Fine-Tuning The Poker Run Experience
 

Like never before, event organizers need—and want—your input, https://www.offshoreonly.com/article...run-experience
From the OSO home page.

I`m not interested in long runs , wasting tons of fuel and getting pounded for an hour is not fun. I like shorter runs. Anything over 40 miles I`m out. Especially on Lake Michigan.

Thank you for your responses, gentlemen. I am collecting so I can pass them along to the group next weekend.

So, to summarize your feedback to the PR organizers, they should create a "Kiddie Course" for certain folks like yourself? :boat:

My favorite Poker Runs are such that tend not to be "snooty" with certain cliques of boats and boaters that try and make their own private event DURING the bigger event. If everyone is there for a good time, we should do it together. The reason I bring this up, is this divides up the crowd, and since we don't get to do this ALL the time, keeping the bigger group together for the event is important in my book. IF a certain group wants to have a separate adjunct event, do so the day before or the day after.

Also, my favorite Poker Runs are such that engage the community outside of the Powerboat arena. No one does this better than Boyne Thunder that I have personally experienced. Poker Run for a Cure in Norfolk and the Key West Poker Run by Stu and the FPC also do this well, but not to the extreme of BT. Yes, this has to do with location and logistics. And you have to be careful with security and the unsavory folks that could show up in the wings. However, I do enjoy talking to folks that are not well versed in the sport; and sharing knowledge. Also, there is nothing better than taking a couple of non-attendee kids and letting them see the boat, sit/stand behind the wheel, and creating a few future boaters, just like happened to me when I sat on the bow of the 38' Scarab from Miami Vice in Chicago in the 80s.

I think it is one of the NJ runs that also couples their PR with a "rides" event or program. (Please someone correct me if I am wrong.) The one I recall reading about was a 'Rides for Veterans' or similar. Every year, I participate in "Rides from the Heart" which is put on by Kenneth Anderson and friends outside of Richmond, VA. It's for the benefit of ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. ASK CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION - Home The children AND their families are hosted for a day on the water, including boat rides, lunch, and a bunch of other activities. I think that coupling this with the above topic of bringing in the community and sharing our 'fortune' with those less fortunate is a golden opportunity for both sides.

Really hard to change anything from Boyne, they do everything great. The whole town caters to the event, what makes this so unique. Only caveat was no shuttle transport from poker run to lodge after drinking in the evening (they do have one, but very tough to arrange). Mostly just a result of the location/area. Call me a geek but those cooler bags from Boyne were an awesome present! Very usable, great product and thought. I also like nice host amenities when away from home, and any room blocks/discounts that can be had. The pre-event activities are nice for people that travel extra days and from further distances. Some of us budget 4-5 days for these events, so if we can meet other boaters prior to the main event, makes it more enjoyable.

Nashville Run is very casual and well organized, has the comradery feel to it. Two very different runs (I have limited experience) Both do it well for what they are. The marinas do a very good job of hosting and keeping docks cleared for participants.

Dan, you're starting to sound like Tim, who remains in a 20 mile bubble all season.

I would say having adequate dock or assigned spots for participants would be a great thing (especially if they pre-register), I hate having to come in early and having to worry if I'm going to get a spot at the host marina for the evening or for overnight. Which goes along with what "QWKRN U" had said about the poker run stops as well.

Lake Lanier had a short and long course for a few years(may still) that allowed variety and different boats to run.

1000 Islands Charity run has about 50 miles before lunch, which is back at the start, and 95 miles after lunch. Some folks do one or the other and some do both.

Smith Mountain Lake has always done the same. But it was usually big cruisers and pontoons that did the short course.
Hell, even the 16' Donzi Classic does the whole run every year.
I don't know why you'd own and run a big go fast boat if you didn't like wasting gas! Buy a GD sailboat. Focking communists! :D

Great stuff—Keep your suggestions and observations coming. I can promise you that poker-run organizers are paying attention to this thread.

My only suggestion? Take it easy on each other. :) Opinions vary and one size never fits all.

Carry on, gentlemen.

