VOL 13 #2
A MAGAZINE SHOWCASING THE FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB LIFESTYLE
POWER INTO THE FUTURE
Spotlight on Ilmor High Performance
FORT MYERS POKER RUN
MIAMI BOAT SHOW POKER
Island Hopping in Paradise!
A DAY ON THE BAY!
RUNPlus...
Tampa Bay Poker Run
♥ ♣ ♦ ♠
Show and Tell
For Grown Ups!
THE GIRLS OF FPC
WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM
er m m u S er Run Pok Tour SPE
C
EDI IAL
TIO
N
Summer 2013 Vol. 13#2 EDITOR/PUBLISHER
CONTENTS A Magazine Showcasing The Florida Powerboat Club Lifestyle
4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com
Stu Jones catches up on new plans for FPC, including a stronger focus on alliances with the Florida tourism industry.
OFFICE MANAGER
6 MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2013
Jackie Jones jackie@flpowerboat.com
GRAPHIC/WEB DESIGNERS Juan C Grisales fpc.mag@gmail.com David Vaccaro fpc.art@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Stu Jones Jim Wenger
EVENT COORDINATORS Jackie Jones jackie@flpowerboat.com Drew Kravitz Robert Barry
MEDIA SALES
NOW HIRING stu@flpowerboat.com
TV & VIDEO PRODUCTION Stu Jones David Steele Bruno Koplin
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
6
Shiny gelcoat, gleaming paint, polished propellers and new engines to make our boats go faster! Miami 2013- a show like no other!
8 MIAMI BOAT SHOW BASH 2013
Mother Nature (1) FPC (0) as the rainy night pushed the party inside Hey, but who’s keeping score? We had plenty of fun!
10 MIAMI BOAT SHOW POKER RUN 2013 Just like the good ‘ol days, as 90 teams participated in the mid winter escape to paradise. Look out Islamorada!
10
50 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: ILMOR HI PERFORMANCE
A salute to one of our longtime FPC Series Sponsor Supporters. ILMOR has never looked better!
56 FORT MYERS POKER RUN 2013
After a three year absence from staging FPC events in the Fort Myers area, the new venue at Pink Shell Resort was a big hit!
66 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: LANE CHRISTIANSON
This is one tall Texan who loves his powerboating!
56
70 TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2013
It was FPC’s third year and with a few minor modifications, the event received a welcome facelift!
84 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: BOB & ELLE BERG
This couple took a five year separation from the FPC lifestyle and soon returned...with guns a blazin!
88 FLORIDA FRACTIONAL CLUB
Find out what’s new in the world of FPC! Everyone loves a sexy yacht! Find out how this program can put YOU on board!
94 SMOKIN’ THE SOUND POKER RUN 2013
70
With thirty five poker run teams registered, this Biloxi Mississippi poker run is growing up fast!
47-93 GIRLS OF FPC
They just keep getting better!! a crowd pleaser! FPC Pompano Beach Headquarters
All copyright laws apply. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher
ON THE COVER: Lane Christianson makes his FPC debut on the Miami Boat Show Poker Run in FAST LANE, his 51 Outerlimits. MODEL: Plan on seeing more of Brittany from Pompano Beach! She’s fun and friendly and most important...she loves powerboating!
See the complete digital edition of this publication online at www.flpowerboat.com
Letter from the
Summer 2013
PRESIDENT
I
won’t apologize for this e d i t i o n’s “ l e t t e r f ro m the president” but I will pleasantly warn our readers it may sound more like an economic editorial from a national tourism columnist. Trust me, there’s a profound message that impacts Florida Powerboat Club, as we round the twenty year bend. The allure of Florida to world travelers appears to have reached an all-time high, as Florida’s state economic officials reported that 2012 tourism alone injected a whopping $80 billion into the state economy. Those are amazing statistics and by default, due to the direct relationship between tourism and the number of out-of-state boaters that come to Florida to pursue their passion, the Florida marine industry is already beginning to follow suit. It’s been a tough five years for the performance marine trade and those who have elected to adapt to the changing trends, will certainly survive the next five years and beyond. But the optimism could never be better, as Florida Governor Rick Scott recognizes the importance of keeping the wheels of the Florida tourism industry turning, by increasing budgets to promote tourism abroad, and by giving the state tourism brand, Visit Florida, the funding and marketing latitude it needs to strengthen its vision and focus on industry growth. So how has this affected Florida Powerboat Club today and going forward? Make no mistake –it’s been a roller-coaster ride for FPC in so many ways since about 2008,
4
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
but 2012 was a better year and we’re moving forward with renewed optimism. What will continue to change over the next few years however, is our entire business model. The reasons for that are simple. Far too many performance boat manufacturers, dealers and commercial supporters have just gone away and this financial support has to be replaced. Participant event fees alone cannot satisfy the costs of producing first-class turnkey poker run events, with the highest standards of safety, endless lodging choices, excellent catering, over-the-top parties and all the “extras” that have made FPC events the #1 choice among the powerboating community. What we can expect to see over the next decade, is stronger alliances between FPC and the cities, counties and venues that host our signature poker run events. Florida Powerboat Club has recently become a Visit Florida memberpartner, and will be very focused on promoting the often under-estimated “boating tourism” element of the state’s tourism score-card, which is easily in the hundreds of millions annually. In the short term, this may not appear to have an immediate impact on our members. However, in the long term, rest assured, this is the path that will ensure the stability of our club…and hence the pursuit of your passion for this great boating lifestyle. It may mean new exciting poker run venues in Florida, as cities with appealing waterfront infrastructure may wish to host a Florida Powerboat Club event. It could open up exciting sponsorship opportunities with national brands, and at the very least, there will be
STU & JACKIE JONES
increased national exposure of our sport. The tools that will assist in the implementation of this master plan include media platforms like the Powerboating in Paradise TV show, which is currently airing on Foxsports/ Sunsports, and we’ll expect to see increased circulation and distribution of the club magazine to our highest numbers ever. That may be a long way for me to say… Hang in there gang! After twenty years, we’re not going anywhere! Keep supporting FPC whatever way you can. Sign up for one more poker run than you normally would. Throw an ad in the club magazine to promote your business. Or have us produce a commercial for you to air on our TV show when it’s time to sell your boat and get a new one! June 21, 1993 was the date of our “Articles of Incorporation” with the State of Florida. That’s 20 years in the business of conceiving, creating, planning, promoting, organizing, executing, managing and most of all…Serving. I’ve enjoyed serving all of you, and look forward to many more great years!
Stu Jones
President & Founder, FPC
MIAMI BOAT SHOW The 69th edition of the Miami International Boat Show brought out the latest and greatest from the marine industry and attracted an audience of visitors from around the world. Florida Powerboat Club displayed once again inside the Miami Beach Convention Center and combed the aisles for the latest products from our performance marine trade partners.
Courtney, Jackie & Heather at the FPC booth.
Statement Marine snuck in a Miami encore performance with Invitation Only, the 42 Ultimate featured in the movie Pain & Gain
Mercury Marine & Mercury Racing promoted stern drives & outboards from their usual footprint in the main hall. 6
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
OceanLed showcased their full line of underwater lights with a new booth display in the Convention Center
CELEBRATING ITS 21ST YEAR, THE FPC MIAMI BOAT SHOW BASH RETURNED TO THE RALEIGH ON COLLINS AVE. JUST TWO SHORT BLOCKS from the Miami Beach Convention Center, hundreds of die-hard party guests fought the traffic and rain soaked streets of South Beach to take part in this spirited event, which was wisely moved indoors. That certainly didn’t put a damper on the fun, and the lovely Girls of FPC were more than happy to keep the evening energized. Special thanks for sponsors Mark & Eileen Fischer from BoatsdirectUSA.com and Offleseonly.com for their sponsorship support of this festive evening in South Beach. For more party photos and highlights, visit www.flpowerboat.com
1
2
3
4
5
1. Glenn Kennedy & Guest 2. Stu Jones with Roy & Lori Hunter, Cayne Labure & Guest 3. Getting banded for the party treats 4. Elle Berg & Friends 5. A toast to another great Miami Boat Show Bash! 6. Keeping it fresh, DJ Smokin’ Aces 7. Winn Farnsworth with some of the DCB Crew 8. Cherie & Brad Schoenwald, PowerboatNation 9. Stu Jones & Mark Fischer 10. Courtney making a much prettier emcee than Stu 11. Bob & Elle Berg 12. Curt & Juju Vinson 13. Model AJ also worked the Team Geico booth. 14. AJ, Heather & Franceska 15. Andy & Allison Loetscher 16. Chad & Heather Collier 17. Jim Lee & Crew 18. Heather made the Cover! 8
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
6
7
8
9
11
12
10 14
13 14
15
16
17
18 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
9
Time for a little... Showmanship!
10
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
The Miami Boat Show Poker Run continues to provide the ideal escape for powerboat enthusiasts and would-be buyers, to get a closer look at the latest high-performance hardware!
STORY: STU JONES l PHOTOS: STU JONES & JIM WENGER
S
TOP.
