EMERALD COAST POWERBOAT WEEK 2021

MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF HOT STEAMY WEEKENDS AND OVERCROWDED WATERWAYS FORCED FPC ORGANIZERS TO MOVE THE EMERALD COAST DATES TO LATE SEPTEMBER, PROVING TO BE THE BIGGEST AND BEST DECISION EVER, AS 350 ATTENDEES ENJOYED COOLER TEMPS AND LESS CROWDED WATERWAYS!

STORY: STU JONES

With the growing popularity of recreational boating and a bustling tourism economy in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach region, FPC organizers and attendees had observed alarming levels of congestion on local waterways during the last few years of the Emerald Coast Powerboat Week event. It was a tough decision to make, but pushing the mid-August dates into late September yielded an outcome that exceeded all expectations!

The luxurious Emerald Grande resort continued as the official event headquarters and host hotel and very few details of the boating agenda were changed, however there was a big shuffle in many of the event-related venues and marine-related services. The practice of launching boats at Fort Walton Beach’s Marler Park ramp and parking trailers behind the Emerald Coast Convention Center had to be eliminated, as a major RV Show took over the grounds. This may have presented challenges, however Legendary Marina in Destin stepped up their game, taking in more of the poker run teams than ever before, by offering staging, forklift launching, 93-octane fuel, overnight boat parking and a dedicated courtesy shuttle to transport guests to and from the Emerald Grande. Adding to that, an increased use of Destin’s Joe’s Bayou Boat Ramp, located is just minutes from Emerald Grande, this combination of services eased the logistics challenges for incoming boaters, and many expressed thumbs up to the new format. Overnight docking continued at the customary locations, including the Aj’s Sponsor Dock on Destin Harbor and Harborwalk Village on the doorstep to Emerald Grande, and there was still a significant number of slips offered by Brooks Bridge Marine in Fort Walton Beach, which was also a poker card checkpoint for the Saturday run.

While organizers opted to leave out the Wednesday night Powerboat Boat parade through Harborwalk Village, the activities got off to an early start Thursday with a casual fun run around the bay waters, giving about two dozen teams a chance to shakedown their boats, and at the very least it was a chance to drop GPS tracks for a handful of checkpoints, making the Saturday poker run navigation a little easier. The run’s destination was Legendary Marina, where staff delivered a helpful dockside greeting, getting boats tied up quickly, so that guests could wander into Lulu’s for our scheduled lunch rendezvous.

Thursday evening provided a great new venue at Harry T’s in Harborwalk Village, for the very popular Miss Powerboat Week contest ( see page 70) featuring eight lovely contestants and raising the first $1000 towards the club’s charity objectives, with judges paying $ 100 for that coveted front row seat!

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY: PETE BODEN | MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY: JIM STEWART

By Friday morning, it was all business in the Emerald Grande Ballroom, as FPC staff greeted and checked-in participants a for their goody bags, souvenir tees, boat decals, course maps and that all-important captain’s safety meeting. The morning agenda was followed by an afternoon fun run to the popular Juana’s in Navarre Beach, about twenty five miles west along the protected intracoastal waterways. Special thanks to Stephen & Kelly Marino from Alacomp Insurance, for sponsoring the Juana’s lunch, a tasty taco bar that was enjoyed by all!

Friday evening featured the AJ’s Captains Party just a five minute walk along the Harborwalk from Emerald Grande, where the sponsor dock was lit up with gleaming powerboats and colorful LEDs, with new models from Deep Impact, Blackwater, Nor-Tech Hi-Performance, Concept Boats and Midnight Express were well displayed. The top deck at AJ’s was reserved for FPC attendees, and it may well have been the most awesome lineup of food we have ever seen from the AJ’s kitchen staff! Special thanks to their entire team at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar for their continued support of this event!

The big event Saturday started right on schedule at 10AM with the first poker card being handed off from the docks at Harborwalk Village, as a constant parade of boats and spirited teams came make their card exchange, giving FPC cameras some amazing photos and video clips. The 120 course offered five morning checkpoints in the bay area, followed by two more stops in Navarre and Pensacola Beach at the west end of the course. A total of five lunch stop locations served its purpose to split up the 84-boat fleet into smaller, more manageable lunch groups, since there is no single venue along these waterways that could accommodate the entire group. The format worked well, as many crews opted to try something new, and were pleasantly surprised. Special thanks to all the lunch partners, which included AJ’s two locations, Wharf 850 Niceville, Fubar at Brooks Bridge, Juana’s Navarre and Flounders Chowder House in Pensacola Beach.

