Poker Runs – Are we going too fast?
 

Recent incidents like the crash of My Way at the Thousand Islands Poker Run bring up an interesting question. Are Poker Runs getting to the point where boats are running too fast?

This is not a new problem or question as I think we all know what happened a number of years ago in the Smoke on the Water Poker Run. Unlike the My Way incident where fortunately nobody was hurt, lives were lost and lawsuits were filed. Well meaning individuals who used to run that fine event have pretty well had their lives ruined in court. And I should note that by all accounts, the boats involved in that crash were not going anywhere near as fast as My Way.

So why would I suggest that speeds in Poker Runs may have gotten out of control? First of all, look at how fast the boat was going (in the video) just before the crash. Even in the best of conditions with the best people behind the controls, things happen so fast at that speed as to make adequate reaction to “special circumstances” (like a big wake) problematic at best. Second, note when the real damage occurred to the boat – after they’d backed out of the throttles on the second bounce. Imagine what would have happened if they got as much air on the first kite? No matter how well constructed the boat was, nobody would have survived. Finally, notice that none of the pictures that have surfaced as of yet show medical / rescue boats anywhere near My Way after the crash. Thank god nobody was hurt.

And here’s one more important thing to think about for all of us that participate in and run Poker Runs. By all accounts, the crew on My Way is as close as one’s going to get to professional racers – yet they’ve still been involved in two fairly serious incidents this year. Think about the average Poker Run participant and their equipment. Do they have “adequate” time behind the wheel to handle all conditions? Is their hardware adequate for the task, up to date and safe? Did anybody verify that both boat and crew were up to the task? The answer is “probably not.” And that should be cause for some concern.

So the question I have to ask is whether or not we can reasonably allow boats to go this fast on a unsecured course in a “recreational” event?

Full Disclosure: I am the former Race Director for the Rochester Offshore Powerboat Association. I also used to co-run the Radar Run portion of our annual Battleship Run on Seneca Lake with another OSO member until we talked the club out of it for liability reasons.

Repost from other thread
 

On the topic of speed limits only. It seems the insurance companies use 75 as a benchmark to set rates. Would that even be practical (or fun) on a Poker Run? .02

It also has to do with the size of the boat and other water traffic, waves, conditions, etc.

There is something about Poker Runs that brings out the retard in certain people. If you are the kind of guy that will run those kinds of speeds along with other boating traffic IMO you are stupid.

When the weather is good almost every body of inland water, on the weekends, is not going to be an ideal place to run at very fast speeds. Other boaters are unpredictable, waves are unpredictable, etc. etc.

When I went to AOTH, which is a 'fun event', I couldn't believe how many nice dudes could drive like absolute retards on the runs. There are example after example of this. There were a couple of accidents in Destin this year and there were others in the past. They have happened at much slower speeds so a 'speed limit' would be silly. It needs to be a common sense factor by each individual... unfortunately I doubt that will ever actually happen.

There's a time and a place and it is up to the operator to determine this, unfortunately this seems hard, here in WNY we are fortunate enough to have one part of the run in the river, controlled area speeds down, even had a sheriff escort this year for the busy section of the river, then we go out into lake erie where its wide open (ok not this year) and everyone can stretch it out in a safe environment, based on the video I seen my opinion is speeds should not have been that high with that much traffic/spectator's, This does not mean it could not happen here we have all been way out in the lake and wondered where that roller came from, its just less likely

just my .02 and that don't mean crap so boat on!!

It's all about paying atention if you were running the speed my way was going and you see a 520searay plowing by you would think they would have got out of the throttle and started to trim down alittle in the video it didn't even look like he bothered slowing down.
Brett

+1

Great thread but.....
 

This should get good in a hurry ;) I think I'll keep my opinion to myself too. :food-smiley-007:

there will be a ton of keyboard racers on this thread..it comes down to common sense..no matter your experience or skill level

Missing expert !
 

Where's CATMANDO ?:evilb::evilb:

I do have to say/type..., after reading the first 2/3 of the My Way thread this is getting pretty stupid. (poker runs in general)
The clear video of that accident is tough to argue. The SeaRay cruiser was closer to 50'+ than it was 30'. It was off plane, plowing water. It can't make a bigger wake than that. You can see where the cruiser wake is in that video and My Way lifts as soon as it hit's it. You can debate blame but it is not the cruisers fault! That cruiser was probably making a 6' wake.
Here's the gig boys and girls. Debate it all you want but a "Poker Run" is NOT A RACE! Therefore, not in a controlled environment/race course absent of pleasure craft. A race course is controlled and patrolled. Go to a poker run and want to run a buck fifty.....don't ***** about cruiser wakes. (unless it is a patrolled/permitted event) Want to ***** about cruiser wakes...., step to the plate and sign your liability release and have at it.

How about this one......, you and the family are in your 23' bow rider following the SeaRay so you have a calmer ride. You nor the SeaRay have any knowledge of said poker run (how would you unless it's a patrolled/controlled event???) and are just cruising along enjoying seeing the pretty race (oop's, I men poker run) boats flying by when the big cat jumps the SeaRays wake and heads straight for you at how ever fast they still going.
Yeah, it's the cruisers fault. Unfreagin believable!!!
Sorry, now I'm pissed.

Someone posted earlier, this (poker runs at this level) won't last long and I'd say they're right.

I can tell you from experience about the scariest thing to have happen to you in a fast boat is to have your foot on the floor, the boats done accelerating and then you see a wave you didn't before. Not only that, you know it's too late to prevent hitting it at warp speed. What do you do??
Hope you live through it so you can ***** at the cabin cruiser for minding his own business in an open body of water and you not seeing his wake or realizing whats coming??? Let's see, open water, big boat..............., I know. Big wake.
Yep, it's the cruisers fault.