Powerboating In Paradise: Issue 10 #3

Key West SpecialEdition VOL 10 # 3

A M agazine Showc asing the Florida Powerboat Club Lifest yle

KEY WEST 2009 HIGHLIGHTS 5GXGP FC[U QH UWP FTGPEJGF HWP

SUMMER 2010 SNEAK PEEK!

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KEY WEST 2010 A-LIST! 6GCOU TGCF[ HQT #EVKQP

Miss Key West Poker Run 2010

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WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE MAGAZINE Key West Poker Run 2010 Special Edition

EDITOR/PUBLISHER Stu Jones stu.fpc@gmail.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Juan C Grisales fpcmag@gmail.com

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EVENT COORDINATORS Jackie Jones Laura Schrader fpcevents@gmail.com

MEMBER SERVICES

Laura Schrader fpcservices@gmail.com Direct all inquiries to

FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB 1214 S.W. 6 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

All copyright laws apply.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher

News and Views from FPC Founder & President.

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KEY WEST 2009 HIGHLIGHTS

The 17th Annual Key West Poker Run earned its position as the top ranked poker run in the nation, according to a pole by Powerboat Magazine readers. We’re honored at FPC to receive such great accolades, and this feature is a tribute to all the participants and sponsors that helped make our 2009 event one of the best ever!

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Stu Jones Jim Wenger Tim Sharkey Stacy Hanrahan

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

KEY WEST 2010 – AND THE PLAYERS ARE….!

At the time of publication (Nov 1, 2010) we were on our way to 140 registered teams and a sponsor list that includes all of the major players in the world of recreations high-performance boating. Check out the amazing list of 2010 participants, that is sure to grow even bigger in the days leading up to the event. ( Updated list in Key West captains kits)

Bahamas Poker Run 2010- Sneak Peek

With over seven hundred beautiful islands in paradise on our doorstep, the Bahamas is still the best place for adventurous boaters to explore, and Bimini once again proved itself as the ideal destination.

(Complete coverage in next issue)

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Emerald Coast Poker Run 2010- Sneak Peek

With all the hype and bad publicity from the BP Gulf Oil Crisis, some boaters may have steered away from this festive event…boy were they mistaken! Clean waters, pristine Beaches and boat week parties kept this event at Blockbuster status it deserves.

Florida Powerboat Club 2011 Event Calendar

Its not entirely complete, but the BIG ONES are there and its time to mark you calendars.. 2011 Promises new Adventures in Paradise!

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On the Cover: Michael Merritt’s 44 Cigarette MERRITORIOUS, powered by Mercury Racing HP1075SCi’s. Look for Michael on the Key West Poker Run 2010. Don’t expect to see another Cig like this one.....it’s one-of-a-kind.

Model: Our lovely Lauren Kelly competed with eight other beauties at the FPC Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Bash, winning the crown as Miss Key West Poker Run 2010. You can bet she will be along for the ride...so be on the look out!

I

Letter from the

Summer 2010

President

t’s unfortunate that our FPC Members and Powerboating in Paradise readers had to miss an entire issue of the magazine this summer, but sometimes there are forces beyond our control. Most often, it’s Mother Nature that takes the upper hand when planning poker run events, bringing unwanted winds or rain, but we somehow we figure out a way to work around bad weather. (The Bacardi and Grey Goose gods somehow take the edge off a 500 mile trailer journey and a ten grand poker run weekend that didn’t put two hours on the boat!).

But late this spring, and through the entire summer of 2010, we dealt with an entirely new force. Not natural, but rather man-made. I hate to point a finger and play the blame game, but it’s pretty clear that BP really messed things up for the Florida Powerboat Club in 2010. It began with our 2nd Annual Panama City Poker Run which was scheduled for mid-May, just three weeks after the news of the oil spill had flooded the media. With knee-jerk reaction from many boaters, there was a reluctance to attend, and it seemed prudent to push the event back into the summer months, giving BP the chance to cap the gusher and clean up their mess. Boy were we wrong!

As spring rolled into summer, and millions of gallons of crude kept spilling into the gulf, the 18th Annual Emerald Coast Poker Run was the next target of this disaster.

From the often incorrect media reporting to the service bulletins from Mercury Marine that identified the severe damages that could occur to Mercury outboard and stern drive products when contacted by oil and dispersants, the news spread, and the “let’s-wait-and-see” attitude became common among boaters from Texas to New York. The challenge for FPC was to get the “truth” reported to would-be poker runners, that there was no major presence of oil along the panhandle beaches, and that the poker run courses would be along inland and protected intracoastal waterways, away from any threat. In the end, we managed to lose one 2010 poker run event, the Emerald Coast Poker Run took a major hit with registration and sponsorship way down, and

Stu & Jackie Jones

one complete issue of Powerboating in Paradise Magazine was put on the shelf. Fortunately, the BP oil claim process is place with Kenneth Feinberg as administrator, and it appears that the Federal government (and BP by default) are committed to correcting the financial losses and damages were the direct result of this disaster.

Some might say or think the BP oil crisis is old news, and it’s time to move on. Nothing could be further from the truth. From commercial fishing to recreational marine, travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, and everything even remotely connected, it is far from over. In fact, it is only the beginning.

As we move into 2011, Florida Powerboat Club members will see some notable changes to the event calendar with the addition of some exciting new formats and the removal of events that perhaps are not quite ready to mature. As always, we are open to suggestions from our members, and it’s important to remember, there is strength in numbers. In the real world, if just two or three members have an idea for a new event…it most likely won’t get past the idea stage. On the other hand, if ten or twenty members approach us with an idea for a new event format….you have my attention!

While the corporate documents may reflect that there is but one individual listed as the FPC owner, it’s somewhat ironic that the owner sees it differently. In my mind, it’s the FPC members that are in charge of how the club is operated. So take charge guys…it’s YOUR club!

