Powerboating In Paradise vol 18#2

VOL 18#2 SUMMER 2018 EDITION

A MAGAZINE SHOWCASING THE FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB LIFESTYLE

WINTER WARM-UP

Winter Poker Run 2018

SPRINGPokerAHEAD Run 2018 Tampa Bay

RETURN TO FORT MYERS

MAGIC TRICKS

Miami Boat Show Poker Run 2018

FPC EMERALD COAST 20 YEAR FLASH BACK

PLUS...

The lovely FPC Girls

WWW.FLPOWERBOAT.COM

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A Magazine Showcasing The Florida Powerboat Club Lifestyle SUMMER 2018 Vol. 18#2

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

CONTENTS 4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com

Stu Jones reflects on how major changes to event formats are something to get used to in the face of constant challenges in the Florida boating sector.

OFFICE MANAGER

6 WINTER POKER RUN 2018

Tracey Gutierrez tracey@flpowerboat.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Lina Montes fpclina@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Pete Boden Jerry Wyszatycki Stu Jones

EVENT MANAGEMENT Jackie Jones jackie@flpowerboat.com

VIDEO PRODUCTION Stu Jones David Steel Ryan McCoy Mike Frenden Travis Nellem Joe Kotrady

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

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This annual January tradition took a small fleet of Poker Run teams to a luxurious new resort in Key Largo.

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Just a few days following the Miami Boat Show, Florida Powerboat Club offered an action-packed weekend of powerboating in paradise for over forty poker run teams and gave performance manufacturers an extended Miami presence to promote their newest models!

42 TAMPA BAY POKER RUN 2018

Taking this annual event from its St.Petersburg homeport to a new event headquarter in downtown Tampa gave these poker run teams a vibrant new backdrop for this early Spring event.

70 FORT MYERS POKER RUN 2018

Florida Powerboat Club brought the bikinis and big horsepower back to this sleepy little beach paradise, which was once known as a bustling offshore powerboat racing destination in the 1980's and 90's!

84 EMERALD COAST 20-YEAR FLASH BACK

This special feature reaches in to the Emerald Coast FPC photo archives to showcase some of the memorable events over our twenty year history of enjoying the Emerald Coast Poker Run.

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90 SNEAK PEEK: EUROPE POKER RUN 2018

In its fourth year, this annual European driving tour gave two dozen adventure-seekers an adrenaline-infused eight day romp from Germany to the French Riviera.

92 SNEAK PEEK: BAHAMAS POKER RUN 2018

Faster, farther, longer was the theme for this six-day adventure that took a dozen poker run teams to Grand Bahamas, Hope Town, and back through Bimini!

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94 MERCURY RACING: PROJECT 1080 CIGARETTE

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ON THE COVER: Miami's Brickell Key provides a stunning backdrop for the

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This unique resto-mod project pairs new Mercury Racing 540HP stern drives with an old-school non-step Cigarette Top Gun, creating the ideal FPC paceboat!

FPC Pompano Beach Headquarters

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Miami Boat Show Poker Run 2018. New FPC girls Marissa Everhart & Melissa Garcia brightened up our first 2018 FPC events.

All copyright laws apply. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher Traveling? Need to lighten the load? Enjoy the digital version of this issue of Powerboating in Paradise Magazine on...

https://www.facebook.com/flpowerboat https://www.youtube.com/user/FLpowerboatClub

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

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT A

bout five months ago, as we all turned our calendar pages to January 2018, I have to say I had mixed feelings about how we’d survive the first half of the year with so many changes to the FPC event calendar. Some would say…if it’s not broke, don’t fix it! Hence, there would be no compelling need to make any major changes to the FPC event agendas. That said, in the face of many challenges with event venues, including the lack of dockage and limitations of good lodging choices for our poker run attendees, we bit the bullet and changed three out of the first four 2018 events, including January Winter Poker Run to Key Largo, February Miami Boat Show Poker Run, and the March Tampa Bay Poker Run. Clearly, for the veterans who repeatedly attend these winter events, the change may have seemed substantial, but with hind-sight, many would agree that the changes proved to be well worth the effort.

Going forward for the remainder of 2018, we continue with the “change” theme, for at least one major event…... offering a new format for the August 15-19 Emerald Coast “Powerboat” Poker Run.

The late Larry Goldman

In this case, the cause for change to a new event date and event format was unprecedented! Never has FPC management been dealt such a profound need to react to the needs and wishes of our very own members, participants and sponsors.

Clearly, the outcome of the 2017 Emerald Coast Poker Run was not a good one for many of the (Emerald class) FPC attendees, who made it very clear after the conclusion of the event, that they would not be returning in 2018.

After months of planning and many trips to Destin-Fort Walton, I’m very happy to report that the new event format eliminated the problems that occurred in 2017 and previous

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years, and at the time of this June 1st writing, we already have 50 preregistered teams for the 100-boat event! Thanks to everyone for your feedback and support, and we can’t wait to return to the beautiful Emerald Coast! In celebration of FPC’s 20 years of Emerald Coast, please enjoy our photo feature in this issue, starting on page 84.

Before I conclude, I want to give a shout-out to all of FPC’s marine-trade partners that we have engaged with to build an amazing 38’ Cigarette Paceboat for FPC poker runs. (Page 94)

By now, the new “Project 1080” has been well publicized, and as we continue to see this restoration/repower project through to completion, it will get more and more exciting… until the planned launch at the Emerald Coast Powerboat Poker Run. I want to thank Mercury Racing and all the trade partners for engaging with FPC on this exciting project.

Nobody can deny this is an expensive sport and lifestyle to pursue, so for the many of us who don’t have the finances to plunk down $500K+ for a brand new offshore powerboat… this Project 1080 will be a well-documented resto-mod project that so many of you can engage in. Breathing new life into a classic eighteen-year-old 2000 Cigarette with fresh crated Mercury Racing equipment and a facelift from bow to stern, will be a text-book example of what you can do with somewhere around $ 225K…a realistic budget that is well within reach for so many of us.

I wish you all an amazing summer of powerboating fun.… wherever you boat and whatever poker runs you attend.

Above all, I urge you all to make safety a top priority, wear your PFD’s, save the cocktails for happy hour, and before you push those throttles all the way forward, remember that your family loves you.

Stu Jones - President & Founder

Comments: stu@flpowerboat.com

WI NTER

WARM-UP

FPC MEMBERS KICKED OFF THE 2018 BOATING SEASON WITH A 3-DAY ESCAPE TO KEY LARGO, GIVING THE ALL-NEW PLAYA LARGO RESORT & SPA A POKER RUN TEST-DRIVE, AND LOGGING THEIR GUEST BOOK AS THE FIRST BOATING CLUB TO STAGE A WEEKEND EVENT AT THIS LUXURIOUS DESTINATION. STORY & PHOTOS BY STU JONES

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fter a tumultuous 2017 that brought hurricanes and tropical storms that ravaged the Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida and beyond, finding a new marine resort in the Florida Keys was great news to FPC management. The intended WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY BY STU JONES destination, Hawks Cay Resort & Marina on Duck Key, would be closed for several months due to Hurricane Irma damages, and it was promising to hear from our Marriott colleagues that Playa Largo Resort had just completed the addition of a small marina. A property inspection revealed that the marina needed a little tweaking to make it powerboat-friendly, and resort management was favorable to adding cleats and heavy-duty fenders on its pilings, so that FPC could be accommodated. So, on the fourth Friday of January, while most of the country was blanketed in snow and ice, about a dozen powerboat teams fired up at Haulover Marine Center and started the trek south.

