Offshoreonly.com - Special Thanks To Jacksonville/Bill Pyburn

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Special Thanks To Jacksonville/Bill Pyburn

June 7, 2004

Jacksonville 2004, Third Annual Firefighters Charity Poker Run

The run this year was another huge success. There was a total of 110 boats ranging in size from 20 Foot Baja Outlaws to 50 Foot Nortech Cats (Miss Nortech) and 50 Foot Nortech Vees (Spirited Lady).

A special thanks is owed to Bill Pyburn and all the board members, the Jacksonville Fire Fighters and the City of Jacksonville by all of us who attended this event.

There is nowhere in the country that you are taken care of like they do in Jacksonville and receive so much back for money you spend. It is the best Poker Run value in the nation!

Judy and Noel from “Hot Boat Magazine” were there to cover the event. We had the pleasure of having them on our boat Thursday back from St. Augustine and they are super people. Also Amy from “Baja Magazine was in attendance and Baja let nice gift bags on all the Baja boats there which included t-shirts, hats, and a copy of the latest magazine.

Steve Stepp with Velocity was back with a large showing of Velocity boats. Reggie Fountain was back with a Fountain race boat and several people from Baja were there with a very special 33 Outlaw running over 90 miles per hour.

Starting Thursday night we had the pre-party at Ronnie’s Wings in Green Cove. Had to go by car do to a very heavy thundershower that rolled through Jacksonville late in the afternoon. They had a room reserved just for the Poker Run and I counted 38 people there. The band was awesome, food was good and everyone had a very nice time.

Friday morning the sun was back out and a large group of boats left Jacksonville for St. Augustine at 10AM. Approximately 15 boats ran the outside down in very calm seas and another 6 to 8 ran the ICW down. A very nice treat was “Snake Eyes” making the turn into St. Augustine up from Daytona about the same time we arrived.

Everyone was seated and had ordered lunch when the bottom fell out of the sky at St. Augustine. The boats got covered, but also many of the people the ran out also got covered by rain. We did not let this bother us in any way. There was no rush, the ride down was great and the food and conversation even better. About an hour and a half went by and the rain had turned into a light drizzle. We called Jacksonville and it was clearing up that direction and the pack fired up the engines for the ride back. Much to my surprise several wanted to ride back on the inside, but Dock Holiday lead a large group back out the inlet and we had a super ride back and were about to get good pictures and video. The 42 MTI “Snake Eyes” put on a good show for all of us slow boats on the return trip!

Upon our return the marine had really came to life! There were hundreds of people there, the roar of excitement was in the air. The beer trailer was operating in full force with all the free beer you wanted and the great people of “Fast Boyz Wings” provided the best wings and fixins you have every had, all free of charge!

Later that evening the group walked from the Adams Mark Hotel over to the “Landing” to get our goodies and boat number for the Poker Run. They really fixed us up with a very nice duffle bag, the nicest t-shirts I have ever received on a poker run and many other very nice items. They went out of their way to do up “COLOR” maps that were clearly marked with all the card stops and marina’s, emergency numbers, etc.

There are many restaurants there at the Landing that circle the square and two outside bars set up. The Poker Run had provided a band for everyone’s entertainment and it was a long day, but a real fun day.

The next morning the sun was out again and there was excitement in the air. I was up at 6AM and we had to run over to Arlington Marina and fill up with fuel for the poker run. Around 8AM the docks were coming to life. Boats being uncovered, cleaned and even racing fuel being brought down in 55 gallon drums for some of the big boys!

There was juice and donuts provided for everyone and free bottled water to take with you on the run.

The Captain’s meeting started promptly at 9AM and like the rest of the event was very organized. The Mayor of Jacksonville spoke as did Reggie Fountain and Steve Stepp.

Then came the famous words “Gentlemen Start Your Engines”!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our fist card stop paraded the entire fleet right by the Adams Mark and the Landing with hundreds of onlookers waving!

We came out from under the train bridge and in short time the water cannons from the fire boat started the event. It was a safe start and an awesome scene with 110 boats all coming to life at once!