Finally, as the ink dries on this issue of Powerboating in Paradise Magazine, the 18th Annual Key West Poker Run is about to kickoff from Miami on November 9th, with our week-long festival format that includes an exciting Key West Poker Run Village at the Conch Republic Seafood Company in the Historic Seaport.. So join us for the adventure and the fun, and more importantly, let’s all make a 100% commitment to keeping it safe! See you at the Conch Farm!

Stu Jones President & Founder Florida Powerboat Club

Got a comment for me?

E-mail me at stu.fpc@gmail.com

® The new 390 Center Console See every one of these unique Nor-Tech models at the Key West Poker Run 2010!

4000 Roadster

5000 Roadster

427 Supervee

5000 Supervee

Super 80 Performance Yacht

Nor-Tech is a proud Sponsor of the 18th Annual Key West Poker Run, and welcomes all participants! See Nor-Tech’s entire lineup at the Key West Poker Run Village, at the Conch Republic Seafood Company, starting November 11th.

00 Roadster

upervee The 17th Annual Key West Offshore Poker Run kicked from Miami in early November with its weeklong festival format that once again set this event apart from any other poker run event in North America. With over one hundred and fifty poker run teams registered from around the globe, it was the most incredible display of the latest in offshore performance craft that could be found among the finest harbors in the world.

The same could be said about the poker run course‌ an adventurous tour from Miami which navigates a 170 mile ride through the scenic Florida Keys to Key SuperWest.

80 Stops along the way include Coconut Grove, Key Performance Yacht Largo, Islamorada and Marathon to name a few. Due to the challenges faced by organizers as the poker run grew in numbers, the event adopted a multiple departure format over a decade ago, allowing captains to se6

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

lect any one of four departure days to take the scenic journey and gather up their poker run cards along the way. On consecutive days, Tuesday through Friday, an eclectic mix of powerboats of all descriptions paraded along the skysraper-lined waterfront of the Magic City.

Boats ranging in size from 25 to 80 feet made up the enormous fleet that included everything from center console outboard powered sport boats, to fifty foot turbine powered catamarans that boasted speeds in excess of one hundred sixty miles per hour, and luxurious performance yachts such as the Sunseeker 75 Predator and the all-new Nor-Tech Super 80 Performance yacht.

With the exception of just one rain delay on Wednesday, sunny days and tropical temperatures prevailed for the duration of the event, thereby fulfilling Florida’s official claim to nickname, the Sunshine State.

Dave Raisbeck - MN Team RAISERS EDGE 43’ Nor-Tech Supervee Power: Triple Mercury Racing 700 SCi

It may have surprised many participants and industry experts alike to see such a strong showing of the latest and most advanced performance marine hardware found anywhere, at a time when the U.S. economy is still struggling with a significant economic recession.

On the contrary, it appears that recreational powerboat owners remain passionate about their sport, and are apparently undaunted by economic woes of any sort.

One team claimed that the nearly $10,000 US expense to haul the boat from the mid-west and then pay for higher priced accommodations in Key West, were offset by simply cutting back on a few other poker runs closer to home during the summer season. Others met the financial challenge by teaming up with fellow club members and sharing the experience in one boat, rather than two….cutting down on transportation, fuel and slip fees. While this certainly brought the overall boat-

count down by about twenty percent from the 200 boat fleet organizers saw just two years prior, the actual “head count” remained somewhat consistent, with close to seven hundreds registered guests on the run.

The 17th Annual edition of the Key West Poker Run also enjoyed strong sponsorship support, not only from the performance marine trade, but also from non-traditional corporate entities. The title sponsor position was held by South Florida automobile dealership, OffleaseOnly.com, which made it possible for organizers to give up a 2009 Ford Mustang convertible as the poker run Grand Prize.

Other supporters included the leading performance manufacturers including, (alphabetically), Cigarette, Nor-Tech, MTI, Outerlimits, Statement and Sunsation Powerboats.

Text continued page 18

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KEY WEST 2009 TUESDAY RUN

First mate Miss Jessica assured plenty of help at the dock for FREEDOM US1.

Photos by: Stacey Hanrahan

Editorial by: Stu Jones

Jim Lee- Kansas Team FREEDOM US1 46’ Skater Power: Expert Engines 1000 HP

Nick Frantation-IL Team ROCKETMAN 47’ Outerlimits- Power: Twin Cobrapower 1200 HP

John Cosker-FL Team MYSTIC POWERBOATS 62’ Mystic VeeTwin Caterpillar 1500HP Turbo-charged diesels

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

KEY WEST 2009 TUESDAY RUN

Les Collins-OH Team SMOKE ON THE WATER 42 Fountain Lightning Power: Chief Engines

Scott Jobin-GA Team MR J.38 Cigarette Top GunPower: Custom 750HP

Ron & Sandi Sporl- AL Team SPORLED ROTTEN 38’ FountainPower: Twin 1100HP Ron Sporl Performance engines.

Kerry & Rhonda Leong- British Columbia Canada Team: HOLY SMOKE Outerlimits 44 GTXPower: Twin Mercury Racing 1075’s Peoples Choice Award: Farthest Trailered

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KEY WEST 2009 WEDNESDAY RUN Dr. Ino Halegua- FL Team SOBE BUTIE 38’ Cigarette Top Gun – Power: Mercury Racing 525EFI Best Poker Hand- Won a 2009 Ford Mustang from Offleaseonly.com

Charles DeFranza-NJ Team TATONKA 41’ Apache – Power: Twin Chief Engines 1050HP

Martin Proulx- Quebec Canada Team NO LIMITS II Outerlimits 39 Quattro- Power: Mercury Racing 700SCi

Dennis Sykes- OK Team POKER N RUN 42’ Fountain Lightning- Power: Merlin/Custom 1150HP Peoples Choice Award: Best Team Name