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It was no surprise to see the usual and somewhat dominant array of shiny new center-consoles with monster Mercury Verados strapped to their transoms, but the hard-core performance boaters were not to be outnumbered! Deris Ceresa from Boca Raton piloted his amazing Donzi 38 Comp, while Sal Olivia from New York ran his colorful 2007 Cigarette 42X which had recently received a full makeover including custom paint by Dave Hunter. And speaking of Cigarette, even an old classic 38 Top Gun appeared on the scene for it’s very first time, piloted by yours truly … although a faulty kill switch took the 18-year old V-bottom out of the running as the boats rendezvoused at Grove Harbour Marina for poker card #1. Most would agree, that the King of the fleet would have to be credited to “Rocco” Rocco from New Hampshire, who had recently purchased a mammoth 52’ Skater, powered by Mercury Racing 1350’s… making the Winter Poker Run his shake-down voyage.

Noel & Gretchen Speranza | FL | Team RETAINAGE | 44' CONCEPT / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Louis Neos | FL | Team MARLIN | 35' Marlin

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 7

While many poker run enthusiasts still lean their preferences towards the larger, big-power poker runs with over a hundred registered teams, it remains to be said that smaller events with less than twenty registered teams, have some distinct advantages for participants.

The first, is that the smaller fleets can be accommodated at smaller waterfront establishments, which opens up more dining options. For this very reason, FPC was able to schedule a lunch stopover at Sundowners in Key Largo, a casual and popular restaurant along the shoreline of Blackwater Sound…just a few miles past the Gilberts. Many of our guests were pleasantly surprised by the great menu and rustic atmosphere of the outdoor dining patio, which offers amazing views over the bay waters of Blackwater Sound.

The second advantage to attending a “smaller” poker run, is that people tend to let their hair down a little more and try to get to know their fellow FPC members.

Everyone can dine together at the same time, and for the Winter Poker Run, the entire group could be accommodated at Playa Largo Resort, without having to reach out to alternative lodging and separating the group. For these reasons, along with the warm hospitality of our new Playa Largo Resort destination, and a kind offering of warm weather from Mother Nature, everyone enjoyed a great start to the 2018 FPC boating season.

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Mark And Eileen Fischer | FL | Team BLACKWATER | 39' Blackwater / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Jorge & Ann Arellano | FL | Team SUNSATION | 36' Sunsation / 2-Mercury Racing 540 HP

Deris Ceresa | FL | Team DONZI | 38' Donzi

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

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

Matt Borcina | NY | Team | MC ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS | 28' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing 300 XS

David & Lorie Postill | MI | Team DEEP IMPACT | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400

Jimmie Harrison | FL | Team FJ PROPELLER | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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Stu & Jackie Jones with the first place winner Rocco Rocco, Team TIME CONSCIOUS

Rocco & Danielle Rocco | NH | Team TIME CONSCIOUS | 52' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing 1350

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

Joseph Padovano | FL | Team MYSTIC | 42' Mystic / 3-Mercury Verado 350

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 11

M AGIC

CIT Y

T RICKS

What began 23 years earlier as Florida Powerboat Club’s Manufacturers Offshore Rally, the Miami Boat Show Poker Run soon became a fixture on the FPC event roster, and for many snowbirds the chance for a mid-winter escape to the Florida Keys. With the pressing need for a venue change to stage the 2018 event, FPC organizers focused more time exploring local Miami waters, and many participants discovered that Miami truly is the Magic City.

STORY BY STU JONES

I

t was no secret that Hurricane Irma had passed through the Keys in September 2017, forcing FPC to make a change-of-venue for the first two events of 2018. While the smaller Winter Poker Run fell nicely into the lap of the new Playa Largo Resort in Key Largo, it wouldn’t be as easy to squeeze the 60+ boat Miami Run into a new venue, with several marine resorts in the Florida Keys closed for repairs. Key West seemed too far, Faro Blanco Resort was not willing to host the event, leaving one logical solution, to keep the annual February event headquartered in Miami.

This was a change-up for some of the annual veterans, and it certainly took the entry roster down by a chunk. But for those who attended, the weather was superb, and the new format was a welcome change.

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PHOTOS BY JERRY WYSZATYCKI

Staging any successful poker run event begins with having great marina, lodging and party facilities. Sunny Isles Beach offered all three, with Haulover Marine Center for launching, fuel and storage; the Trump International Resort for great beach front accommodations; and the area’s largest waterfront restaurant, Duffy’s Sports Grill…. offering a party-central home that included a small poker run village, hundreds of feet of docking, great food and a warm reception by all the staff.

Events kicked off Thursday, just three days after the completion of the Miami Boat Show, and manufacturing sponsors simply relocated their Miami display boats to the

Duffy’s poker run venue, putting their brands on center stage for the FPC members and hundreds of boating enthusiasts who stopped by to take part in the entertainment agenda.

Duffy’s offered a south parking lot for land-based displays, and by Thursday afternoon, Midnight Express, Deep Impact, T.D Wall Sport chassis trucks, and Jupiter Bikes had their displays up and running. Midnight Express co-owner Eric Glaser even comment, “Following all the craziness of the Miami Boat Show, where we display several boats and move-out is such a task, this local Miami poker run venue actually works out pretty good for us…I hope we do it again!”

Several other marine industry sponsors continued to arrive throughout Thursday, including Nor-Tech Hi-Performance boats, with 34’ and 39’ Center console models on display, HCB Center Console Yachts with their impressive 53’ Suenos, and SV Yachts make their poker run debut with their stylish new 35’ performance boat, powered by Mercury Racing 700’s. Five-hundred feet of Duffy’s waterfront soon became lit up with cockpit LED’s and underwater lights, as millions of dollars in high-performance hardware took center stage for the Thursday night check-in functions, including a captains meeting and dockside party.

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 13

For the benefit of the early-birds, a Friday fun run got the poker runners out for a scenic shake down run, as about 35 teams took a scenic ride through the ICW waters of Miami Beach, avoiding rough offshore seas that were the product of 20-mph east winds. With the sun gleaming, the winds wouldn’t ruin anyone’s day, as the fleet continued past Port Miami into the protected waters of Biscayne Bay, and arrived at the landmark cottages known as Stiltsville. This was by design, and it was here that the FPC chopper crew gave each team the “money shot moment”, as they passed through the channel for photo and video coverage…using the colorful iconic cottages as a scenic backdrop. With that mission completed, the fleet doubled back to the Miami waterfront, heading up the Miami River to lunch hotspots that included The Wharf and the all-new American Social. Both establishments are popular with Miami boaters, and it was a first time for many FPC members to take a ride up the historic Miami River!

