What is going on with Poker Runs?
 

Is it me or is attendance way down at the poker runs? I was just reading another thread on here and I wanted to chime in but not seem like I was pisssing on the guys thread. When I count the boats there seems to be about 1/3 less than 3 years ago. What do you guys think the reason is, poker run entrance fees, gas, safety issues? I hate seeing this trend!! Tell me what is going on.

The entrance fee has scared me off of a couple.

Chuck- The answer is pretty simple.....with the economy and gas prices today it's no surprise that many people are opting out of events to save money. Some of the events are also pretty expensive to enter. Alot of people travel to get to an event, so there's alot of expenses, gas for towing vehicle, gas for boat, food, hotel, etc.....

Probably a combo of all the things you have listed.

I would think that also if it were primarily the last year, but even two years ago I thought I saw a trend downward.

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

For me it's a 6yr old and a 3yr old.

Hey.........go easy- I sold you the mufflers!! How are they doing?? Anyway, what we have to remember is that some people have an unlimited budget and some people don't. There are people with 22' boats and 50' million dollar machines on this website. With the economy the way it is and gas prices- that could make the difference for alot of people to boat less. I can personally see the difference in the crowds in Lake Havasu- there has been at least 1/3 less people on the water!!

It's all about the Benjamins !

In 2005 I spent 30K doing poker runs in Florida. New boat, new places to go. 2006 spent about 18K, skipped some events that were ok but not awesome. 2007 spent about 3K, boat smoked both motors and it took 4-5 months to get it straightened out. 2008, wife broke her foot, don't expect to do more than 3 runs this year.

How many runs can you do to the same places for 600-1000 a pop, plus hotels, fuel, booze, food etc.?

We get tired of doing the same Poker Runs & killing the life out of our boat !!

I was going to do two, now I'm doing one. Strictly cash flow. Business is down, I can have several weekends with the family for the grand I would spend doing each run.

First. I think there are to many Poker Runs scattered all over the states. The prestiege of the event is going. 15 years ago. some one had to die (sort of speak) to get an entry seat. There was a waiting line. Now you can practically justt show up and run. (which is OK I Guess)
Second. The speeds are way up. (also ok in my book) but scares a bunch or regular boaters away. Being first at the lunch stop is putting a lot of pressures on some. THus the $ they spend, for the horses.
I tried to put a more tuned down PR together (more boating fun, less competative) with OSO guys but case in point... lack of interest.
Third. The guys with bottomless pockets will still run. anywhere. However, many of the baby boomers (with some $ to spare) are getting out of the High Speed stuff and getting into CC's and more creature comfort boats. (Your truly is a few years behind)
Fourth. Gas price and the louzy econ. forcing Poker Runners to be more selective.. attending fewer events. In MHO.
I would not be suprised if more "fun" runs would pop up.

I'm just tired of trying to chase you down Chuck :p

Tom

My opinion.... 20 years ago poker runs started out as
a bunch of guys with performence boats getting together
and having fun. All the boats ran in the 55-70 mph range.
A merc 420 hp was big power in the 80's. Somewhere
along the way, pokers runs evolved into ultra high end,big
money guys racing to card stops at 100 mph plus speeds.
All the guys running 70 mph boats can't keep up, and quite
frankly feel like pee-ons at these runs.That on top of
$800 enrty fees,hotel rooms & fuel turning it into a 3k
weekend is also to blame.
We at Lgpba tried to put on runs for a pretty inexpensive
rate with limited speeds & pace boats. It was very successful
with over 100 boats attending. Problem is,no matter how
hard you work at it,there was always someone Bitc hing.
Usually over such petty things it was unbelievable.
So we are done with our poker runs.:( To many headaches,
to much liability.