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

KEY WEST 2009 WEDNESDAY RUN

Richard & Bridgette Robert- Quebec Canada Team KILIMAN 43’ Nor-Tech 4300 SuperveePower: Mercury Racing 850SCi Geoff & Sue Wanamaker-MD Team ARMED AND DANGEROUS 38 Cigarette Top GunPower: Merucry Racing 525EFI

Dave & Kim Ginfrida- NJ Team NO COMPROMISE 50’ Nor-Tech Supervee- Power: Triple Nor-Tech 850HP Jon Peed-MD Team FOUNTAIN Fountain 42 LightningPower: Mercury Racing 525EFI

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

With the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show taking place every October, just days before the start of Key West Poker Run in Miami, what better place than the Fort Lauderdale show to kick off the poker run festivities? It was our 5th year in a row for the occasion, and the Bahia Cabana Bar & Grill provided the perfect platform.

The evening heated up when the Panthers Ice Dancers arrived, to model their Casa Bikini Swimwear and promote their sexy new 2010 Calendar, which was in production at the time of the party. With a fun gang of FPC members in attendance, along with boat show visitors and all of our friends from the performance marine trade, the party was the perfect escape from a long day at the boat show, and the ideal launch for the 17th Annual Key West Poker Run!

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KEY WEST 2009 WEDNESDAY RUN Steve & Lisa Marini- NY Team OPEN HOUSE 43’ Nor-Tech 4300 SuperveeTwin Mercury Racing HP700SCi

Bill & Marie Duckworth-NY Team BAD BOY BILLY 51’ Outerlimits Sport YachtPower: Triple Mercury Racing 600SC John Gullans-CT Team SKATER 32’ Skater – Twin Mercury Outboard 300HP

Sean Higgins/John Wittenberger -PA Team HUSTLIN’ Hustler 388 Slingshot- Mercury Racing 525EFI

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

KEY WEST 2009 THURSDAY RUN

In addition to boat manufacturing sponsors mention earlier (p.8), engine and marine aftermarket sponsors included Chief Engines, Hardin Marine, Ocean LED and Ilmor Hi-Performance which display the all-new Ilmor 725 Indy, an engine drive combination that has already garnered tremendous acollades in performance marine circles. Ilmor’s president Paul Ray later commented on the results of their first-ever display at the Key West Poker Run Village, a fourday venue located at the landmark Conch Republic Seafood Company. “ We at ILMOR were truly impressed with both the volume and the quality of the visitors at the 2009 Key West Poker Run Village. It was really worth our eff ort to be there and we definitely plan to continue our support of these FPC venues to promote our new line of V-10 Engines and INDY drives.”

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said Ray at the PRI show just two weeks following the Key West event.

As the fourth and final poker run group arrived in Key West Harbor on Friday afternoon, poker run land-based activities began to ramp up, as the Florida Powerboat Club entertained its member guests with Sponsor Appreciation Party at the Poker Run Village. The evening began with awards being presented to all the leading sponsors, followed by a swimwear showcase that featured a colorful array of Venus Swimwear bikinis modeled by the lovely ladies from Key West Faces. As always, the party later migrated to Duval Street, where thousands of poker run guests and offshore racing enthusiasts partied till the wee hours in world-famous establishments like Sloppy Joe’s, Ricks and the Hogsbreath Saloon.

John O’Loughlin- NY Team JUSTICE Outerlimits 48’ Cat- Power: Mercury Racing 1075SCi.

While Offshore powerboat racing is still very much a focal point of what is loosely dubbed Powerboat Week in Key West, the tables have certainly turned over the last decade, in terms of the mix of participants attending. Back in the nineties, and as recently as 2001 or 2002, race organizers once saw well over one-hundred registered racing teams arriving to seek world titles in a variety of classes, but in a sport challenged by competing organizations and unscrupulous promoters, the turnouts have been lackluster in more recent years. And while the Key West Poker Run, having its roots as far back as 1993, is not a “newcomer” to the powerboating scene, the popularity of this poker run event has resulted in steady and measurable growth, now achieving consistant participation of between one hundred fifty and two hundred poker run teams year after year.

More conspicuously, a new breed of high-performance weekend warrior has evolved, one that spans many socio-economic classes and sees no geographic boundaries.

From the hard-working blue collar guy that learned early in life the importance of saving money for this highpriced hobby, to the wealthy business professional that relies on adrenaline-packed weekends to escape from the 48th floor executive boardroom, poker runs have given birth to a new breed of recreational boater. Geography plays less of a challenge to poker run attendees, as easydriving haulers and well-balanced trailers gobble up hundreds of miles effortlessly on North American highways. Overseas freighters make it possible for Europeans to move their forty foot offshore boats transatlantic for the tropical warmth of Florida in the winter months.

Continued page 24

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KEY WEST 2009 THURSDAY RUN

p

Mark & Eileen Fischer-FL Team EILEEN’S FIFTY 50’ Nor-Tech Supervee- Triple Nor-Tech 1000EFI Presenting Sponsor: OFFLEASEONLY.COM

p

Bill & Julie Pyburn- FL Team PURE PLATINUM ( aka World’s Fastest Pleasureboat) 38’ Skater 388- Power: CHIEF ENGINES 1350 SCEFI- 93 Octane Note: Record holding 185.7 mph on 93 Octane fuel for a boat under 40 foot!

