Jason Johnson

With the overall goal of increased safety for poker run participants, the Florida Powerboat Club hosted a safety meeting in Miami...

http://speedonthewater.com/in-the-ne...nitiative.html

Crude Intentions

iTrader: (1)

Smart thing they are trying to do. Poker runs were never designed as a race more of a cruise and generally to benefit a charity or cause. That's how the bike ones are. Now they are basically unsanctioned races. I'm all for speed and going fast but it has to be done responsibly. Can't please everyone so he has a few upset members. These people can take the boats put an air em put whenever they want. He's just trying to run a safe event.

VetteLT193

That's a good read and interesting. I'm glad he is doing the slower boat classes. I have wanted to go on a run for a long time but I'd like to run 55. Sounds like there is a spot for me now.

However... The prices are still too high. The Jax and Destin poker run is $650 for the run + extra crew. Between that and hotel I'm easily out a grand before I have done anything. It's one thing if you are cash flush but most of us who boat on a budget won't touch that.

Crude Intentions

iTrader: (1)

Too rich for my blood. I haven't looked at their prices but if that's the case I'm too poor!! Lol

Jupiter Sunsation

Stu has a great club......but he is heading in the wrong direction with added fees/rules. The last line in Jason's article is a joke: “We are all in this together,” he said. “We need to police ourselves. If you guys can’t help me do it, I’m out. We won’t have a club. I have to protect my business and what we have created as a club.”

A. He has turned other people's hobby into a business for himself, no "we" there, also note "my business." But without paying participants there is no business....fine line there.
B. He was a truck driver from Canada when he started running Searays to the keys. He isn't going to quit the club and go back to truck driving.....so the "I'm out" is not really a threat.

A few aggravated former FPC members started the Platinum Powerboat Club as an offshoot with the proceeds going to charity. With limited waterfront destinations, gps technology and a few hired guns like Jayboat shooting pics there is less of a need for a "for profit poker run club." Look at the cool things that Fort Myers Offshore does for very inexpensive costs. Jax PR was a great event with a huge turnout and it started as a lower cost event with lots of entertainment/food/etc.

I have done a number of FPC runs and was always appreciative of the events that took me boating to destinations I had not been to or would have ventured off to without FPC but honestly who wants to pay $1000 to go to Islamorada? It is a short run to a tired destination with a buffet lunch at Gilberts and little to do once you arrive.

VetteLT193

Yeah, me too. A few years back Emerald Coast PR was $400 per team (of 4 people) and extra people were $50. you also got a free couple nights at a casino in Biloxi which is worth a couple hundred bucks for a future vacation with the wife. The ditty bags were also really good back then, one year my brother got an AO cooler. Now it is $650 and extra people are $100. The ditty bag will probably suck.

Jax is now it is $650 for 2 people and an extra $100 per person so 4 people is $850. It used to be $375 + $50 extra per person. (I checked 2006)

I don't get it being double price over 2006.

Jupiter Sunsation

The other issue is without the "heavy metal in attendance" would less people go? Years back the Miami Boat Show PR showcased all the new boats in action that you saw the previous week at the show! This year NT had no performance boats, Formula had one 35, Cigarette had one Marauder/One 42X (not expecting to see the electric TG on the water anytime soon), MTI, OL and Hustler had several each though some were used boats.

In years past the every manufacturer had a theme boat in addition to new customer boats. Dealers like Fastboats/Hideaway would have 2-3 brand new customer boats, OL used to show up with the Nascarlike Hauler/painted to match the tow vehicles.....it was a lot of heavy metal coming to town!

Cash Bar

The big, fast boats have always been "the show", even to other boaters. The costs have driven out the smaller boats and now the "fee costs" will drive out the bigger boats.

The growing movement to fun runs and localized poker runs will continue. The rapid growth of events like the one at Lake Lanier($100) are proof.

314joey

iTrader: (1)

We haven't ever been on a FPC run and have heard they are nice, but I also have heard they're not cheap, even though we've only been around FMO since last October it's working for us, I hope some more "regular" power boaters like us come along.

Don't get me wrong I love the kick azz hardware that fly over 100mph too, but I'm still happy cruising my 55 mph.

We don't do it for the speed, we do it for the love of boating and to get out on the water and enjoy a nice sunny day, come out and try FMO, it's whole lot cheaper (tons) than the numbers that I've seen here.

The safety thing is always good.

Crude Intentions

iTrader: (1)

Right there with ya Joey and soon I'll literally be there on the water once I put dash back together. Lol