its 100% or more to me, geenow its 4.00 gal and maybe 5 a gal by summer. I use to take a lot of trips from 90 to 01 the most I paid for gas back then was 1.50 a gal . got in to racing for 02, then got hurt 04 just no extra money for me over the last 3yrs. but I will be out this summer but no long trips maybe 2 to 3 pokerruns up north but there like 200 thats it. we were talking tonight that eight yrs ago gas was a 1.50 and eggs were 89 cent oil was 80cents a gal milk is 4.50 a gal oj6.00a gal, then insurance. I BET IF YOU ADDED UP WHAT YOU PAY FOR ALL THE INSURANCE YOU PAY FOR ITS LIKE 17,500 FOR THE AVG JOE. thats about what I paynot including comp which sucks anyway AIG zucks:angry-smiley-038: so you add the cost of living and it is way up for me anyway.so I now short trips for me hope to do one opa race but I have been hoping to do that since I got hurt.I just can't belive bush isn't doing chit about the high price of fuel, he should go after the spectulators on wall st:angry-smiley-038: ok back to boats sorry just venting.:party-smiley-004:

Jammin on the James in July......
I am a behind the scene helper/organizer. We had room for 80 boats 2 years ago and filled it. Then moved the final destination that allowed us 100 spots and filled it. Last year we had 107. The marina is giving us 110 and we are already around 75 paid entries.
There are a few boats that show up and run over 100mph. There are a few 22 donzi's, etc that come and have a blast too. We split the start to try and let the faster boats go first. There are NO prizes or awards of the speed/size/price of any boat. Ego's are bad enough with our type of boater, we don't need to encourage ANY of them by recognizing it. We do give prizes for the farthest traveled, most festive, and the "Victoria Secret" awards (use you imagination :)). The run is turned and stopped just inside the "big" water so that everyone, regardless of boat size can participate. Participants love the laid back atmosphere and the BIG party/band that really rocks. This isn't a run to bring your kids, but you don't have to worry about your boat not fitting in either!!!!

BTW: This run is 100% for Charity, couple hundred dollar entry costs are reasonable and EVERY dollar left over goes to the Shrinners.

Cash man Cash. Fuels and travel expense

Whats nice about MASS and RI, theres 2 pokerruns at the border that run 60miles total use to be 100. at 200 bucks. then one on the cape a little more money, one south of boston I think walter collins will put on[ he use to put on the fallriver one] someone else is now since he move the TKO PUB. theres one on the north shore to at the end of the season. so these are easy to get to and have 25 to 50 boats and you can let the fast ones go 1st then the next group and the puzzies last:D. just kidding. funny in 02 after the cape apba race my copilot quit still was bang up. so I was going by myself but got some poor sole who owned a top gun that was in the shop wanted to ride with me:hitfan:. Poor guy. well we got the holeshot and about two miles in to the run 2 ols mikes new 42GTX, AND SECOND ONE split me down the middle haaha. we were at 70 to 75 and they were 120. thenwe ran with noppermarine until we aired out and stalled the boat everyone past us and it was catch up all day and the guy with me dropped the chart over board so we had to slow down and let others with slower boats lead the way. in 98 I was a nav in a spectra30 with 3 280hp. it was a p boat from apba. the owner bumped into the kill switches and the boat stayed in safety mode untilafter the start. meanwhile he was yelling at his grew chief on the cell phone in front of everyone:p. so after 15minsafter the start the driver looked and saw what he did. so he looks at me and says which way man. have you evertried to read a chart at 110in a no windshield boat ha haaha. thatwas the best one I was ever on wide open in 5 footers off of newport RI. I was yelling we just went by our card boat they were coming in from B .I. Iwas not holding on to the grab rail and landed on theside of the motors almost. we caught up with everyone but broke a throttle cable on one of the motors the last 2 miles back. thanks carl.

two words... gas prices

or two more, BURNT OUT.

I think it all has to do with so many conflicting dates. A few years back most of us went to the same runs every year. It seems like every poker run this year has a conflicting run that weekend.
A few weeks ago there was sarasota and ft myers same day. This week was Key west and captiva island (which got cancelled). Next week Havasu and Ft Myers.
Than Texas Outlaw shoot out and Tickfaw.
Emerald coast is the same weekend as the orange beach race.