Look at the Hookie Day run in the Calif Delta on River Dave's Place. The boats, generally as a group, stop at each marina for socialization and hang out time, spend money at each marina and head to the next stop. The ones I have been on lately have a boat or dock attendant with chips they throw at you or put in your net as fast as possible and you haul the mail to the next stop to do the same. Lunch at the end and straight back to an anchor out where the regulars tie up together. Why would a marina want to participate? I think a lot of people go on a poker run with the hope/expectation of meeting and expanding their boating social network. It seems there is little consideration for this any more. Can you imagine a Harley Poker Run merely driving by each stop and have somebody throw you a chip from a parking lot down the street from the bar? Well sorry about the rant I have only been doing this for 40+ years.
Let's get this back to a social event, that is what I am trying to suggest.
I still like doing them just not so much with the new format.

Every time I post something I can always count on you to have some ****ty comment.
You`re a funny little dork.
Anyway they asked for feedback I gave it.
Bring it to Lake Michigan and get beat up for an hour let me know how much fun that is. I do it every weekend, gets old.
Do you even have a boat??

I think the more you can get done before arrival the better. Registration, hotel(s), dock space, ramp info, even an overview of the social spots on a map help familiarize someone before even leaving home.

9,000 miles towing this year. Lake St. clair (3x this year) to LOTO for the Cig Rendezvous and fall run and everywhere in between.
Almost 800 miles on the boat this year.

Performance center puts on the best runs, those guys know how to do things right.
You arrive they take and store your trailer. Free launch.
Complimentary breakfast and/or dinner, helicopter, pictures, 10% off in restaurant, gas discount, awards, Fireworks at night, goodie bag, etc etc ..
Every stop 100% of the docks are reserved for participants (I`m still not sure how they pull that off)
Runs are just the right length.
Top notch people.

What's the cost?

Cool thread. Although 90% of the poker runs we have done have all been at LOTO (gonna try and travel for some next year, been wrapped up in selling old/buying new house), I feel like after 15+/- runs we've done, I've learned what I like and don't like. Personally, I like the further runs, making a good 30 or 40 mile run between stops is fun, and I look forward to doing longer runs in tee
the future. However, I run a 29' Warlock with just a single stock 496ho, so it sips gas. I can see how something that goes through 300 - 400 gallons a day could get old. Having multiple choices for stops is nice too. The past few years, we challenged ourselves to hit ALL the stops, and we did it, but I'm telling you, 14-15 stops in 5-6 hours is not fun. It's work. So I won't be doing that again, lol. Having a dedicated first stop after the start is nice, it gets everyone running together for a decent length of time. And having a dedicated "lunch time" stop to gather everyone up is a good idea too. But Ed at Big Thunder and Brett at PBC pretty much have that already, and perfected the runs at LOTO I feel, so I honestly have no complaints! I guess if I had to pick one thing I'd change, it would be to make the final stop somewhere that's in a cove, or no wake zone, something like that. By the end of the run, most people are beat up, worn out, and are ready to stay and relax for a bit, so having 100 boats coming in together and trying to dock and tie up at a place on the main channel, with heavy waves beating the docks up, is a bit nerve racking (example: Dog Days). But all in all, it's my favorite part of boating. Someone mentioned earlier about individual manufacturers or groups having private runs at the same time as the Poker Runs being conflicting. I'd agree with that 100%. People travel from all over for this stuff, so dragging your OL, Skater, MTI, Cig, etc from 500+ miles away just to have to choose between the poker run or a private run is kinda silly I think. Make it the day before, or a shorter morning or evening run or something? No need to cut down the amount of boats that can participate. See y'all out there next year.

Free. :ernaehrung004:

When you start doing to everyone/anyone else I`ll believe you, till then I guess I`ll just take my tampon out.

I like the idea of having multiple stops set-up. That way slow boats don't have to kill themselves trying to run 100 miles in a day. And the faster boats can stretch out them legs and run.

I will say the thing that makes it uncomfortable for someone new coming is the logistics. Where to launch, where to park and most important where to dock. So if you could make that part easier that would be awesome.

At Jacksonville we have that info on the website as far ahead as possible. And we mark the docks ahead for the reserved spots so people know which are taken and which are available with an aerial map. I personally spend Thursday at the marina with our volunteers helping direct boats and even run people to and from the ramps.