Powerboating In Paradise Vol 20#2

VOL 20#2 SPRING-SUMMER 2020

SHOWCASING THE FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB LIFESTYLE

WINTER

POKER RUN 2020 24 teams kicked off the 2020 season with a 3-day winter warm-up !

MIAMI BOAT SHOW

POKER RUN 2020 FPC members & the leading performance manufacturers celebrated 25 years since this popular event began in 1996!

TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2020 2020 A look back celebrating the 10th Anniversary of this annual spring fling on Florida’s west coast!

WHALER PROJECT

Jones family’s full-on resto-mod to a 1990 17’ Whaler with Mercury outboard repower!

WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM

A Magazine Showcasing The Florida Powerboat Club Lifestyle SPRING-SUMMER 2020

Vol. 20#2

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com

OFFICE MANAGER

Alyssa Caiazza alyssafpc@gmail.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Lina Montes fpclina@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Jerry Wyszatycki Pete Boden Stu Jones

EVENT MANAGEMENT

Jackie Jones jackie@flpowerboat.com

VIDEO PRODUCTION Stu Jones Ryan McCoy Joe Kotrady Ryan Christen

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

CONTENTS 4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT: STU JONES

News and views from FPC President Stu Jones on how the Covid-19 crisis may affect the remainder of the FPC event calendar for 2020.

4

6 WINTER POKER RUN 2020

This editorial features all the highlights of Florida Powerboat Club's first poker run event that kicked off the 2020 season, as 24 teams head to Marathon in the Middle Keys for a 3-day winter warm-up.

6

22 MIAMI BOAT SHOW POKER RUN 2020

There was plenty to celebrate as this popular February poker run returned to Key Largo, with sixty powerboat teams from all over the United States and Canada. But the real big news, was the celebration of 25 years since this event had its inception way back in 1996!

22 TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2020

24

With the event postponed until Sept 2020 due to the Covid-19 crisis and the government social-distancing guidelines, Powerboating in Paradise editors decided this was the perfect time to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of this popular spring poker run on Florida's west coast!

60

42 BOSTON WHALER / PROJECT 1080 SISTER SHIP

78

Over the last four years, the Jones family's 17' Whaler has played a big part in giving the teenage boys an ideal platform to learn the ins-and-outs of boating, while also providing the perfect toy to tow behind the RV on family camping trips. See how Stu decided to do a full-on restomod to the 1990 Whaler, which includes a Mercury outboard repower!

POMPANO OFFICE HOURS Monday - Thursday 10 AM - 5 PM

ON THE COVER: Lunch stop at Gilbert's, Key Largo, Miami Boat Show Poker Run 2020

FPC Girl Brooke

YouTube: Florida Powerboat Club https://www.youtube.com/user/FLpowerboatClub

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

https://www.facebook.com/flpowerboat Instagram @flpowerboat

All copyright laws apply. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher

SEE THE COMPLETE DIGITAL EDITION OF POWERBOATING IN PARADISE MAGAZINE AT WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM

Letter

FROM THE PRESIDENT

F

or many of us in Florida and around the nation, the warm spring temperatures have allowed many of us to get out and at least do some family boating close to home. In South Florida, record numbers of boaters have been out on recent weekends, in spite of the fact that the boat ramps and marinas were closed for several weeks.

With social distancing guidelines in place, modification in boating behavior is necessary, like limiting the number of passengers on board, and refraining from "raft-up" parties where multiple boats and dozens of crew members are now in close-quarters. These are part of the new-normal practices that we must all adapt to, or face the scrutiny of local law enforcement and possibly, the general public as well. This weighs in especially with organized poker runs.

As President and founder of Florida Powerboat Club, I must be brutally honest with all of our members and marine trade partners about where we are headed, as an organization while we react to this Covid-19 Killing Machine. The reality is, we are a recreational boating club and are Non-essential in the whole scheme of this national emergency. We have no desire to be the target of public disgrace and scrutiny, because we were too eager to jump in our powerboats, fire the engines for an escape to Paradise!

Yes it sounds tempting, but while the rest of our nation is suffering from the emotional scars and financial loss of the tragic pandemic, we must remember that whether we are Americans, Canadians or Europeans we are in this together!!

I urge all other poker run organizers and powerboaters to keep this in mind.

Think before you post! Social media can be our best friend, but can also be our WORST Enemy. This is not about rights to American freedom and proving we can do as we please. It's about being respectful to the rest of the World in a time of suffering. Getting the wheels of the economy turning again, and getting back to work...Yes I agree that's important, and certainly applies to corporate America in

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the most crucial sectors like manufacturing, farming, food processing, and any industry that is consider “essential”.

The harsh reality for FPC is that…poker runs are not part of the national economy, and even recreational boating in general, would be considered a luxury that is reserved for the privileged few. I’m not suggesting you lay-up or sell the boat! I’m suggesting that you use a little discretion before you blast away with images on your FB and IG pages.