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Sponsor

David & Jenny Landsman | FL | Team MIDNIGHT EXPRESS | 43' Midnight Express Eric & Maggie Glaser | FL | Team MIDNIGHT EXPRESS | 43' Midnight Express / 5-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

David & Jenny Landsman | FL | Team MY | 43' Midnight Express / 5-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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FULL HOUSE Crew

Stu & Jackie Jones | FL | Team FULL HOUSE | 38' Cigarette / 2-Mercruiser 500 Bulldogs

Sponsor

David & Lorie Postill | FL | Team DEEP IMPACT | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 17

Sponsor

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Nikolai Sass | FL | Team SV YACHTS | 38' SV Yacht / 2-Mercury Racing 700 SCi

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Sponsor

Trond Schou | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

NOR-TECH Crew

Bernie Neuhaus | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing 350

Jimmie Harrison | FL | Team FJ PROPELLER | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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Jeff Campbell | TX | Team CENTER OF ATTENTION | 38' Statement / 3-Mercury Racing 350

Jeff & Carrie Babineaux | LA | Team EZ MONEY | 38' Statement / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Simon & Kathryn Williams | FL | Team GOGPS | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Verado 350

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BLUEPRINT Crew

Donnie Snyder | CT | Team BLUEPRINT | 46' Outerlimits / 2-Mercury Racing 1075

Tom Hoffstetter | FL | Team HCB CENTER CONSOLE YACHTS | 53' Suenos / 4-7Marine

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 23

ON YOUR MARK Crew

Sponsor

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

Myrick Coil | MO | Team PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER | 36' Wright Performance / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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

Jon & Bryn Wax | FL | Team WE'RE BACK WE'RE BACK | 36' Cigarette

Jeff & Brenda Jacobs | MD | Team POKER FACE | 36' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 525 EFI

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

Derek Wachob | OK | Team BLACK DIAMOND | 52' MTI / 2- Mercury Racing 1550

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 27

Sponsor

Mayli Tenorio | MD | Team SEAKEEPER | 36' Bluewater

Bryan Houtchens | CA | Team KACHINA | 34' Kachina / 2- Mercury Racing 525 EFI

Kevin & Melissa Welch | MA | Team HEAT HER UP | 35' Cigarette

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Sponsor

Mark and Eileen Fischer | FL | Team BLACKWATER | 39' Blackwater / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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Saturday morning the boats launched from Sunny Isles and headed south to Miami, once again escaping from the rough offshore seas by taking the more easterly of two ICW routes alongside luxurious real estate from Bal Harbour to South Beach. After passing through Port Miami, the next stop was near Grove Harbour Marina, where FPC sponsor Alan Lima positioned his 84 Lazzara yacht for a poker card exchange.

While Alan was certainly prepared, with no less than ten bikini models on board for the hand off, sadly the winds had picked up and the card exchange had to be aborted to prevent scratched paint and gelcoat.

The fleet proceeded fifty miles south on Biscayne Bay towards Key Largo, for the scheduled lunch stop at Sundowners, a popular waterfront restaurant which replaced Gilberts Key Largo, after the hurricane-damaged docks at Gilberts were closed to transient boaters.

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Asbjorn & Abe Abrahamsen | FL | Team TEAM RIVA | 52' MTI / 2- Mercury Racing 1350

Andree Bakkegaard | Team PREDATOR II | 33' Predator / 2-Mercury Racing 520

Alan Lima | FL | Team BACKSTAGE | 84' Lazzara | OFFICIAL POKER CARD BOAT

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 33

Sponsor

David Petrantoni | FL | Team OUTPOST MARINE | 39' Blackwater / 4-Mercury Verado 350

Sponsor

Dr. Jason Parker | FL | Team MAVERICK | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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Cass Shewbart | TX | Team LIQUID PROZAC | 38' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 525 EFI

Joseph Castellana | NY | Team AWESOME MOTORSPORTS | 38' Skater

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Deris Ceresa | FL | Team DONZI | 38' Donzi

Stephen & Ashley Rak | CT | Team DOUG WRIGHT | 32' Doug Wright / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

It wasn’t like Sundowners was a new restaurant that was suddenly discovered by FPC for poker run stops. Ironically, it has been there decades, but like creatures of habit, FPC members have been enjoying the convenient location of Gilberts with its casual atmosphere, great food, easy docking and fuel for these thirsty machines. Like many other things in life, most of us will get comfortable with

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“what’s easiest”, until we’re forced to make a change. When Gilberts management were forced to close their damaged docks to the big poker run fleets, we found the next closest alternative. Sundowners answered the call with flying colors, and although docking the big fleet was a bit challenging, everything worked out fine, and the food was amazing according to feedback from most of the participants.

Sunsation 32 CCX - Performance Boat Center / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 39

SATURDAY NIGHT

AWARD PART Y

1 By late in the afternoon, most of the boats were settled in back at Haulover Marine Center and Duffy's Sports Grill, where the poker cards were drawn, and President's Choice awards were presented in many categories. The new poker run format provided a welcome change for many members, who felt the Miami-based event provided easier access, a great selection of hotels, a comfortable casual vibe, and

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greater choice of after-hours entertainment options. After all, more than 80% of the attendees had just weathered a cold northern winter and were ready to play hard!! Congratulations to Grand Prize winner Bryan Houtchens who trailered all the way from California with his 34 Kachina to attend his very first Florida Powerboat Club Poker Run!

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1. First place winner Bryan Houtchens, Team KACHINA & FPC girls. 2. Second place winners Jeff & Carrie Babineaux, Team EZ MONEY. 3. Mark & Eileen Fischer, Team BLACKWATER - Best Center Console award. 4. Trond Schou & Nor-Tech Team receive Sponsor Appreciation award from FPC Girls. 5. Donnie Snyder & the Crew, Team BLUEPRINT - Best Dressed Team award.

6. Best Paint and Graphics award Team - Joseph & Joe Jr. Castellana 7. Stu Jones presents Sponsor Appreciation award to Duffy's Sports Bar and Grill manager Kyle Fenwick. 8. Stu and FPC girls present Sponsor Appreciation award to Seakeeper Crew. 9. Mauricio Velez & Nikolai Sass, Team SV YACHTS - Most Outrageous Boat Award. 10. David & Jenny Landsman, Team MY WAY and the crew - Most Spirited Team Award. 11. Stu Jones presents Best V-Bottom award to George Takkula, Team PREDATOR 447. 12. Ivonne Aleman accepts Sponsor Appreciation award on behalf of F650 SUPERTRUCKS. 13. Mark Waddington & PBC crew - PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER - Sponsor Appreciation Award.

14. Mark & Susan Munro, Team ON YOUR MARK - Best Catamaran award. 15. Stu Jones presents Best Dockside Show award to Simon Williams.

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? At the time this issue is released, FPC has not yet finalized plans for the 2019 Edition of the Miami Boat Show Poker Run. Repeating the Miami-based format is being considered, as well as a new Florida Keys weekend option. Please send your thoughts and input to Stu Jones, as to which destination you might prefer.

Stu@flpowerboat.com Thank You.

