What is going on with Poker Runs?
04-18-2008, 12:59 PM
#101
Registered
so with all this said why do we have to have an official event, why not cut the middle men out of this deal since its supposedly for charity and no one makes any money and just have get togethers or fun runs, at different places and cut out the crap, i really could care less about all the glamor of all the planned activities at the poker runs and who's to say that an impromtu barbeque and parking lot party at a hotel wouldnt be just as much fun or more and we could still get deals on rooms and docks space if we blocked out enough space..since the economy is in the crapper its a suggestion to get a handle on some unnecassary cost's...my .02
That would pretty much describe the Ft. Myers Offshore club gatherings.
04-18-2008, 01:43 PM
#102
Geronimo36
Gold Member
I'm considering buying my in-laws 24' cabin cruiser for $5K and keep it at the marina.... Then put the big boat on the trailer along side the house and use it a couple times a year. Marina fees are currently $135 ft so with that and gas I'd still be ahead of the game buying the 2nd boat....
04-18-2008, 03:19 PM
#103
FPC Events
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I thought I would chime in.
You all mentioned so many things!
Poker Run entry fees: Bottom line, prices have gone up. Insurance costs, The restaurants are charging more for food, the staff costs & hotel rooms for staff are up. FPC is at $595 for most of our events - not much more than 1999 - I looked it up, $595 for November Key West $495 for the other events.
For the boat owners: Gas, Insurance, Hotels, Travel - all higher than 3 or 4 years ago. Not to mention the bad economy.
Safety - some people like it, some people don't. Some people won't do an event where they have to wear a PFD or has a NO alchohol policy. Other people appreciate the rules.
IDEA: "Do new locations" - we've tried, low attendance. Everyone likes doing the big events. Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. I love the smaller runs, I think more frienships are made. I also like doing new locations. But other people have to trust that it will be good. Not an easy chore.
PROBLEM: "Double booked weekends" - sometimes event organizers are at the mercy of resort availability, holidays, marina availability, personal schedules & sponsors. Events with strong participation shouldn't be affected by a new event. Tickfaw / TX will both have good numbers. I can assure you (Gino) it is not done intentionally.
COMMENT from someone: Sponsored boats are making event costs higher. NOT TRUE. Most of the sponsored boat owners still pay their own entry fee, if the sponsors want additional coverage, they pay for that, like sponsors do.
Our last 2 BIG events were about as big as they could be. Our last 2 small events were still small.
I guess we will see over the next few months if we really have something to worry about.
Jacksonville, Emerald Coast, Key West - Best of luck!
You all mentioned so many things!
Poker Run entry fees: Bottom line, prices have gone up. Insurance costs, The restaurants are charging more for food, the staff costs & hotel rooms for staff are up. FPC is at $595 for most of our events - not much more than 1999 - I looked it up, $595 for November Key West $495 for the other events.
For the boat owners: Gas, Insurance, Hotels, Travel - all higher than 3 or 4 years ago. Not to mention the bad economy.
Safety - some people like it, some people don't. Some people won't do an event where they have to wear a PFD or has a NO alchohol policy. Other people appreciate the rules.
IDEA: "Do new locations" - we've tried, low attendance. Everyone likes doing the big events. Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. I love the smaller runs, I think more frienships are made. I also like doing new locations. But other people have to trust that it will be good. Not an easy chore.
PROBLEM: "Double booked weekends" - sometimes event organizers are at the mercy of resort availability, holidays, marina availability, personal schedules & sponsors. Events with strong participation shouldn't be affected by a new event. Tickfaw / TX will both have good numbers. I can assure you (Gino) it is not done intentionally.
COMMENT from someone: Sponsored boats are making event costs higher. NOT TRUE. Most of the sponsored boat owners still pay their own entry fee, if the sponsors want additional coverage, they pay for that, like sponsors do.
Our last 2 BIG events were about as big as they could be. Our last 2 small events were still small.
I guess we will see over the next few months if we really have something to worry about.
Jacksonville, Emerald Coast, Key West - Best of luck!
__________________
Jackie Jones
Florida Powerboat Club
954-545-1414
Jackie Jones
Florida Powerboat Club
954-545-1414
04-18-2008, 03:40 PM
#105
Skater Brother
Platinum Member
I thought I would chime in.
You all mentioned so many things!
Poker Run entry fees: Bottom line, prices have gone up. Insurance costs, The restaurants are charging more for food, the staff costs & hotel rooms for staff are up. FPC is at $595 for most of our events - not much more than 1999 - I looked it up, $595 for November Key West $495 for the other events.
For the boat owners: Gas, Insurance, Hotels, Travel - all higher than 3 or 4 years ago. Not to mention the bad economy.
Safety - some people like it, some people don't. Some people won't do an event where they have to wear a PFD or has a NO alchohol policy. Other people appreciate the rules.
IDEA: "Do new locations" - we've tried, low attendance. Everyone likes doing the big events. Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. I love the smaller runs, I think more frienships are made. I also like doing new locations. But other people have to trust that it will be good. Not an easy chore.
PROBLEM: "Double booked weekends" - sometimes event organizers are at the mercy of resort availability, holidays, marina availability, personal schedules & sponsors. Events with strong participation shouldn't be affected by a new event. Tickfaw / TX will both have good numbers. I can assure you (Gino) it is not done intentionally.