Saturday evening’s dinner awards party was a big hit, as the Emerald Grande Team delivered a lavish outdoor function under event tents, allowing participants to enjoy the cool fall temperatures in an open-air venue. This new party format kept participants from driving off-grounds, allowed the teams play poker cards, watch event videos on the big screen, accept awards, and celebrate a fantastic weekend in paradise with their fellow boating friends! The new September dates for the FPC Emerald Coast Powerboat Week are here to stay! Mark your calendars for September 21-25, 2022! SJ

Harry T’s at Harborwalk Village offered a fabulous new home for the entertaining Miss Powerboat Week contest, which featured eight lovely contestants, most of whom were scheduled to spend the entire weekend as FPC girls, helping out at the parties and dealing the poker cards for the Saturday run. Special thanks to Amber Contant from Biloxi Mississippi, who has become quite resourceful as a contest organizer and talent recruiter for FPC! Party guests were invited to make donations to have the opportunity to sit at the judging table, which got the event’s fund-raising activities off to a great start, raising the first thousand dollars towards the $ 15,000 goal!

A former finalist, Miss Shelbie, took the top honors winning the 2021 event, and finally getting to wear the Miss Powerboat Week crown. In a very close judging final, the close contenders were Jazzmyn and Laken, taking 1st and 2nd Runner up titles. All three of the winners stayed with us for the weekend, assisting at parties, handing poker cards off at the checkpoints and taking part in the Saturday night festivities. Look for all three in the upcoming Florida Powerboat Club’s 2022 wall calendar! Special thanks to the team at Harry T’s in Harborwalk Village for securing a private party venue for the function, and we will certainly lock in this venue for years to come!

Shelbie

H. Neil & Cindy Campbell | FL | Team BODACIOUS TOO! | 42' Mystic / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

Mike Boyle | FL | Team XCAT | 34' Pilini Marine / 2-Mercury Racing 400R

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

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

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

SHARK RIDER Crew

Sandra Frank & Grazia Bulte | France | Team SHARK RIDER | 44' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 1100

Bret Laso | SC | Team NAUTI BEAST | 36' Nor-Tech

First Mate Audra TOO LIVELY CREW Crew Scott & Laurie Kowalski | FL | Team SHIFTING TIDES | 36' Statement / 2-Mercury Racing 450R

Steven & Casey Head | AL | Team TUTZ | 35' Formula

J.T. Byrne | TX | Team BYRNE'N DAYLIGHT | 34' Nor-Tech / 2-Mercury Verado 300

Chris Batcheler | AL | Team BAJA | 23' Baja/ 1-Mercury Racing 496 Autumn

NO COMPLAINTS Crew

PLANTATION BOAT MART Crew

Dennis Delatorre | FL | Team PLANTATION BOAT MART | 39' Blackwater / 4-Mercury Racing 400R

FPC GIRLS

Paul Bertucci | MS | Team BEER MONEY TOO! | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Verado 350

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

Dawn & Donald Hadden | SC | Team DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS | 44' Concept / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

Octavio & Karen Valdivia | GA | Team AWESOME ONE | 44' Concept / 4-Mercury Verado 350

George & Carre Olson | TX | Team CARRE ON | 35' Marlago / 2-Mercury Verado 350

Sponsor

Fpc Girls

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

Nick & Christi Evans | IN | Team RECOVERED MONEY | 38' Statement / 3-Mercury Verado 300

Kyle Fowler | GA | Team A-SALT WEAPON | 38' Fountain / 3-Mercury Racing 400R

OBSESSION Crew

Sponsor

POST CALL Crew Patrick McCarty | LA | Team POST CALL | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

SENGO Crew

Greg Bent | LA | Team SENGO | 45' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

NAUTI HABIT Crew

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

Mark & Lona Albert | TX | Team LICKALONAPUS | 35' Fountain / 2-Mercury Racing 525

Thomas Wilson | VA | Team PIER PRESSURE | 34' Sunsation / 3-Mercury Racing 400R

Poker Card Yacht-TEAM RELENTLESS-130' Westport Courtesy Shane Guidry & Captain Sally