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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 41

SPRING

AHEAD

PARTICIPANTS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA CELEBRATED THEIR FIRST FEW DAYS OF SPRING 2018 ENJOYING A NEW VENUE FOR THE ANNUAL TAMPA BAY POKER RUN, WHICH FEATURED THE BUSTLING CITYSCAPE OF DOWNTOWN TAMPA. WITH GREAT HOTELS, AMPLE DOCKAGE AND VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE ON THEIR DOORSTEP, FPC MEMBERS ENJOYED THE NEW VENUE, WHICH WAS A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS FUTURE GROWTH OF THIS POPULAR SPRING EVENT! WORDS BY STU JONES

M

oving an established poker run event to a new venue after a seven-year run, is not always and easy task. But Florida Powerboat Club was faced with a possible reduction in its Tampa Bay Poker Run roster for 2018, as the hosting hotel, the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, squeezed the lodging inventory and available poker run slips to the lowest numbers ever. Seeing the big picture, the FPC management realized that substantial changes would have to occur, to keep the momentum of this event’s growth and moving to downtown Tampa was the only solution. Of course, convincing some of the event’s loyal veterans that this would be a positive step wasn’t the easiest task, as many had come to appreciate the charming St. Petersburg waterfront and the upscale Renaissance-branded resort.

With little change to the poker run course itself, which features

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETE BODEN

just over 100 miles of combined checkpoints in mostly the protected Tampa Bay waters, the biggest of changes to the format, involved the event facilities. Floating docks at the Tampa Convention Center and Marriott Marina, combined with two major hotels, the Westin and Marriott Waterside, provided all the facilities necessary to get the roster up over 40 teams. The other bonus was that two of downtown Tampa’s most popular restaurant-turned-nightclubs, Jacksons Bistro and American Social, were on our doorstep, and required no driving or transportation services to go to and from hotels.

By late Friday, almost 40 teams were settled in at the docks in Downtown Tampa, and the party kicked off at the neighboring Jacksons Bistro, a popular restaurant that has been a landmark on the downtown scene for almost two decades.

Most of the entire patio and seating were reserved for the FPC group, and we enjoyed scenic views of downtown harbor, overlooking the poker run boats. The best part…everything was just walking distance to our hotel lobbies, so getting home after a nice dinner and a few beverages required no car keys, not even an Uber ride!

Right next door, the all-new American Social bar was equally equipped to entertain our weekend warriors, but we weren’t rushing things…that venue was fully booked for our Saturday night poker run party! The late March spring weather was ideal, as teams began arriving as early as Wednesday, to enjoy the vibrant Tampa nightlife, which began with an Ybor City pub tour on Thursday evening. A Friday fun run got the boating activities off to a good start, as about 30 powerboat teams visited the Blue Mangrove, a pleasant waterfront eatery on the Manatee River in Bradenton. (amazing food- highly recommended, but make sure you get your docking confirmed ahead of time by marina staff. Trust me on this)

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FPC Girls Arianne & Kianne

Saturday morning saw warm temperatures and light winds, and by 11am the 40-boat fleet was off the docks, grabbing its first card from the bikini clad duo of Stephanie and Ashley, then headed towards the open waters of Tampa Bay for some high-speed thrills. Boat captains stopped about one mile before the Sunshine Skyway bridge to get re-assembled and run in a group formation under the scenic suspension bridge with the chopper crew high above, seeking that coveted money shot! With photographer Pete Boden in the chopper along with the FPC video producer David Steel, the aerial team continued in hot pursuit for the afternoon capturing amazing video content for the FPC Youtube channel, and aerial stills for the www.flpowerboat.com website and for this issue of Powerboating in Paradise Magazine ( Editor’s Note: Other media publishers including www.speedonthewater.com and Speedboat Magazine have provided feature coverage of this event).

Michael & Tara Kimbell | GA Team REEL AXIN | 28' Seafox

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Geoff Mowry | MA | Team DONZI | 33' Donzi / 2-Mercruiser 500 EFI

Greg Tolson | FL | Team ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR | 32' Sunsation /2-Mercruiser 496 HL

LADY LISA Crew

Red Reynolds | WI | Team LADY LISA | 80' Nor-Tech

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 45

John Popowicz | FL | Team CHILLIN THE MOST | 38' Scarab

Tom Beagle | MI | Team BAR-NONE | 36' Sunsation

46 POWERBOATING IN PARADISE |

Team BODACIOUS, TOO Girls Ashley & Steffanie

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 47

NO KIDS Crew

FPC Girl Arianne Christopher Stevenson | FL | Team NO KIDZ | 32' Spectre / 2-Mercury 300 XS

Jorge & Ann Arellano | FL | Team OGP | 36' Sunsation / 2-Mercury Racing 540

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FPC Girl Kianne

Thomas Anselmi | NJ | Team NECESSARY EVIL | 38' Donzi ZRC

Richard Gerth | CANADA | Team OUTERLIMITS | 42' Oterlimits / 2-Mercury Racing 700 SCi

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 49

Chris Ryder | NY | Team CRISIS MANAGEMENT | 36' Skater

Craig & Paula Ackerman | GA | Team ALTER EGO | 29' Formula /2-Mercruiser 6.2 MPI

Chris & Quinn LaMorte | NJ | Team ALTER EGO | 36' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing 700 SCi

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BODACIOUS, TOO Crew

H. Neil & Cindy Campbell | FL | Team BODACIOUS, TOO | 42' Mystic / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

LIQUID PROZAC Crew

Cass Shewbart | TX | Team LIQUID PROZAC | 38' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 525 EFI

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Sponsor

Craig & Cynthia Belfatto | FL | Team BULLETPROOF | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350

ERICKSON MARINE Crew

Chris & Kimberly Erickson | FL | Team ERICKSON MARINE | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350

BULLETPROOF Crew

WIDE OPEN Crew

Ed & Jacquie Rachel | FL | Team WIDE OPEN | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350

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Noel & Gretchen Speranza | FL | Team RETAINAGE | 44' Concept / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Jon & Bryn Wax | FL | Team POKER FACE | 36' Cigarette

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

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STROSS crew

Jason & Christy Stross | FL | Team BLACK BOATS MATTER | 38' Statement / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Bill Munyan | FL | Team AFTERMATH | 36' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing 850 SCi

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A second card was handed off by the SeaKeeper-sponsored volunteer boat team at Egmont Key, and then a 3rd at the Vinoy Basin in St. Petersburg. Did we mention pretty FPC Girls dealing the cards?

Newcomer Kianna handled the Egmont Key checkpoint, and back by popular demand, was Arianne, who handed off the poker card at the Vinoy Basin checkpoint.

From here, it was just a short romp northbound to Hula Bay Club, a popular eatery that had cleared their docks for the poker run and served up an amazing lunch!

