How big and fast?
 

How big and fast of a boat do you have to have to run in a say average size poker run? I've never done one and would like to do a few next season but not sure if I'll be able to keep up. What's a normal cruise speed or is it just plain balls to the wall WFO the whole time? Thanks everyone!

depends on the poker run, im sure some are more serious then others. we do one from a local boating club each year but its only about 25 or so miles and we usually cruise between 30-40 mph. they usually have a couple different classes depending on boat speed. im sure lots of other will chime in here soon!

That's not too bad, 30-40. I'm 24' and run mid 60's, so I just wasn't sure if I would keep up or not. I'm not looking to run in any of the big ones, but thought it would be fun to do a few. Thanks

we only run 55 in PERFECT conditions.

but sometimes she flys in big waves!

each run is different. Ours is 90 miles each way and has had around 100 boats the last couple years. There are some 100+ mph boats that hammer down, but most of us run at our cruise speeds. We've had 21 ft open bow boats do the run and some old school bots that might hit 60 on a good day. 2 years ago when the flag dropped I was 1/4 mile behind the start and in the water swimming cause it was so hot....probably left the start 10 minutes after the flag dropped.
Find some runs you'd like to do and ask around.......very few people will mis-lead you about the conditions of a each poker run.

central ny is a great place to poker run, oneida lake has several every season most cruise at 55. We do most every run around i try to cruise at 85. Ropa has several fun runs also with many mixed boats and speeds.
If you run any of the PRA runs you must be bigger than 32 feet.

We had a 22 Donzi run with us out in the Lower Chesapeake Bay . I know he did not go but so fast and he made all the stops .:drink:

Depends.

You have "big dick" poker runs.
And you have "blue collar" poker runs.

And then you have some that are somewhere in the middle. In the "big dick" poker runs, you will probably feel uncomfortable with your boat.

Do a little research on the run; folks here and other places can give you a recommendation. Also, talk to the organizer. A respected organizer is not going to push you into his/her event if you are not right for it.

The couple that I have done always have a couple guys who run HARD because that is what they enjoy.

Then there is a group of mid-packers that run slightly faster than cruise.

Then there are guys like myself who run conservatively so as not to break anything.

There are always some 24, 26 footers that participate and the run was through the Chesapeake Bay, (which gets quite rough) and into the Ocean. You'll have a blast no matter how big or small, fast or slow you run. I can honestly say I believe I finished dead last in the last one I did with about 50 other boats and I had a great time...

Not quite true !
PRA (Poker Runs America) accept any boats 26' and upwards - the only reason for this is that liability insurance doesn't cover anything smaller.
Three times this year there were boats 30' and under that took away the prizes.
At Alexandria Bay in NY there is also a special cruiser class!!

Thanks everyone! Sounds like I shouldn't have any problems running in a couple of them. Now I can't wait til winter is over!!!

Come down and run some with us. We have two that you will feel right at home with, Jammin On The James in July and HRPA's run in Aug out of Waterside in Downtown Norfolk Va. Come see us.:drink:

Joby

Thanks for the invite! That sounds great, but I'm not too sure I want to run it in salt water. I know I can flush it afterwards, but still.... Maybe though! I'll have to see how work is in July, being in construction it's a little tough to get away for a long weekend as much as I would love to!

If you can only make one look at Jammin On The James. Go to the 07,08 Jammin threads and look at them it's a blast. You will need to get in early to get on main dock , and the past threads will tell you why the main dock is the place to be. You can go to Randy Nuzzo's site and see RPBA'S and HRPA'S pic's of past runs. We hope to see you. :drink:

www.randynuzzo.com and click ImageQuix to see past runs.
Joby

Mach1, all I can say is you do one and you'll be hooked! There is also much to be said for a PR that goes into the ocean. It's about the most fun you can have with your clothes on. I wouldn't worry about running in salt water. Just make sure you flush with fresh water at the end. And the dock party/banquet is unbelievable.