Shelbie

JR Adan | GA | Team BAG OF ICE | 36' Doug Wright / 2-Mercury Racing 450R

Eddie Collier | TN | Team DEEP IMPACT | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

Florida Powerboat Club offers a “Commercial Member” program which is designed for individuals or companies that are engaged in some form of commerce that relates to the marine industry. In many cases these members provide special discounts and offers to FPC members, so we invite you to contact them and keep your boating-related needs within the FPC family. Florida Powerboat Club offers a “Commercial Member” program which is designed for individuals or companies that are engaged in some form of commerce that relates to the marine industry. In many cases these members provide special discounts and offers to FPC members, so we invite you to contact them and keep your boating-related needs within the FPC family.

TIM & TRACY LYNN KOWALSKI TIM & TRACY LYNN KOWALSKI

269-998-2100 | biokleen.com | tim.kowalski@biokleen.com269-998-2100 | biokleen.com | tim.kowalski@biokleen.com 810 Lake Street | Kalamazoo, MI 49001 810 Lake Street | Kalamazoo, MI 49001

MICHAEL & NICOLE LUND

bordenlightmarina.com office@bordenlightmarina.com 1 Ferry Street | Fall River, MA 02721

DANNY AYALA

browardmotorsports.com | danny@browardmotorsports.combrowardmotorsports.com | danny@browardmotorsports.com 2100 W Sunrise Blvd Suite 161 | Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33311 2100 W Sunrise Blvd Suite 161 | Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33311

BILL DAY

502-695-4546 | daysboatsales.com | bill@daysboatsales.com 101 Corporate Dr. Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

JEFF JOHNSTON

502-695-4546 | daysboatsales.com | bill@daysboatsales.comdcbperformanceboats.com | jeff@DCBracing.com 101 Corporate Dr. Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 1468 N. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020

CHRIS ERICKSON CHRIS ERICKSON

ericksonmarinecorp.com | cberickson@verizon.netericksonmarinecorp.com | cberickson@verizon.net 7891 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34243 7891 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34243

CHRIS ERICKSON MYKE BOYLE

ericksonmarinecorp.com | cberickson@verizon.netezboatfenders.com | mikeboyle819@yahoo.com 7891 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34243 1757 SE 46th LN, Cape Coral, FL 33904

WALLY J. WOLANSKE

716-998-1197 | exogear.co | walter.wolanske@exogear.co 301 Clematis St. | West Palm Beach, FL 33401

WALLY J. WOLANSKE ED MILLER

716-998-1197 | exogear.co | walter.wolanske@exogear.cowww.hitechmarine.com | hitechmarine1@gmail.com 301 Clematis St. | West Palm Beach, FL 33401 2023 River Road, Baltimore MD 21221

FRIAS JOSE FRIAS JOSE

josefrias@mac.com josefrias@mac.com 90 Alton Rd, Miami Beach 90 Alton Rd, Miami Beach

JIMMIE HARRISON

954-467-7723 | fjprop.com | jimmie@fjprop.com 200 SW 6th St | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

GREG & JENNIFER CONNELL

legendmarinegroup.com | greg@ legendmarinegroup.com 3231 Commander Dr | Carrollton, TX 75006 3231 Commander Dr | Carrollton, TX 75006

ANDY IMHOF MARK MAGNESS

903-855-2647 | mdoffshore.com | info@mdoffshore.com magnessconstruction.com| mark@magroofinginc.com 235 Derwood Cir | Rockville, MD 20850 100 Perkins Ave, League City, Texas 77573

ANDY IMHOF

903-855-2647 | mdoffshore.com | info@mdoffshore.com 235 Derwood Cir | Rockville, MD 20850 OLGA SMIRNOVA

olga@migmarine.net | www.cortescampers.com | www.fusionxmarine.com 1148 East 222d St. | Euclid, Ohio 44117

KURT EDWINS

305-632-1689 | neptuneboatlifts.com | kurt@neptunelifts.com 228 SW 21st Terrace| Ft Lauderdale, FL 33312

TIM MARKOU MIKE REED

833-972-6837 | pantera-boats.com| tim@pantera-boats.com www.precisionmarineperformance.com | Precisionmarineny@gmail.com 2100 M.l.k. Jr Dr | High Point, North Carolina 14 Bridge Street Phoenix, NY 13135