I feel very blessed that operating this organization is our livelihood which has provided the daily bread for the Jones household for almost three decades. And with no events to stage for six months it has taken its economic toll the same way it has affected everyone else in the travel and tourism industry. Thankfully, through the FPC members and their annual renewals, along with the financial support of sponsoring organizations, we have managed to ride this wave, adapt to the new normal, and turn this lock-down time into a positive outcome for the club. Our YouTube channel is ON FIRE, with 26,000 subscribers and record viewing numbers of over 20,000 views daily!

So please respond to our renewal notices and if you are considering joining FPC...we would love to have you on board!

We are happy to report that Bahamas officials have confirmed a (soft) opening of the country in June, so Bahamas Poker Run has moved to late July dates, and our annual Emerald Coast Powerboat Week, is set for Aug 12-16th. Let’s just cross our fingers in the hopes of some better times, and above all, be considerate of the thousands in America who are still suffering from this tragic crisis.

Sincerely, Stu Jones, FPC President Comments: stu@flpowerboat.com

Winter

Warm - up

IT TAKES WEEKS FOR ORGANIZERS AND PARTICIPANTS ALIKE TO EXHALE FROM THE FAST PACE OF THE NOVEMBER KEY WEST POKER RUN, AND THE WINTER POKER RUN TO MARATHON IN LATE JANUARY PROVED TO BE THE PERFECT WAY TO GET BACK IN THE BOLSTER SEAT. STORY: STU JONES

F

or over twenty years, at the height of winter season when most of the country is under a blanket of snow, Florida Powerboat Club has kicked off its new calendar with the Winter Poker Run to the Florida Keys in late January.

Destinations for this escape to paradise have included Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, Marriott Key Largo, and the new Playa Largo Resort in recent years, but it was refreshing for teams to return to the boater-friendly Faro Blanco Marine Resort in Marathon. It was an anniversary of sorts, celebrating five years since the very first boating event and private group that was hosted at Faro Blanco Resort and its Hyatt Place hotel, when the property official opened in January of 2015.

colder climates including NY, PA, MI, MD, NJ, and NH. On a beautiful Friday morning at Haulover Marine Center in North Miami, a colorful fleet of high-performance hardware emerged as giant Wiggins forklifts launched Barry Henson’s 50’ Skater, followed by the FPC Project 1080 Cigarette which celebrated its first anniversary of beginning its poker run career exactly one year earlier, on the Winter Poker Run 2019.

While the teams enjoyed dockside breakfast, an amazing variety in the performance makes and models formed a small poker run fleet, with seventeen different boat manufacturers represented on the 24-boat roster. As always, the new mix included outboard powered center consoles, stern drive performance V-bottoms and a handful of sleek sexy cats.

The warm temperatures with a forecast high of 79F and zero rain were a welcome change for everyone but especially for eighteen of the poker run teams that had travelled from

The small roster of twenty-four teams proved once again that less-is-more, as attendees soon noticed a more casual vibe and laid-back attitude among their fellow FPC members.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: STU JONES

After a great day of boating from Miami to Marathon on Friday, which included a lunch stop at Sundowners in Key Largo, by late evening teams gathered at Lighthouse Grill for a nicely presented dinner party on the outdoor dining patio.

Many guests were quick to comment on the stark differences between the more casual vibe of the Winter Poker Run in comparison to the faster-paced Key West Poker Run just two months earlier, which hosted 269 registered teams and over one thousand attendees. The evening culminated with a poker table in the Lighthouse Grill TV Lounge, where teams played out the cards, while sponsors were recognized and President’s Choice Awards presented.

Saturday morning brought perfect weather with sunny skies and the ideal conditions for an aerial photo session in the colorful bay and coastal waters. Event organizer Stu was joined by FPC videographer Joe Kotrady, as the two took flight in a Marathon-based R44 chopper, and chased the

teams on a circuitous course that travelled southbound to Bahia Honda, then along coastal waters to the seven mile bridge. A very cooperative group of captains followed guidelines that were laid out in an earlier captains meeting dockside, yielding a great result with hundreds of amazing photos and some exciting video clips that were later shared with the teams. After dining at area hotspots including the Island Fish Company and Burdines Waterfront, there was plenty of afternoon left, which gave crews many choices for the remainder of the day. The easiest of course was to relax by the pool at Faro Blanco, but Plan B was equally tempting, as many teams opted for a Key West adventure, some by land, others by sea. Indeed, these teams contacted a light dose of what most doctors commonly refer to as, Key Disease!

