Time to Head North

Next week will be my fourth trip up to see Boyne Thunder, one of America’s premiere poker runs. The first couple of years I traveled up to Michigan, I had hoped to at least bring my Formula 242 up as a marshal boat, but ongoing trailer issues nixed that. Later, having sold my boat, my wife and I still enjoyed heading up to see the boats and check out all the activities, like the street show in Boyne City and the art fair in Charlevoix, which always seems to be held on the same weekend. There’s no doubt that the region includes some of the most scenic areas the Midwest has to offer.

The Street Party in Boyne City on Friday night is one you don't want to miss.

This year, my wife has declined to go, and being freed up, I decided to inquire about the possibility of volunteering at the event, which raises money for children with cancer and individuals with disabilities. Having secured a couple of opportunities to pitch in, I started to make plans.

I had thought about going about a month or more before, but we were invited to travel with some friends to Florida in the Fall, so I held off. When it later became clear that my wife’s job would not allow us to travel south in November, I looked again at coming up to BT, but by that time, no reasonable accommodations were available, and she was balking at making another trip north.

That meant going by myself, and since my needs are pretty modest (I just need a place to rest my head at night and take a shower) I figured I could find a convenient camping spot in the area. Finding campgrounds was not an issue; the only problem is that most non-electric tent sites can’t be reserved in advance, so it’s first-come-first served just about everywhere. I’m pretty confident that I won’t have any problems, and though I am not a big recreational camper, I think this will be a nice little adventure.

The continued popularity of this event is a real testament to the people who work so hard to put it on every year. When I first ventured up here in 2008, I think there were about 40 boats running; this year I believe the number of registrants is up to 120—and there are lots of people who are still on the waiting list. Since that more performance boaters are discovering this great Poker Run, it’s become a “must do”—not only for boaters, but for manufacturers who like to premiere their new boats. One I am especially looking forward to see is Catnip, a new classic wooden runabout from Van Dam Custom Boats, which is actually located in Boyne City. See you at the street show next Friday Night!


Catnip under construction at Van Dam Custom Boats

Boyne Thunder: The Great Northern Poker Run

Everybody knows about big powerboat poker runs like Desert Storm and Key West, but switch out the sand and palm trees for the clean, cool waters of Northwest Michigan and the rich smell of pine trees, and you've got the great Northern poker run...Boyne Thunder. We headed up there after work on Friday night and jumped off I-75 at Gaylord for a solid night's sleep before heading over to Boyne City bright and early Saturday to watch the 40+ boats head out across Lake Charlevoix.

The municipal marina at Boyne City is a great venue for this event; there's plenty of room for even the largest boats, and the point on the western end is a great spot for spectators to gather. This year's event has been described by many as the best ever - and the collection of boats found at the docks backed that up, with a great selection of Skaters, Nor-Techs, Outerlimits, Apaches, Fountains, Formulas and Cigarettes on hand. It was an incredible scene -- especially when they all started the engines and headed out onto the lake.

As a tradition, the boats (in two groups) circle around the lake on a high-speed parade lap before heading west toward Charlevoix -- and the hundreds of spectators gathered on the point roared their approval as each boat gunned its engines on the pass-by.

The boats then head down the lake, through Round Lake at Charelvoix, then out the channel to Lake Michigan and the other card stops. The weather was just about perfect; warm and sunny, with little wind--which made the big lake manageable for some high speed runs and lots of fun. We drove up to Charlevoix for a few beers, caught a few more nice boats heading up the channel, then gradually worked our way back toward Boyne City right after noon. We even had a chance to grab a bite at the Horton Bay General Store, which any Ernest Hemingway fan would recognize from his Nick Adams stories.

The final card stop was at the marina at Somerset Pointe, featuring a very nice reception which offered visitors a chance to catch the boat crews coming in for some snacks and ice cold refreshments. We weren't sure how they were going to fit everyone in, but they managed to get the crews off the boats and into the bar with a high level of organization. Clearly, this run benefits greatly from a wonderful team of volunteers, who managed it all superbly. Hats off to them.