Not only can we not be 2 places at once. We have famiily lives also. I know one poker run a month is enough. between the work getting the boat ready the week before, and the work fixing everything that broke the following week, besides it being fortune of money and very time consuming not to mention tiring.

Truthfully, I like the way things use to be. You would go to a run and see everyone. It was a big group with a lot of boats. Now the groups are split up and there are fewer boats on the runs.

SCOPE is on bigger than every this year. In the top 3 last year in this country!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boating on the Chesapeake Bay the last 8 years, I have seen a drastic decline in boats out on the bay in the last 4 years (since fuel prices have been going up). But that does not surprise me. Boating most of my life, I have seen people buy new boats and never leave the docks unless it is a SPECIAL occasion.

I can answer this one: I run a lot of Poker Runs on the East Coast. It is a compination of things, One a Poker Run takes a good 5 days to get there if its in Florida from NJ, Diesel is $4 a gallon, Fuel $5 gallon at the Marina the run is the cheapest part of the run. But lets put money aside.. 1200-1300 mile tow wear and tear on your body getting there. Donig the same run year after year gets old unless there is something to do. Atlantic City and 1000 Islands I will never get tired of. My business leaving at long intervels. So I cut out The Florida Runs except Miami Boat show Poker Run.

I dont see how you can do one for a grand? The jacksonville Run coming up .... 600.00 entry for 4 people ...600.00 for fuel if you run Friday and Saturday and 600.00 will be tough ( and I know thats not a huge HP setup) ....plus all that has been stated ... travel (fuel) lodging ...it adds up .. To the big guns its not a big deal but I bet even some of those guys are feeling the pinch of total cost ........m

I'd love to but along with the expenses listed above , I think that It has gotten out of control. Don't even show up at a run with a dualie towing yout rig or you get looked down upon. It's gotta be a f650 tricked or freightliner business cab done to the extreme. Your boat better be in the 500k to 1m range to be a player. Just seems to be a money race now and thats great for some , just not me. I'd rather just have fun with bunch of good peeps than worry about being the big man @ the dock. I love the boats and will be there somewhere in the sidelines to check out the equipment , probably not in the spotlight though.

Yep...show up at ours with a f150 towing a 24 ft Baja and your welcomed just for making the trip. I like the big boats too, but the attitudes of a few can go to hellooo.

I don't think it is as bad as people think. I have been to runs where there are huge dollar rigs, no doubt. But what people don't realize is that there are usually some modest boats at the runs too. The guys in the modest boats often have the most fun. Believe it or not, I've never heard anyone say "what are you doing here in that thing?" Most of the guys I know with big iron are the nicest, coolest people I know. The problem is that many people don't realize it. They think that they can't bring their boat to the run because they won't fit in: Not true.

I agree with Gino that there are more events now. That is a good thing and a bad thing. Conflicting dates are no good for anyone. But the amount of dates available allow people to use their boats and justify their investment. I am happy to say that up here, between Poker Runs America and Performance Boat Club of Canada, there is a run almost every weekend of the summer. If that isn't enough boating, Poker Runs America and Florida Powerboat Club will keep you busy all winter.

The main point I want to stress is this. COME OUT AND PLAY. The misconception that you need a brand new Nor-tech, Skater, Outerlimits or Cigarette to poker run is the biggest thing we have to overcome. If you have a 27 Baja, come out to the events. If you have a 30 Spectre, come out to the events. If you have a 29 Scarab, come out to the events. If you have a 311 Formula, come out to the events. One of my friends is an avid poker runner in his 25 Baja and has a blast! Another one of my friends has a 30ft Cruisers with 496's and has a blast when he poker runs.

As far as Chuck's point of attendance being down, I think it is because the smaller boats are staying away. The last poker run I attended was St. Petes' two weeks ago. It was attended primarily by big iron, as are most of PRA's Florida runs. But the few smaller boats that were there seemed to be having a great time.

