around their brand, which has included a diverse lineup of high-performance v-bottoms, catamarans, center consoles and performance yachts from 29’ to 80’! After a successful buildpartnership with FPC on the 2008 Nor-Tech 3900 Supervee, the long-awaited King of Clubs 390#500, celebrates the 500th build of Nor-Tech’s most successful model ever created, the Nor-Tech 390 Sport model. www.nor-techboats.com | Ph: 239-567-5030
MERCURY RACING:
Rarely does a single manufacturing entity dominate an entire sport and take a 99% market share of an industry sector that continues to grow at a rapid pace. Mercury Racing dominates in the performance boating arena as the leading provider of reliable, warrantied, technology-driven outboard and stern-drive engines and drive systems that have re-invented the powerboating lifestyle as we know it. The Nor-Tech 390#500 is equipped with triple Mercury Racing 400R V10 outboards, and is complimented with a Vesselview monitoring system, Zero-Effort DTS controls, four-blade Ventera propellers and Mercury Racing 280 K-plane for stable vessel control. At 54mph the fully-loaded Nor-Tech 390 cruises efficiently with 1.0 mph fuel economy, which is outstanding for its class!
www.mercuryracing.com | Ph: 920-921-533
MYCO TRAILERS:
This Bradenton-based custom trailer manufacturer has been a leader in design and fabrication of steel and aluminum powerboat trailers for over five decades. This 3-axle, custom painted, aluminum frame Myco trailer built for the Nor-Tech 390#500 incorporates all of the design features that Myco has engineered over many years, such as electric over hydraulic breaking system, rugged aluminum boarding ladder, 12V on-board fresh water flush system with deep cycle battery and solar-powered charger, pressurized waterproof wheel hubs, quick-flush brake rinsing attachment and fire-hose covered bunks. Rigged out with custom wheels and LED lighting, diamond plate motorcycle and tool box platforms, this trailer is a showpiece and is a perfect match for the King of Clubs! www.mycotrailers.com | Ph: 941-748-2397
SCI-SUPERIOR COMMUNICATIONS/GARMIN:
SCI is a Maryland-based distributor of high-end marine and land-based logistics management and communications systems, including a full line of products from Garmin USA, ICOM and the David Clark Company, leader in aviation headsets. SCI’s owner David Tievy is an active boater and twenty-five year veteran with Florida Powerboat Club, and has equipped the Nor-Tech 390 with everything imaginable, including twin 22” Garmin chartplotters, Garmin DSC VHF radio, Garmin Autopilot system and aft-facing Garmin onboard camera. SCI’s partnership with FPC dates back to the 2008 custom build of the Nor-Tech 39’ Supervee, and since then every FPC official boat, including the 33’ Ocean Hawk, 38’ Cigarette and 50’ Sunseeker, have received product support from SCI! www.scicommo.com | Ph: 301-762-7878
LUMISHORE
LIGHTING: Lumishore is the leader in high-performance “Boatwide” LED lighting systems for marine applications. All products are known for their brightness, rich colors, and the ability to create a variety of lighting effects throughout the boat. The Nor-Tech 390#500 is equipped with a full range of Lumishore fullspectrum lighting products, including underwater lights, cockpit lights, speaker grill and cupholder lighting, and can be synchronized in limitless configurations through the NEMA bridge to the Garmin GPS system and through remote control integration using the Lumishore App for smartphones.
www.lumishore.com Use the Lumishore website to find a dealer near you.
SURESHADE BY LIPPERT: Sureshade is the highest quality automated retractable shade system available for yachts, cruisers and center console powerboats. The innovative canvas shade utilizes an electric stainless steel telescoping frame, which enhances the boating experience, especially when over-exposure to direct sunlight can spoil an otherwise great day at the beach raft-up party! SureShade’s patented telescoping sunshade systems provide boaters with more choice, comfort, and convenience, delivering superior on-board sun protection. Shades are custom ordered in a variety of colors and sizes and require OEM or dealer installation to ensure proper integration and seamless operation.