We wanted to stay longer for the Thunder Feast that evening, but the wife and I had another stop to make on that day's itinerary, and over a 100 miles to travel before nightfall. Suffice to say that as before, we had a short but albeit wonderful time at Boyne Thunder, and look forward to coming back again. If you're an offshore powerboater who loves great poker runs and is looking for something a little different, this is one run you will want to add to your calendar next year.

2011 Oneida Lake Swamp Run - Good Fun for a Good Cause

Lots of Poker Runs are run to benefit a worthy non-profit cause, and few are more worthy than the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Once again, New York State Power Boat Inc. is organizing another great Swamp Run on New York's beautiful Lake Oneida. Set for Saturday, July 30th, the run is known for its excellent water, fun destinations and top-notch organization.

PHOTO CREDIT: Sharkey Images.

This year the Swamp Run will follow the same course as last year, starting and ending in Brewerton at The WaterFront. From there, the group will run to Sylvan, have lunch and relax for about an hour and a half at Harpoon Eddie's. Afterwards, everyone will line up in front of the beach (South Side) and run in line across the front of the beach for everyone to watch.

Following this will be a run to ChMarker 117 for a card stop, then to ChMarker 135 for another card stop, then to 3 Mile Bay for a raft off with some fun and Bikinis. At 5pm, the whole group will run back to the Waterfront for dinner at 7pm with banquet and plenty of refreshments.

Last year, the event was able to raise over $10,000.00 for Make-A-Wish, and organizer Nolan Ferris has set an even more ambition goal of 21,500.00 for this year. If you've ever wondered how big a difference a contribution can make for an event like this, check out the touching story that Nolan has posted on Offshore Only.com.

To find out more and reserve your spot, contact Nolan at NysPowerBoat@yahoo.com.

Sustained High Winds Cancel Shoot-Out at Desert Storm

LakeracerLLC has announced that Desert Storm Shootout has been canceled for 2011, due to high winds on the lake and the fact that the weather conditions may extend over the rest of the weekend. The US Coast Guard and other public safety agencies in the area deemed the conditions too dangerous for high speed operation.

PHOTO CREDIT: Citydata.com.

The local weather forecast for Sunday is the same as today; boaters on-site have reported high sustained winds with severe gusting throughout the day Saturday. Nevertheless, safety always comes first - and the decision was a good one. Even though the shoot-out was cancelled, everyone at Havasu says Desert Storm was still a first-rate event. Here's hoping a new shoot-out champion can be crowned next year--for now, JBS Racing gets to retain their bragging rights!

How to Catch the Action at Havasu...Even if You're Not There

Desert Storm 2011 is in full swing at Lake Havasu, AZ -- as hundreds of high performance boats have descended on LHC for one of the country's biggest, baddest poker runs and high speed shoot-outs. We told you about the action earlier this month, but if you weren't able to make it to the lake (like us) you can still check out what's going on this weekend at a couple of great places on the Internet.

PHOTO CREDIT: OSO member Rivergirl.

First, I'd stop by Offshore Only forum...take a minute to register (it's free) and take a look at The Official 2011 Desert Storm Poker Run Picture Thread. There are lots of great photos from the lake, the street party and more...including some of the hottest boats around.

PHOTO CREDITS: River Dave's Place.

Alternatively, you can surf over to River Dave's Place, another popular West Coast forum, and watch their livestream, which will be available during the weekend. Be sure to take a look, and check out the forums, too; I'm sure plenty of boaters who are on site at Desert Storm will be posting. Crack a Corona and imagine you are there!

Make Plans Now for Jacksonville River Rally Poker Run

The Poker Run season is well underway, and you may want to start planning for one of the best. It happens June 9th-11th, as the Florida Powerboat Club returns to to the River City, Jacksonville, FL, for its 2011 run. Known for incredible parties on and off the water, this year's Jacksonville River Rally promises to be a memorable time, and is highly recommended. Jacksonville Landing once again provides the perfect backdrop for dining, entertainment, poker run displays and awesome party action.

PHOTO CREDITS: Allen Chester.