Hope you can make it down to the Ches Bay. The PRs are not so large as to attract the 120mph boats, and have plenty of "average joes" that run at speeds that don't intimidate.

89mach1, is or was your boat called lickety split? It looks familiar.

Mach 1, You should think about doing the Great Sacandaga Lake(late June) and Lake George runs(columbus day w/end).

I have done Sacandaga the last 2 years(2 years ago in a 22' Scarab). A lot of people run balls out on this run, but most of the boats are single engine 28 footers. Speeds range from 55 MPH boats to 125+ MPH cats.

Lake George did not happen this past year because the organizer was too busy with other things, but the prior 2 years were a great time. They cap the speed at 60 on this run, so all the boats run together(staggerred start because there were 110 boats in '07 and the lake is only 1-2 miles wide).

The after-parties at both these runs are awesome. Plus, they are pretty cheap compared to other runs I have seen/been to.

You can join in on any run that I have attended and the runs are very safe and almost all can seperate the guys who go over 100 and those below. The most fun of the run is being around people who love the same thing that you do (boating). The poker runners are tons of fun to celebrate with as well!

I'm not sure about the "big dicks" or the "blue collars" but what about the "big blue dicks collar run"? :ernaehrung004:

You have "big dick" poker runs.
And you have "blue collar" poker runs.

:eek::ernaehrung004:

Hey, I did not even talk about the "Big Pu$$y Poker Run". Ask crb76 and chuckbeecher which one that is. :D :D

Famous Quote from chuckbeecher:

"G Damn it this has become a BIG P*SSY Poker Run"!!!!

That was classic!!!

I was wondering the same thing, I have a cottage near Kingston, Ontario and every year I go and watch the 1000 Islands Poker Run, its the only one I have ever attended, I have often "dreamed" of entering it, but, at an event where 500K Nor Tech's and Outerlimits are "average" I felt I would be a laughing stock, if anyone knows of a more "down to earth" Poker run in this area that DOESN'T require me to own my own fortune 500 company just to "show up" then please let me know!, I am not dissing the guys with the high dollar boats, I am just aware that I am not one of them, thanks to all for any info!

Michael

Micheal - Anyone that would act that way isn't someone whose opinion you should value anyways, and truthfully, there aren't many of those out there (at least that I have met). Most are there to have a great time regardless of the boat they are in.

Hey MACH - If it makes you feel better most of the guys in our area have never put their boat in FRESH water!! In all seriousness, don't let salt water concerns be a reason to miss a great time. My boat is in salt every weekend during the summer - longterm prolonged salt exposure would be a concern, tossing it in for the weekend and then throoughly flushing it afterwards shouldn't be, it's not toxic waste, it is just water....

Most runs have speed classes so everyone can play and run at a pace they are comfortable with.

The Alex Bay run is just up the river from you every year in June. It's a bit less "intense" than the 1k Islands run. They even have a cruiser class in that run.

I've done many runs all over the US...and while the big boyz run together and smack talk each other, I have yet to experience any "elitest" behavior. Everyone there has something in common - boating and fun - while some may have fatter wallets, they still have the same desire to boat and have fun as those on more conservative budgets.

Even the big boyz remain somewhat humble - because no matter how fast you think your boat is....there's always someone faster.

Try the A-Bay run in June - after that you'll probably be hooked and even be comfortable signing up for the 1k Islands run - just sign up for the speed class you're comfortable in.

Great!, I will definately check out the A-bay run, I have seen it advertised and seen [and heard] boats blowing by the cottage in the run, but, hadn't heard much about it, I do enjoy A-bay though, we have a cottage on the South Shore of Wolfe Island, if any members boat near there?, then let me know!, I come from a drag racing background, spent better part of 20 years in the sport, so, I am well aware of "somebody always being faster", speaking of which, I was at the 1K run a few years back and spoke to a fellow from NY with a boat called "Xtreme Xhibit" claimed the boat had run over 200MPH down south somewhere, he was hangin' out on his "wife's" 60ft Sunseeker at the time, I am pretty sure it was at that moment that I resided myself to NEVER bring a boat to the event!, Ha Ha!. I am VERY glad to hear most people are down to earth!, alot of times money means "ego", but, generally if you have a common interest you can get along pretty well with anyone. Thanks again for the input, have a safe Holiday everyone!