TIM MARKOU

833-972-6837 | pantera-boats.com| tim@pantera-boats.com pantera-boats.com | tim@pantera-boats.com 2100 M.l.k. Jr Dr | High Point, North Carolina

ANDREW POKORNY

powerstrokeperformancespecialties.com | andrew.pokorny@gmail.com 5660 Division Drive | Fort Myers, FL 33905

RUDY DIPIETRO

860-830-7900 | renaissanceprowler.com | Rudyjr@aol.com 13040 NW 43rd Avenue | Opa Locka, FL 33054

MANNY OSES

305-687-3700 | renegadepboats.com | info@renegadepboats.com 1111 E. 52nd St. | Hialeah, FL 33013

SCOT CONRAD

sltfortlauderdale.com | scot@sltfortlauderdale.com 1050 W Sunrise Blvd | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

STEPHEN MILES

stephenmilesdesign.com | propainter7970@yahoo.com 5931 B State Rout 56 | Owensboro, KY 42301

FRANK SCHEELEN FRANK SCHEELEN

scheelen-racing.com | info@scheelen-racing.com scheelen-racing.com | info@scheelen-racing.com Im Unterberg 11 | D-79761 Waldshut-Tiengen Im Unterberg 11 | D-79761 Waldshut-Tiengen

BRANDON MAYER BRANDON MAYER

sweetwaterlanding.net | bmayer14@yahoo.com sweetwaterlanding.net | bmayer14@yahoo.com 16991 State Road 31 | Fort Myers, FL 33905 16991 State Road 31 | Fort Myers, FL 33905

TOM CARUSO JOHN HERMAN

totalmarine.com | tcaruso@totalmarine.com totalmarine.com | tcaruso@totalmarine.com 160 Water Street | Norwalk, CT 06854 160 Water Street | Norwalk, CT 06854

TOM CROWLEY Oakdale Yacht TOM CROWLEY Oakdale Yacht 631-589-1087 | oakdaleyacht.com | tom@oakdaleyacht.com631-589-1087 | oakdaleyacht.com | tom@oakdaleyacht.com 520 Shore Drive | Oakdale, NY 11769 520 Shore Drive | Oakdale, NY 11769

DAVID DELEZENNE

631-589-1087 | oakdaleyacht.com | tom@oakdaleyacht.comuniquecustommarine@gmail.com 520 Shore Drive | Oakdale, NY 11769 2044 NW 25th Ave | Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Kip & Sarah Patterson | AL | Team BLACK PEARL | 38' Fountain

Jorge Arellano | FL | Team 151 EXPRESS | 35' DCB / 2-Mercury Racing 1100/1350

Jack & Kay Stewart | FL | Team BLUE BAYOU | 32' Doug Wright / 2-Mercury Racing 400R Jazzmyn

Anjolie Raleigh Trotter | TX | Team FOURTH DIMENSION | 38' Donzi / 2-Mercury Racing 525

Michael Bull | GA | Team ALL SYSTEMS GO | 30' Eliminator Daytona / 2-Mercury Racing 700

Bill Picot | TX | Team TEAM 100 | 30' Liberator / 2-Mercury Verado 300

Al Jr. & Liz Copeland | LA | Team SWEET HEAT | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

Stephen Dummer | MS | Team LOOSE CANNON | 38' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 525 EFI

Jake Nossaman | OK | Team WIRED UP | 50' MTI / 5-Mercury Racing 450R

NAS-T Crew Shane Guidry | LA | Team RELENTLESS 38 | 38' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing 1100

Chad & Natalie Opaleski | FL | Team FOUNTAIN | 35'Fountain

Jerry Swanson | MS | Team TEAM 22 | 46' Skater

Laken & Autumn

Mark Campbell | GA | Team 6 SHOOTER | 42'Cigarette

Stephen & Kelly Marino | AL | Team CALM DOWN | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing 450R

Jazzmyn

Brox & Bree Baxley | SC | Team IMPROMPTU | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

Larry & Heather Montelaro | LA | Team FULLY INVOLVED | 34' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Tony & Jessica Gielow | FL | Team SKIDS OFF | 39' Midnight Express / 4-Mercury Racing 400R