Stu Jones

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 7

Robert Lockyer | FL | Team PATRIOT MARINE | 32' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Team DONZI Crew

Alex Tembelis - Team MCMONSTER

Barry & Stephany Henson- Team SKATER

Deris Ceresa - Team DONZI Michael Tandoi - Team RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

Kevin & Melissa Welch - Team TA DA PINS

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John Wittenberger Sr - Team ON THE ROCKS

Andrew(Rocco) Rocco - Team TIME CONSCIOUS

Hal & Missy Johnson - Team SOMETHING'S BREWING

Ron McLean & David Smith joined Mark Fischer for the boat ride to Marathon Mark & Eileen Fischer - Team DEEP IMPACT Sponsor

Mark & Eileen Fischer | FL | Team DEEP IMPACT | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

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SEXIEST CREW AWARD - Team DONZI

Deris Ceresa | FL | Team DONZI | 38' Donzi / Mercury Racing-modified

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

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Tom Gourzis | PA | Team OPA II | 42' Cigarette / 4- Mercury Racing Verado 400R

FIRST PLACE WINNERS - Craig & Paula Ackerman with kids Bryan and Hannah

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

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 13

Barry & Stephanie Henson | TN | Team SKATER | 50' Skater

Michael Tandoi | NY | Team RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT | 35' Motion / 2 Mercury 525

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

2520 NE 9th Ave Cape Coral, FL 33909

Nor-Techboats.com

contact@nor-techboats.com

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

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

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

UNLIKE ANYTHING ON THE WATER M4200

M Y S T I C P O W E R B O A T S . C O M 386-736-2247

Team BAD LARRY - BEST PERFORMANCE V-BOTTOM AWARD

Larry Hill | FL | Team BAD LARRY | 44' Outerlimits / Mercury Racing 1075

Connor & Allye Toomey | MD | Team OUTTA LINE | 39' Outerlimits / Mercury Racing 700SCi

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The aerial photo plans were well excecuted by club members who passed through Bahia Honda bridge and got fantastic money shots from the choper

Terrell & Clara Clark | TX | Team SUNSATION | 36' Sunsation / Mercury Racing 540'S

David Wilks | SC | Team SCARAB | 43' Scarab

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Ray & Kristine Gremaux | NY | Team BIG SHOT! | 42' Mystic / 3- Mercury Verado 350

LIVING IN THE MOMENT Crew

Steve & Teresa Presley | TN | Team LIVING IN THE MOMENT | 41' Cigarette / 4- Mercury Racing Verado 400

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Mark & Susan Munro | NJ | Team ON YOUR MARK | 36' Wright Performance / 2- Mercury Racing Verado 400

Michael & Sara Howe | FL | Team LIGHT SPEED | 34' MTI / 2- Mercury Racing Verado 450

WINTER POKER RUN WINNERS OF PRESIDENTS CHOICE AWARDS: Farthest Travelled: Andrew "Rocco" Rocco- Team TIME CONSCIOUS: 52 Skater- Travelled From New Hampshire

Best Dressed Team: John Wittenberger Sr. Team ON THE ROCKS- 36 Sonic

Best Center Console: Mark & Eileen Fischer: FL Deep Impact 399- Quad Mercury 450R: Team DEEP IMPACT

Sexiest Crew Award: Ladies of Team Donzi Deris Ceresa-FL 38' Donzi ZR Comp

Best Catamaran: Barry & Stephanie Henson-KY 50 Skater: Team SKATER Best Performance V-Bottom: Larry Hill- FL 44 Outerlimits: Team BAD LARRY

POKER RUN WINNERS: BEST HAND Craig & Paula Ackerman- GA Kids Bryan and Hannah pulled winning cards!

34 MTI -team SEA YA

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 23

Smooth Operators Coast to coast, LA to Chicago, western male Across the north and south, to Key Largo, love for sale Smooth Operator, Smooth Operator.

-Sade Song Lyrics, Smooth Operator (1984)

STORY: STU JONES

L

ittle did anyone know, at the start of the 25th Anniversary of the Miami Boat Show Poker Run, that this would be the last FPC poker run for several months, due to an escalated global pandemic that would soon change the course of history. Thankfully, a roster of sixty poker run teams and about 250 guests were able to participate in a fun-filled weekend that was hosted at three luxurious Key Largo resorts. Playa Largo Resort, a Marriott Autograph Collection resort, along with Hilton’s Curio Collection Bakers Cay Resort returned as our two main poker run headquarters, while the popular Mariners Club resort was added to the mix, providing guests with spacious luxury condos that offered convenient dockage in a private marina.

No matter which resort the guests selected, these weekend warriors were ready for an escape to paradise, as the cold winter in northern climes had set in several months earlier.

High-profile manufacturing sponsors including Cigarette, Deep Impact, Midnight Express, MTI, Nor-Tech HiPerformance Boats, Adrenaline Powerboats & Mercury

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Racing committed their sponsor support to this annual event, which played a vital role in stacking the roster with some of the most amazing performance boats that had been on display at the Miami International Boat Show, just days earlier. Performance Boat Center had just delivered their latest Wright Performance 360 cat to FPC members Jeffrey & April Lamb at the Miami Boat Show, and the Arizona couple, eager for some cat-play, were able to make the FPC event their first shake-down run to the Florida Keys!

With two scheduled departure dates from Miami, similar to the format of the Key West Poker Run, FPC members could opt for the Thursday run or the Friday run, whichever best suited their boating agenda. Of course, those teams who opted for the Thursday earlier departure, had one extra day on Friday to go off and enjoy side trips further into the Keys, including lunch runs to Islamorada and Marathon, while the second group assembled in Miami to make the trip south.