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Sponsor

Sponsor

Simon & Kathryn Williams | FL | Team GOGPS | 39' Deep Impact / 4-Mercury Verado 350

FPC Girl Kianna DREAM HUNTER Crew

Sponsor

Sean and Channing McArthur | FL | Team DREAM HUNTER 36' Blackwater / 3-Mercury Verado 300

Joe Grady | NJ | Team STRYKER III | 39' Outerlimits / 2-Mercury 700 SCi

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Sponsor

DIRTY DUCK Crew

David & Jenny Landsman | MD | Team MY WAY | 43' Midnight Express / 5-Mercury Racing Verado 400R FPC Girls Arianne

Josh Kirkland | GA | Team DIRTY DUCK | 42' Cigarette / 4-Mercury Verado 350

Mark & Joan DiMichele | MI | Team CATTIVO | 44' Mystic / 2-Mercury Racing 1100 QC4V8

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FPC Girl Kianna

Glenn Kennedy | WI | Team CALIENTE PERFORMANCE | 43' Outerlimits

CALIENTE PERFORMANCE Crew

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

Don & Alice Lightfoot | TX | Team FOOTLOOSE TOO | 52' Nor-Tech / 2-Mercury Racing 1550

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LUNCH STOP

The management & staff at Hula Bay Club extended a warm welcome to Florida Powerboat Club. With plenty of dockage & fabulous food,it's no surprise that Hula Bay is one of the most popular restaurants for area boaters.

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Bob & Madelyn Christie | NJ | Team JERSEY STRONG | 34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Ron Szolack | FL | Team 318 SKATER | 31' Skater / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Deris Ceresa | FL | Team DONZI | 38' Donzi

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Daniel Munyan | FL | Team PILINI MARINE | 34' Pilini Marine / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

BAD INVESTMENTS Crew John O'Loughlin | NY | Team LITTLE VENGEFUL | 34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Bill Waters & Danny Merrell | FL | Team BAD INVESTMENTS | 30'Spectre / 2-Mercury 300 XS

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S AT U R DAY N I G H T AWA R D S

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After a great day on the water, the FPC group gathered at the all-new American Social Bar, the flagship location for this trendy new national chain. Presidents Choice awards were presented in a variety of categories, sponsors were recognized, and the top poker hand winners received prizes from our FPC sponsors! Congratulations to Bob & Madelyn Christie from NJ, the grand prize winners, who attended in their brand-new MTI 34 Cat!

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Editor’s note: General feedback from participants indicate that this new event format is back on for the 2019 calendar year, using the same Downtown Tampa venue, with a possible date change to late March/early April. More information will be provided as it becomes available, and we urge FPC members to share their input anytime by emailing: stu@flpowerboat.com

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10 11 12 13 14 1. FPC Girls Arianne & Kianna. 2. Simon Williams, Team SUNCOAST MARINE - receives Sponsor Appreciation award from Stu Jones 3. Stu Jones with Team BODACIOUS, TOO crew members 4. First place winners Bob & Madelyn Christie, Team JERSEY STRONG 5. Second place winners, Team LITTLE VENGEFUL - John O'Loughlin & the crew. 6. Third place winners, Team NECESSARY EVIL - Thomas Anselmi & the crew. 7. Erickson family, Team ERICKSON MARINE, accept Sponsor Appreciation award on behalf of Nor-Tech. 8. Tom Wall (center) - SPORT CHASSIS - receives sponsor appreciation award from Stu Jones. 9. Sexiest Crew Taem BODACIOUS, TOO with FPC Models Arianne & Kianna. 10. John O'Loughlin, Team LITTLE VENGEFUL - Best Tow Vehicle. 11. Daniel Munyan's crew member accepts Best Catamaran award . 12. Noel & Gretchen Speranza, Team RETAINAGE - Best Dressed Team award. 13. Ed Rachel, Team WIDE OPPEN - Good Smaritan award. 14. John & Cathy Popowicz, Team CHILLIN THE MOST - Best V-Bottom award.

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4E x2c e'l l eFn tOc oUn dNi tTi o nAwIi Nt h cLu sIt oGmHp aTi nNt , IMNy cGo t rFa i Ol e rRa n dSl Ao a dLeEd with ever y imaginable feature!

2006 Fountain 42 Lightning Tw i n M e r c u r y R a c i n g 5 2 5 S C Bravo XR Drives/ Stainless 5-blade props Myco triple axle trailer / 15 ,000 lb cap.

We s te r b e ke 4 . 5 Kw g e n e r ato r M a r i n e A /C i n c a b i n 1 6 , 5 0 0 B t u Electric head with macerator & holding tank Garmin chartpotter / VHF Radio Captains call exhaust silencing system Low hours, in perfect condition.

Re ce nt 2017 sur vey avail able !

Asking $137,500 complete with trailer, ready to roll!

Owner Based I n Texas: 4 6 9 - 9 6 4 - 9 8 9 2

AFTER DEALING WITH THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE OF CONSTANT CHANGE FOR THE FIRST THREE POKER RUNS ON THE 2018 FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB EVENT CALENDAR, IT WAS REASSURING TO DISCOVER THAT NO HURRICANES, NO HOTEL MANAGEMENT STAFF, AND NO UNCONTROLLABLE FORCES PLAYED ANY PART IN PLANNING THE ANNUAL FORT MYERS POKER RUN. ON THE CONTRARY, IT APPEARED THAT THE FOLKS AT THE PINK SHELL RESORT & MARINA ON FORT MYERS BEACH, ALONG WITH FPC MEMBERS, WOULD BE QUITE CONTENT TO PICK UP ON THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S FORMAT, AND CHANGE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AT ALL WORDS BY STU JONES

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lorida Powerboat Club eagerly returned to the Pink Shell Resort & Marina in Fort Myers Beach, with a roster of just under 30 powerboat teams from Florida to Ontario, many of them returning for their second year in a row. It was the fourth event on the club’s 2018 roster, and the turnout had a strong showing from the local Nor-Tech factory team with an 11th hour rally of owners joining the fun, bringing the total to eight Nor-Tech teams registered for the event.

Boat launching headquarters returned to Salty Sam’s Marina, where trailer parking facilities made it easy for participants to get out on the water quickly and take the short ride to Pink Shell Resort & Marina, less than two miles away. Checking

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETE BODEN

in at the marina was a breeze, as dockmasters Dave & Craig were quite a team, getting our participants quickly into their floating dock slips! Refreshing to say the least!

Festivities began immediately on Thursday as the early birds joined in for a group dinner at the casual Shucker’s beachfront restaurant, followed by drinks at an adjoined live music hotspot called The Cottage. Friday featured the customary Friday Fun Run, which took a fleet of about 15 boats to Lovers Key just south of Fort Myers Beach, where the group rafted in shallow waters along the State Park's pristine beaches. A lunch rendezvous followed at The Shrimp Docks, a waterfront restaurant located beside the host staging marina, Salty Sam’s.

Saturday offered of a batch of fantastic April weather for the spring fling, as the boats congregated at the Pink Shell Resort Marina, where a quick dockside captains meeting kicked off the morning. Two new FPC girls Marissa and Vanessa got their first task underway as they handed off the poker cards to each team, a traditional part of the FPC's agenda for every poker run event. With all the teams milling for the start, the chopper took a moment to chase down Nils Johnsen, (who was joined by the writer) for a high-speed romp to showcase the brand new NorTech 340 Club Sport, the latest addition to Nor-tech's full line of center console models. For those who haven’t been in the loop, that now includes new models that reach up to 56 feet in length!