The event's Headquarter Hotel will be the Jacksonville Hyatt Regency Riverfront. To book now, you can call the FPC office, at 954-545-1414 or DOWNLOAD the registration form. You can also contact Jackie Jones for alternate accommodations choices at: fpcevents@gmail.com. For general information, call Bill Pyburn at (904) 388-6637.

PHOTO CREDIT: OSO Member Swede.

Proceeds will benefit Camp Amigo - the Children's Burn Camp of North Florida. Here's a brief rundown of the schedule:

Thursday, June 9, 2011
12:00pm Docking will be available (Jax Landing Docks & Metro Docks) Shuttle bus available (Carey) 904-349-1217
11am—7pm Check in and Registration (The Hyatt Hotel)
9pm —?? Join us at the Ivy Bar for our Meet & Greet Party

Friday, June 10, 2011
8:30am-6:30pm Check in and Registration (The Hyatt Hotel)
9:30am Mandatory Captain’s Meeting at Hyatt Hotel
7am-9pm Shuttle bus available (Carey) 904-349-1217
11am Depart dock and enjoy the fun run and lunch, at the Sand Bar - South of the Shands Bridge on the St. Johns River
7pm-9pm Wings, beer, and refreshments at the Jacksonville Landing
7pm—2am Live entertainment center stage at the Jacksonville Landing

Saturday, June 11, 2011
7am–9:30am Late Registration (The Hyatt Hotel)
8:30am Mandatory Captain’s Meeting at Hyatt Hotel (FOR CAPTAINS WHO DID NOT ATTEND FRIDAY’S CAPTAIN’S MEETING)
7am—10:30am Shuttle bus available (Carey) 904-349-1217
9:30am Depart dock for start of the Poker Run
10am/approx Fast Track Start (for boats 100+MPH)
10:10am Start of Poker Run (for all other boats)
12pm—3pm Lunch at Outback Crab Shack
3pm— 6:30 pm Shuttle bus available (Carey) 904-349-1217
5:30pm Return to Docks
6pm-7:30pm Enjoy cocktails and card playing at Mavericks upstairs at the Jacksonville Landing followed by:
7:30pm Dinner

New Boat News: Latest from Skater & Sutphen

In the economic climate of the past two years, almost any news is good news - and it's especially good news to see some of our most respected boat manufacturers producing more great work. With a new boating season (for most of us Northerners, anyway) just kicking off, we wanted to share some nice examples of high performance boating by Skater and Sutphen.

SUTPHEN PHOTO CREDITS: OSO Member CMC.

This slick little Sutphen 21 SS is the latest creation from Rich Sutphen Jr.. Reportedly heading to Canada, this sharp looking boat features classic offshore lines and a simple yet effective GT- style paint job that reminds me of a Shelby Mustang.



This unit features a 6.2 Mercruiser and should be capable of speeds up to 75mph or more. It definitely looks great on top of that Myco trailer, and while it's not the biggest boat on the water, the clean looks, Sutphen name and top performance will win the respect of just about anyone.

Next we want to share some photos of Skater's latest 488 V-Hull, which is fresh out of the paint booth and ready for rigging. Of course, Skater is best known for their incredible Cats, but their V-Hulls have demonstrated wave-crushing performance and are keeping up the same standards that the manufacturer is already known for.

SKATER PHOTO CREDITS: OSO Member Tborisch.

You have to love this paint scheme (I'm particularly partial to any combination of black, red and white) and it looks great on this boat. Don't have any information on what the power will be for this boat, but you can bet it will be impressive.



Since Skater and Boatcustoms (also working on this boat) are sponsoring the Boyne Thunder Poker Run this year, you should be able to check out this beauty on Lake Charlevoix this July. Skater is set to have at least three boats there, as that run is shaping up to be one of BT's best ever. Mark Your calendar!

Hudson River Spring Fun Run - May 7th & 8th

Want to have some fast fun without blowing a huge wad of cash? Then you can join a group of NY powerboaters for this family-style fun run that's FREE and open to anyone. The fun starts on Saturday, May 7th, when boats will be leaving Cannonball Marina in Stony Point, NY at 11am, heading south to see the NYC skyline and Statue of Liberty. Later, the plan is to return to the marina, where boats can be loaded back on the trailers and everyone can grab a late lunch / early dinner at a local restaurant.

