I was never a big poker runner to begin with but I am on the same page as you and so are a lot of people I know who are MORE fortunate and less fortunate than I....

its all about VALUE.

I am sure most if not all people on this web site make above average incomes.
it just come to a point that it is not worth the money.
how do you want to spend your $$$$$$$$$$$

best poker run value is the NJ poker runs

this summer we planned on going up and down the east coast with our rig. But after just driving back from FL, the deisel prices are just plain stupid.

we can all make adjustments to make up for high fuel costs.
if nothing breaks, it is the cheapest thing you will ever buy for your boat.
think of the guys running sport fishers at 100plus gal per hr at 25 to 30 knots. THAT HURTS
our gun burns a lot let and goes a lot faster.
I just think the entry fees, marina fees and hotels just dont add up.
I have heard of a lot of people just shadowing the events and have a good time, check out all the boats, just no cards and dinner.
any day on the water is better than a day at work.

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

Fully agreed! I limited my runs this year (Why)
Driving 20 Hours in a diesel gets old fast I liked Sarasota but its the same run year after year not worth the pull then you have to worry about water conditions in the Gulf. One year we towed all the way down to have the run canceld due to bad weather left on a Thursday got There Friday, splashed the boat and stayed docked had to pull Saturday afternoon and towed back Sunday :( not my Idea of fun.

NJPPC: Atlantic City Run. Melissa and I have been doing this run since 1999 and its such a great run, party, Dinner and with the Casino right there, Just a great run.

Runs I will do thhis year:
NJPPC: Atlantic City
NJPPC: Roar at the Shore (best value Poker Run anywhere)
Poker Runs America: 1000 Islands
Rock The Bay: Maryland
FPC: Islamorada Poker Run

It is to bad.....as far as I'm concerned the runs that the LGPBA have put on have been the standard in terms of value, safety and fun for all, especially last falls run! And it is too bad about the whinning over chicks__t. Just my 2 bits and another atta-boy to a job well done by the LGPBA!!

isn't it funny? everyones favorite poker run happens to be in their back yard...:evilb:

JP, Im still going to put on the run in October, Just not thru the LGPBA.

Yup! :evilb:

Growing up there was this girl that lived in my neighborhood...... Didn't marry her but loved visiting...OFTEN! :D

hey phucker, you still in Fla.? I hate you....:evilb:

:cool-smiley-026:z

Having coffee on my balcony overlooking the ocean as we speak.

I hate you too:D:D

oh i really hate you now.....:angry-smiley-038:

:evilb:

Just got my portfolio.. Some of the Poker Runsa are out. Fu;nking Economy.
Lost abbout $28,000+- on IRS. Mutual funds, misc. investements. Time to liqudate. Anyone wants a bike? Jag XJS.? Dakota PU truck? Bob Cat trailer? 94 Jeep? 94 Infinity 26' W/ 454 Merc Mag? 84 Formula 272, W/twin 350 Mags? Need some PR $. :(

LOL! I gotta say this and I R Gonna run after I say it! Being as most everybody's boat here burns so much gas...Kindda makes ya think about a blowboat ta cruise around and party on! :D

Edit! Can ya get a DUI on a blowboat if ya R undersail? I would definately need a sedative!

Yes,You can also be charged operating a sailboat if you do not have an Al Gore sticker on it

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.

The Lake George run in October has no size or HP limitations. Last year we had 114 boats registered from 16' to 42'. Groups of about 25 boats follow behind a pace boat so every one has a great time no matter what size or HP.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=167314

Charlie, you should come to the PRA America event here in CT. It's a great event and im sure Ocean Performance and PRA would love to have Banana boats back in action on our New England waters!!

Lake George video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn8_B...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whqEv...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErLqo...eature=related

Thanks for the promo Kenny.

Charlie, Come on up and enjoy a great weekend on LG. Ill pay for your entry fee if you do

Bob

As with any event, there has to be a good reason to go back again and again. If the same destinations are run over and over there is no "new" experience. If the destinations are places that I can visit on my own why would I join a tour group, unless the group was offered something I could not get on my own, like a private concert (I saw eddie veter play guitar at a charity golf tournament). How about a real poker tournament at tables instead of dinner. What if events were sponsored by alcohol distributors or a gas company to lower the costs. What about a traveling club so more events can be attended. I think the event organizers have to do a better job and get more creative.....

That would pretty much describe the Ft. Myers Offshore club gatherings.

that's true Charlie!

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.... :hitfan::(

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!

Those three are on the "absolutely" list for So FL OSO. Look forward to seeing ya Jackie

Jackie! Thanks for the Key West run last weekend!! As you know my crew and everybody on the run had a blast!!! Thanks for putting the run together. Some of us are not slowing down. Looking forward to more poker runs!!!:D:D

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!).

NJPPC has no limit on what you can run, we run several classes for speeds that fits everyones needs, works well!
I started years ago with a single engine Donzi 22 ZX. We have a few 24 Outlaws that run with us.

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.

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.

And I respectfully will disagree with you on the $$ issue, or lack of. Statistics show that there are a bundle of millionaires right now as I write this shopping at discount stores like Walmart. Point is, your 39' Cig owner may have spend 600k for his boat, but he will still drive two miles down the road for 2cents less for fuel.

Who's this guy driving 2 miles down the road?

The Pirate Run is pretty inexpensive. Our attendance has been growing every year (last year 86 in the run with 6 paid no shows). We try to keep the entry fee's low
($100) for our participants by getting club members to get sponsors to cover the expensive stuff like insurance, Bands
(3), Fireworks, etc. etc. We work with radio stations to get a bunch of airtime so the sponsors get recognition. At the end of the weekend our group donates what ever is left from the event to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Historically we have done real well with this formula. Obviously, we are very different from the large promoters/organizers becasue we don't pocket any cash from the event.

If you are really looking for something different, try the Don Aronow Memorial Race on June 20th .....it runs from Haulover inlet to Bimini and back.....approx 100 miles non stop.

No group start, but each boat is timed and sent off in approx 30 sec intervals.

Open to boats from 20 feet to 55 feet. Five classes including a "Run what you brung" Poker Runners are welcome.....I think this is an easy transition if you ever wanted to try real open ocean racing.

All the rules, and detail info is on the HORBA web site...click on the photo of Don winning the Miami Nassau race in his Donzi 007.

www.historicraceboats.com

Answer/question: How do you think he made his millions?
Answer: It's called mindset.

My point was you made it sound like thats everyone. Are there those guys here? Yes. Are most that way? No. And he didn't make enough to buy a 39TG by saving .02 on gas. I'm pretty sure there was some smart thinking in there somewhere.

I agree I now a few guys like that. thats why they have what they have they pick and choose where they want to blow $$$.:D for years a friend of mine lived like a king. He owned a use bike shop, open at 12pm close at 5 4 days a week had a helper. so during boating season he would open up stay a 1/2 hour then go to the boat every day. he all so owned a 67 vette with trips 427, just got rid of a 928 a few yrs back, cads pick ups and tons of bikes. he just sold his building last summer so hes retied now but I said you have been retied for years and he was making under 100gs a year but lived like a king he traveled a lot to. but he wheeled and dealed and hung out with some real millionaire friends that would shake there heads. oh he didn't get married until he hit 64 last fall and the wife he had dated for 8 years started her own co, thanks to him pushing her she is a CPA and her co is growing FAST. So he still has it made even though he *****es the slip fee for his 24 SuperBoat this year will be 4700. I told him to trailer then, its only 5 miles to the ramp from her house. He is selling his which was 28 miles away. But he will be out every day its nice going to the sand bar 3 miles from the marina. oh I would use my boat for pokeruns not his:cool-smiley-011:

Plonk