Michael

Winter we don't care about no stinking winter !

Yup - that was Jimmy Leonardo (Extreme Exhibit) - he lives right across Irondequoit bay from me. Although, I don't hink I've seen him at any local runs over the past 2 years. He actually just had a 50' Nor-Tec built.

Hope to see you on the circuit next year.

poker Runs
 

Check out www.senecapowerboats.com at Seneca lake in ny
88 mile run we get 75+ boats from 24 ft to 43 ft and run 3 diff speed classes 55 mph 65 mph and ? mph with 2 days of fun, Sunsation factory, Outerlimits factory come as well as others

Yes, I remember him mentioning he lived in that area, near Rochester, NY. He had a pile of boats at the time, had just ordered some giant Sunseeker as well. I will check out the Seneca lake run too, that sounds pretty cool!. I really like Sunsation's, they are probably my favourite boat, well, next to Cigarette, OK, .......maybe Fountain?, Outerlimits are real nice too, hmmmm, guess I like em all!

What do you have now? I was thinking of doing that run also, it's my b-day that weekend and we usually hit some bars on the boat around here, so I'm not sure just yet.

I have a 2K Baja H2X, nothing fancy, pretty much stock, except stereo. No better way to spend a b-day than on the water, or any other day for that matter!.

You really need to check out the seneca lake pirates run!!! It'll be our groups 5th year this year. the people of the S.P.B.A. keep it fun and somehow make it better every year. I am not a poker run pro by any means but I can tell you its one not to miss. the run itself is only a small part of the weekend, its the friday and saturday night that makes it great. Last year on sunday Sunsation gave me a ride on their 43 at 100+ mph How many people get to do that!!!! Getting to meet and watch team taboo (great people) run their fountain race boat and their poker run beast!! team octane with their 30 phantom and I got to meet Mike Fiore of outerlimits......GOD I LOVE THEIR BOATS!! Adrenaline junkie with that bad daytona I could go on and on. the people are all great no matter what they run everyone is there to have fun A great group of people at seneca that weekend!!

As far as "the total experience" is concerned - I have to agree with Psycho - if you can make it down to the Pirate run on Seneca, you will most certainly be hooked. These boyz do a solid job on this event. If I remember correctly one of the guys who organizes the event is running a rinker :eek: - "not that there's anything wrong with that" :drink:

That whole package down there is great for all. Great people. Great social activities (still waiting for the extreme cooler races thought) - and the lake is a great place for a run. It is very wide - so people can spread out. The St Lawrence can get a little cozy and test even the best antacids.

While our season is short out here you have a number of options in the neigborhood. I was merely mentioning the A-Bay run since it was in his back yard.

Not this Scarab.....J/K, Lg 2007.... I was the guy in the 21' Checkmate with the 225 who was hardly ever in the water.

Yup, that was me in the Scarab. My dad was in the Black/Blue Progression with 300XS. He ran a 21 Checkmate with 225 in LG '06. You had the thing aired out I remember!

Michael, how close are you to the Wolfe Island cut or are you more up river towards Linda Island?

Ken

Hi Ken

I am actually in Murray Bay, South shore of the Island, towards the "foot", we are just North/East of Carlton Island, do you boat in that area?

Michael

I have a camp on Beadles Point between Dodge bay and Rose Bay. I stare at Carelton Island.

Ken

Michael, after Googleing Murray Bay, you are dead nuts across the river from me.

I am there most weekend starting after Easter, we will have to hook up.

Ken