Win & Melissa Farnsworth (CO) Team SILVER LINING - 41’ DCB Botton. Giuseppe Giannotta (ITA) 42’ Revolver-REVOLVER 42
eeing hundreds of people get together from all walks of life, from many different cultures, representing three continents and over a dozen different countries is something that might be typical of a world class sporting event or an economic summit. That said, the 18th running of the Miami Boat Show Poker Run has by default, reached the ranks of a world class sporting event. With a roster of nearly ninety registered poker run teams from the United States, Canada and Europe, the docks of SeaIsle Marina in Miami might have been the ideal venue for the conception of a new league, the United Nations of Powerboaters. But thankfully, the only formal meeting for the four-day escape to paradise—the mandatory safety meeting—had already been conducted at the Biscayne Miami Marriott. As the poker run’s first departure began to congregate in the Thursday morning hours, the vibe on the dock was energetic and enthusiastic to say the least. The presence of colorful and elaborate team shirts illustrated the continued effort of participants to plan many months ahead for this exciting event. Equally impres-
sive, and not to be upstaged, was the awe-inspiring display of highperformance machinery lining the docks. This event brings out the big guns year after year. What started off 18 years ago as the Manufacturers Offshore Rally—later dubbed the Manufacturers Run—the Miami Boat Show Poker Run has become the “unofficial” poker run of the Miami International Boat Show and has come a long, long way. This year saw a new wave of participants appearing on the poker run roster with new manufacturing sponsors representing a unique blend of high performance and luxury technology. From California, Dave Hemmingson of DCB (Dave’s Custom Boats) introduced the all-new and long anticipated 41’ wide body, a boat owned by new FPC members Win & Melissa Farnsworth. With a pair of Mercury Racing 1350’s packaged below, this was one stout entry to the high-performance class. From a different perspective, those who appeal for more size and comfort, the Miami Boat Show Poker Run provided the ideal platform to premier the stylish new Revolver 42 from Italy. continued on next page POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
11
y a d s r Thu
Chris Walker (GA) Team SUPERTRUCKS - 31’ DCB
Stephan Broeker (GERMANY) Team CAST’ ASTROPHE - 27’ Eliminator
The euro-styled hardtop performance cruiser featured unique lines, a spacious open cockpit and forward salon, yet made no sacrifices in the performance equation, sporting Mercury Racing 700’s and NXT drives that pushed its speed well over 70mph. Shortly after 10am on Thursday, the fifty boat fleet (with several teams remaining for Friday’s run) departed from the docks at SeaIsle Marina and a perfect day of powerboating began, with clear skies and eighty degree temperatures.
Chris Ryder (NY) Team WHIPLASH - 32’ Skater
continued on page 14 Jim Wiley (FL) Team 007 - 44’ MTI
Carl & Lori Burns (MO) Team BURNS BURNS BURNS - 36’ MTI
12
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
y a d s r Thu
Kerry & Rhonda Leong (BC) Team HOLY $#?! - 52’ Outerlimits
After completing poker card number one at Grove Harbour Marina, a very fast launch of the Hi-Performance class saw big cats sprinting across bay waters at 150-plus speeds. The Performance class followed at more moderate 80 - 90 speeds. Brian & Tammy Farley (NY) Team GLADIATOR - 36’ Cigarette
Mark & Rachel Waddington (NE) Team 21 GUNS - 47’ Fountain
The mere fact that the majority of our captains and owners from northern climes hadn’t been behind the wheel of their big beast for at least a few months, resulted in a tendency of most to push the throttles just a little harder. continued on next page 16
14
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Brad Schoenwald (FL) Team POWERBOAT NATION.COM - 38’ Cigarette
Mike Case (IN) Team EXTREME ENERGY - Active Thunder
Arriving at Postcard Inn from the bay side in Whale Harbor Channel. Boats must come off plane to idle speed, as they make their way under the US1 bridge.
Combine this with the fact that the Miami Boat Show Poker Run is one of FPC’s shorter poker runs in terms of gas consumption and the resulting group mindset was, “faster is better, let’s go!” One thing that was noticeably different on Biscayne Bay this year was a very strong presence of law enforcement and emergency response teams along the entire course. Outside Dinner Key, a Miami Dade Fire Rescue boat milled about with two fire hoses under full power. continued on next page 18
Patrick Dolan (MD) Team SPICY - 39’ Cigarette
16
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Rafe Guidry (LA) Team RAFE ‘N IT - 38’ Cigarette
Greg Little (NY) Team A CUT ABOVE - 39’ Cigarette
y a d s r Thu Another fireboat, known famously as Fireboat One, situated itself mid-way along Biscayne Bay at the entrance to the featherbeds, with four hoses jetting long plumes of water into the air, making it visible for miles. It was all part of Florida Powerboat Club’s new Safety Management Initiative, and was complimented by a total of four Florida Fish & Wildlife center console boats that served as medical chase-boats on the poker run course, Miami Dade Fire Rescue divers and paramedics were on board. ( see Safety feature.. Page 46)
Grant Freeman (MO) Team ULTIMATE DISTRACTION - 38’ Donzi
Joe Sabo (NJ) Team MORNIN’ SMOKE - 38’ Cigarette
Trond Schou- Team Nor-Tech OFFICIAL PACEBOAT Nor-Tech 477 SPX
continued on page 20 Judd H. Shumaker (PA) Team KNOT ENOUGH - 32’ Sunsation
18
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Karsten Melcher (GERMANY) Team GERMANY I - 34’ Hustler
y a d s r Thu
Tor Staubo (FL) Team GASSE - 48’ MTI
Mark Godsey (TN) Team PROJECT MAYHEM - MTI
The entire safety effort was the largest of its kind on any FPC event, and took months of planning and meetings to formulate. It culminated just a week earlier at the Miami International Boat Show, where FPC members and the performance marine trade met with law enforcement officials from the Miami Dade County, Florida Fish & Wildlife and United States Coast Guard.
David Branton (LA) Team VOODOO - 50’ Skater
continued on page 24
Troy Paul (OK) Team PAUL TRANSPORTATION - 48’ MTI
Win & Melissa Farnsworth (CO) Team SILVER LINING - 41’ DCB
20
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
2
CARD STOP | Gilberts
3
4 1. Gilberts Key Largo 2. Randy Sweers & Fastboats team 3. Team GEISS- German Celebs! 4. Brittney deals cards to Team Jersey Strong 5. Enjoying great Gilberts food. 6. MTI had a great lineup-some boats straight from Miami Boat Show 7. Tor Staubo & crew Team Gasse 8. Bryan Farley & Joe Sabo get a card. 9. Larry Goldman chats wih Dave Hemingson -DCB 10. Team Germany gets a poker card. 11. Dockside entertainment-(note Jet pack performer) 12. Team Artemis rafting up for lunch 13. Amy & Larry Luna from Texas
1
5
6 9
7
8
10
11 22
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
12
13
y a d s r Thu
Anton Holstrom (SC) Team COUNTRY GIRL - 42’ Cigarette
George Fragedis (NY) Team GUN WILD - 39’ Cigarette
The safety program involved a long and determined effort by FPC to create the highest possible presence of qualified rescue personel and the necessary assets to perform effective emergency response in the event of high-speed rollovers, collisions or other unforeseen catastrophic incidents.
Joel Begin (OUE) Team NO STRESS - 52’ Outerlimits
continued on page 26
Lane Christianson (TX) Team FAST LANE - 51’ Outerlimits
Julie & Wayne Casey (ON) Team UNRULY CREW II - 39’ Cigarette
24
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
y a d s r Thu Their presence also served to keep participants aware of safety. Miami to Islamorada, dock to dock, start to finish, reported incidents—zero. Mission accomplished! After the Thursday group settled in at Islamorada’s Postcard Inn, it soon became evident to the returning guests that the resort had made many upgrades to the marine facilities. New decking throughout the marina, fresh grass and landscaping, open spaces and comfortable outside lounging areas in-and-around the boats made for a completely new way to enjoy the venue. Fire-pits kept ablaze on the property at night gave pokerrunners a cozy, comfortable alternative to the shoulderto-shoulder party at the Tiki Bar.
Diogo Francisco (MD) Team KNOT WASTIN TIME - 36’ Nor-Tech
Denny Linehan (DE) Team NORTECH - 36’ Nor-Tech
Derek Wachob (OK) Team BLACK DIAMOND - MTI
continued on page 30
Todd Larson (IA) Team BURNIN’ GREEN - 48’ Outerlimits
26
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Bill Robbins (TX) Team ALL IN, AGAIN - 40’ Nor-Tech
CARD STOP | Grove
Harbour
4
1
2 5
3
CARD STOP | Postcard 7
8
10
28
Inn
6
1. Brittany on her first card assignment 2. Karsten Melcher gets a card 3.Good luck Shannon! 4. The Grove Harbor guys kept the boats from hitting the dock 5. Touch & Go card stop 6. Lori Burns gets the lucky card 7. Robert & Carmen Geiss with Trond Schou 8. All settled in at Postcard Inn 9. Postcard Inn Marina, Islamorada 10. Precision raft upNot a square foot to spare! 11. Inwater boat show along sponsor dock at Postcard Inn. 9
11
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
2
y a d s r Thu
Bob Christie (NJ) Team JERSEY STRONG - 37’ Statement!
Mark & Eileen Fischer (FL) Team OFF LEASE ONLY - 36’ Blackwater
The Thursday run was repeated almost to form for the Friday group, as nearly forty more poker run teams assembled in Miami, visited the very same checkpoints, saw the same presence of emergency response teams and enjoyed the scenic eighty mile ride from Miami to Islamorada. Only one incident marred the day. An over-zealous driver chose to ignore FPC safety guidelines in the Upper Keys, which called for single file operation behind a paceboat.
Greg & Brenda McCauley (MO) Team MTI - SV42 MTI
Robert Geiss (GER) Team DONZI - 38’ Donzi
continued on page 32 Wachob -Teague (FL) - Team HUNTRESS - 42’ Cigarette
30
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
y a d i r F
Mark Stoddart (ONT) Team OFFLIMITS - 50’ Outerlimits
The incident involved a poorly executed and dangerous pass of the pace boat, at a high rate of speed by a bigpower catamaran with only a few feet to spare. The result was a significantly large wall of water completely enveloping the cock-pit of another powerboater also traveling at high-speed, but who was staying behind the paceboat. This caused a serious loss of visibility and potential loss of control for the very frazzled owner and crew who, thankfully, had the skill and presence of mind to recover quickly. The offending driver of the powerboat, at the time, was a guest of the registered member.