David Carey | MD | Team PUNCH IT | 37' Midnight Express / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

Octavio Valdivia | GA | Team BLUEBAYOU | 51' Outerlimits / 2-Mercury Racing 700

Jorge Arellano | FL | Team 151 VICTORY | 47' Victory / 2-Mercury Racing 700 SC

Roger & Pam Anderson | TX | Team WILD HORSES | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

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

Mark Bush | MI | Team MLB 5150 | 24' Baja LA MEXICANA Crew

Wayne McGee | VA | Team TOP GUN | 38' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 540

Sandra Anjolie

FPC organizers were somewhat reluctant at first to agree to an outdoor tented Saturday night bash, but the Emerald Grande sales and catering team ask for a leap of faith., saying “Trust us Stu, it’s so much nicer in the fall, we do outdoor weddings all the time, the poker runners will love it.” Those convincing words resulted in a fantastic outcome, as the cool September temperatures dipped to low 70’s for the evening function, with no humidity and not a drop of rain within miles. FPC guests were treated to a wonderful buffet-with-server dinner spread, and a nicely laid out venue with wedding-style décor, plenty of bar locations, big screen videos, and a large poker table area where six lovely FPC Girls playing out the poker hands for over 80 teams. Emerald Coast is the one event that determines nine finalists from the high-hands that go to the final table and a 10th is a live auction buy-in, which was made by Mark Fischer with a $ 2000 donation to the charity. Special thanks to our new final table dealer Phil Benneyworth from Fear The River Poker League, our new event sponsor. The round came down to face-off between Eileen Fischer and Pam Anderson, with Pam taking 1st place. Congratulations to Pam and husband Roger Anderson for their first big win, which included sponsor gifts a grand prize of $ 10,000.

With event related fund-raising efforts generating $ 7,500, FPC has added $ 5000 to that, bringing the total charitable donations to $ 12,500, which is shared by four charities: Alaqua, Fisher House, Destin Kids on the Coast, and Emerald Coast Science Center. 1st Place-Roger & Pam Anderson-Team WILD HORSES

2nd Place-Mark & Eileen Fischer-Team DEEP IMPACT

Sponsor Awards-Plantation Boat Mart, Deep Impact, Blackwater Sponsor Award-Ashley & Philip BenneyworthFear The River Poker League Frank Bulte-Team SHARK RIDER- Farthest Traveled

Rufus Scott-Team OBSESSION - Most Spirited Crew Sponsor Award-David Carey accepting for Midnight Express Sponsor Award-Stephen & Kelly Marino-Team CALM DOWN Alacomp Insurance

Sponsor Award-#1 Bartender Emerald Grande Mark Bush & sons-Team MLB 5150- Broken Propeller Ray Aquit-Team HAMMER TIME- Sexiest Crew

Mark & Lona Albert -Team LICKALONAPUS- Best Team Name Sponsor Award-H. Neil & Cindy-Team BODACIOUS TOO! accepting for Mystic Powerboats Sponsor Award Bret Laso - Team NAUTI BEAST Nor-Tech High Performance

Anjolie

Shelbie

Andrea & Amber Laken & Autumn

Sandra

Jazzmyn

• Premium mens OGIO club polo shirt. • Premium Concierge Services • Priority booking status for rooms and dockage on all FPC Events. • Marina and marine service referrals for your powerboat. • Nautical assistance to a variety of marine resorts and boating destinations. • Planning and hotel/slip reservations for your Florida boating weekends. • Personal assistance(up to 4 hours) for boat shopping by FPC President Stu Jones( Hourly rates apply for additional time spent)

Membership suggested for married couples Includes all of the Standard Membership benefits,

• Second membership for spouse/partner included • Premium mens OGIO Club Polo Shirt. • Premium womens OGIO Ladies Tank Top

Membership Includes: • Discounted rates on FPC Magazine advertising • Discounted rates on all web advertising/banner programs. • Access to all FPC events and parties. • Business listing on our website affiliate section. • Business card introduction Ad in FPC magazine. Commercial Members also have the opportunity to run promotions and discounts through FPC events.

Membership Includes:

• Club T-shirt in your choice of colors. • Powerboating in Paradise Magazine subscription. • Access to FPC parties • Discounted Boat Show tickets.