COMMENT from someone: Sponsored boats are making event costs higher. NOT TRUE. Most of the sponsored boat owners still pay their own entry fee, if the sponsors want additional coverage, they pay for that, like sponsors do.
Our last 2 BIG events were about as big as they could be. Our last 2 small events were still small.
I guess we will see over the next few months if we really have something to worry about.
Jacksonville, Emerald Coast, Key West - Best of luck!
You all mentioned so many things!
Poker Run entry fees: Bottom line, prices have gone up. Insurance costs, The restaurants are charging more for food, the staff costs & hotel rooms for staff are up. FPC is at $595 for most of our events - not much more than 1999 - I looked it up, $595 for November Key West $495 for the other events.
For the boat owners: Gas, Insurance, Hotels, Travel - all higher than 3 or 4 years ago. Not to mention the bad economy.
Safety - some people like it, some people don't. Some people won't do an event where they have to wear a PFD or has a NO alchohol policy. Other people appreciate the rules.
IDEA: "Do new locations" - we've tried, low attendance. Everyone likes doing the big events. Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. I love the smaller runs, I think more frienships are made. I also like doing new locations. But other people have to trust that it will be good. Not an easy chore.
PROBLEM: "Double booked weekends" - sometimes event organizers are at the mercy of resort availability, holidays, marina availability, personal schedules & sponsors. Events with strong participation shouldn't be affected by a new event. Tickfaw / TX will both have good numbers. I can assure you (Gino) it is not done intentionally.
COMMENT from someone: Sponsored boats are making event costs higher. NOT TRUE. Most of the sponsored boat owners still pay their own entry fee, if the sponsors want additional coverage, they pay for that, like sponsors do.
Our last 2 BIG events were about as big as they could be. Our last 2 small events were still small.
I guess we will see over the next few months if we really have something to worry about.
Jacksonville, Emerald Coast, Key West - Best of luck!
04-18-2008, 04:25 PM
#106
FPC and PRA put on first class events and first class anything costs money. I agree the smaller events are more social and you get to meet everyone on the run. The big events are awesome displays of hardware and you get to meet a lot of people but you may not remember their name by the time you meet a 100 others.
FPC has great events to the Keys which can be tricky for new boaters if they have never ventured through Card Sound/ Biscayne Bay on their own. FPC also runs the only poker run to the Bahamas as well which is a run my wife and I have done twice and look forward to doing again this summer.
We will be at Daytona/ Jax again for the 4th year in a row and they are two great events (one small and one huge!).
FPC has great events to the Keys which can be tricky for new boaters if they have never ventured through Card Sound/ Biscayne Bay on their own. FPC also runs the only poker run to the Bahamas as well which is a run my wife and I have done twice and look forward to doing again this summer.
We will be at Daytona/ Jax again for the 4th year in a row and they are two great events (one small and one huge!).
04-18-2008, 04:25 PM
#107
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Those Northeast runs sound interesting....what is the minimum size for boats?
We are going to have a banana demo in the Northest this summer, but it will probably be a 28 single. Do you have a twin engine min rule?
I originally started boating at a very young age and nothing has ever been able to replace it, as a way to leave the world behind.
Regardless of what is going on, just untying from the dock and idling out, allows me to leave everything behind. I am sure it is the same for you too.
We are having a lot of interest in our smaller boats, 24 and 28's for the reasons that have been stated here. Less is more type of thinking.
Easier to handle, cheaper to fuel (on a trailer) always works with engines and drives fully warranteed. People are not getting rid of their big boats, they just want to keep boating in an easier way.
We are going to have a banana demo in the Northest this summer, but it will probably be a 28 single. Do you have a twin engine min rule?
I originally started boating at a very young age and nothing has ever been able to replace it, as a way to leave the world behind.
Regardless of what is going on, just untying from the dock and idling out, allows me to leave everything behind. I am sure it is the same for you too.
We are having a lot of interest in our smaller boats, 24 and 28's for the reasons that have been stated here. Less is more type of thinking.
Easier to handle, cheaper to fuel (on a trailer) always works with engines and drives fully warranteed. People are not getting rid of their big boats, they just want to keep boating in an easier way.
I started years ago with a single engine Donzi 22 ZX. We have a few 24 Outlaws that run with us.
04-18-2008, 07:24 PM
#108
I liked doing the runs years back to get great pics and video of my boat. In my experience lately, the helicopters stay with the big guns in the front and if you dont run 100mph and in the front of the pack, you dont get any pics or video coverage.
04-18-2008, 08:05 PM
#109
Registered
Thanks for the reply....we will definitely come with our new 28 single sterndrive and see if we can get some of our customers to bring some of their 24's too.
04-18-2008, 08:29 PM
#110
Registered
Sorry Semper , i am not agree with you ...because when you bought a boat of many thousand $$$ , it`s not a entry fee at 500 to 800 $ can stop you to show your boat at this kind of event .... i think we have to dig more than that ....
and for the gas ...not a 30 % more $$ for a day compare than 2 year a go can stop the Big end boat owner ...
this my 2 cent ...sorry for my bad engish
Regards
and for the gas ...not a 30 % more $$ for a day compare than 2 year a go can stop the Big end boat owner ...
this my 2 cent ...sorry for my bad engish
Regards