Jean Luc Sigouin (QC) Team OH MY GOSH - 55’ MTI
Matthew Gordon (CT) Team HUSTLER - 37’ Hustler
continued on page 34 32
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Ken Armstrong (TX) Team PHANTOM - 48’ MTI
Friday The club president spared this member expulsion from the remainder of the event and immediate termination of his club membership. Bottom line, such foolish displays of poor and inconsiderate driving puts fellow powerboaters, passengers and by-standers at risk, and ultimately hurts our beloved sport. That driver has lost the respect of many of his boating peers. Moving on, with pleasant thoughts and festive spirits, by Friday evening, the soldout Postcard Inn was a packed house with a marina full of incredible high-performance machinery for all to see. Warm temps continued, with light tropical winds, allowing the Friday evening party to be held in the world famous, beachfront Tiki Bar and Lounge, where guests were treated to a wonderful dinner.
Doug Falcone (NJ) Team SIR CHARGE III - 38’ Statement
Leonard “Buddy” Thomas (MA) Team GOLD DIGGER - Outerlimits
David & Kelli York (TX) Team CENTER OF ATTENTION -39’ Cigarette
Robert Reagan (FL) Team NO LIMITS - 42’ Outerlimits
continued on page 36
Ray Aquit (FL) TEAM BLUE PRINT - 36’ Deep impact
34
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Friday
Bob & Elle Berg (FL) Team ARTEMIS - 50’ Nor-Tech
Keith Slagle (FL) Team PANTY DROPPER - 38’ Cigarette
Craig Hall (MD) Team OLD SCHOOL II - 38’ Cigarette
Suffice it to say that the post-dinner activities continued around the Tiki Bar, which after all these years, has never lost its charm. And as the story of another great poker run comes to a close, we are brought, again, to that age-old question - just what is it about powerboating that makes us so thirsty all the time?! SJ 36
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Albert & Jill Teramara (OH) Team NASTY HABIT - 42’ Cigarette
Robert Reagan (FL) Team NO LIMITS - 42’ Outerlimits
Friday
Thomas Calabro (RI) Team LIQUID COURAGE - 36’ Spectre
David Landsman (MD) Team KING OF CARS - 36’ Nor-Tech
Tom Abraham (NY) Team MTI - 42’ MTI
Chris & Angela Bradley (TX) Team RAINMAKER - 40’ Nor-Tech
38
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Bill Pyburn JR. (FL) Team PURE PLATINUM - 38’ Skater
Alex Fruth (IL) Team ENOUGH ALREADY - 42’ Outerlimits
40
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
y a d r u t Sa
Stephan Broeker (GERMANY) Team CAST’ ASTROPHE - 27’ ELIMINATOR
Chris Walker (GA) Team SUPERTRUCKS - 31’ DCB
Mark Stockwell (MI) Team GOT CHICKS - 50’ NORTECH
Dale & Diana Minnick (OH) Team DONZI - 38’ Donzi
42
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Matt Powers (KY) Team Nor-Tech - 38’ Nor-Tech
The Saturday fun run returned for a raftup party at White Marlin Beach, about 10 miles southwest of Islamorada. With its bayside location, protected from the east winds, the quiet bay often remains calm and is ideal for rafting. Combined with the soft sand bottom, it’s relatively easy to set an anchor. Soon, more than two dozen boats were rafted up and ready for fun! Turn on the stereos, rub on the sunscreen and reach for those floaty toys! In the middle of February, we can’t think of a better place to be!
44
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
While some participants enjoyed the raftup party at White Marlin Beach, many others ventured off in local waters to visit popular lunch spots. From Postcard Inn, which is located at MM 84 along Overseas Hwy, one of closest and most popular destinations is Hawks Cay Resort & Marina, just 23 miles southwest, located at MM 61.
Just about ten miles further is Marathon, where a number of boaters enjoyed lunch at Burdines Waterfront, a rustic waterfront eatery located along the Boot Key Channel, about a mile from THE LANDMARK SEVEN MILE BRIDGE. For the super ambitious‌.Key West is just another fifty miles, and indeed a handful of boats headed that way. Hey, it’s only fuel!
45
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
MIAMI BOAT SHOW POKER RUN
AWARDS
46
First Place: Wayne and Julie Casey, Team UNRULY CREW II
Second Place: Brian and Tammy Farley, Team GLADIATOR
Third Place: Matt Powers, Team POWERS
Mark & Eileen Fischer, Team OFFLEASE ONLY Sponsor Award
Trond Schou & Terry Sobo, Nor-Tech Sponsor Award
Buzz Fyhrie, Total Dollar Sponsor Award
Corey Bakken, Team SUPERTRUCK Sponsor Award
Guiseppe Giannotta, Team REVOLVER, Most Outrageous Boat
Steve Donahue, Post Card Inn Sponsor Award
Dave Henningson, Team DCB Sponsor Award
Todd Larson, Best Team Name BURNIN’ GREEN
Lane Christianson, Best Paint & Graphics Award
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Brittany
SAFETY DANCE ! F
lorida Powerboat Club’s new Safety Management Initiative got off to a fantastic start after being announced in the last issue of Powerboating in Paradise, and launched at the Miami Boat Show Poker Run earlier this year. The initial launch involved several meetings with three of the major law enforcement agencies, United States Coast Guard (USCG) Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the marine unit for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR). All talks culminated with a meeting at the Miami Boat Show, where club members were given the opportunity to speak directly with law enforcement and express their views and field questions. The Miami Boat Show Poker Run featured the highest level of safety and “first-responder” presence for any FPC event in the club’s 20 year history. Patrol boats from FWC (four boats total) as well as two of the modern Miami Dade Fire Rescue boats, both capable of high-speed response and multiple victim rescues. Miami Dade Fire Rescue- Fireboat 1 - Positioned at the Featherbeds on Biscayne Bay, for the Miami Boat Show Poker Run. A second boat was at the start of the event near Coconut Grove.
Stu Jones with MDFR and FWC officers during the lunch stopover at Gilberts Key Largo. County rescue divers rode on the State FWC boats, following the poker run from start to finish. 48
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Florida Fish & Wildlife officer Jorge Pino and Miami commander Mark Hodges, were instrumental in putting FPC in contact with Miami Dade Fire Rescue. The safety patrols, communications and first-responder presence was the highest level for an FPC poker run event ever.
Run Safety may often be enhanced by the presence of law enforcement boats, but this Phighoker may not always provide critical “timely” emergency response necessary to respond to a speed rollover, spin-out, collision, rooster tail wash or even random stuff from a rogue tug
or yacht wake. Strategic Safety Management for poker runs is not about having boats on the course to “look good”. Its a management plan with a real, tangible first-responder presence. It involves the physical presence of professional rescue divers, paramedics and EMT’s on board patrol boats that are constantly moving with the flow of the poker run. This is paramount to “immediate response.” Safety personnel must be on boats that are fast, reliable, and operated by professionals or at the very least, by highly experience drivers. These are the KEY elements to providing Strategic Safety Management on performance boating poker runs.
One thing that was unique about the execution of the program, was the placement Of two MDFR staff on each of the Florida FWC boats. FPC management naturally experienced an initial knee-jerk reaction from (some) club members, and responded by adjusting the fee structure for all of the 2013 poker run events that followed. Currently, the Safety Management Program fees remain as follows: Sportboat Class: 50-60 mph:................. $ 50 Performance Class: 61-99 mph:............ $ 100 Hi-Performance Class: 100-150 mph:... $ 150 For Fort Myers, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville Poker Runs, the safety management fees secured (4) rescue diver/paramedics, riding on two separate volunteer boats. In most cases, the fees also allowed for volunteer boats to be compensated for fuel. The concept of the new Safety Management Program is simple and effective... to ensure that qualified rescue personnel are “on the poker run course” and ready to respond to any potential accident or emergency. Thanks to all who understand and support this new program! POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
49
ABOVE: Keeping in tune with the performance marine market, Ilmor goes to where the customers are, namely safe, well-organized poker run events like the Key West Poker Run. RIGHT: With power plants like the MV10-625, Ilmor’s future is so bright, our model Liz has to wear shades! FAR RIGHT: In their first year of competition, a pair of Ilmor Marine MV10-625 engines powered the #99 Fountain Worldwide “King of Shaves” powerboat to the coveted Powerboat P1 Evolution Class World Championship.
50
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
POWER FUTURE INTO THE
By Jason Johnson
ILMOR ENGINEERING BROKE INTO THE PERFORMANCE MARINE ENGINE MARKET 10 YEARS AGO AND TODAY ARE HEADING FULL THROTTLE INTO THE POWERBOATING FUTURE.