www.lippert.com | Ph: 432-Lippert (547-7378)
MARINE CUSTOMS
LLC: Based in Melbourne FL, Marine Customs can transform any boat new or used with a spectacular selection of U-DEK and Marine Mat decking products, customized to fit any surface. The Nor-Tech 390#500 is equipped with bow-to-stern decking on floors, gunnels, transom platform, cockpit side panels, and bolster footrests. This complete package offers a clean, uniform and aesthetically pleasing look, while providing non-slip surfaces for safe boarding and high-speed cruising! Marine Customs provided additional custom treatments for the Nor-Tech, like 4 inch hi-density foam foot risers at both helm and 2nd row seating, giving driver and passengers elevated viewing positions and comfortable shock mitigation for long rides in choppy sea conditions.
www.marinecustoms.net | Ph: 321-392-5539
COASTKEY: The new Coastkey is a true keyless ignition system for boats, which allows the operator to start and stop the engines from the start panel at the helm, and/or use a remote control FOB. The FOB provides wireless functionality, but more importantly acts as a wireless engine cutoff switch. For newer Mercury engines, installation is incredibly easy since the Coastkey panel fits directy into the same cutout as the ignition switch connectors fit right onto the existing wiring harness. Coastkey is fast becoming a standard OEM option with many boat builders.
www.coastkey.com | Ph: 954-398-5096
KEYSTON BROS: Only the finest fabrics are used in every Nor-Tech cockpit and interior, and the leading source for marine manufacturers is Keyston Bros. The NorTech 390-500 received a custom themed interior, with the poker card-suit stitching throughout the boat, using Spradling Fresco and Alcantara fabrics, giving the King of Club’s interior a luxurious look, while ensuring durability in the harsh salt water marine environment. Keyston Bros is a 150+ year company that prides itself in designing innovative textiles that are used in the automotive, outdoor, furniture and marine industries, with 18 warehouses nationwide.
www.keystonbros.com | Ph: 954-462-0707
THE MARINE GUARDIAN: The Marine Guardian is a leader in GPS tracking, security and monitoring devices in the maritime industry for all size vessels. This advance tracking system can be customized by the user with full capability of entrance zone notifications, plus monitor multiple onboard systems such as battery life, high water, shore power, door sensors etc, with notification alarms that are managed through The Marine Guardian smartphone app. Insurance companies love The Marine Guardian, and every performance boat should be equipped with this amazing technology!
www.themarineguardian.com | Ph: 954-613-22553
REVERSO PUMPS: The Nor-Tech 390-500 is equipped with a Reverso Pumps Automatic Onboard Flushing System, designed specifically for multi-engine outboard applications. Saltwater corrosion is a leading cause of engine damage, and with a garden hose and a push of a button, the system flushes all of the engines one-by-one, automatically, and will continue the process until completed, even after the operator has departed. This new model from Reverso that is installed on the King of Clubs, features larger fittings and higher volume water flow from previous units, as well as the LED control panel.
www.reversopumps.com | Ph: 954-522-0882
FMMS-FREEDOM MEDICAL & MARINE SOLUTIONS : FMMS provided a 3500 BTU marine air conditioning pump for the cabin of the 390-500. With its small size and low power draw this unit is perfect for a any center console cabin, and with the help of a 12v inverter this unit will run for hours on a properly sized battery bank. The low-profile contour makes it ideal for installing under a bunk or seat compartment, and the newly designed stainless steel drain pan has two drain locations to choose from. Stu Jones did admit that the winter chill hasn’t created the need to test the a/c on the Nor-Tech yet, but summer temps are just around the corner! www.fmmsusa.com | Ph: 239-689-5033
JL AUDIO: Anyone in the marine industry would know that name JL AUDIO, which has long established itself as the leader in the manufacturing of high-end audio speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers and components that rock the dock at every poker run! For Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats and for many of the leading performance builders, JL Audio systems are the go-to standard, and customers are provided with the chance to create their own personal system, from mild to wild. More importantly, JL Audio components are built for the rigors of the offshore performance marine industry, and the King of Clubs proudly displays the perfect blend of JL Audio equipment with the finest sound clarity, whether at speed, or at anchor. www.jlaudio.com Use the JL Audio website to locate a dealer near you.
FPC MEMBERSHIP MARKETPLACE
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 RECOGNIZING these FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB COMMERCIAL MEMBERS: