As Usual, Whatever You don't Have, Is Bad
 

There are all kinds of runs from mostly pontoons (that look at a guy with a 20 year old 60mph sportboat and think he must be Bill Gates) to the Hudson Run. Purpose built boats are just that, PURPOSE BUILT ! I've spent 100's of nights on boats from 25' cuddy's to 54' Bertrams, sometimes it's great and sometimes it sucks, but I've been around long enough to know that boats that do everything don't do anything really well. The adrenaline and intensity that comes from running BIG boats at BIG speeds in BIG water with other similar boats is very difficult to explain if ya haven't done it, in addition, there's a whole lot more to doing it well than what you see when they go by. Believe me, you'd trade a lot of pleasant boating time for just 20 minutes of " in the zone time" when it all comes together. This kind of operation precludes all of the amenities that are on cruisers, the pleasure comes from knowing that the boat is not literally falling apart around you, and dreading the aftermath.
So we're back to the fact that "like" boats seek each other out, and at most runs there are only a few, how does that effect your fun? Remember Sportboats have gone full circle, they started out as stripped down, beat 'em to death hotrods because it worked. ;)
Don't buy into the " what do you call any guy with a faster boat than you ????????????? an a$$hole of course ! For the most part they are boaters who are lucky enough ( the harder I work the luckier I get ) to have more than one boat and choose to spend some of their boating time going real fast, is that bad thing ?

My opinion on the state of runs in general is that there are too many, I also lean toward "low profit" charity runs, and club get togethers are great. I personally would like to see some consolidation so that a handfull of regional runs drawing from a fairly large area could put together 60 -80 boats in areas where they have real offshore conditions. I've done runs from Michigan to Florida and have met some great people that I otherwise wouldn't have, getting outa your backyard can be very rewarding but it takes a ton of planning so if you have any concerns that it's not gonna happen, it's off the list.
Enough, I gotta take off my jewelry and put my wife, my ego and my three kids in the center console cause this trailer queen a$$hole's going TUBING !
:D :D :D

Nice jewelry !!!!!!

Didn't I just read a thread about the Philadelphia Poker run being cancelled by the Coast Guard on this board?

And your point is?

My first run and a few after that involved running to another port to spend the night one involved staying at the Detroit Casino (Hotel next door) and another at the Windsor Casino Hotel. We have also stayed at very basic Marinas. These were great runs with just a few boats and a huge winning pay off.
The club runs involved staying at the same port with a lot of boats and great party's with awesome people (except that one guy that always has a camera in his pocket):p
The point is we love them both they are two totally different types of atmospheres and they both have advantages and disadvantages but to us it is still boating and a chance to be on the water with friends.
This of course is all done with my multipurpose boat I hope that someday I can ride on a aggressive balls to the wall 100mph+ boat to experience the feeling;) ;) (hint ,hint)
I do agree there are too many runs planned and it seems to take away the excitement of the BIG RUN of the year feeling where everyone will attend! Too many choices seem to be thinning the crowd. I want to see the big boys on the same run that I'm on it is a blast to run with them and watch them go flying by and look at all the cool hardware that we all are so proud of.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to participate in my share of Poker Runs and I have a few thoughts to share.
The primary reason that I ever started doing them was to learn the ins and outs of south florida/keys boating with a group of like minded people. The fact that we could win anything never made it on the radar screen. The things that we have enjoyed are the camaraderie and pure joy of running with similar boats and crews and getting the chance to go from "here to there" together. (I think that there is safety in numbers).
The Poker Run as I know it I attribute to the days when Ralph Martin and company led his customer only Poker Run from Everglades Marina to Faro Blanco (Marathon) or the Lip-Ship Luau's that had nothing to do with poker and went from Miami to Key Largo. The point was a group of similar boats and like minded people got together and ran their boats someplace other than up and down the intercoastal from Shooter's (Ft. Lauderdale) to Monty's (Miami Beach)
we followed the leader and we watched out for one another and we all got there and back safely.
Yes, every event that I have had the chance to go on has had an opportunity to push ourselves and our equipment from time to time and that is just icing on the cake. But they all have stressed Safety first and the fun will follow. This also leads me to what I percieve as the greatest threat to this great social outing. Too many a time I have had to pull up or idle while someone has passed or ignored the pace/lead boat. Creating often times dangerous, hazardous or illegal and risky navigation issues. The threat lies with the boaters that participate in the Poker Run Theme of things but then choose to ignore the dockside and seamanship rules of the Poker Runs themselves. it only takes one incident and because of the High Profile nature of the events the ability of the organizers to schedule, insure and plan the next event is placed in jeopardy.
I'm all for variety and then we each can each plan the events that fit our schedules and boating desires. But the thoughtless few that choose to ignore the "rules of the road" without thought of censure or penalty I think are the real danger to the future of the Poker Run as we know it.
Best.
Rice Hauler

well put "rice hauler"!

I too sometimes wonder if the insurance companies are not gonna one day step in and say"If your in a poker run you are to do so at your own risk"The poker runs will be reason for exclusion or cancellation.As Rice Hauler said, Some individuals will put many at risk to get to the front of the pack at the start.I will never ever start off at the front unless you can stay there,the water in the middle of the pack in a cat can be a drivers worse nightmare.I know some will say you should be able to stay up front in a cat (NOT).Very narrow ICW`s and 38 to 45 v`s trying to run along side the pace boat sends a white knuckled chop that cats are at the mercy of the water unless I can get up and out.Dont get me wrong I luv the rush,but I`m afraid ins. co`s. are gonna soon exclude this event from your coverage.They might go so far as to give you a speed at which you are not to surpass while doing a poker run,to take away the race feature.For what I pay I should think that wont happen.After all it`s "NOT A RACE"..........RIGHT!

Any other thoughts ???

Future of Poker Runs
 

I am still gathering my thoughts on this very important subject,,

Soon I will spew forth with unintelligent information on this thead ,,, that will virtually affect no one ..

Unless I ask Steff!!!

RHC