I
t’s been a little more than 10 years since Ilmor Engineering decided to enter the high-performance marine sector by building V-8 race engines for the American Power Boat Association (APBA) SuperCat series. Yet, from the sheer amount of new product and considerable amount of name recognition, it seems like the company has been around much longer. Of course, it helps that the Ilmor name is recognized worldwide as a formidable high-performance engine design and manufacturing company thanks to its IndyCar success and involvement with Formula One, NASCAR, ARCA and Kart racing series. Since 1984, Ilmor’s IndyCar accomplishments alone include more than 260 wins— including 18 Indy 500 victories (the most recent was this past Memorial Day)—15 drivers championships and 13 manufacturers championships. While the Ilmor High-Performance Marine brand has matured immensely since the 2004 Miami International Boat Show debut of its 550-horsepower MV10 550 engine, continued on next page POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
51
continued from previous page
The first set of MV8 570 engines have been installed in a new Formula Boats 353 FAS3Tech model, which was on display at the Miami International Boat Show in February 52
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
which was based on the V-10 power plant found in the Dodge Viper, the company still has plenty of room to grow. That’s not to discount the MV10 engines that followed the 550—the impressive 625-, 650-, 700and 725-hp offerings—but the company has taken a step in another direction with the release of the new MV8 570 engine. The hand-built naturally aspirated 570-hp engine is based on General Motor’s 7.4-litre Performance Parts modern LS architecture cylinder block with many custom-fabricated parts to Ilmor’s design specifications. The result is a fuel-efficient, compact and lightweight engine that’s beautifully dressed. The first set of engines have been installed in a new Formula Boats 353 FAS3Tech model, which was on display at the Miami International Boat Show in February. What’s interesting is much of the development for the MV8 570 was done because Ilmor also has its hands in the towboat market as the exclusive engine supplier to MasterCraft Boats, a deal that was agreed to in 2010 in conjunction with the launch of Ilmor’s new line of MV8 engines ranging from 320 to 522 hp So as any company does with a new product, Ilmor is hitting the road to promote the 570-hp small-block engines, which provide enough punch to get the 9,600-pound, 35-foot Formula—a hefty test platform—running faster than 85 mph. “When you’re like we are, we’ve only been in this business 10 years, there’s still an amazing amount of people who have never heard of us relative to Mercury, and so we have to continue to be in front of the customers,” said Paul Ray, president of Ilmor Engineering, from the Ilmor Marine display during the Desert Storm Poker Run in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. “You have to constantly remind people that you’re around—and you want to bring new product like the 570 for people to see for the first time.”According to Jessica Gamarra, Ilmor’s sales and marketing director, that is exactly what the Plymouth, Mich.-based company plans to do. Along with the Miami Boat Show Poker Run and Desert Storm, she said Ilmor is going to have its marketing trailer at a couple of local poker runs such as the Boyne Thunder Poker Run, as well as major events like the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout and Key West Poker Run. “I think the most important thing we can do is be where our customers are,” Gamarra said. “Even more than any boat show, it’s at poker runs and those types of events where continued on page 54
1 continued from page 52
the true enthusiasts are found. They’re the ones who understand what it is that we, as high-performance engine manufacturers, are trying to do. It’s best to talk to them in an area where they can actually see our customers’ boats in action. With our V-10 it has this unique sound, and unless you hear it, you can’t really describe it to someone.” Ray said he learns something at every event he attends because he’s “amongst the customers.” “It’s no different than any other business— if you own a store, your customers come in and you get to talk to them everyday so you learn more about your customers that way,” Ray said. “We’re in a different world. We have to go where the customers are rather than the customers coming into our storefront.” Ilmor has proven itself in the marine business by staying true to the principles put in place by company founders Mario Illien and Paul Morgan, which include innovative solutions, precision engineering and manufacturing, high-quality reliable products and a high level of customer support. “Ilmor Marine has really done an outstanding job with its entry into the world of high-performance boating,” said Stu
54
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
2
3
with propulsion, and what really impressed me the most, was their undying commitment to get over those hurdles. “That said, equally impressive to me, has been Ilmor’s continued support of the Florida Powerboat Club and other poker run organizers around the nation,” Jones continued. “Above all, they get it. They get that without successful, safe, well-organized poker run events, there really would be no recreational outlet for the owners of these boats. It’s nice to deal with professionals like Paul Ray, Jessica Gamarra and Ian Hawkins. With those folks on the front line, you know that the rest of the team is made up of some quality players, too.” Ray explained that poker r uns are particularly valuable to Ilmor. “Without that next-to-the-customer exposure we’d never have the opportunity to sell these (engines),” he said. “This is what we do for a living. But we don’t do it because we have to or to make a little money, we do it because we love it. We’re engine guys, you know, we’re geeks … but in a cool world. It’s hard work, that’s for sure, but that’s where you get your results.” JJ
4 Jones, who founded the Florida Powerboat Club in 1993. “Being a company with a strong resume in the world of building engines for a major motorsports series, they certainly had the power plant engineering ABOVE: FPC members love their Ilmor powered boats. 1. mastered right out of the Chris Ryder 2. Joe Loguidice 3. Dolph Williams 4. Kent box. However they met some Streeter BELOW: The Ilmor headquarters in Plymouth, MI. challenges in the early stages
FROM ESTERO ISLAND TO CABBAGE KEY & USEPPA, FPC MEMBERS EXPLORED EXCITING ISLAND DESTINATIONS ONE HOP AT A TIME
THE FORT MYERS POKER RUN 2013
ABOVE: Poker run teams made their way slowly through Matanzas pass to the Gulf of Mexico before hitting the throttles for the run toward Charlotte Harbour 56
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
LEFT: Rich Ainsworth & Dave Postil prepare for departure from Pink Shell RIGHT: The very upscale Useppa Island Marina was a great stopover destination on the Saturday poker run STORY: STU JONES l PHOTOGRAPHY: PHIL LEBOUTELLIER & STU JONES
AS EXPECTED, THE NEW venue at the Pink Shell Resort on Estero Island, proved to be the perfect headquarters for the Fort Myers Poker Run. With allnew floating docks, top-line equipment and first class treatment from the marina staff, FPC members were impressed with the facility, which offered dockage for a wide array of boats, from 30 to 80 feet in length. Nearby marinas and boat yards provided necessary launching, trailer parking, boat ramps and fuel making this a poker run friendly destination in many respects. But it was the “total package,” including first classs resort accommodations, spacious 1 and 2 bedroom suites, excellent amenaties and breath-taking views of the wide sandy beach along the gulfcoast shores, that made this the perfect stop on the FPC Poker Run tour. Friday featured a fun run for about a dozen poker run teams, with a short halfhour ride through the protected ICW waters of Pine Island Sound to the landmark Cabbage Key. This quaint, historic destination is loaded with nostalgia and offers great food from a staff of island dwellers continued on next page
Gasparilla Marina in Placida provided poker card #3 and fuel for thirsty poker run boats
The Pink Shell Resort & Marina was very poker run friendly, with modern luxurious accommodations, excellent amenities and a white sandy beach on its doorstep
Red Reynolds’ Lady Lisa (80’ Nor-Tech) was the showpiece at the center of the marina POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
57
continued from previous page
who seem quite content with their remote cottage habitat, disconnected from the fast pace of mainland Lee County. But don’t underestimate this “remote” existance, as Cabbage Key was soon slammed on this sunny Friday, with transient boaters and large tour vessels that dumped hundreds of visitors onto the island to enjoy the beautiful first day of Spring 2013! Temperatures had warmed by Saturday as the event launched shortly after 10 a.m., and poker run teams gathered up their first card from the Pink Shell Marina, then headed out the Matanzas pass. The winds appeared light at first, but as the fleet rounded the soutahwest bend of Sanibel Island on the northbound leg of the run the seas picked up and immediately put significant separation among the fleet. The Nortech 477 Paceboat, with builder Trond Schou at the helm, didn’t seem to be phased by the seas at first, keeping the Performance-class boat at speeds near 70 mph. But Mother Nature was taking the upper hand on this ride, and Trond soon brought the speed down to a more crew-comfortable 50mph, while focusing his attention on safe navigation. In minutes, a thick fog had settled in along the coastal route, making it almost impossible to see the Sanibel Island shoreline, which was less than a mile to starbord. Worse yet, there were no longer ANY poker run boats in sight, and it was clear that everyone would be navigating a solo mission for this leg of the run, with the assistance of their onboard Gar min chartplotters. Eventually, as the fog began to lift, the Boca Grande Pass was in sight along with a few other poker run boats. It was apparent that some teams had taken an earlier “shortcut” to the protected waters along the eastern shore of Sanibel by ducking in at Redfish Pass near Captiva Island. The run continued to Harpoon Harry’s at the Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda, a continued on page 60 58
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Rich Ainsworth (MI), Team KUZICAN, Nor-Tech 3600 Supercat
Nick Amelio (FL), Team WUT WUZ I THINKIN’, 43’ Nor-Tech
Team ARTEMIS: Justina, Beatrice, Elle Berg, Amo
Bob & Elle Berg (FL), Team ATREMIS, 50’ Nor-Tech
Timothy Connelly (ME), Team EVICTION, 29’ Formula
The Money Shot, In Cabbage Key Restaurant
continued from page 58
destination we had visited on previous Fort Myers events. The staff at the Captains table had a hearty lunch hot and ready as the first arrivals made their way to the scenic dining room overlooking the boats and Charlotte Harbor. Indeed, with such a wide variety in speeds among the fleet, the arrivals were spread out over an hour. Eventually all poker run boats were settled in and rafted up. The afternoon course took the fleet a little further north to Gasparilla Marina, an enormous, full service marina, which has evolved into an impressive waterfront community over recent years. The 1,000 boat facility is surrounded by attractive condominiums and townhomes, making this the ideal homeport for many boaters. The marina staff were ready for the thirsty boats and the fuel pump meters were soon spinning wildly, as a number of poker runners re-fueled. The Nor-tech 477 paceboat positioned itself on the facing pier so poker run teams could receive their card as they departed from the marina. In about a half-hour the flurry of activity was completed and the poker run fleet was on its way Southbound....next stop Useppa Island Club, a private marine community.
Jeff Devolin (CAN), Team USUAL SUSPECTS, 38’ Hustler
Bruce & Jenni Easmunt (NJ), Team WHERE THE BLACKTOP ENDS, 48’ Fountain Express Cruiser
Mark & Maggie Sanz / Mark & Eileen Fischer (FL), Team BOATSDIRECTUSA.com, 39’ Cigarette Topfish
continued on page 62
Tim & Treva Irwin (OH), Team T-N-T, 38’ Cigarette
Our local model did a great job handing out cards.