There are lots of regional runs that you don't have to tow 1500miles to attend. Heck, most of the events even have speed classes now so you don't necessarily need to be on the pin all day if you don't want to. I understand that not everyone can afford to do 12 runs a year. Lots of people do 1 or 2. You have lots of your hard-earned money tied up in your boat. USE IT!!

Agree. The first PR I attended. (did not run) was in 93. Regie was there with Ohio Steel and Eddie K. with a lemon yellow outdrives on his Am flag boat. The big guys. THen there were a bunch of 23' - 32' "normal" guys and a few 32'+. Great time, great bunch of boaters. Next year I run the Pier33 Michigan run with my 26' and I felt ok. In the lower mid of the class. Had a best time. DId a few in the late 90's out of action for a while due the the big "D" and started PR's again in 2003 in Sarasota. Big Donzi's, Cig's. chit load of HP and the "normal" boaters were out. The race for the "show" and "speed" and the errogant owners makes some of the runs more like lack of natural testostrone count, instead of fun boating and events. I love to see all the "power houses", but some of their ego's that comes along,, you can keep it at home.

I've heard this reasoning many times, and tend to agree.
Now you gotta have matching uniforms. :)

Poker Runs, it's not a race. Yeah right!

I go to the LC PR only as a spectator and watch from the side lines and wouldn't go any other way.

Rember i rather do 80 MPH 100 % of the time than 100 MPH 80 % of the time !!

Double R. P. Just one more quick note. Look at this thread and see the division. Gas price will not hinder my PR attendance. Boats and PR's are an expensive hobbie/toy for me. But there are seperation with in boaters. And that's ok. It's jut the way it is. Big boats, exp. boats, small boats. less exp. boats. Period. But the "boating family/community" should be the same. It's the love of boating. Some of the PR making this concept difficult to embrace. it's more business and less fun. (see my thread of attempting to put a "Funner" PR together)The little guys, (and I'm included :) ) do get a different reception. I almost got into a fight with a "big guy" in Sarasota while pulling my boat out of the water. The azzhole had no patience with his hummer. while I was manuvering my trailer in a croweded area. When I "borrowed" one of Mikes OL. It was a different reception.
I really think if there would be way to get more "little guys " in the runs, attandance would be back up. IMHO

For the record.. I always have a good time, running or just being there."Participation" is the key.

Then you haven't been to NJ for there poker runs. We have groups that work out so well! And Believe me its not a race.

I have to laugh .. I just love the racing flag on your logo. :party-smiley-004:
But seriously.. I have not been in the NJ run.. but there are a lot of good and fun Poker Runs.
Some just .... well just getting out of hand, and out of the original "intent" of the runs..

I would just rather get 4 or 5 boats together and do our own run, Less money, own destination, and people you want to hang with. A couple of Poker Runs a year are fine !

NJPPC has different classes for everyone, whether it be ocean, inside or cruiser..... I prefer ocean runs, so if I ever do the AC run I'll probably do the ocean course but I won't be running with the big dogs, they can blow up their chit while I pass them 5 minutes later!

I don't trailer my boat to runs, I actually run the boat there so I'm not about to run an hour or two then beat the crap out of the boat for a few hours and have to drive it all the way home.... :D

I'm doing the KY Lake run in June and really wanted to make the LC run, but that $500 entry fee--ouch. I know a lot of performance boaters have tons of disposable cash, but not me.

Entry fee with slip $415.00, Fuel 90 miles up $198.00, Fuel back closer to the pins $268.00 $120.00 new dress for the wife ,$100.00 beer wine and Crown. Scenery like this price less.

The best runs are those with a mix of all sizes of boats.
Its all about good people not so much good boats.
Charity participation usually brings out good people.

I like the runs with the long legs and not so much stopping and starting.One good lunch stop and a good party at end is best. Rest of day should be runnin your boat.

And you dont have to run the absolute snot out of your boat to have a good time.