Ben Lehman-OK Team SEX DRIVE ENERGY DRINK 44’ Nor-tech Roadster Power: Twin LEHMAN POWER 1200HP John & Maria Bettencourt-MA Team LAST CALL 47’ Fountain Lightning- Power: Triple Mercury/MRD 800HP

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Total dollar Insurance

Zachary Taylor-MI Team OUTERLIMITS 42’ Outerlimits LegacyPower: Mercury Racing HP850SCi

David & Kelli York-TX Team SHOCKING BEHAVIOR 39’ Cigarette Top GunPower: Twin Mercury Racing 700SCi

John & Marilyn Mattaliano-NJ Team JAMMIN’ 43’ Nor-Tech SuperveePower: Twin Nor-Tech 650HP

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

KEY WEST 2009 THURSDAY RUN Above all, new trends have evolved in the poker run arena, and a new genre of bling has risen from spirit of showmanship, as these powerboaters now supplement their entertainment by hauling small fleets of motorized toys in semi-rigs.

As poker run boats arrive in the harbour, support crews roll out modified scooters, lifted golf carts, Harley Davidsons and custom choppers, even Ferrari’s and Lamborghinis, providing an endless showcase of polished chrome, custom paint and high-dollar horsepower.

The Key West Poker Run culminates with a big Saturday evening bash that pulls all the stops. The landmark Conch Republic Seafood Company, the largest restaurant in Key West, plays host to a private function which provides guests with a lavish surf & turf buffet, overlooking the colorful lineup of offshore machines at the Key West sponsor dock…all of them glowing in neon and LED lighting that bring the

harbor to life. Through the course of the evening, dozens of Peoples’ Choice awards are presented to the owners of these finely crafted machines, winning trophies for Best V-Bottom, Best Catamaran, Best Engines, Paint…Sexist crew and pretty much any category that one might think of when it comes to good old American offshore muscle-boats.

It takes close to three hours for the FPC gals to play out the hundreds of poker hands that compete for the top prizes, and for 2009, it all played out with a doctor from Miami, Ino Halegua, winning the 2009 Ford Mustang Convertible, presented by title sponsor, Offleaseonly.com.

Not a bad return for the thousand buck entry fee! Not a bad way to finish off a week of powerboating in paradise with the Florida Powerboat Club.

Stu Jones Chuck & Shannon Stark-SC Team STRETCHED OUT 47’ Fountain LightningPower: Triple Mercury Racing 750HP

Terry Sobo-FL Team NOR-TECH HI-PERFORMANCE BOATS 39 Nor-Tech Center ConsolePower: Triple Mercury Verado 300HP

Wesley Elmendorf-MD Team LESS TALK, MORE ACTION! 35’ FountainPower: Twin Mercury Racing 525EFI

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Michael Lattomus-DE Team WILD CARD/UNION AUTO GLASS 37’ Active ThunderPower: Mercury Racing 525EFI John & Mari Lombardi-FL Team CAN’T TOUCH THIS 38’ Powerplay- Twin Cobrapower 1200HP

Peter Chesson-NJ Team OUTERLIMITS 46 OuterlimitsPower: Twin Mercury Racing HP850SCi

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Chris Bradley-TX Team RAINMAKER 42 Fountain- Power: Mercury Racing 600SC Mike Wern-IL Team WERN DAWG 39’ Cigarette – Power: Twin Mercury Racing 1075SCi

Brian Cooper- KY Team SANDMAN 39’ Outerlimits QuattroPower: Twin Mercury Racing 700SCi

Joe Green-NY Team SKATER 32’ SkaterPower: Twin Custom built 900HP

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Boaters Paradise! Pompano ICW - No Fixed Bridges

KEY WEST 2009 THURSDAY RUN Ralph Bussola-FL Team AMERICAN BAD ASS 46’ Cigarette Power: ZUL 750HP

Richard Viator-LA Team NO RANSOM 45’ Sonic Triple Teague 900HP

Francois Poucet-FL Team BLACK OPAL 43’ Donzi ZR Power: Twin Mercury Racing HP700SCi

Jules Tremblay-FL

t Team

TURBINE MARINE 44’ MTI- Twin Turbine Marine 1450HP AJ Phillips-LA Team NO PLANS 40’ SkaterPower: Twin Precision Marine 1000HP

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Key West Poker Run 2010 Participants

Tom Abraham Ray Aquit George Argyros Ken Armstrong Joe Baca TJ Bailey Corey Bakken Bob Barnhart Craig Barrie Bill Bartus Clark Beecher Bill Beischel Dean Bichner Chet & Mary Lee Bigalo Chris Bradley Skip Braver Nick Buis Joe Cain George Campbell Scott Canepa Michael Cassidy Joseph Castellana Ozzie Castellnou James Clair Jack Clark Vincent Cleffi Brian Cooper Frank & Jenine D’Agostino Omar Danial Allan & Annie DenBesten Jean-Louis Fatio Mike Fiore Mark & Eileen Fischer Grant Freeman Buzz Fyhrie Tim Gallagher Mike & Angela Goldbaugh Larry Goldman Andy Groeber Dr Ino Halegua Carl & Tammy Hansen Bill & Wende Harrison G.L. Harvie Pat Haughey / B. Sackman Lazaro Hernandez Tommy & Kate Hofstetter Anton Holstrom Chet & Cindy Huffman Tim Irwin Jeff Jacobs Ken Jensen Aaron Jolley Daren Kittredge Michael Lattomus James E. Lee Kerry Leong Don & Alice Lightfoot Alan Lima Frank Lindaberry Dennis Linehan Andy Loetscher John & Mari Lombardi Rusty & Kelly Luce Laszlo Lukacs Larry & Amy Luna Michael Maggio Austin Mansur Henrik Margard Bob Mason

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NY FL CA TX CA NC MN FL FL FL TX OH MD FL TX FL FL FL OH NV DE NY NY GA OH NJ KY NJ CH FL FL RI FL MO FL FL AL FL GER FL FL GA VT FL FL FL SC CA OH MD ON NY MA DE KS CAN TX FL NJ DE GA FL NY MI TX IL IL FL MI

36’ 36’ 42’ 44’ 38’ 32’ 40’ 50’ 38’ 32’ 37’ 36’ 47’

42’ 49’ 50’ 38’ 38’ 40’ 42’ 46’ 43’ 38’ 36’ 38’ 39’ 46’ 39’ 43’ 39’ 47’ 50’ 38’ 36’ 38’ 44’ 50’ 38’ 36’ 43’ 44’ 37’ 36’ 35’ 43’ 38’ 38’ 50’ 42’ 38’ 42’ 46’ 44’ 43’ 85’ 44’ 36’ 46’ 38’ 41’ 37’ 36’ 46’ 50’ 80’

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MTI Nor-Tech Donzi MTI Donzi Active Thunder Sponsor Nor-Tech Donzi Concept / OL Active Thunder Spectre Fountain Sponsor Fountain Cigarette Statement!