60
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Glenn Kennedy (WI), & Doug Valentine, Team HOLY SMOKE, 43’ Outerlimits
continued from page 60
Located at the north end of Pine Island Sound, Usseppa Island Club is an exclusive, member-driven island that offers a truly relaxed vibe, and an escape from the mainland. Island dwellers are not typically there year-round, and the eclectic mix of individuals, mostly boaters and yachtsmen, clearly have common ground amoungst each other. Club members Frank & Milli Ricciardelli have often expressed their enjoyment of this island paradise, and more recently, George & Shannon Argyros have taken up home-ownership on the island. The couple, owners of Team Donzilla, a 43 Donzi, hosted the poker run guests, with red carpet service. Shannon took charge of poker card handouts at the dock, and after docking their boats in the marina, guests were greeted at the waterfront restaurant by hubby George. All poker runners were offered golf cart tours of the island, which was fun for all who attended. Special thanks to our gracious hosts, George & Shannon, for extending this warm welcome, along with all the staff at Useppa Island Club. We look forward to making this a return visit on future poker run events! The final leg of the run took place in the calm bay waters of Pine island Sound, and by late afternoon, the boats were settled in for the night. Special thanks to the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, for staffing our FPC Safety Boats with four fire-rescue paramedics to ride along for the entire event. Additional thanks to Trond Schou of Nor-Tech, and Brian & Karen Connelly for providing their Nor-Tech center console boats as safety boats for our paramedics to ride on. The Saturday night party at the Pink Shell Resort was set up in an elegant ballroom, with a fabulous buffet dinner and aerial videos from earlier in the day on the big screen. Many awards were presented in a variety of categories, and prizes were awarded to the top three winners of the poker run! First place poker hand winner was Bob & Elle Berg, second place Bob & Madelaine Christie and third place Jeff Devolin. Thanks to all who attended, and with your support we will certainly be adding this event to the schedule for 2014! SJ 62
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
George & Carrie Olson (TX), Team SONIC, 42’ Sonic
David Postil (MI), Team SPE POWER, 35’ Everglades
Kevin Primmer (CAN), Team PERFECT STORM, 42’ Statement!
Bill Robbins (TX), Team ALL IN AGAIN, 40’ Nor-Tech
Manny & Christina Roman (FL), Team MOTION OPEN FISH, 42’ Motion
Jeff & Marilyn Whitlock (AL), Team DO IT, 40’ MTI
George Argyros of Team Donzilla at Useppa Island Club
Trond Schou provided the Nor-Tech 477 SPX as official paceboat. The twin Mercury Racing 1350’s provided outstanding performance throughout the day 64
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
USEPPA ISLAND CLUB was a big hit with participants who received red carpet treatment from hosts George & Shannon Argyros at their recently acquired Florida vacation home.
1st Place: Bob & Elle Berg, Team ARTEMIS, 50’ Nortech
2nd Place: Bob & Madelaine Christie, Team STATEMENT!, 37’ Statement
3rd Place: Jeff Devolin Team USUAL SUSPECTS
Mark & Eileen Fischer, Team BOATSDIRECTUSA.com Sponsor Award
Trond & Marie Schou Nor-Tech Sponsor Appreciation Award
Kenny Armstrong, Best Catamaran Team PHANTOM
Tim Connelly, Team EVICTION Best Dressed Team Award
Bruce & Jenni Easmunt, Best Team Name: WHERE THE BLACKTOP ENDS
Justina, Amo, Elle Berg, Beatrice Ladies of Team ARTEMIS Sexiest Crew
Bob Christie, Team JERSEY STRONG Best Poker Run Boat Award 386 Stament SUV
Jeff Devolin, Team USUAL SUSPECTS Farthest Traveled Award
Red Reynolds, Team LADY LISA Most Outrageous Boat Award POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
65
O Light MEMBER
♣ SP T
Lane Christianson made his poker run debut in February with this colorful 51 Outerlimits powered by Sterling 1550’s. With its striking paint scheme and King of Hearts on the forward deck, it immediately won him our People’s Choice Award.
66
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
FROM BIG HORSE POWER TO BIG GAME HUNTING, LANE CHRISTIANSON, 4TH GENERATION AUSTINITE AND ENTREPRENEUR, SHOWS US THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS. BY STU JONES
S
electing the best boat name for your poker run team can often present many challenges, but not for one Texas powerboater with a passion for high-performance and virtually all things that float. For Lane Christianson, owner of a 51 Outerlimits that features brilliant orange and yellow graphics and oozes big horsepower from supercharged Sterling powerplants, “Fast Lane” was a dead ringer.
So where does all the passion come from? We asked the newcomer to the Florida Powerboat Club family, after attending the Miami Boat Show Poker Run and Tampa Bay Poker Run. “I grew up on Lake Travis, in Texas where I presently live, I’ve had numerous boats, from an 18’ john boat when I was six years old to more recently a 63’ Technomarine sport yacht.” Along the way, like many of us, Lane was influenced by someone who brought him into the exciting world of performance boating. “It was back in the mid 90’s. My late friend Jack Carmody introduced me to the world of speed and I have been hooked ever since.” continued on next page...
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
67
♣ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
can afford first class treatment from people like Healey. And as always, there is that question frequently asked in poker run circles, ”What does he do to afford it!?” So we asked Lane a for a little background into his story of success. “I am a 4 th generation Austinite and I run the family business that my grandfather started back in 1950. We are the largest familyowned plumbing and air-conditioning contracting firm in Texas!” There you have it. Family business, generations of hard work and no doubt a company that has learned how to take care of customers. In keeping with the spirit of thanking friends and comrades, Lane added a shout-out to his crew. “Usually on board Fast Lane are two of my longtime friends that have been in the boating industry for many years. John Deprato, who owns Five Star Marine Service, Lake Travis’s largest repair and overhaul facility. Also, Kenneth Black, a 2nd generation owner of South Austin Marine which is largest dealer of leading boat brands such as Nor-Tech, Regal, Formula, Supra, and many others”
At the Miami Boat Show Poker Run, Lane received the coveted Best Paint & Graphics award from FPC girls, Courtney (left) and Brittany (right). The Texan returned to the poker run scene just two months later, attending the Tampa Bay Poker Run in St. Petersburg.
LANE CHRISTIANSON
...continued from previous page
Being from the Austin area, Lane and his fellow boaters have experienced the drought that took Lake Travis to its lowest recorded levels in years. To compensate, Lane started boating in Florida about three years ago, and in this last year has enjoyed running his 51 OL on Florida waters. “I’ve got to tell you, doing these poker runs has been a blast for me but there
68
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
is a lot that goes into making it happen. That’s where my team comes in. Tom Healey of Marine Unlimited, has been instrumental in taking care of all the details. The minute I step off the plane, the crew and I are headed somewhere to meet up with Tom to see what he has planned for us. I like to think of him as my “Jersey-Florida Connection!” In d e e d , l i k e m a n y o t h e r powerboaters in the FPC family, Lane has been one of the privileged few that
Indeed, Lane’s personal adventures are not limited to his passion for powerboating. An accomplished big game hunter, Lane has many safaris to his credit and a big game room richly decorated with his prized mounts from these excursions. Lane’s final words to the writer. “My buddies and I, who are avid boaters and outdoorsman, have really enjoyed meeting the folks of FPC and look forward to participating in future events. I have enjoyed getting to know you and Jackie.” We can only hope that Lane doesn’t have too many items left unchecked on his bucket list beacuse we enjoy having the Fast Lane crew around and look forward to seeing them on the next poker run! SJ
Tampa Bay POKER RUN 2013 Members of FPC enjoying the filming of Powerboating In Paradise on location at the Vinoy Resort Marina
70
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
The Tampa Bay Poker Run returned to the Bay Area for the third time to much praise from an intimate group of Florida Powerboat Club members. BY JASON JOHNSON
Vinoy Resort Marina
AS FPC LOOKS AHEAD to the fourth annual Tampa Bay Poker Run next spring, I can’t help but feel like I missed out by not attending this year’s run on the gorgeous waterways surrounding Tampa, St. Petersburg and beyond. In 2012, I had the privilege of participating in and covering the event for the first time. It was just the second one since the club decided to return to the state’s popular West Coast destination and the renowned Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Marina. Needless to say I had a blast. My experiences on and off the water definitely allowed me to grasp the excitement behind Joe Calvanese’s complimentary description of the hotel and dock accommodations
and Rafe Guidry’s wide-eyed expression over the nightlife in downtown St. Pete, particularly the Saturday poker run party at Suite Six nightclub in the lively Central Avenue restaurant and entertainment district. Even with the vivid descriptions from the half-dozen or more club members I interviewed for my story, I’m still kicking myself for not making the trip to the event in early April to hang with FPC President Stu Jones and the rest of the gang. Especially when I found out the weather—at least for Saturday’s poker run—was as ideal. continued on next page
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
71
Bob & Elle Berg (FL), Team ARTEMIS, 50’ Nor-Tech
Bob & Kari Blanford (FL), Team UNITED LANDSCAPES, 36’ MTI
FPC commandeered the entire Suite Six Bar & Lounge for poker run entertainment.
TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2013
...continued from previous page
“We got pretty lucky and ended up with great weather, which made for a really good run,” said Bill Robbins, who drove his NorTech Hi-Performance Boats 4000 Roadster catamaran in the run. “We had a great time. St. Pete is a cool little town. And once you get on the water, there are so many places to go and things to see. I will be back, that’s for sure.” Robbins and the Team All in Again crew finished the event with the third-best hand—two pair—and some great memories that will last a lifetime. That’s exactly what Matt Gordon was after when he brought his friends, Ed Dawson and John Massingale, to do the poker run with him in his Hustler Powerboats 377 Talon, which is powered by twin 750-hp Cobra Power engines. The poker run was Gordon’s first time on the West Coast and he enjoyed every minute of it, even the captain’s meeting, which he described as essential. “In my opinion, you can’t get enough reinforcement when it comes to safety— Stu does a great job stressing safety tips,” said Gordon, who lives in Greenwich, continued on page 74 72
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Jeffrey Bognolo (FL), Team GOOD NEIGHBOR, 38’ Donzi
Nick Buis - Chris Fenelon (FL), Team STATEMENT!, 50’ Statement!
Thomas Calabro (RI), Team LIQUID COURAGE, 36’ Spectre
Joe Calvanese (CT), Team DE CAL, 46’ Skater
Julie & Wayne Casey (CAN), Team UNRULY CREW II, 39’Cigarette
It turned out to be great weather for a quick game of beach volleyball at Tarpon Pointe Grill.
TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2013 ...continued from page 72
Conn., and has been a club member for four years. “I was pleasantly surprised by everything. Even though Friday’s fun run was completely blown out, we had a great time hanging out at the docks for hours and talking with everyone. You don’t always have that opportunity at other events. It was a real good vibe, plus it gave us the energy to head out later and enjoy the nightlife.” Like Robbins, Gordon was pleasantly surprised by the nice weather on Saturday. “I’m glad we decided to stay and do the run,” said Gordon, who debated hauling his boat back to his friend’s house in Jupiter to boat on the East Coast. “Overall it was a great run. It was a little choppy at some points, but we enjoyed the weather, the stops and all of the people.” Another participant who was boating on Tampa Bay for the first time was Joe Calvanese, who also lives in Connecticut. “Everything about the poker run was great,” said Calvanese, who brought his friends Dan Desantis, Dave Partesco and Dave Begogian on the run with him in his continued on page 76 74
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Lane Christianson (TX), Team FAST LANE, 51’ Outerlimits
Bob Christie (NJ), Team JERSEY STRONG, 38’ Statement!
John Fahmy (FL), Team MIDNIGHT RIDER, 34’ Powerquest
Richard Gerth (CAN), Team OUTERLIMITS, 42’ Outerlimits
Gary Goodell (FL), Team MISS GEICO, 38’ Cigarette
The Manatee River offered new adventures as boaters visited downtown Bradenton.
TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2013
...continued from page 74
46-foot Skater Powerboats cat with twin Sterling Performance 1550 engines. “The hotel was beautiful and the marina was outstanding. We really enjoyed ourselves, especially at the place we stopped for lunch. I’ve never ran inside Tampa Bay before—I couldn’t believe how big it is.” Calvanese had the good fortune of winning the top hand of the poker run. He also had the generosity to donate his prize money back. Taking home the run’s secondbest hand was the altruistic John Woodruff, who drove Windship, his 48-foot catamaran from Marine Technology Inc. Obviously the consensus is that the venue—the cool waterfront downtown area of St. Pete complemented by the exquisitely restored Vinoy property—is turning this event into a very desirable poker run. The event’s smaller, more intimate, size only adds to its appeal. With 35 boats registered this year, the run allows participants to intermingle more than some of the club’s larger events like Emerald Coast Poker Run, Key West Poker Run and the Miami Boat Show Poker Run. continued on page 78
76
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Matthew Gordon (CT), Team HUSTLER, 37’ Hustler
Rafe Guidry (LA), Team RAFE ‘N IT, 38’ Cigarette
Bradas Henan, Team RIGHTWAY, 38’ Donzi
Adding new flavor to the program, this year’s lunch stop was at Tarpon Pointe Grill in Bradenton
Gabriele Jasper (NJ), Team PAIN KILLER, 43’ Aronoli Bob Christie and his group of friends enjoyed the weekend on his Statement! 368
TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2013 ...continued from page 76
“We always have a great time at the Tampa run,” said New Jersey club member Bob Christie, who did the event in his new Statement Marine 368 Crossover SUV center console with quad 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards. “I have a great time running up there because there are so many places to go. While it was different this year because I usually do the run in Speed (Christie’s other boat is the celebrated Speed Racer MTI), we had a blast in the center console. I mean we took nine people on the run and were running around at 75 mph. “Yeah I missed Speed this year, but I think we had more fun with the Statement,” Christie continued. “We found ourselves hanging on the boat more and having a good time. That’s something we’ve never really done with our high-performance boats.” Joining the eclectic fleet of go-fast catamarans, V-bottoms and center console sportboats, was the enormous Lady Lisa, the Nor-Tech 80 Roadster performance yacht owned by Red Reynolds. This year’s course was laid out in similar fashion to the last two years of the run, although a new lunch location at Tarpon Pointe Grille in Bradenton provided a bit of a twist. continued on page 80 78
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Glenn Kennedy (WI), Team HOLY SMOKE, 43’ Outerlimits
Al Ober (FL), Team SUNSATION, 35’ Sunsation
Barry Peters (FL), Team WICKED, 42’ Fountain
Bill Pyburn Jr. (FL), Team PURE PLATINUM, 38’ Skater
Dennis Raia (NY), Team OUTRAIAGIOUS, 48’ MTI
You have to get your cards to win the run. Here’s Stephanie making it a pleasant experience.
TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2013 ...continued from page 78
“This year’s lunch stop was pretty cool,” said Rafe Guidry, who lives in Baton Rouge, La., and owns Shenanigans, a Cigarette Racing 38 Top Gun Open with twin Mercury 300 Verado engines. “We played some volleyball, which was fun, and the food and staff were great. I’ll be honest with you—Tampa Bay is one of my favorite poker runs. It’s one of the more high-end poker runs around and everyone is really cool. Best of all is that once you get to the Vinoy, you don’t have to leave. Everything is right there within walking distance. “The only disappointment to me was that the event was not on the same weekend as the Festivals of Speed,” Guidry continued. “That part of the event last year was pretty cool. Most of us who are into this sport are also into cars so the festival gave us something else to do while we were in town.” Jones admitted he was disappointed that the club wasn’t involved with the Festivals of Speed, which was moved to the following continued on page 82 80
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Red Reynolds (WI), Team LADY LISA, 80’ Nor-Tech
Ed Rieskamp (IN), Team BLOWN INVESTMENT, 47’ Fountain
Bill Robbins (TX), Team ALL, IN AGAIN, 40’ Nor-Tech
Eye in the Sky With the Sunshine Skyway in the background, the Safari Helicopters Robinson R44 hovers above the 2nd poker card checkpoint Egmont Key. The colorful chopper covered the morning session of the poker run, then returned to base at Albert Whitted Airport, St. Petersburg. For scenic rides visit www.safarichoppers.com
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
81
TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2013 ...continued from page 80
weekend long after the club had announced its 2013 dates. He said he has every intention of joining forces with Festivals of Speed again so club members can enjoy the exotic cars, custom motorcycles, vintage and contemporary aircraft, and even show off their own go-fast machines. “I plan on doing the event every year I can—I love boating in Tampa,” said Dr. Gabe Jasper, who brought Pain Killer, his 43-foot catamaran with twin Mercury Racing 1350 engines, to the poker run. “This was my first time running the 43 in Tampa and it felt flawless. I ran it hard—like I always do— and the boat was totally safe. We recently rerigged the boat and put extension boxes on it and refurbished the propellers.” Participating in the run for the third year in a row, Ed Rieskamp hauled his Fountain Powerboats 47 Lightning from Indiana to Florida. He called the Tampa Bay Poker Run a “can’t-miss event” because of the beautiful scenery and remarkable on-water destinations. “I’ve been able to combine the run with a business trip the last three years so it’s worked out great,” said Rieskamp, who powered his Mitcher T-painted 47-footer with a pair of 635-cubic-inch engines from Sterling Performance that produce 1,150 hp each. “It’s just an all-around neat ride. I really like going under the Skyway Bridge and heading to downtown Tampa for the beautiful views of the city. And you can’t beat the Vinoy with all of its character.” Jones knows the Vinoy and its accompanying marina are two keys to the event’s long-term success. Along with the waterways, the downtown scene and the ability to change the poker run course slightly year in and year out, Jones and company believe they have a hit on their hands with the Tampa Bay Poker Run.
Jerry Sorrentino, Team SLOW M’OCEAN, 36’ Statement
Mark Stoddart (CAN), Team OFF LIMITS, 50’ Outerlimits
Albert Teramara (OH), Team NASTY HABIT, 42’ Cigarette
Jim Wiley (FL), Team 007, 44’-MTI
Add in the reliable organization and the emphasis on safety—two safety boats followed the poker run with a total of four St. Petersburg Fire Rescue crewmembers ready to provide emergency response in the event of any on-water incidents—it wouldn’t be surprising if the poker run becomes one of the club’s premier events. In the meantime, I’m going to start planning my 2014 trip to Tampa so I can witness, firsthand, any adjustments the FPC makes to the event. JJ 82
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
John Woodruff (GA), Team WINDSHIP, 48’ MTI
TAMPA BAY POKER RUN
AWARDS 1st Place: Joe Calvanese, Team DECAL 46’ Skater
2nd Place: John Woodruff, Team WINDSHIP 48’ MTI
3rd Place: Bill Robbins, Team ALL IN AGAIN 40’ Nor-Tech
Mark & Eileen Fischer w/ Mike & Maggie Sanz, Sponsor Award
Vicki Rieskamp, Team BLOWN INVESTMENT, Best Dressed Crew
Chris Dilling & Gabe Jasper, Team PAINKILLER, Best Paint & Graphics Award
Jennifer & Barry Peters Best Poker Run Boat Award
Jerry Sorrentino, Team SLOW M’OCEAN, Best Sportboat Award
Mark Stoddart, TEAM OFF LIMITS w/ Jim Earle, Best V-Bottom Award
Richard Gerth, Team OUTERLIMITS, The Farthest Traveled Award
Elle Berg, Team ARTEMIS, Sexiest Crew Award
Priscilla Buis, Chris Fenelon & Guest, 50’ Statement! Best Catamaran Award POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
83
♣T SPO MEMBER
Light
RETURNTO
PARADISE
AFTER JOINING FPC in 2005 and attending Key West Poker Run along with a string of events over the next year, Bob & Elle (then dating) sold the Fountain and lost contact with the performance boating scene. We always hate to see good people leave the sport, especially when it’s a fun bunch that bring good energy and a FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB MEMBERS BOB & ELLE BERG ARE PROOF THAT spirited crew along for the ride. But then, POWERBOATERS MAY COME AND GO BUT THE PASSION NEVER LEAVES. out of nowhere, in Feb 2012 we bumped BY STU JONES into Bob & Elle at Postcard Inn, during the Miami Boat Show Poker Run. They
84
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Bob & Elle Berg enjoy FPC events on their 50’ Nor-Tech, Team ARTEMIS. Bob hauls the boat northbound in the summer month to their vacation home on Lake Charlevoix
hadn’t purchased a boat yet, but they admitted they missed the fun, and were back in to hunt. Enter Mindi Doller, from Doller Offshore Marine, who had a Donzi on display at the event. In just a couple of months, the Bergs (now married) were into a nicely refurbed 50 Nor-Tech Supervee, a boat that was previously owned by an FPC member, and was ready for a new home. Since then, attending FPC poker runs has been a big splash for the highly spirited couple, who own a home in Ocean Reef Club, an upscale Key Largo neighborhood that is surrounded by water. We spoke to Bob and Elle separately, to get a little more insight on their boating lifestyle.