PHOTOGRAPHY: JERRY WYSZATYCKI & STU JONES

Weather was picture perfect, as the helicopter joined in each day, following the poker run fleet, to capture still photos for the website and magazine, along with exciting video clips for the FPC’s Youtube channel. Since the escalation of the coronavirus and stay-at-home orders which were enforced just a few weeks after the February poker run, the FPC studio has managed to take the club’s Youtube channel to new viewing records, as powerboat enthusiasts around the globe browse feverishly for fresh content.

With all the teams settled in at Key Largo for the weekend, the Friday night poker run party was staged at the Bakers Cay Resort ballroom, where all the teams played out their cards, while sponsors were recognized, and teams were presented with a wide variety of coveted President’s Choice awards. With all the cards played out, Scott Rosenbach from Ohio won the top prizes with Best Poker Hand, which he celebrated with all the crew from Performance Boat Center.

Saturday was a free day for all attendees, and with high winds blowing hard out of the north, the normally calm bay waters were choppy and unforgiving, so any plans for a nearby raft-up party were not feasible. Nonetheless, several teams got out for a daytrip southbound, some to the Islamorada Sand Bar and Post Card Inn, while many headed further south to Marathon for the 100-mile roundtrip lunch-run. Still others, were able to make good use of the FPC courtesy shuttle and engage in an unplanned US1crawl…. visiting all the popular bars and restaurants along the Key Largo corridor.

Whether it was a weekend exhale after a long Miami Int’l Boat Show for marine trade dealers and manufacturers, or a weekend latitude change for our FPC member snowbirds from colder states, the Miami Boat Show Poker Run delivered a great outcome for everyone, as it has, for twenty-five years running.

Stu Jones

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 25

Thursday Run

Randy & Taylor Scism - Team MTI

Del Flores - Team SPARTAN POWERBOAT CLUB

Michael Tandoi - Team RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

43 Midnight Express - FACTORY TEAM

Thursday departure from Haulover Marine Center

Eric Glaser & Team MIDNIGHT EXPRESS

Brad Schoenwald - Team ADRENALINE POWERBOATS

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Tom Archer - Team ARCHER EXTERIORS

Haulover Inlet Fun

Team SKATER Crew

Barry & Stephanie Henson | TN | Team SKATER | 50' Skater

Sponsor

Randy Scism | MO | Team MTI | 39' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 450R

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Beau and Tiffiney Renfroe | GA | Team DIRTY MONEY | 36' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing 700

Joseph Castellana Sr & Jr | NY | Team AWESOME MOTORSPORTS | 38' Skater

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 29

Lane Christianson | TX | Team FAST LANE | 48' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 1350

Sal & Stephanie

Firstmate Tonia getting some pics

Sal Olivia | NY | Team X-SCAPE from NY | 42' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 700

Michael Tandoi | NY | Team RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT | 35' Motion / 2-Mercury Racing 525

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Michael & Sarah Howe | FL | Team LIGHT SPEED | 34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 450R

Frank & Toni Esposito | NJ | Team MYSTIC | 42' Mystic / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

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Sponsor

Bryan Mullinax | MD | Team SEAKEEPER | 33' Boston Whaler

Steve & Teresa Presley | TN | Team LIVING IN THE MOMENT | 41' Cigarette / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 33

Scott & Stacy Rosenbach | IL | Team BAD HABIT | 48' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 1350

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Tom Archer | NJ | Team ARCHER EXTERIORS | 38' Baja Special

Above right - John Wittenberger SR | NJ | Team ON THE ROCKS | 36' Sonic

MCMONSTER Crew James Lee | KS | Team THE CIG | 39' Cigarette /3-Mercury Verado 300

Alex Tembelis | NY | Team MCMONSTER | 43' Black Thunder / 2-Mercury Racing 600

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John Wittenberger Jr | NJ | Team BAD DECISION | 30' Spectre / 2-Mercury Verado 300

Sponsor

Brett Manire / Scott Rosenbach | IL | Team MTI | 57' MTI / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

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

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 37

Lunch Stop at GILBERT'S

It was a perfect day for a nice outdoor lunch at Gilberts Resort in Key Largo, and the staff rolled out a warm welcome as always, with a fantastic lunch and live music from local entertainer Bobby Brown. Unlike the Key West event in November where teams still

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have 110 miles still to run after Gilberts, today's afterlunch run would total just eleven miles to the resort destination, making this event the shortest poker run on the FPC calendar.

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 39

WRIGHT PERFORMANCE Crew

Jeffrey & April Lamb | AZ | Team WRIGHT PERFORMANCE | 36' Wright Performance / 2 Mercury Racing 450R

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

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Jim Lee | KS | & Don Doty | MI | Team FREEDOM 28 | 28' Skater / 2 Mercury Verado 300

Del Flores | NJ | Team SPARTAN POWERBOAT CLUB | 39' Velocity

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 41

Hal & Missy Johnson | MI | Team SOMETHING'S BREWING | 39' Nor-Tech / 3 Mercury Verado 300

David Branton | LA | Team HOT SHOT | 48' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 1350

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

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Sponsor

Michael Layton | GA | Team ADRENALINE POWERBOATS | 46' Adrenaline / 4 Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Stu & Jackie Jones & FPC videographer Ryan McCoy were treated to a wild ride on the 47' Adrenaline ZRX with Brad Schoenwald at the helm.