Donzi Fountain Skater Fountain Skater Nor-Tech Cigarette Eliminator Cigarette Outerlimits Outerlimits Motion Sea Ray MTI Outerlimits Nor-Tech Donzi Sponsor Deep Impact Donzi MTI Nor-Tech Cigarette Deep Impact Sunsation MTI Active Thunder- Sponsor Deep Impact Sponsor Fountain Nor-Tech Cigarette Fountain Nor-Tech Sonic Cigarette Outerlimits Skater Outerlimits Nor-Tech Azimut MTI Sonic Outerlimits Powerplay Velocity Active Thunder Nor-Tech Cigarette Nor-Tech Nor-Tech Sponsor

MTI BLUE PRINT DONZILLA HELLRAZOR STRUT MARINE BOATFREAKS.ORG SUPERTRUCKS PREDATOR DONZI MOIST STEALIN THUNDER SHORT CIRCUIT TSUNAMI LOYALTY MOBILE INNOVATIONS RAINMAKER CIGARETTE RACING TEAM STATEMENT! REALLY BREEZY DREWS ON THE RIVER WICKED ADDICTION FIGHTING IRISH AWESOME MOTORSPORTS WIZARD OF OZ ULTIMATE POWER WILD KITTY VINDICTIVE SANDMAN LIQUIDATOR MOTION ANNIE TIME MONKET OUTERLIMITS EILEEN’S FIFTY ULTIMATE DISTRACTION TOTAL DOLLAR INSURANCE DEEP IMPACT LATE FEES EXTREME POWERBOATS.COM GO-FASTER.DE SOBE BUTIE REPOBOATSDIRECT.COM HARRISON CONTRACTING DRAMBUIE ON ICE ACTIVE THUNDER DEEP IMPACT CHIEF ENGINES HAMMER DOWN WAY NUTZ T-N-T FOUNTAIN AQUA DOLL THROWIN DOUGH SILVERBACK OUT OF DENARO FREEDOM US1 HOLY SMOKE FOOT LOOSE GROVE HARBOUR MARINA VAPOR TRAIL DON’T PANIC DIRTYBIRD CAN’T TOUCH THIS TOTALLY LUCE ENERGY CRISIS GUN SLINGER DRIVEN WARBIRD POKERRUNEVENTS.NO ILMOR H-P ENGINES

This list is current as of Nov 1, 2010. New entries not reflected on this list.

138 Teams and still growing!

Greg & Brenda McCauley Steve McEachern G. Michael Merritt Walter Molosh Jim Moore Craig Mytelka Vu Nguyen John O’Loughlin Mark Palanchian AJ Phillips James Porter Tim Poynter Scott Price Rich & Melissa Prince Morechell & Bonita Pryer Greg Pupchek Bill Pyburn Dennis Raia Mat C. & Ann Marie Raymond III Red Reynolds Frank & Milli Ricciardelli Bill Robbins Richard & Brigitte Robert Manny Roman Joe & Irene Sabo Glenn Salyer Martin Sanborn Pat Santa Maria Zack Savage Norman Sawyer Bob Scanlon Wayne & Joe Schaldenbrand Trond Schou Shorty & Brenda Schultz Carmine Sciandra Anthony Sciandra Jr. Mark Shackelford Scott Shogren Kelly Sills Jim A. Smith Terry Sobo Tor Staubo Brian Stewart Scott Struthers Pat Sullivan Randy Sweers James Swider Nasser Syed Zack & Lucie Taylor Leonard “Buddy Thomas David Tievy Jason & Carrie Tolliver Jules Tremblay Mark Tuck David Vanlerberg Curt & Juju Vinson Bart Voloshin Derek Wachob Geoff & Sue Wanamaker Jeffrey Wechsler Todd Werner Jim Wiley J.C. Williams David Winter John Woodruff David Woods John Young Robert(Bobby) Yunger Bill Zecher

MO NC OH NJ KY VA LA NY FL LA IL OH FL LA VA FL FL NY NC WI NJ TX CAN FL NJ KY NC MA FL FL NY MI FL PA NY NJ VA IL LA CA FL NOR MN CA FL FL LA ON MI MA MD OH FL VA KS FL FL OK MD NY FL FL KY FL GA TN CA MO FL

42’ 36’ 44’ 40’ 46’ 43’ 38’ 48’ 75’ 40’ 34’ 35’ 39’ 47’ 48’ 38’ 42’ 38’ 80’ 50’ 40’ 43’ 43’ 38’ 47’ 42’ 36’

38’ 36’ 36’ 36’ 46’ 36’ 40’ 37’ 36’ 40’ 36’ 39’ 48’ 48’ 49 38’ 30’ 35’ 42’ 47’ 48’ 43’ 44’ 42’ 40’ 39’ 42’ 44’ 38’ 35’ 42’ 44’ 35’ 42’ 48’ 42’ 36’ 38’ 35’

MTI Skater Cigarette Skater Outerlimits- Sponsor Sunsation Donzi Outerlimits Sunseeker Skater Phantom Fountain Sponsor MTI Fountain Fountain Skater MTI /Cigarette Fountain Nor-Tech Nor-Tech Nor-Tech Nor-Tech Motion GT Cigarette Outerlimits Fountain Skater Sponsor Fountain Concept Sunsation Nor-Tech Cigarette Skater Skater Active Thunder Nor-Tech Nor-Tech Scarab Nor-Tech MTI MTI Outerlimits Powerplay Sponsor Spectre Cigarette Outerlimits Outerlimits Fountain Sunsation MTI Fountain Formula Nor-Tech Fountain MTI & 39 Cigarette Cigarette Motion Statement!