PIP: Bob, your earlier years with the club were in a 47 Fountain. Then you sold the boat and got out of the sport for a while. What made you come back? BB: I guess we just got busy with life and business and there are only so many weekends in a year. At that time I also owned a 140’ yacht, and we had a lot of fun cruising and entertaining guests onboard. That didn’t leave many weekends left for powerboating so we just let the Fountain go, and then five years slipped by. We really missed it after a while, and after selling the yacht, we just gravitated back to FPC. PIP: Your 50 Nor-Tech really rocks! What is it that impresses you most about the boat, and why does it suit your lifestyle?
BB: It’s just perfect in so many ways. I’ve always liked v-bottoms, and this 50’ Supervee is about as good as it gets. It has plenty of power if we need it, but I’m really quite happy around the 70+ cruise speeds that are ideal for poker runs. My wife Elle and her friends love having the big cabin below to get some A/C and freshen up, and there’s plenty of room for all the (girls’) luggage. You know they can pack! PIP: Back in 2005 when we met, you introduced me to the concept of the “Program” when we visited you on your yacht at the Galleon. You had cups, napkins, and tees with the name. There’s continued on next page
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
85
continued from previous page...
an underlying meaning to this concept, and it makes so much sense when it comes to boating and having crew on board. Explain a little. BB: Well it’s really quite simple. When we go boating, we like to hang out with fun loving people and we like to stick together as a team…in all that we do. Having pretty ladies along just seems to fit well into the boating and yachting scene and I don’t know anyone who will tell you otherwise. It’s a lifestyle that involves a lot of showmanship. My wife Elle oversees the details of getting a female crew together, and they coordinate swimwear and outfits so they all look great and it really makes it fun for all of them. Then, it’s my job to drive the boat safely and make sure they all have a great time. How hard is that? Q & A with Elle Berg: PIP: How is it that a Canadian girl from Ontario found her way to Florida? EB: I moved to South Beach after college to pursue my nursing career. I had vacationed in Miami for spring break and fell in love with the Florida lifestyle. I love being outdoors, fitness and boating. My best friend and her husband in Windsor, Ontario were powerboaters and they turned me on to go-fast boats and boating in general. I always had friends who were into boating in Florida and that’s actually how I met my husband (years later)...on a 47’ Fountain powerboat! PIP: Even though you have enjoyed yachting and upscale boating situations, you seem to find the powerboating side quite enjoyable. Are the people more fun on poker runs? EB: I have always loved the power boating lifestyle. There is a sense of glamour, sexiness and excitement that go with it. Yachting is also amazing but the people who are drawn to powerboating tend to be more friendly, less stuffy and definitely know how to have fun! There is a camaraderie that is hard to put into words. PIP: You and Bob are very safety conscious and you make it a point to get your guests up to speed on safety,
86
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
wearing pfd’s etc. Can you share your outlook with our readers and fellow FPC members? EB: My background as an RN makes me a safety conscious person in general. Bob and I try to emphasize safety to our crew from the minute they step on board Artemis. Bob
1
2
3
leads the charge by handing out pfd’s and explaining how and why we wear them. He puts someone in charge of collecting them and passing them out on poker runs, creating an atmosphere of accountability. We also are very conscientious about having a sober crew. The captain can’t be the only person who is coherent on a poker run. If something goes wrong everyone needs to be able to roll up their sleeves to help because when or if things go wrong during boating, they go wrong quickly and everyone on board needs to be able to spring to action.There is plenty of time after the event to drink and party, and we do! Also, we want everyone on board Artemis to feel comfortable, not scared. Many women shy away from powerboating due to the extreme speeds. Bob tries to keep our speeds slower than most boats (even though we can go pretty fast) to keep everyone on the boat happy. I think more women would get involved in powerboating if the drivers simply slowed down. That’s just my opinion though. AMEN! Well said Elle, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. The next FPC captains meeting will feature our new guest speaker, Elle Berg! Meanwhile, the Bergs are spending their summers at their Michigan vacation home on the beautiful Lake Charlevoix. Thanks again to Bob & Elle for being outstanding members with Florida Powerboat Club and for taking an upper hand on safety awareness! SJ
4
1. Bob & Elle with the ladies on Tampa Bay Poker Run 2. Miami Boat Show Poker Run: Top: Patricia & Iliani, Bottom: Amo, Elle Berg & Justina 3. Bob & Elle with their Fountain 47 crew, Key West Poker Run 2005. 4. Bob’s 47 Fountain Lightning, Key West Poker Run 2005. Team name “Love That Chicken” made comic reference to Bob’s success in ownership of fast food franchises.
FLORIDA FRACTIONAL CLUB
THE YACHT OF YOUR DREAMS
DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING FOUR PAGE FEATURE IS A REPRESENTATION MADE BY STEWART JONES, REGISTERED OWNER AND FOUNDER OF THE FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB AND PUBLISHER OF THE POWERBOATING IN PARADISE MAGAZINE. THE EDITORIAL IN THIS FEATURE AND ITS PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTENT ARE FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND ARE INTENDED SOLELY TO GENERATE INTEREST IN A NEW BUSINESS MODEL BEING PROPOSED TO ACTIVE MEMBERS OF FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES. NO SALES MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION, AND NO FRACTIONAL SALES CONTRACTS ARE BEING ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME. THESE PHOTOS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL BOATS PRESENTLY OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE WRITER OR THE FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB.
88
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
AFFORDING THE PLEASURE OF A LUXURY YACHT HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER WITH FPC’S NEW FRACTIONAL YACHT CLUB.
The Sunseeker Predator 82 will be the first boat selected for the Florida Fractional Club yacht program. These four cabin express yachts feature outstanding performance, styling and luxury. Editor’s Note: Images for concept only and are not the actual boat placed in this program
THE ALL-NEW FLORIDA Fractional Club offers a unique and creative way for powerboating enthusiasts to extend their Florida boating lifestyle, without having to sacrifice the ownership and pleasures of operating their existing powerboat. Yachting in Florida creates endless opportunities for those who enjoy being on and around the water. The Florida Fractional Club offers an affordable program for its owners to gain access to late model, multi-million dollar yachts, that are well-maintained, professionally managed and ready for endless cruising and entertaining for family, friends and business clientele. continued on next page
BY STU JONES
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
89
FLORIDA FRACTIONAL CLUB
The main salon of the Sunseeker Predator is spacious and well designed with an open and functional layout. Editor’s Note: Images for concept only and are not the actual boat placed in this program. continued from pevious page
With exciting cruising agendas that include both Florida coasts, the Florida Keys and Bahamas in summer months, this unique concept in fractional ownership provides a turn-key approach to yachting fractionals, where Florida Powerboat Club members may enjoy the use of a yacht during FPC poker runs, in addition to weeks of use in highprofile destinations such as Key West, and the most exotic yachting destinations in the Bahamas. For about the cost of owning and maintaining an average powerboat, a fractional ownership program can enhance the lifestyles and fulfill the dream of every powerboating and yachting enthusiast...without having to invest millions that come with sole ownership and management. Exclusive to FPC Members! First
90
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
in line for Ownership Presentations and purchase priority! Catch the new-wave of fractional yacht ownership, with this exciting Florida Fractional Club! Program launch is scheduled for Fall 2013, so
please take advantage of your FPC membership privileges, by registering for our exclusive VIP wait-list, and be among the first to receive details of this exclusive opportunity. continued on page 92
The Sunseeker Predator stands out in its class, with sleek styling and solid construction. Attractive at the dock, yet rugged at sea! Pictured below is the Sunseeker 84.
FLORIDA FRACTIONAL CLUB
Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore
FPC Members Who Are Enjoying The Yachting Lifestyle
continued from page 90
ABOVE: For the Key West Poker Run in 2011 and 2012, Henrik Margard and a crew of Norwegians chartered IMPULSIVE TOO, an 82 Sunseeker Predator which was docked at the Conch Republic Sponsor dock. Florida Fractional Club offers similar incentives to owners with premium docking assignments at major poker run events. RIGHT: Jim Leonardo previously participated with a 75 Sunseeker on FPC events and is now enjoying this incredible 115’ Baglietto performance yacht, PURE INSANITY, pictured here at Boca Grande.
LOCATION - LOCATION - LOCATION! Unique to Florida Fractional Club’s program, owners will be offered a year-round calendar of yacht positioning that features the leading boating destinations in Florida and the Bahamas. On the Atlantic coast, these locations will include Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, The Florida Keys and Key West. On the west coast, locations include Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota and St. Petersburg. The summer schedule will feature the Islands of the Bahamas, including Bimini, West End, the Abacos, Eleuthera and Paradise Island. All destinations will be selected based on the quality of facilities, area attractions and ease of access via commercial flights. Yacht positioning will often mirror FPC poker run events, giving owners the opportunity to take part on a poker run event, and still have the comforts of their yacht as their own personal event headquarters.