After an exciting start, the pack headed north along the Gulf coast shores of Sanibel Island, with a second card handed off from one of the Nor-Tech factory entries, a 39 CC piloted by Dave Raisbeck, the newest principle in the Nor-Tech organization who has attended numerous FPC events over the years. For the next leg, teams continued northbound, with their choice of either the coastal offshore route or protected bay waters, with destination at Boca Grande Marina. This was a repeat of the previous year’s lunch agenda, and it was here that the Eagle Grill, once again served a spectacular lunch to the attendees.

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Sponsor

Pat & Diane Haughey | FL | Team ACTIVE THUNDER | 30' Active Thunder / 2-Mercury Verado 350

After lunch, it was time for another poker card...which was handed off from the docks of Boca Grande Marina, followed by a short sprint southbound (at 80 mph we mean short!) as the group settled in at the rustic yet upscale Useppa Island Club, a private marine & residential community that has rolled out the welcome mat to FPC for several years.

Thanks again to FPC member George Argyros, who from California was able to make the necessary arrangements for FPC, while passing his best wishes to the club for not being able to attend.

The perfect day of boating continued with the final leg through Pine Island Sound where a group of Nor-Tech’s had a little fun running side by side! After returning to Pink Shell Resort, a festive evening dinner party in

the Pink Shell Ballroom provided the ideal stage for presenting a variety of Presidents' Choice awards while giving all the teams a chance to play out their poker cards for cash and sponsored prizes.

With all the cards played out, Jon Wittenberger from Team On The Rocks, a 36’ Sonic center console, won first place with a rarely seen off-suit straight of 2 through 6. FPC congratulates the winners and thanks all the participants and sponsors for taking part in this exciting weekend that discovered above all, that you don't always need a 100-boat poker run roster to have a great time.

The smaller group tended to provide a more relaxed atmosphere that is often a welcome change!

SJ FPC Girl Marissa

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

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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 Outer Banks club polo shirt. (Ladies tops available.)

• Premium embroidered club hat.

• Additional Powerboating video.

• Venus Swimwear gift voucher. ($75-$100 value.)

PLUS:

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.

$479.00/year*

GOLD MEMBERSHIP

COMMERCIAL MEMBERSHIP

Membership Includes all of the Standard Membership benefits, PLUS:

Membership Includes:

• Premium Outer Banks Club Polo Shirt. (Ladies tops avail.)

• Premium embroidered club hat.

• Additional Powerboating Video of your choice: • Venus Swimwear gift voucher. ($75-$100 value.) $369.00/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. $259.00/year*

• Discounted rates on FPC Magazine ads • Discounted rates on all web advertising/banner programs.

• Access to all FPC events and parties.

• Listing on our website affiliate section.

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 Video of your choice (Dozens to choose.)

• Powerboating in Paradise Magazine subscription.

• Access to FPC parties • Discounted Boat Show tickets. $79.00/year*

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

Sponsor

Nils Johnsen | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 34' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Nils Johnsen & Stu Jones

Team NOR-TECH with co-owners Trond Schou, Nils Johnsen & Dave Raisbeck (center)

Trond Schou | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 45' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Verado Racing 400R

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Kevin & Melissa Welch | MA | Team HEAT HER UP | 35' Cigarette

Noel & Gretchen Speranza | FL | Team RETAINAGE | 44' Concept / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Mark Headley | OH | Team MAIDEN AMERICA | 42' Fountain / 2-Mercury Racing 700 SCi

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Sponsor

John Kray | FL | Team SPORTBOATS MARINE | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Andre Flottman | FL | Team NOR-TECH | 39' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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Meghan & Pierre Brousseau | Team CENTRAL TIME ZONE | 40' Nor-Tech / 2-Mercury Racing 1350

John O'Loughlin | NY | Team LITTLE VENGEFUL | 34' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Don Doty & Tony Dewaal | MI | Team DOUBLE D | 40' Skater

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Vanessa & Marissa handing out poker cards at Boca Grande Chris & Jennifer Grant | ON | Team PAIN RELIEF | 42' Fountain / 2-Mercury Racing 600 SCi

Ron McLean | FL | Team DEEP IMPACT | 36' Deep Impact / 3-Mercury Verado 350

Mark Stoddart | ON | Team MTI | 48' MTI / 2-Mercury Racing 1350

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Daniel & Lana Dickert | FL | Team LADY LANA | 34' Nor-Tech / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

Sponsor

Dave Raisbeck | FL | Team RAISERS EDGE | 39' Nor-Tech / 4-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

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

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Jorge & Ann Arellano | FL | Team DCB | 29' DCB / 2-Mercury Racing 700 SCi

Cass Shewbart | TX | Team LIQUID PROZAC | 38' Cigarette / 2-Mercury Racing 525 EFI

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H. Neil & Cindy Campbell | FL | Team BODACIOUS, TOO | 42' Mystic / 3-Mercury Racing Verado 400R

John Lasky | IL | Team SATISFACTION GUARANTEED | 36' Apache

Tom Beagle | MI | Team BAR-NONE | 36' Sunsation / 2-Mercury Racing 575

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SATURDAY NIGHT AWARDS

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1. First place winners, Team ON THE ROCKS - John Wittenberger with the crew and FPC girls. 2. Second place winners, Team HEAT HER UP - Kevin Welch. 3. Henrick Margard, Team Nor-Tech receives Sponsor appreciation award. 4. Jorge Arellano, Team OGP - Best Catamaran Award. 5. FPC Girls Marissa & Vanessa. 6. Cindy Campbell Team BODACIOUS, TOO receives Best Dressed Crew Award. 7. Tony Dewaal, Team DOUBLE D - Best Paint & Graphics award. 8. Don Dotty, Team 1YR SKATER - Sexiest Crew award. 9. Mike Delapo & Chris Grant, Team PAIN RELIEF - Best V-Bottom award. 10. Cindy & Neil Campbell with FPC Girls Mariss & Vanessa.

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Vanessa

Marissa

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A

t time this issue of Powerboating in Paradise goes out on circulation, we are getting very close to the August 2018 event, which will mark a very important turning point for Florida Powerboat Club when documenting the history of this event. At the present time ( late June) we are looking at a registration roster of just over 60 poker run teams, and at seven weeks out, we expect our final numbers will closely reach our targeted 100-boat roster. Therefore, this editorial feature has two purposes, as follows. First…to WELCOME all the participants and sponsors that are taking part in the new festival format, scheduled for Aug 15-19, 2018…which is simply titled, FPC’s Emerald Coast Powerboat Week. This new format is clearly a powerboat-centric formula, and our

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mission is to bring back the VIP experience that outof-town powerboaters have come to appreciate. After all, most FPC participants trailer there boats an average of 500-plus miles to attend many FPC poker run events in Florida, so it only stands as logical, for these guests to expect a very special and memorable experience. The only way an organizer can provide that experience is provide a warm welcome mat and a safe poker run event, with great parties, first class lodging, excellent food, top notch aerial and photo coverage, and adequate marine facilities for the boats. All of these things are in the FPC wheelhouse, as they are the bare essentials to creating and maintaining a successful poker run event that will create a loyal following, and stand the test of time.