Nor-Tech Baja Cigarette MTI MTI Nor-Tech Scarab Fountain

This list is current as of Nov 1, 2010. New entries not reflected on this list.

MTI ROOSTERTAILS&COCKTAILS MERRITTORIOUS PURE MADNESS EAGLE MINING/EXTREME INSANITY SUNSATION SEE VU PLAY JUSTICE NEXTERAPOWERMARKETING NORTECH PIPEDREAM/PHANTOM MUSTANG SALLY HARDIN MARINE

NO LIMITS TRIPLE TAIL PURE PLATINUM 2 CATTAGIOUS KNOT FOR SAIL LADY LISA GOLD RUSH ALL IN KILIMAN MOTION MORNIN’ SMOKE RED RIVER RANCH POWERBOAT P1 PAY BACK OCEAN LED ONE MORE TEAM PPI SUNSATION BOATS NOR-TECH AMERICAN MUSCLE III TOP CAT TOP TOMATO OVERACTIVE SHOGREN PAPER CHASER CRESCENDO NOR-TECH GASSE CATGOTCHATONGUE MISS SONANCE PERFORMANCE MARINE LORIBLU/FASTBOATS.COM RELENTLESS CIGARETTE NO LIMITS OVA KILL SPEC-OPS IV MAXIUM EXXXPOSURE TURBINE EXPRESS OH SO SEXY FORMULA HIGH HEELIN WHEELER DEALER Z044 Corvette/39 Topfish ARMED AND DANGEROUS TOPLESS STATEMENT! XXX GOLD RUSH NAILED IT WINDSHIP PIER 57 EXTREME INSANITY SCARAB GIDDIE UP

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Michael Cassidy-DE Team FIGHTING IRISH 42’ Fountain LightningPower: Twin Mullur 1100HP

Anthony & Lori Frisina-NJ Team HI-RISE 39 Hustler RocketPower: Mercury Racing 700SCi

Craig Mytelka- VA Joe Schaldenbrand-MI Team SUNSATION 43’ Sunsation F4 – Power: Mercury Racing 700SCi

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KEY WEST 2009 THURSDAY RUN James & Jennifer Clair-GA Team ULTIMATE POWER 38 Cigarette Top GunPower: Mercury Racing 575HP

David Beach- NJ Team ROCK & RYE III 37 Outerlimits StilettoPower: Mercury 500HP

Pat Santa Maria- MA Team OUTERLIMITS 52 Outerlimits GTX – Power: Mercury Racing 1075SCi

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Gino Gargiulo- FL Team MERCEDES 44’ MTI- Power: Twin Sterling 1550HP World record holding pleasureboat: 193 mph (Biscayne Bay)

The (old) Bahia Honda Bridge, Approx at US1 mile marker 37 . This landmark bridge marks the exit point where boats cross over to the ocean-side for the final leg to Key West.

q

The Conch Republic Seafood Company, in the Key West Historic Seaport.

Florida Powerboat Club poker run headquarters.

Patrick Bedard- Quebec Canada Team GO-FAST 43’ Outerlimits GTXPower: Twin Mercury Racing 700SCi

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KEY WEST 2009 THURSDAY RUN Dualing D onzi's Craig Barrie-FL Team DONZI – 38 ZR CompMercury Racing 700SCi

Grant FreemanTeam ULITMATE DISTRACTION 38’ Donzi ZR – Mercury Racing 700SCi Frank & Milli Ricciardelli-NJ Team GOLD RUSH 50’ Nor-Tech Roadster(4) Nor-tech 1100HP

Curt & Debbie Gano-MI Team PRIMAL INSTINCT 38 Cigarette Top GunPower: Twin Chief 950HP

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KEY WEST 2009 THURSDAY RUN

Dustin Carpenter-MI Team NOR-TECH 43’ Nor-Tech SuperveePower: Triple Mercury Racing 525EFI

Joseph Castellana-NY Team AWESOME MOTORSPORTS 50’ Skater- Twin 1200HP

David Tievy-MD Team SPEC-OPS IV 48’ Fountain Express CruiserPower: Triple Yanmar 480HP

Girls of Spec Ops: Alana & Linda

u

Stu Jones with Henrik Margard & the Norwegian Crew.

Team KING OF CLUBS- Sponsored by Pokerrunevents.no 39’ Nor-Tech 3900 SuperveePower: Twin Mercury Racing 700SCi Richard & DeeAnn Turek-NY Team TOP GUN 38’ Cigarette Top Gun- Power: Mercury Racing 525EFI

Frank Schultz-CO Team AMERICAN MUSCLE III 46’ Cigarette- Power: Twin Mercury Racing 1075SCi

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KEY WEST 2009 THURSDAY RUN William Betz- NY Team QUICK GETAWAY 43’ Outlerlimits – Power: Mercury Racing 700SCi

Harald Bertsch-GERMANY Team DONZI 38’ Donzi ZRPower: Mercury Racing 525EFI

Ray Aquit- FL Team XRAYTED 35’ Fountain LightningPower: Mercury Racing 525EFI

The 18th Annual Key West Off shore Poker Run returns to the Florida Keys November 8-15, 2010. Participants can find out more about membership with Florida Powerboat Club and 2010 poker run events, by visiting www.flpowerboat.com, or by calling the FPC office in Pompano Beach at 954-545-1414.

