Question of FPC poker runs
 

I want to do a poker run in early 2005 what ones are the best to do??? It would have to be March or later.
Jason

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

I think the best run of the summer is the JACKSONVILLE FIREFIGHTERS RIVER RALLY /POKER RUN. Dates are JUNE 9,10,11,12

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

The first Major FPC Run of the new year is always the Miami Boat Show Run.
The group is on the larger side, I think there were 70+ boats last year but the trip to Islamorada is easy and the location puts you smack in the middle of the keys. This has always been one of my favorites and I highly recommend it. It is in February though and that might be outside your time frame.
The other one that I can recommend from experience is the Easter Run to Key Largo. The group is more intimate and the weather is always great (HOT) while the trip itself is not as long as some of the others (approx 50nm) the side trips on Saturday and subsequent raft off make up for it. Faro Blanco, Islamorada, etc. The other thing that I enjoy regarding the Easter Trip is the small size. You get a chance to really mix with everyone and it's just a little more laid back.
Good Luck and Have Fun
Best,
Rice Hauler

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

I have been on the Spring key West run twice and had a great time. Usually about 25-30 boats plus spring break crowd in Key West.

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

I went on the Miami Boat Show run to Islamorada last year and had the time of my life. It toppped the many others that I have done with different organizations thru the years. It was just the right size and everyone stayed at the same place and hung out at the Tiki Bar together. I got to meet and talk with more people at that one run than all others combined.

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

Hey, Rice Hauler I did a poker run with a group of people a couple of years ago that you were in I think. Did you do the poker run that goes from Port clinton to Put in bay up the Detroit river to Widsor Canada??? We ran a 38 Donzi zx I looked at those boats and just couldn't buy one I instead bought a 32 active thunder I'm glad I did!!!

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

Hot Boat has the Heat Wave poker run in Havasu I have been there a couple of time and had a blast Or the Oshkosh thunder is always a good time
Next year I'm going to try the lake Cumberland poker run
Don

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

If it was a LEOPA poker run, (Lake Erie Offshore) then it was probably
Rice Hauler, great guy by the way he should post here more, I hope he will be in Key West :D

Hey M Howard, the thread is about FPC poker runs (FL Powerboat Club runs) not any friggin run anywhere in the country :D Sorry I am mean tonight, it must by the wine :drink:

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

I looked at the website for these poker runs and I'm starting to wonder if my boat is big enuff!!!

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

Jason, I did the Key West run 3 years in a row. the 1st 3 years I owned the boat. The runs from Miami to the middle Keys is all on the inside. Trust me your 32 AT is plenty big enough. Its just that over the years the ave size of all boats has gone up. Doesnt make your 32 any less capable. :D

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

Hey Tonto,

the Key West run was the first Poker Run I ever did. That was in 1999. It was long and it was a blast. As long as you follow someone down you'd be fine. I had my gps and just followed the track back as we were by ourselves for most of the trip back. I would highly reccomend going to Key West. What an incredible time.

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

What everybody else said. Plus: OPBA (OffshorePowerBoatAssociation) based out of St. Pete has it's annual Spring Poker Run in late April. It is usually attended by FPC members. Starts out of St. Pete and ends at the Sarasota Hyatt. Just another option for that time of year. Go to opbafl.org and download info.

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

32 Thunder,
Yeah that was us. We did the Run to Windsor with the "Guys" in my boat and the rest of the Girlfriends, Wives, and assorted flotsam and jetsam following with the luggage in the 50 SeaRay. Great time and one of the more memorable runs. if I remember correctly you guys followed us back on Sunday to Put-in-Bay and the 1+ hour wait to clear customs stateside. (Canada is a foreign country)
Also as many people have mentioned I would not hesitate to run ANY FPC run in your boat. Believe me even though there are a fair number of really hot boats like 40+ Skaters and 100+ Cigs and other V-Hulls. There is a far larger number of 50-60 mph crusiers that run, and you'll find them and they will find you and that's how you make more boating buddies.
Also as a grateful participant in a couple of the Tonto led middle, upper, or lower Key's (depends on how thirsty you are or who's leading as to how far you go) bar tour I can tell you that there are a number of members that could really care less how large your boat is or even if you really have one. As long as you want to have a good time and have an appetitie for seeing the real keys they'll drag you along no problem.
The bottom line is do it or you'll always regret it.
Best,
Rice Hauler

Re: Question of FPC poker runs
 

thanks for the nice comments!