POWERPLAY J

I do a lot of smaller local runs. Have seen "no name" people with 60mph boats get kicked to the curb for reckless behavior. I keep seeing people post chit like "big name guy" "well known boat" "elite class" lmao! People like that are not rock stars and no different than me, you or anyone else with a boat. Just deeper pockets and less sense...

Interceptor

Eventually someone that has a some governmental position in some state will ask "What is a Poker run ?" to someone representing the activity. They will answer with the usual reply that " it's a gathering of powerboats and it raises a bunch of money for charity."
And then that government official will have someone turn on a monitor and run a series of YouTube videos that we've all seen over the past few years and that will be it for Poker Runs. State by state, insurance company by insurance company will act.
The root cause guys will move on to something else to stoke their egos maybe marlin fishing tournaments in Cabo and a bunch of high powered boats will be for sale on OSO at reduced prices.
ed

POWERPLAY J

I really want to laugh at your post. But can't because you are so right! And it is really sad how it can play out.

VFCW

Names of drivers and boats that regularly appear in magazines both print and electronic, on this and other forums, and are generally held up as representative of the highest echelon of poker run activity.

Keytime

And bragging rights don't just apply to boaters... http://www.cannon-dunphy.com/case-re...boat-accident/

POWERPLAY J

Wtf does that mean? Because they show up? Because they throw money around? Because they have an entourage of lemmings? Let me guess... Because they have the coolest chit on the water money will buy? Who ****ing cares aside from the people that are going to profit? The guy with a twenty year old tub that scrimps and saves and works his or her ass off to be there deserves just as much if not more respect.

turbo rr

iTrader: (3)

Something you guys are missing here......What is to stop someone who is not actually involved in the run (not signed up) run with the registered participants? If you regulate it to death the big boys just will not sign up but they still can make the runs to the stops and no one can stop them. It is not a closed course or illegal. Boat owners rarely enter a poker run for the money....it is the ability to run your boat with other boats in your class/caliber. I will admit I don't have an answer other than boat owners and operators taking responsibility and operating their boat in a safe manner. Period. To explain my point further.....lets say that a poker run organizer sets a speed limit of 60mph for all participants. All of the boats are equipped with gps,s, helicopters above and a pace boat that no one is allowed to pass. Now 5 buddies that are not signed up with the run, with boats capable of over 100, run in between the run...something happens....did all of the safety mechanisms help? The only thing that would be accomplished is that there will be a decreased liability for the organizers.

As I said before I don't have the solution....but as long as it is held in a open public waterway it is nearly impossible to police it.

redbud35

I'm not condoning what the "red" boat did. But, the spectators are way too close at Cumberland. They are constantly milling on the sidelines and sitting in the middle of the channel, it's very distracting doing this run. All that being said, this run is no place to be seeing 150+ speeds.

Waterdogs

To be one of the boats involved, would be a life changing event for me. I believe it is the same for those who survived this, cruiser included. Up until the moment it all went bad, these boats were having fun at the highest level. You have a list of the usual suspects, call and talk. Next run, offenders buddy up with someone trusted and go from there. Complicated never works

VFCW

In light of all the data available about how cameras and GPS tracking have changed the behavior of cops, bus drivers, seal team operators, UPS drivers, garbage men, FBI agents, home health nurses, etc, etc, etc. There is nothing to indicate that high performance boat drivers will not demonstrate a new found respect for rules and procedures when they know their route, speed, behavior are being watched just like all of the above. Beyond that the analysis of the data streams and enforcement/discipline will rest squarely on the shoulders of the promoters. As I previously posted I believe this is the weak link for this particular application.



??? At both Ozarks and LC these events are bigger tourist draws than the July fourth or Labor day weekends.
I take it you haven't been to a Nascar race in the last couple years and noticed that two thirds of the fans are watching and listening to their drivers telemetry via a smart phone. A free app that kicked out a boat/driver profile with picture as that boat passed the spectators position along with current and top speed for the day would be on most every spectators smart phone in a minute.