Please email comments to: stu.fpc@gmail.com 48 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

Rich Stone-GA Team STILL SMOKIN’ 38 Cigarette Top GunPower: Mercury 600HP

Bill Robbins-TX Team ALL IN 40’ Nor-Tech Roadster Twin Mercury Racing HP850SCi

Ken Collette-NY Team MI VICE 38’ Donzi ZR – Power: Mercury Racing 525EFI

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KEY WEST 2009 THURSDAY RUN

Anthony Sciandra-NJ Team TOP TOMATO 40’ SkaterPower: Twin Mercury Racing 1075SCi

Steve Monteforte-NJ Team GOT SPEED II 39’ Outerlimits QuattroPower: Mercury Racing 700SCi

Andy Groeber-GERMANY Team GO-FASTER.DE 50’ Nor-Tech SuperveePower: Twin Turbine Marine 1450 HP

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If you ever visit a Florida Powerboat Club party and there’s no sexy ladies parading around in bikinis..check around a little closer…you’re at the wrong party. Yes indeed, it’s a long-established FPC tradition…great music, beautiful ladies and a festive atmosphere.

Every year, the Key West Poker Run stages a Friday night Sponsor Appreciation Party, where all of our sponsors are recognized, and awards are presented. While that may sound very formal, rest assured, it is far from it.

There’s no stuffy ballroom, no collared shirts required..it’s all outside with bright lights, great music, and the girls from Key West Faces, to make it so much more fun. Special thanks to Samantha and Brittani for helping us out every year!

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Mark Tuck-VA Team OH SO SEXY 42’ Fountain LightningTwin Mercury Racing 700SCi

Mike Ciasulli-NJ Team INJECTED TWINS 36’ Nor-Tech SupercatPower: Mercury Racing HP850SCi

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Buddy Thomas-MA Team OVA KILL 47’ Outerlimits GTXPower: Twin Mercury Racing 1075SCi

Key West Poker Run village There are so many things that make the Key West Poker Run such a great event, year after year, but clearly the Poker Run Village has become a big part of the event’s overall popularity.

2009

Legend Marine of Texas displayed a bright red Cigarette 39’ Top Gun.

First, it’s free to all, Key West citizens, out of town visitors, powerboat race fans, race teams, and of course….hundreds of poker runners. The quality of displays gets better every year, both inwater and on land! Special thanks to our venue host the Conch Republic Seafood Company, and the City of Key West, for making this happen every year. And of course, thanks to our Poker Run Village exhibitors for putting on such a great show!

Pier 57 Continues to put on a great display every year, with a series of MTI cats on tilt trailers. There’s something about a big cat on a tilt trailers that says....WOW!!

Cigarette Racing conducts the sale of apparel and logo’d merchandise from their retail trailer…and at peak hours, you can barely get near the counter!

The inwater display in front of the Conch Republic Seafood Company featured everything from Sport center consoles to 170 mph catamarans. Every year it just keeps getting better.

Derek Wachob from OK won the award for the Most Outrageous Boat, for his 44 MTI, Z044, complete with underwater, deck and cockpit lighting that provide a dazzling nighttime display.

David Tievy got creative with bright red OceanLED lighting, in the cockpit and underwater. The five Amphibian A12’s lit up the water several feet in every direction.

Cigarette’s relatively new new 39 Topfish can be equipped with Quad outboards. With quad 350HP Mercs….thats… do the math….1400 Horse Power! That outta troll nicely!

The night-time line up for the Saturday night party. Underwater lighting has brought the showmanship factor in performance boating to a whole new level!

Mercury Racing engines could be found in Tommy “Chief ” Hofstetter, spend a lot of four out of five engine rooms, although build- time in his Chief Engines poker run village ers like Ilmor, Chief, Cobrapower and Sterling display, showcasing his latest supercharged have also had great success with the poker run and turbocharged powerplants world.

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Fresh out of the shop, all white and ready for paint. The 2nd Statement 42 Ultimate, which eventually got a nice coat of bright blue custom paint by TAOD.

KEY WEST 2009 FRIDAY RUN

Riding in Style!

Four vee-bottoms team up for the Money Shot!

George Fradedis- NY 38 Cigarette – GUN WILD (closest in frame)

Poker Card Handoff- Grove Harbour Marina Team SMOKE ON THE WATER gets their first poker card.

Kelly & Brandi Sills- LA Team PAPER CHASER 40’ Nor-Tech Roadster – Twin Mercury Racing HP1075SCi

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Rafted up at Holiday Isle Marina for the Thursday run.

The large Thursday group (approx 100 boats) requires that FPC split the pack…half to Gilberts, and half to Holiday Isle for the lunch stop.

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KEY WEST 2009 FRIDAY RUN Dave & Karen Peterson-FL Team BROKEN ARROW 47’ Apache – Power: Chief 1200HP Twin Turbo

Kenneth & Patti Dick-FL Team ARTEMIS 50’ Nor-Tech SuperveePower: Triple Nor-Tech 800HP

Ken Armstrong-TX Team HELL RAZOR 44’ MTI – Power: Twin Mercury Racing HP1075SCi

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Passing under the Card Sound Bridge, the Active Thunder 37 Paceboat carves a trail across Barnes Sound, making headway towards Key Largo.