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The second purpose of this editorial feature is to dig deep into the FPC photo archives, and showcase some of the memorable events over our twenty year history of participating in the Emerald Coast.

As everyone knows by now, FPC didn’t start the first poker run in the Emerald Coast, but we were invited by the original founders, to Kickstart their event into the national poker run arena, and make it more successful for the charities and local tourism. Not only did we embrace that challenge, we took this event to new levels within a few short years, reaching registration records of over two hundred teams, and consistently raising six-figure outcomes for the local youth charities.

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It was 1999 when FPC arrived on the Emerald Coast scene, and we fell in love with its beautiful beaches and waterways, along with the fun-loving festive energy of this summer destination. Since then, the love affair has continued, and Florida Powerboat Club has been very committed to keep this event safe and enjoyable for all participants. Going forward in 2018 and beyond, we remain committed to making this a signature poker run event on the Florida Powerboat Club event calendar. I’d like to personally thank all those who have been there along the way, for your continued support, friendship and loyalty to the FPC organization, which is recognized globally as a leading organizer of first class powerboat poker runs!

Sincerely, Stu Jones / President - Florida Powerboat Club

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EUROPE POKER RUN 2018 SNEAK PEEK

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fter four consecutive years, the Europe Poker Run has planted itself firmly on the FPC event calendar, giving club members an exciting way to see the European countryside in a rally-style format, driving brand new Porsche 911’s. In May, event tour operator Fast Lane Travel, took this experience to an all-new high, as a dozen driving teams left Germany, and set their GPS for the French Riviera, cruising the famous Col de Turini mountain pass and visiting luxurious resorts in St. Tropez and Monte Carlo.

C’est Magnifique! All the highlights in our next issue.

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OU T B A K S A W OUR NE T E R POS L UCI T E T S P RIN

IT’S TIME TO HANG THAT...

MONEY SHOT! FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB IS READY TO HELP WITH THE GIFT-GIVING SEASON, AND DECORATE THOSE EMPTY WALLS AT HOME, AT WORK OR IN YOUR GARAGE! • 12-color Professional Canon printing system • Custom sizes from 8x12" to 24x36 In -house!

• Larger sizes..no problem!

• Variety of frames to choose from, shatterproof Lucite

CUSTOM VIDEOS NOW AVAILABLE

PRINT SIZE 16x24 20x30 24x36

PRICE PER PRINT

$ 85.00 $ 100.00

$ 150.00

CUSTOM FRAME $ 150.00 $ 175.00

$ 250.00

Custom sizes to 4’x 8’ now available!

Call for pricing

• All orders are shipped and READY TO HANG! • Custom Photoshop retouching and color enhancement!

• YOUR BOAT WILL NEVER LOOK BETTER! • Substantial discounts for large orders over $ 500!

CALL US: EMAIL: stu@flpowerboat.com 954-545-1414

BA H A M A S POK E R RU N 2018 SNEAK PEEK

F

or the first time in FPC history, a dozen poker run teams made their way to the participant roster for the extended version of the Bahamas Poker Run, an excursion that features multiple island destinations. Over a six-day format, fifty adventurous explorers took a circle tour that began with West End on Grand Bahama Island, then toured the Abaco Islands to Hope Town, and routed back through Chub Cay across the Bahama Bank to Bimini. Teams enjoyed ideal boating conditions for the trip’s duration, logging over 650 miles and checking one more box on their boating bucket list!

Complete coverage in our next issue!

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IMAGINE A GLOBAL POWERBOATING COMMUNITY WITH EASY ACCESS TO BOATING CLUBS, POKER RUN EVENTS AND PASSIONATE PEOPLE...

JUST LIKE YOU!

WORLD POWERBOAT CLUB UPDATE Last year we announced at the Miami International Boat Show, that the FPC Founder would be introducing the new organization, The World Powerboat Club, which is aimed at connecting the global powerboating community, including boating associations, event organizers and major poker run events on every continent. The feedback has been tremendous over the last twelve months, as we continue to grow our contact database throughout North America, across the Atlantic to Europe, and to the Southern latitudes of Australia. But just last fall, after Hurricane Irma swept through the Florida Keys, we have been forced to focus our efforts on FPC management affairs, at the expense of our marketing efforts for World Powerboat Club. We assure everyone who has expressed any

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (BVI): Nick Willis – Nick@surfbvi.com CANADA : MEGHAN BROUSSEAU- meghan.brousseau@gmail.com FINLAND: George Takkula - takkula@lincolnwood.ch HOLLAND/NETHERLANDS: Helmich Hillen – Hhillen@gmail.com MALLORCA, SPAIN: Rolf Hoellger - rhoellger@vipo-deutschland.de NORWAY: Andree Bakkegaard- andree@predatorboats.no PUERTO RICO: Wally Castro – Wally@wallycastromarine.com

level of interest, that WPC is very much alive, with a formidable marketing effort that will be revitalized in the coming months.

Meanwhile, if you are powerboating enthusiast, poker run organizer, or head of a boating organization that stages events for performance boaters....we need to hear from you!

THANK YOU STU JONES- FOUNDER FLORIDA POWERBOAT CLUB / WORLD POWERBOAT CLUB PHONE: 954-545-1414

UNITED STATES: COLORADO: Mario Funes Mariofunes10@gmail.com FLORIDA: Stu Jones stu@flpowerboat.com KENTUCKY: Justin Lucas j.aquaholic@gmail.com NEW JERSEY: David Kramer davekramer08087@gmail.com TEXAS: Paul Robinson – Rtechperformance@verizon.net

ST. THOMAS USVI: Guilderoy Sprauve - jixterdistribution@yahoo.com TURKS & CAICOS: Ron Williams - touchcommtci@gmail.com

PLEASE EMAIL YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, AND DETAILS ABOUT YOUR BOATING LIFESTYLE AND/OR THE ORGANIZATION THAT YOU REPRESENT TO STU JONES: Stu@flpowerboat.com

We'll include you in all of the marketing and information email bulletins that will begin to circulate late this Spring 2018...and we hope that we soon meet you in person, or attend your local poker run event...no matter where it may be!

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FPC PACEBOAT "PROJECT 1080" UNDERWAY

In late April, Florida Powerboat Club formalized a new paceboat partnership with Mercury Racing, engaging in the complete restoration of a 2000 Cigarette 38 Top Gun, which will receive a "Mercury makeover" of sorts. The old power and drives will be replaced with new Mercury Racing 540 stern drives, paired to Bravo XR ITS drives and DTS controls. Performance Marine Trading of Fort Lauderdale has overseen all the the de-rigging of the boat which is currently stripped of all hardware and interior, leaving not much more than the bare hull. Upon completion of paint and cockpit modifications, the boat returns to Pat Sullivan and his crew for the installation of the Mercury Racing repower package.

Fineline Interiors in Hallandale Beach, while custom paint and dash modifications are underway by Darkforce Marine in Pompano Beach. Project 1080HP, was created to celebrate Florida Powerboat Club's 25th anniversary (2018), and was named appropriately for it's twin 540HP Mercury stern drives. The boat is on a fast-track towards completion, with an accelerated project management agenda that is about twice the normal time frame for such a major undertaking.