92
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
Tom Abraham: 65’ Viking SF Ken Armstrong: 74’ Viking SF Bob & Elle Berg: 139’ Falcon Andrew Gundersen: 100’ M/Y Jim Leonardo: 115’ Baglietto Alan Lima: 80’ Azimut Henrik Margard: 82’ Sunseeker Mark Palanchian: 90’ Motoryacht John Rosatti: 162’ Chistensen Mark Stoddart: 150’ Richmond Ron Szolak: 75’ Sunseeker Jim Wiley: 70’ Azimut Red Reynolds: 80’ Nor-Tech Roadster
Heather, Courtney, A J & Franceska
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
93
Finding Your
94
Shaggy’s (Pass Christian) provided a casual setting for theINpoker run lunch stop. POWERBOATING PARADISE
Boats rafted up at the Prop Stop, located on the back bayou between Gulfport and Biloxi.
Tru e South!
Event co-organizer Paul Bertucci leads the pack into the Gulf of Mexico in Beer Money, his 43’ Nor-Tech Supervee.
Mark Graubart Team Viaqua 38’ Fountain
The Palace Casino & Marina provided excellent event headquarters.
Head turners Elizabeth and Sarah were a pleasant addition to the staff.
Southern hospitality, lively casinos and great boating made for a fantastic weekend for poker runners and boat racers at the annual Smokin the Sound weekend in Biloxi!
R
STORY & PHOTOS: STU JONES
ome wasn’t built in a day, a fine wine comes with age, and poker run events are rarely successful on the first roll of the dice. It often takes trial and error, course modifications, date jockeying, venue changes and a little bit of lady luck to nail down a winning event. And that’s exactly what the organizers of Smokin’ The Sound have done over the last four years. With some perseverance and patience, FPC member Paul Bertucci and a handful of boating friends and local business owners have dealt a winning hand in Biloxi Mississippi, staging a poker run event as part of a horse-power charged weekend that includes offshore powerboat racing and more recently, non-sanctioned radar runs for performance boaters that feel the need for speed. Our FPC video crew was recruited for the third year in a row, to join in on the fanfare and document the event in a souvenir DVD and provide feature coverage in the pages of Powerboating in Paradise Magazine. After arriving by commercial flight into Gulfport Mississippi, just ten miles from Biloxi, the quick ride down I-10 reminded us how easily accessible this poker run venue is to participants along the I-10 corridor. Moreover, with the Palace Casino Resort & Marina as event headquarters, poker run logistics were reduced to utter poker run bliss for out-oftowners….with truck & trailer parking, a first class boat ramp, and overnight docking all in the same lo-
cation! Top that with clean, inexpensive rooms in a modern resort that features a 100% smoke-free casino and top notch restaurants… you pretty much have a winning combination. Provided of course, that Mother Nature cooperates. Thursday kicked off with social functions at the Beau Rivage Casino, where a number of participants preferred to stay. For rated gamblers, that’s easily understood as the “Beau” still ranks highest among seasoned card sharks and perhaps even the novice, for its “grand entrance” curb appeal and its upscale amenities. It’s just a very impressive casino in every way and a wild guess would place about a third of the poker run attendees staying here, and playing here. Friday activities for the poker run were limited to boat launching and a few casual runs by early birds to some of the local hangouts on the back waters of the bayou. With overcast skies and threatening showers, barely a dozen powerboats experimented with the new “radar runs”, which were not formally sanctioned by any racing associations, and thus did not qualify for national titles. This event did however put noticeable audio levels along casino row, and if nothing else, they reminded locals and guests along the waterfront that there were some highperformance toys in town. The Saturday weather was superb and after a short captains safety meeting dockside at the Palace Casino Resort, about thirty-five teams embarked on the day’s activities.
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
95
The first card was dealt from the docks of the nearby Margaritaville and boats soon headed out into the gulf waters. Shortening the course on the gulf side was well-received by participants, who had just one checkpoint to visit at Ship Island, before heading for the lunch stop at Shaggy’s. The course continued back towards Biloxi, making one stop at the Gulfport Small Boat Harbor for card #4, before proceeding to the protected bay waters. New to the format was the Biloxi Boardwalk Marina, for just a touchand-go, followed by a stopover at The Dock, a popular restaurant which acted as event headquarters in the inaugural year. With the final poker card checkpoint at the Prop Stop, a rustic backwater saloon with hundreds of feet of dock, the run was officially complete and an exciting dock party gobbled up most of the remaining daylight hours. Later in the evening, the poker runners congregated for food, fun and a festive evening at the Sports bar in Palace Casino Resort, where the cards were played out and over $5,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to the lucky winners.
1
2 Girls of ZR-48
3
Team Lucas Oil with Liz & Sarah
4
Organizers Woody & Myles 5 7
6 8 9
11
10 96
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
1. Angelo Phillip (LA)
12
AIN’T MY PROBLEM 30’ Eliminator
2. Doyle GeGrusha (LA) 36’ Spectre G-FORCE 38’ Scarab
9. Steve McIntosh (MS) GUNSLINGER 36’ Nor-Tech
16. Brian Davis
4. George Olson &
10. Richie Prince
17. Jonahton Saucier
3. Jeff Whitlock( AL)
David Burg (TX) 42’ Sonic
5. Tom Roper
40 SOMETHING 40’ Baja
6.Cass Shewbart
Team Liquid Prozac 38’ Cigarette Top Gun
7. Nigel Hook &
44’ MTI
11. John Houston (MS) NAILED IT 42’ MTI
12. Derek Wachob 42’ Huntress
13. Bent Marine BLACKJACK 38’ Fountain
Janet Wilson (CA) LUCAS OIL 48’ Silver Hook
14. Mike Sanz
8. Bertucci Paul (TX)
15. Brian Davis
BEER MONEY 43’ Nor-Tech
39’ Cigarette Top Fish
POKER FACE 35’ Fountain
POKER FACE 35’ Fountain
13
FLIRTACIOUS 36’ Baja
18. Mike Bowers Scarab Racing 29’ Scarab
19. Prahnger Draper
14
TENACIOUS 26’ Baja
20. Wes Bass BAM BAM 33’ Scarab
21. Lance Pantepinto (LA) FLYIN HIGH 30’ Baja
15
After three years of trial and error, the Smokin the Sound Poker Run organizers have a real winner on their hands! Stay tuned for 2014!!
Stu Jones
16
17
Sarah & Liz with Poker Hands 19
18 20
Paul & Elizabeth
1 st Pnlaecre Win
1ST PLACE: JAY PRICE - PATRIOT GAMES
21
2 nd Pnlearce Win
2ND PLACE: KENT STREETER-MISS MY MONEY II
3 rd Pnlearce Win
3RD PLACE: MICHAEL BOWERS - TEAM SCARAB POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
97
2013 CALENDAR JULY 25-29, 2013
BAHAMAS POKER RUN
Grand Bahama Island / Bimini AUGUST 13-18, 2013
21ST ANNUAL EMERALD COAST POKER RUN (NEW DATES) Destin / Ft Walton Beach (Boat Week activities begin August 13th) OCTOBER 31- NOVEMBER 4, 2013
THE FORT LAUDERDALE INT’L BOAT SHOW FPC Ft Lauderdale Boat Show Bash planned for Friday Nov 1 at the Cocktail Barge! NOVEMBER 5-11, 2013
21ST ANNUAL KEY WEST POKER RUN FESTIVAL
Miami to Key West- Featuring Key West Poker Run Village -ULTIPLE DEPARTURES 7EDNESDAY &RIDAY s &0# S 3IGNATURE %VENT Please confirm with FPC office before making travel plans. Dates subject to change. Visit our website www.flpowerboat.com for updated information.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our good friend Mark Palmieri, who operated Bravo Helicopters in Miami. Mark and his aviation colleague Ross Allan, also a pilot from the Miami Dade Fire Rescue, died in a violent crash while testing the red Robinsion R44 on Wed April 4th. Palmieri and fellow pilots provided most of the aerial services to FPC over the last seven years, since his company was established. An extensive NTSB investigation continues.
CONTACT US: 954-545-1414
WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM
s &0#%6%.43 '-!), #/- s
Ad Index ACTIVE THUNDER .................................. 65 ALL MARINE INSURANCE ....................... 73 ATLANTIC YACTH & SHIP ....................... 63 BAM MARINE ......................................... 59 BOATS DIRECT USA ............................... 53 BOOSTPOWER ....................................... 99 BOYNE THUNDER POKER RUN................ 23 CAPTAIN’S CHOICE ................................ 43 CUSTOM MARINE .................................. 91 DCB ....................................................... 21 DUPONT REGISTRY ................................ 35 DOLLER OFFSHORE ............................... 27 FPC COMING EVENTS ............................98 FPC TV SHOW SCHEDULE ......................63 GO FAST SERVICES ................................ 55 ILMOR HIGH PERFORMANCE.................. 02 LIVORSI MARINE .................................... 73 MARINE UNLIMITED ............................... 87 MYSTIC POWERBOATS........................... 69 NOR-TECH ............................................. 41 OFFLEASEONLY.COM....... ...................... 15 OUT RUN THE SUN ................................. 87 PERFORMANCE MARINE TRADING ......... 37 PIRATES OF LANIER POKER RUN............31 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE TV ............77 RAMADA PLAZA BEACH RESORT........... 79 REVOLVER BOATS .................................. 39 SCOUT BOATS (SEVEN SEAS) ................ 17 SPEEDWEAR .......................................... 91 STATEMENT ........................................... 29 SUNCOAST POWERBOATS .....................61 SUPERIOR COMMUNICATIONS INC .........25 SUPER TRUCK.......................................... 7 TEAGUE CUSTOM MARINE..................BACK TILTED KILT ........................................... 23 TIMBERVIEW HELICOPTER ..................... 91 TOTAL DOLLAR INSURANCE .................. 39
ADVERTISING DEADLINES: FALL 2013 ISSUE AD MATERIALS: SEPT 15, 2013