CAP071

I don't think are bigger EGO's in any other motorsport then boating

Jayl13

I could not agree more but just remember the little guy that is intimidated to pull up in some much smaller less boat is probably just as cool of a guy as you are.

RHC

And,,, He just might have the chick with him that likes to get nekid and show off her wares!!!!!

RHC

Jayl13

I had this with me all the time, still was intimidated!

Magic Medicine

I also read the article, very poor choice of wording. I cannot believe someone approved that to go to press!!! He sounds like he thinks his poop don't stink!

10x

Guess you were well prepared to go "overboard" and not worry about drowning.
BTW, NICE personal floatation devices.

As being one of the organizers for the Chicago Poker Run last summer, and this July 21st and 22nd, I see both sides of the story. Personally, I think the author chose the wrong words to expless his feelings. I'm not in any way sticking up for what he wrote, but I can't even imagine someone honestly feeling like that, calling people thieves. I want to believe that he just chose the wrong words to express his point. I would hope anyway.
At our poker run, we encourage people to come and watch, whether by boat, or by the docks, and we had ALOT of spectators in the water and on land also.
All the participants that paid the entry fee were invited in the evening to a open bar and dinner at the main ball room of the casino. What was'nt right, was that there were just people coming into the room that were not part of the poker run, just trying to mingle with the poker runners and they were getting the same thing as the poker runners were. Well, that was our fault for not having someone at the door checking registerred participants. It'll be a little different this year. Now those people you could call "thieves"

I too know the feeling of having a boat that you feel is'nt worthy enough of running a poker run. For several years after we sold our Cigarette, we had a 21ft Wellcrart Scarab I. It was'nt the greatest boat to run in lake Michigan, but what the heck, it was a blast to go skiing and tubibg behind. I can too remember being anchored out at a beach or with a bunch of other boats and hear the roar of those big engines in those big offshore boats going past us. All the people would just stop whatever they were doin and stop and watch all the hot rod boats come ripping past with the pipes rumbling and the rooster tails shooting toward the sky, and I can remember telling my wife, everytime that happened, we gotta get another big fast boat.

With this in mind, when we put together the 1st Chicago Poker run last summer, we tried to "cater' to the guy with the smaller or slower boats. We had a start that was 15-20 minutes ahead of the faster boats, for the 70 mph and slower boats, figuring that they would have cleaner water to run in and not having to be in and out of the bigger boats wakes, and we should all arrive at the 1st card stop about the same time. Worked out pretty well, some of the people in the slower boats just bragged about how cool it was watching the cats and the faster V's passing them off to the sides.
All in all, everyone had a great time, and there were absolutely no attitudes from anyone nomatter how big or fast their boat was. It was a great bunch of people getting together, and doing what they love to do.

Hope some of you people that feel a little intimidated by the bigger faster boats could attend our poker run this july. I'm sure we could change your outlook on poker runs.

Frank

Jayl13

Thats the type of run that I would LOVE to be a part of. Its funny though how intimidation works like that on your well lack of ego when you have a smaller craft. My boat, twin engines and whole thing cost less than just one out of 3 engines in some of the boats down here and its just a mind crusher. Like I said now I just bought the new one and Ill be competitive but I BOUGHT into it not earned it. I am still the same person I was in my smaller boat. Thats what bothers me, but hopefully I will attend one or two this year and get more involved in it. I think I would like it. But I say again, I wont look down on anyone or turn my head just because someone has something slower or smaller than mine. Ill make that a point with me. I know what its like to be on the other side of the fence. Sounds like you have a great organization and best of luck to you in your quest this year on your run! Sounds like fun.
J

Too Old

I was offended. Comments like if you're not a participant "stay away, stay far away" just struck me as eletist and just plain wrong.

I fully understand the issues surrounding freeloading tag alongs. But what about those who just want to float around outside the harbor and enjoy the spectacle of all that hardware in one place? To assume everyone who isn't a participant is an interfeering cheapskate is just wrong. Not everyone wants to do poker runs.

His comments chiding boaters to stay away is enough to make me wonder who he thinks has ownership of public waters????

Most waterfront hotels, restaurants and lakes are open to the public. Should I alter my vacation plans so as not to be considered a freeloading, reckless, hanger on type because a poker run will be held on that particular weekend?

If his sentiments echo those of Poker Run promoters, I probably don't want to participate in nor sponsor poker runs.

haulinvols

I don't think his ideas are supported by the poker run organizers as a whole. I know at our run here in Knoxville we enjoy having the folks come by and take a look at all the boats. That is part of it in my opinion. What good is having it if you can't show it off.

As a smaller boat owner, I only participate in a couple of smaller events a year, and we enjoy ourselves very much at those events. I would love to visit some of the larger events one day, if for nothing than to admire all of the hardware that those events draw. I am an enthusiast, I love all powerboats, big and small. Does that mean I should pay a fee to sit outside the starting area to see and hear all the sites and sounds, or to walk the docks and check out some rides that I can only dream of owning?

I do understand the point the author was trying to convey regarding freeloaders as I would never run in an event without paying for the full experience, but I think he needs to go back to journalism school and learn how to get his message across without insulting people.

Besides, why pay for all the bling if nobody is there to look at it?

RHC

Well, Well, Well,, now Fred,, first ya gots to put the boat lin the water ,,,, then ya gots to untie it from the dock,,, then,, Well u get the idea,,, ,,, I feel we are all in agreement here ,,, The author chose the wrong words ,,, and maybe expressed his views a little strong,,, maybe,,, like lots of people ,,, he does not have the experience over a broad range of poker runs,,, ----- it could be all of the above,,, but we all agree the article did not come across right!!

RHC