With determination and a little luck, the traditional non-step Top Gun will provide paceboat duties at the FPC Emerald Coast Powerboat Poker Run in August, and will then embark on an aggressive poker run tour around the US and Canada for the next two years.

The resto-mod project also includes a major overhaul of the cockpit and cabin, which will be completed by

SJ

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M E M B E R S M A R K E T P L AC E 2016 Deep Impact - Low hours!

•Triple Mercury Racing Verado 400R •80 hours - 6 months factory warranty remains •Engines rigged with jack-plates •Twin Garmin 15" GPS Chartplotters •Mercury Vesselview monitoring •Custom interior with Seadek flooring •Custom cockpit and underwater lights •JL Audio system •Torino aluminum trailer

$ 299,000 - Poker Run Ready!

Three racing Go-Karts great family starter kit -Arrow Chassis with Rotax 125cc DD2 disc brakes, XL seat for Dad...(up to 250 lb) -Brand new TonyKart Junior Class Rotax 125cc ( 3 hours total run time- never raced) -Ideal for 10-16yr old.

-Birel Cadet Rotax 125cc Mini Max with parts for MicroMax de-tune. (8-12 yrs ideal) Go racing or just do track days with the kids!

3 Stands included: Brand new Streeter electric self-loading stand/ folding Streeter and double stacker for transport! Race suits/helmets/Parts galore and assorted kart tools included!

Approx $25K invested will sell the lot for

first $12,500!

Great family bonding sport!

954-684-9333 Pompano Beach FL

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NEW ARRIVAL !

READY FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE! AFFORDING THE PLEASURE OF LUXURY HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER THAN WITH FPC’S FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP CLUB. Please welcome our newest entry to the Florida Fractional Club lineup, a luxurious 55’ Azimut Flybridge Motoryacht powered by Caterpillar diesels, with three-staterooms, an elegant salon for entertaining, and a spacious flybridge for enjoying the Florida sunshine!

The best part of this new offering….the LOW price of ownership and very low monthly maintenance, with a SIXTY-DAY f lexible use agreement that gives you endless cruising opportunities, and gives you the chance to have this beautiful yacht as your floating condo for your next FPC poker run event!

KEY BENEFITS OF THIS FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP PROGRAM: • Low buy-in and low monthly maintenance costs • Home-port at first class marina at Hillsboro Inlet- On the doorstep to ocean access and excellent local dinner cruising.

• Easy to drive for most experienced boaters. Captain and mate available all times at low cost.

• Limited number of owners to (4) – keeps boat operating without overuse.

• 60-days annual use with flexible scheduling and longer periods available • Ownership cycle (3) years with asset liquidation and shared proceeds • Insurance, slip fees, weekly top and bottom cleaning, included in low maintenance fees.

• Personal belongings, bedding and soft goods removed and stored for each owner after use.

• Limited chartering options may be considered to offset operating costs.

C O N TA C T: S T U J O N E S | S T U @ F L P O W E R B O AT. C O M | P H : 9 5 4 . 6 8 4 . 9 3 3 3 96 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE

55' AZIMUT FLYBRIDGE MOTORYACHT * This 55 Azimut is not owned by Florida Fractional Club and may be substituted with another similar yacht for the fractional program advertised here.

2006 AZIMUT FLYBRIDGE MOTORYACHT: $150,000 quarter share/ 4 owners

$1995 monthly maintenance includes slip fee, docking, regular maintenance, cleaning & insurance.

• 3 cabins, master, VIP & guest • Dual helm stations • One of the most popular flybridge yachts in its class • 1300 engine hours, (1000 hr service just completed) • Twin turbo Caterpillar diesels, shaft drive • Bow & Stern thrusters • Updated electronics & new soft goods coming • New tender will be added soon.

• Home port Light House Point Marina - Hillsboro Inlet

CLASS A MOTORHOME: $ 40,000/quarter share / $ 250 S&M (storage + maintenance + insurance) • 2008 GulfStream Tourmaster – 63,000 mi.

• Freightliner Chassis / 425HP Cummins Turbo Diesel (Pusher) • 43’ Long – triple slide • 3 HD TV’s in cabin including 50” ent. Outdoor ent. center • Sleeps (5) comfortably – 3 Rooftop A/C unites • Master bedroom Queen/ with walkin closet, washer dryer • 10,000 lb. tow capacity for boat and/or tow vehicle

POWERBOATING IN PARADISE | 97

EVENTS JUNE 15-20

BA H A M A S P O K E R RU N (3 day & 6 day formats) Ft. Lauderdale to West End, Grand Bahama (Fri-Sun) Extended trip to Abacos-Hope Town (Sun-Wed).

JULY 19-21

P I R ATE S O F L A N I E R C H A R IT Y P O K E R RU N 2018 Find more information about event on page 51 or visit www.lanierpartners.com

AUGUST 15-19

FPC EMERALD COAST POWERBOAT POKER RUN Headquartered at the Emerald Grande & Harborwalk Village.

Powerboat Week festivities begin Tue, August 15.

SEPTEMBER 19-23

28-30

FPC CUBA COUPLES ESCAPE Join FPC for a fun filled 5 day, 4 night adventure exploring 2 destinations! Old Havana Plus Varadero Beaches - Fly-Only event (not a poker run) FA L L B I M I N I B L A S T Join us for the fall fun run to Bimini! Departs from Haulover Marine Center for two nights at Resorts World Hilton, Bimini.

NOVEMBER 6-12

26th ANNUAL KEY WEST OFFSHORE POKER RUN Multiple hotels and marinas to choose from. Book early for best selection. Registration opens January 2018.

Disclaimer: Please note the 2018 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.

ACTIVE THUNDER........................................................... 65 AO COOLERS................................................................... 37 BLACK WATER................................................................ 31 BOOSTPOWER MARINE..................................................IBC BRAND X......................................................................... 69 CONCEPT BOATS............................................................. 67 CUSTOM MARINE............................................................ 35 DEEP IMPACT.................................................................... 9 EMERALD COAST POKER RUN 2018............................... 25 FLORIDA FRACTIONAL CLUB ......................................... 96 FPC MEMBERS MARKET PLACE ..................................... 95 FPC MEMBERSHIP.......................................................... 73 FPC PICTURE ORDER...................................................... 91 LIVORSI........................................................................... 35 MERCURY RACING......................................................... IFC MIDNIGHT EXPRESS........................................................15 NOR-TECH........................................................................ 21 42' FOUNTAIN LIGHTNING FOR SALE............................. 69 OFFLEASE ONLY................................................................ 5 PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER........................................ 29 PIRATES OF LANIER POKER RUN 2018........................... 51 PMT................................................................................ 59 SCI SUPERIOR COMMUNICATIONS.................................. 57 TEAGUE CUSTOM MARINE..............................................BC TNT................................................................................. 37 WESTREC MARINAS........................................................19 WORLD POWERBOAT CLUB............................................. 93

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: NEXT ISSUE VOL18#3 September 30, 2018 SUBSCRIBE TO POWERBOATING IN PARADISE MAGAZINE DELIVERED 4 TIMES A YEAR