The 47' is powered by Mercury Racing 1350's and won The Most Outrageous Boat Award

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Michael Carravetta | ON | Team ROUGH RIDER | 46' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 1350

SEAGULL SIZZLER Crew

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

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 45

FRIDAY RUN David Carey 37' Midnight Express - Team HARD EIGHTS

Erik Christiansen 41' Cigarette - Team CIGARETTE RACING

Rudi DiPietro 42' Renaissance Prowler- Team RENAISSANCE PROWLER

Brad & Marion Buchholz - Team REEL NAUTI

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Stephen Barker - Team X-FACTOR

FPC Salutes OUR 2020 SERIES SPONSOR Florida Powerboat Club is pleased to introduce our 2020 Series Sponsor line up! These leading manufacturers have renewed their commitment to support Florida Powerboat Club and assist us in every way by participating at major poker run events and providing additional financial resources to improve the quality of the poker run experience! With this support FPC can continue to produce safe, exciting poker runs to a variety of destinations in paradise!

www.blackwaterboats.com 855-476-1405

www.deepimpactboats.com 866-726-3403

www.mercuryracing.com 920-921-5330

www.midnightboats.com 954-745-8284

www.mycotrailers.com 941-748-2397

www.mysticpowerboats.com 386-736-2247

www.nor-techboats.com 239-567-5030

www.performanceboatcenter.com Missouri: 573-873-2300 | Florida: 954-237-0332

To inquire about sponsorship programs contact Stu Jones 954-684-9333

Sponsor

Erik Christiansen | FL | Team CIGARETTE | 41' Cigarette / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

X-FACTOR Crew

Stephen Barker | NY | Team X-FACTOR | 42' Cigarette / Mercury Racing 2200

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SEE YA Crew

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

Kim & Annalisa Collins | FL | Team MIA | 35' Statement! / 3-Mercury Racing 450R

Joe Balistreri | FL | OFFICIAL SAFETY BOAT | 33' Everglades

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 49

FPC Girl Marissa

Team - RENAISSANCE PROWLER getting their second poker card

Team - SEA YA getting a poker card at Grove Harbour

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Chrissy Sobo Team - NOR-TECH

Team - HARD EIGHTS celebrating their return to Florida after winning the Key West Poker Run two months earlier.

Mark & Susan Munro Team - ON YOUR MARK Celebrating their two-year anniversary of taking delivery of their Wright Performance 360 Cat at the Miami Boat Show 2018 then taking it on the FPC Miami Boat Show Poker Run just a few days later.

Terry Sobo Team - NOR-TECH

Kim Collins Team - Team MIA

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 51

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

David & Jenny Landsman | MD | Team GAME CHANGER | 43' Midnight Express / 5-Mercury Racing 450R

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Sponsor

PROJECT 1080 Crew Terry Sobo | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing 45OR

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

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 53

Sponsor

OPA II Crew DEEP IMPACT FACTORY TEAM | 36'Deep Impact / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Tom Gourzis | PA | Team OPA II | 42'Cigarette / 4-Mercury Verado 400

Fred & Judy Reavis | SC | Team MTI | 48' MTI / 2 Mercury Racing 1350

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Sponsor

Brandon Mayer | FL | Team SWEETWATER LANDING | 40'Mystic / 2-Mercury Racing 450

Sponsor

Mark & Eileen Fischer | FL | Team DEEP IMPACT | 39'Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 55

Sponsor

Eric Glaser | FL | Team MIDNIGHT EXPRES | 43' Midnight Express/ 4-Mercury Racing 400R RENAISSANCE PROWLER Crew

Rudy DiPietro | FL | Team RENAISSANCE PROWLER | .42' Renaissance Prowler / 4-Mercury Racing 450R

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Brad & Marion Buchholz | FL | Team REEL NAUTI | 36'Everglades

Mark & Susan Munro | NJ | Team ON YOUR MARK | 36' Wright Performance / 2-Mercury Racing 400R

William Betz | NY | Team EXCUSES | 48' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 1350

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 57

Friday

PRESIDENT’S CHOICE AWARDS

Scott Rosenbach | IL | Team MTI - BEST POKER HAND AWARD, with Stu and Jackie Jones and the crew from Performance Boat Center.

