Panther

Respect is a right, not a passage.....

To answer part of your question, I don't believe a sanctioning body is the answer. There is already a website which was posted by DaveP, these are the rules I "choose" to follow. I think responsibility is key and I make safety my "own" responsibility.

But, my opinions and options do not mean anything to you because you're not a poker runner. I suggest attending some poker runs first before you write a dissertation of what we should and shouldn't do.

As far as fishing is concerned..... I'm not an avid fisherman but do enjoy fishing with friends who are passionate about it. I may not a agree with fighting a Tuna until it's death but understand people enjoy it. I've learned a lot from my fisherman friends over the years but I would never comment on what they should or shouldn't do and how and where they should have went to get the good fish in the tournement. As a matter of fact....I learned that one of our light houses in the bay blows a horn every minute or two, I never notice this because I'm always flying by on my speed boat! I enjoy it for what it's worth and at the end of the day just mark it off as another thing that I've done in my life.....

DollaBill

this thread needs to be killed. And teetoddler needs to go back to another forum. Enuf.

tee4texas

Actually they do or else I wouldnt have asked. I do believe I will attend a PR so at least I can say that I have done it - I dont think its a necessity to understand how they work but I understand the rational that you may not know everything there is to know unless you BTDT. However, I find it hard to run constantly if there is good fishing water around. Thanks for post.

CompuBoat

I have participated in dozens of Poker Runs. Until a couple weeks ago, I have never seen an accident. At no time during any run have I seen an observer or fan injured. Not once. If the Texoma incident had not happened this thread would not exist. One accident and the entire history of the sport is on trial? It just doesn't make sense to prod and examine PR's in such detail over an obvious equipment failure. I'm sure there have been some isolated incidents I haven't heard about. It goes without saying so please do not feel obligated to quote an entire bibliography of the sport for my benefit.

If there needs to be any changes at all they are minor. Run classes. Do not mix super performance boats with factory Bajas and Searay cruisers. I've even seen a houseboat in a poker run. Run classes of boats that run similar speeds and do not send the next class out until the preceding class is in. That alone will solve a lot of problems.

No need to over analyze this. A tragic accident. That is all. It could have easily of happened had they just been running on the lake at the same time sans any poker run at all.

T2x

Those who do not learn from the past...are doomed to repeat it.......

Why do we suddenly have two "noobies" with diametrically opposed viewpoints...... both from Texas......... waxing philosophically on our forum???

Cat....is that you?

T2x

CompuBoat

I'm no "newbie" by any stretch. I new Gordon Mineo very well and have been operating boats for 35 years. The fact you maintain a high post count does not make you any more an authority than I. I've been a participant in more than 30 poker runs. That may not make me an expert but certainly qualifies my opinion as relevant. Gordon would be appalled by this conversation on many levels. I am not speaking for him but I know that the freedom this sport represents was his driving force, as it is mine. If you do not welcome opinions from boaters outside your particular circle jerk please post it openly on registration and we will be happy to post elsewhere.

T2x

I did not know Gordon Mineo at all.....

and I pray for his soul.

That having been said......... The pattern of accidents in Poker Runs is a correctible phenomenon if we put our minds to it. This will take effort, focus and perhaps some inconvenience on the part of the participants. What it does not need is a dismissal of the circumstances and a rush to bury them under the rug. the only "circle jerk" on this forum would be to return to the pattern of thinking that led to this unfortunate and tragic circumstance in the first place.

I submit that 35 years of boating and the loss of a friend should make one more receptive to preventive measures.

T2x

cloke

TEE4TEXAS

Gettin chit on again!!! I understand you completely.Don't let em chase you away.

CompuBoat

The accident was caused by mechanical failure. It had zip to do with how the poker run was structured. Boats pass each other by the moment on every body of water on any given day. The mechanical failure at speeds from 50 and up would have ended in tragedy regardless of whether a poker run was taking place.

No one can be any more saddened outside the immediate families than I. However, I feel these discussions are fodder for politicians and anti performance boat activists and you are just fueling them with this gross overreaction. Just my opinion. Feel free to bash away.

dan lawrence

No!

I love speed!

Dan