James Porter- IL Team PIPEDREAM 34’ Phantom Power: Mercury Racing 500HP

Glaser-FL t Eric Team MIDNIGHT EXPRESS

39 Midnight Express Power: Five (5) Mercury Verado 300HP Outboards

Mark Palanchian- FL Team NEXT ERA ENERGY 75’ Sunseeker Predator – Twin Turbo Diesels

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Manny Roman-FL Team MOTION 43’ Motion 43GT – Mercury Racing HP1075SCi Jim Wiley-FL Team XXX 44’ Nor-Tech RoadsterPower: Twin Nor-Tech 1150HP

William Buchanan- KY Team KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ 50’ Hustler Power: Triple Mercury HP500

Don & Alice Lightfoot- TX Team FOOTLOOSE 43’ Nor-Tech SupercatTwin Chief 1200HP Twin Turbo

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Sharon Henley-FL Team LIQUID ASSET 38’ Cigarette Top Gun- Power: Twin Mercury Racing 525EFI Clark Beecher- TX Team STEALIN’ THUNDER 37’ Active Thunder AVH – Power: Mercury Racing 525EFI

Mike Pisiello-NH Team GET HER DONE 38’ Cigarette Top Gun- Power: Mercury Racing 575SC

Omar Danial-Switzerland Team MOTION 39’ Motion XRT – Power: Mercury Racing HP1075SCi

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Key West Poker Run

Awards 2009

David Woods-Pier 57 Sponsor With Stu and Jackie

Terry Sobo(holding plaque) and the Nor-Tech support crew.

Joe Schaldenbrand(MI) and Craig Mytelka(VA) receive award for Sunsation Powerboats

Jackie Jones (left) with models from Key West Faces

Zack Savage and Charlie Haimes receive award for OceanLED

Statement team Todd Werner(L) and Nick Buis, receiving award from FPC’s Laura and Melissa.

Stu with Marc Jacobs, accepting award for Performance Marine

Hundreds of poker run hands Steve Marini (NY) tries his luck were played out at the final at the poker run final table! round.

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OffleaseOnly.com sponsored the 2009 Ford Mustang, as Grand Prize, won by Ino Halegua.

E

ven for most performance boat owners, there comes a time when your offshore powerboat just doesn’t provide the right platform for dinner cruising in South Florida along the Intracoastal waterways or entertaining your friends and family when the crew grows to eight or ten guests. That’s one of the reasons that Florida Powerboat Club created a unique, specialized charter business designed exclusively for our FPC members. Starting with an entry level forty foot express cruiser to the incredible Nortech 80 Performance Yacht, Florida Powerboat Adventures can provide anything from a short four hour dinner or sight-seeing cruise, to a weeklong excursion to paradise in the Florida Keys or Bahamas. The FPC staff works closely with boat and yacht owners who, in some cases, have been longtime Florida Powerboat Club members as well. We can promise the best rates, fantastic service and a fabulous experience for you and your guests!

GOOD KNIGHTS Nor-Tech Super 80 Performance Yacht 80’ Foot – Twin Caterpillar Diesel Cruise Speed 35-40 mph. Top Speed 60 mph.

Three cabins, spacious cockpit and aft deck.

12’ Tender & watertoys.

Rates from: $ 3000 half day to $ 6000/full day.

Homeport: North Miami Beach

48 FOUNTAIN EXPRESS Triple Cummins Diesel Cruise speed- 40-50 mph. Top Speed 60 mph Two Cabins, large open cockpit.

Ideal for dinner cruises and will do Bahamas in no time!

Rates from: $ 2500/half day to $ 4,000 full day.

Homeport: Fort Lauderdale

CLUBHOUSE 40 Cruisers Yachts 43’ Overall- Wide 13’9 Beam. Twin Yanmar Diesel Cruise Speed: 32 mph Top Speed: 39 mph.

Two Cabins, large salon and comfortable cockpit.

Walk through windshield for to forward deck cushions.

Rates from: $1250/half day to $ 2,500 full day.

MORE AVAILABLE BOATS & YACHTS COMING SOON! CALL STU: 954-545-1414 OR CELL 954-684-9333 Florida Powerboat Adventures, Inc. 1214 SW 6th St. Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Every summer for nineteen years, members of the Florida Powerboat Club have set out for the ultimate adventure, a cruise to paradise in the Bahamas. This past July, with rough seas on the scheduled departure day, the group diverted to the Florida Keys for two days, but when the wind and seas laid down, we were Bimini Bound!

Here’s a few teaser shots of this fantastic voyage, which took about sixty five adventurous powerboaters to the ultimate destination in paradise. From the excellent accommodations of the Bimini Bay Resort, to the excursion in local waters to the pristine beaches of Honeymoon Harbor where we played with friendly stingrays, it was the highlight of our summer adventures! More in the next issue.

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This past August, Florida Powerboat Club returned to the Florida Panhandle, for the 18th Annual Emerald Coast Poker Run, an event that has take the top spot as the summer blockbuster. A.k.a. the BIG ONE, the 2010 edition took a big hit on participation due to the recent BP gulf coast oil spill, but the spirits were high, and the fund raising activities were very successful, as approximately $113,000 was raised for local youth organizations.

With a poker run course that spanned from Destin to Pensacola, there were plenty of great hotspots for participants to enjoy the cool waters, clean beaches and friendly southern hospitality, which has made this a great event year after year. Look for a complete coverage in the next issue!

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2011 CALENDAR

Ad Index

January 28-30

Winter Poker Run To Hawks Cay Resort - Duck Key

February 18th

19th Miami Boat Show Bash Raleigh South Beach

February 25-28

Miami Boat Show Poker Run Miami to Islamorada Holiday Isle Resort / Cheeca Lodge

April 1-3

Tampa Bay Poker Run Featuring “Festivals of Speed�

Vinoy Resort - St Petersburg

May 13-15

Panama City Poker Run Bay Point Marriott Resort

July 21-26

Bahamas Poker Run Bimini & Grand Bahama Island

August 11-14

Emerald Coast Poker Run Destin / Ft Walton Beach The Big One!

November 7-14

19th Key West Poker Run Four departure days - Big fun!

HELIOS

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VISIT THE KEY WEST POKER RUN VILLAGE-NOV 11-14, 2010 Conch Republic Seafood Co. 631 Greene St. Key West

Information Hotline: 954-545-1414 www.flpowerboat.com