Michael Layton | GA | Team ADRENALINE POWERBOATS - MOST OUTRAGEOUS BOAT

Stephen Barker | NY | Team X-FACTOR BEST PERFORMANCE V BOTTOM

Kim Collins & the Crew | UK | Team MIA FARTHEST TRAVELED AWARD

Randy & Taylor Scism | MO | Team MTI BEST CATAMARAN- 39'CAT

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Tom Archer | NJ | Team ARCHER EXTERIORS 3RD Place Winner

Jim Lee | KS | & Don Doty | MI | Team FREEDOM 28 - 2ND Place

David Carey | MD | The Ladies of Team HARD EIGHTS won the SEXIEST CREW AWARD

Icom Command Mic VHF Radio

Garmin 7612 XSV x 2 Units

Special thanks to SCI for their product support on the FPC official pace boat PROJECT 1080 HP. Twin Garmin 7612 XSV chartplotters, Icom VHF radio system, and Icom handheld marine and aviation-band radios... providing PROJECT 1080 HP with the complete electronics package

Ten For Tampa

WITH COVID-19 GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS IN PLACE THAT CLOSED HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND MARINAS THROUGHOUT SPRING 2020, FPC HAS RESCHEDULED THE TAMPA BAY POKER RUN FOR SEPT 2020. WITH NO 2020 POKER RUN PHOTOS OR STORYING TO INCLUDE IN THIS MAGAZINE EDITORIAL, WE HAVE DECIDED IT IS THE PERFECT TIME TO CELEBRATE OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS POPULAR TAMPA BAY POKER RUN EVENT.

STORY: STU JONES

A

s far back as the 90’s Florida Powerboat Club has been staging poker run events and rallies in the Tampa Bay area, allowing FPC members to enjoy the many highlights of the area’s extensive cruising options. From the fair-weather boating conditions that prevail mostly year-round, to the wide variety of waterfront hotspots throughout Bradenton, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Downtown Tampa, this populated tri-county destination has earned its spot on the Florida Powerboat Club’s calendar as an annual stopover!

The landmark Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Marina hosted the Tampa Bay Poker Run event for the first seven of ten years, and there was widespread consensus

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among FPC members that this was a first-class resort destination with a convenient marina located across the street. Perhaps it was also that old-world charm of the Vinoy Resort which appealed to many. A classic building which opened in 1925 as a seasonal resort for wealthy vacationers, and open only four months of the year, December through March. The history of the resort reveals a very storied past, of ups and downs, from the WW II era when it was converted to a training headquarters for military chefs and bakers, to the 50’s and 60’s when the resort’s popularity declined, and finally to the 70’s, as the resort dove into virtual ruin, and was closed for 18 years. But after re-opening in the 90’s, and with a Marriott franchise to support its business model, the resort has since prospered.

PHOTOGRAPHY: STU JONES & BLAINE BARDEN

Turn the page forward to 2011, when Florida Powerboat Club hosted its first large-scale poker r un event at the Vinoy, and it was soon a popular spring event that drew an average of forty poker r un teams.

Among the most memorable of years, was when FPC was able to partner with Festivals of Speed, holding the events concurrently, and giving FPC members a firstclass collector car event on Sunday in the neighboring Vinoy Park. Sadly, changes in the management and ownership of the Vinoy Marina, shr unk the transient dock space considerably, allowing FPC as organizers to host no more than twenty poker r un boats in the marina, and the event was forced to take a venue change after seven years.

Enter, Downtown Tampa. This alternative location has proven to be the catalyst to breath new life into the Tampa Bay Poker Run over the last two years. With an abundant selection of first class hotels, adequate docking facilities, and plenty of large dining and entertainment options for dinners and parties, the downtown Tampa location has allowed the event to grow and prosper‌with over fifty teams on the roster for the postponed April 2020 event. With new dates on the calendar for Sept 24-27, 2020, we invite FPC members to join us for a weekend of powerboating fun, as we adapt to new guidelines and remain focused on having fun with our fellow FPC members!

Stu Jones

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Be A Part Of The Action!

State Of The Art Dry Storage For Boats To 60’ In Length Adjacent To Haulover Inlet • Completely Enclosed Category 5 Storm Rated Building • Minutes To Everywhere You want To Be

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

Call 305-945-3934 to be a part of the action!

Check us out at www.haulovermarinecenter.net New home of Midnight Express and Marine Technology Inc (MTI) performance boats.

WWW.WESTREC.COM

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

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JOIN THE CLUB. JOIN THE FUN .

Five levels of membership to suit your boating lifestyle.

PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP

• Access to all FPC events and parties.

• Powerboating Video. (Dozens of titles to choose.)

• Powerboating in Paradise Magazine subscription.

• Embroidered Club T-shirt in your choice of colors.

• Access to all Membership discount programs.

PLUS: • Premium 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 shoping by FPC President Stu Jones( Hourly rates apply for additional time spent)

$479.00/year*

GOLD MEMBERSHIP

Membership suggested for married couples Includes all of the Standard Membership benefits, PLUS: • Second membership for spouse/partner included • Premium mens OGIO Club Polo Shirt.

• Premium womens OGIO Ladies Tank Top $379.00/year*

STANDARD MEMBERSHIP

Membership Includes:

• Access to all FPC events and parties.

• Powerboating Video. (Dozens of titles to choose.)

• Powerboating in Paradise Magazine subscription.

• Embroidered Club T-shirt in your choice of colors.

• Access to all Membership discount programs. $279.00/year*

COMMERCIAL MEMBERSHIP 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. $349.00/year*

SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP

Membership Includes:

• Club T-shirt in your choice of colors.

• Powerboating in Paradise Magazine subscription.

• Access to FPC parties • Discounted Boat Show tickets. $89.00/year*

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

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

Join us in welcoming these

NEW FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB COMMERCIAL MEMBERS: MICHAEL LAYTON

JOHN COSKER

706-359-6899 adrenalinepowerboats.com mike@adrenalinepowerboats.com

386.736.2247 mysticpowerboats.com j@mysticpowerboats.com

P.O. Box 611 Lincolnton, GA 30817

1848 Patterson Ave. DeLand, FL 32724

CJ KUSMIERZ

SVEN TEUBER

Adrenaline Powerboats

Bluefin Marine Consultants

Mystic Powerboats Inc.

On Track Incentives, LLC

616-893-7503 bluefinconsultants.org info@bluefinconsultants.org

+1813-500-7110 ontrackincentives.com sven@ontrackincentives.com

Port St. Lucie, FL

11125 Winthrop Lake Drive Riverview, FL 33578

MICHAEL & NICOLE LUND

SCOTT PORTA

508-678-4547 bordenlightmarina.com office@bordenlightmarina.com 1 Ferry Street Fall River, MA 02721

386-428-7417 portaproducts.com portaproducts@aol.com 1601 Tionia Rd. New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168

BILL DAY

RUDY DIPIETRO

Borden Light Marina

Days Boat Sales & Service

Porta Product Corp

Renaissance Prowler

1-888-413-8315 daysboatsales.com bill@daysboatsales.com

954-274-6648 www.renaissanceprowler.com Rudyjr@aol.com

101 Arrowhead Ct Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

13040 NW 43rd Avenue Opa Locka, FL 33054

PETER/ RAYMOND ROBERTS

FRANK SCHEELEN

+1 705-487-7575 doublerperformance.com office@doublerperformance.com

+49 (0) 7741 96 94 25 scheelen-racing.com email: info@scheelen-racing.com

50 Line 9 N, Oro-Medonte, Ontario L0L 1T0

Im Unterberg 11 D-79761 Waldshut-Tiengen

JIMMIE HARRISON

BRANDON MAYER

954-467-7723 fjprop.com jimmie@fjprop.com

1-888-413-8315 sweetwaterlanding.net bmayer14@yahoo.com

200 sw 6th St Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

16991 State Road 31, Fort Myers, FL 33905

KEVIN SCHULTE

HUGO DOMINGEZ

Hardline Products

Vandalize Boats

1-888-413-8315 hardlineproducts.com sales@hardlineproducts.com

305-635-0005 vandalizeboats.com info@vandalizeboats.com

7766 SW Jack James Drive Stuart, FL 34997

3480 NW 21st Street Miami, FL 33142

DoubleR Performance

Frank & Jimmies Propeller

Scheelen-Racing

Sweetwater Landing Marina

David Branton | LA | Team HOTSHOT | 48' MTI

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BOSTON WHALER:

PROJECT 90/20

W

ith the Jones boys Tyler and Maxwell growing up in a boating family, it only made sense for Mom and Dad to get them a boat that was well-suited to their needs, and one that fit nicely on the driveon jet dock. In 2016 the family purchased a used 1990 Boston Whaler with a Yamaha outboard, and soon the boys both completed the Power Squadron safe boating class and acquired their Florida state boating licenses. Over the next four years, the boys

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used the boat extensively, and it was a perfect fit for some family camping getaways with the Whaler in tow behind the motorhome. The wear and tear soon took its toll, and it was time to decide‌Sell it, or Fix it! That’s when Dad came to the conclusion... it was time for a Repower and Restomod! In fact, it seemed only fitting to give the Project 1080 Cigarette, a sister ship!

The Whaler was dropped off with Andrew Howard, at Howard Marine Services in Pompano Beach, who immediately stripped the Whaler to bare fiberglass, and took inventory of the parts that would be needed for a complete refit. At the same time, a brand new Mercury 75HP outboard was ordered through Bam Marine, and the bare hull was prepped and delivered to Pat Haughey and his crew at B&R Auto in Pompano Beach, a high-end auto repair shop, that just happens to build the occasional Active Thunder performance boat. Pat and his crew further prepped the boat, removing spider cracks, and filling in the imperfections with special materials, before laying on fresh paint, in colors that matched the Project 1080HP 38 Cigarette.

Meanwhile, seats and cushions were being created by Gator Upholstery, and all the rigging parts ordered from Bam Marine and Livorsi Marine Inc. You can watch the whole refit project on Florida Powerboat Club’s YouTube channel, commencing early June 2020!

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Pompano Beach, FL

BOATERS DREAM HOME LOCATION: Address: 671 SE 18th Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060 Intracoastal Waterway: West of Lake Santa Barbara One fixed bridge: 11 foot clearance Nearest Inlet: Hillsboro Inlet 4 miles Nearest Hwy: US 1- three blocks I-95: 1.5 miles FL Turnpike: 4 Miles Distance to Fort Laud Airport: 16 Miles ( 21 minutes)

STRUCTURE: EXTERIOR Four bedroom / 2 bath Approx: 3,000 SF Built 1968 with multiple upgrades Two story: CB 1st floor / stucco exterior 2nd story: Wood frame / vinyl siding / Master suite- large deck Two car garage / tile floors -diamond plate cabinets throughout Four car paver drive way Large 2nd Floor Deck With master and spiral staircase access

AMENITIES / APPLIANCES / UPGRADES: Outdoor pool with spa ( not heated- New pump 2020) All new 5 ton A/C system & ducts installed 2018 A/C Garage - Hurricane rated garage door New impact glass throughout most of home All-new stainless LG/Samsung kitchen appliances- (2020) New large volume Washer / Dryer (2019) Upgraded bathrooms Recent paint and interior upgrades / electric shades 400 AMP Service / All services to house underground New awning installed 2019

*Jet Dock not included in purchase - (optional upgrade negotiable)

WATERFRONT & DOCK: 105 feet/ Good seawall- 75 foot wood dock ( new deckboards 2016) 8 post 4-motor 30,000 lb. Deco boat lift /installed 2018 ( accommodate any center console/ big powerboat or express cruiser up to 50' length) Lift has 16' beam /Removable aluminum access platforms installed (4) Underwater fishing lights on timer/photo cell ( new 2018) LED piling lights/ multi color- programmable ( new 2018) Solar powered piling lights ( new 2020) ( Jet Dock not included in purchase- negotiable ) 60 AMP dock power station / separate circuit

TAXES / SCHOOLS / HOA: Cul-de-sac neighborhood / one entrance No HOA Broward County School district Property taxes: $ 8,500/annual

$ 949,000

*Private sale - No Agents Please

CALL FOR APPT: Stu & Jackie Jones 954-684-9333

FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB 2020 Event Calendar

| ORANGE BEACH POWERBOAT WEEK: POSTPONED *New Dates Pending THE WHARF, ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA

DATES TBA

POSTPONED

| FPC SUMMER POKER RUN TOUR! EVENTS TBA MULTIPLE EVENTS NATIONWIDE THROUGH AUG 2020.

JULY 24-29

| 29TH ANNUAL BAHAMAS POKER RUN: BIMINI, CHUB CAY, NASSAU, EXUMAS

NEW DATES

AUG 12-16

| FPC EMERALD COAST POWERBOAT POKER RUN- DESTIN- FORT WALTON BEACH- EMERALD GRANDE RESORT

SEP 18-20

| FALL BIMINI BLAST-RESORTS WORLD BIMINI HILTON

SEPT 24-27

| 10TH ANNUAL TAMPA BAY POKER RUN: TAMPA - ST. PETERSBURG - MULTIPLE HOTELS

OCT 8-11

NEW DATES

| OCTOBER KEY WEST FUN RUN NEW DATES MAKE-UP EVENT FOR SPRING KEY WEST POKER RUN

OCT 28- NOV 1

| FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW: MULTIPLE VENUES

NOV 11-16

| 28TH ANNUAL KEY WEST OFFSHORE POKER RUNMIAMI TO KEY WEST- MULTIPLE HOTELS & MARINAS

DEC 12

| SEMINOLE HARD ROCK WINTERFEST BOAT PARADE - FORT LAUDERDALE, FL

Disclaimer: Please note the 2020 event planning is a constantly ongoing process, that will most certainly see changes to dates and events along the way.

The following calendar includes some (tentative dates) along with new events that are currently in the planning stages with venue hosts and sponsoring organizations. It’s important that you do NOT purchase airplane tickets, book hotels, or make plans to attend, without first confirming with the Florida Powerboat Club office. Visit WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM for updated information.

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

CONTACT US: 954-545-1414 | FLPOWERBOAT.COM | STU@FLPOWERBOAT.COM

FOLLOW US:

@FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB @STUFPC @FLPOWERBOAT

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AO COOLERS................................................................. 69 FALL BIMINI BLAST 2020..............................................11 BRAND X...................................................................... 71 DEEP IMPACT............................................................5, 31 EMERALD COAST POKER RUN 2020.............................IFC FPC MARKET PLACE..................................................... 75 FPC MEMBERSHIP........................................................ 65 HOUSE FOR SALE.......................................................... 80 HAULOVER MARINE CENTER........................................ 63 KEY WEST POKER RUN 2020....................................BACK LIVORSI MARINE.......................................................... 43 MERCURY RACING....................................................... IBC MIDNIGHT EXPRESS..................................................... 27 MYCO TRAILERS............................................................. 9 MYSTIC POWERBOATS................................................. 17 NOR-TECH.................................................................... 15 OUTERLIMITS............................................................... 19 PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER...................................... 21 SCI SUPERIOR COMMUNICATIONS................................ 59 TAMPA POKER RUN 2020............................................. 77 TNT CUSTOM MARINE.................................................. 35

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: NEXT ISSUE SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 SUBSCRIBE TO POWERBOATING IN PARADISE MAGAZINE DELIVERED 4 TIMES A YEAR

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

MercuryRacing.com/860