PHOTO CREDITS: OSO member Nordic95.

On Sunday, May 8th, the plan is to start the morning at about 11am, where boats will be heading North to the Steel House restaurant in Roundout Creek for a raft up and lunch. As noted previously, it's planned to be a family style event - wives and kids are welcome and boats of all sizes and speeds are encouraged to join in the fun; in fact, stopping points will be set up along the way so everyone can wait for the slower boats.

To find out more, check out THIS THREAD on Offshore Only - contact member Nordic95 so he can get a headcount for the event as soon as possible.

West Coasters and the Country's Big Guns Head Out to Havasu for Desert Storm 2011

It's that time again - Spring is here and so is Desert Storm. Once again, Lakeracer LLC and Teague Custom Marine have joined together to bring together a collection of many of the most significant performance boats across the nation to Lake Havasu, Arizona. The action takes place from April 27 -30...here's a brief run-down of the week's events:

Wednesday begins when the Arizona Chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Havasu For Youth Organization, LakeRacer and the Platinum Powerboat Club present the second annual Desert Storm “Putin on the Wish”! Owners will provide rides in high performance powerboats and help raise funds to help these charities continue their work! Wednesday night, there's an open house party at the newest Lake Havasu Boat dealership, Oregon Custom Marine.

PHOTO CREDITS: younewstv.com.

Thursday the excitement continues with a down town Street Party, opening at noon. All participants and Sponsors are invited to display their boats on McCulloch Boulevard; display and vendor booth areas will be open to the public. Last years Street Party was spectacular and over 14,000 people turned out , and registration / check in for the poker run and shootout will be available at the time.

PHOTO CREDITS: The Nautical Inn.

Friday morning the Poker Run takes off from The Nautical Resort, with registration, drivers meeting and a parade through the London Bridge Channel beginning the run. With 3 card stations in the morning, Lunch catered at the Nautical Inn, 2 card stations and a helicopter photo station in the afternoon, there is lots of fun boating action! There's also a huge Pool Party at The Nautical that night, where the cards will be opened and the winners recorded.

Saturday morning begins with registration and check in for the Desert Storm Shootout. The Shootout Course starts off in Thompson Bay and runs two miles south on the Arizona side. Set to run all day with a break for lunch, it's where the fastest boats in the west will make their mark. Spectators have a great view from Rotary Park Beach. Saturday night awards are handed out for top speeds in each class and the new King of the Desert will be crowned! Dinner will be served and loads of prizes given out including the winning hands of the Poker Run, at a huge outdoor party at the Nautical Resort. Here is a video covering some of the sights and sounds of Desert Storm 2010 - courtesy YouTube user havasupowerboats.

If you've never been to Desert Storm, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss. For more information on the event, head over to the official website HERE.

OSS Starts 2011 Rolling with Smokin' The Sound at Biloxi

The folks living on America's Gulf Coast are working hard to make last year's oil spill a distant memory - and what better way than to kick off the start of the 2011 Offshore Super Series (OSS) season. The waters off Biloxi, MS are clean and clear now - and the beaches are ready for action, starting with the 2011 “Smokin’ the Sound” (STS) from May 12 – 15. The popular race will once again kick off this year’s OSS racing schedule.

This Biloxi event has become a favorite site for racers and fans alike, with exciting boat racing by day and all the casino action nightlife you can handle. The race brings out thousands of fans, and along with a Poker Run put on in conjunction with the Florida Powerboat Club, promises to be a real premier event. A kickoff Sponsor Appreciation Party is set to be hosted at the Beau Rivage, and other evening events are planned at the Hard Rock, the Imperial Palace (IP) and the Isle of Capri.

PHOTO CREDITS: Smokinthesound.com.

OSS Racing will be featured on both Saturday and Sunday; the big OSS cats are expected to clock in at 150 mph down the straight-a-way, with other classes consistently hitting the mark at over 100 mph. One of the great things about Smokin' The Sound is that you don't need binoculars to follow the action...you can see all of the excitement up-close by accessing any of the premium or VIP viewing areas. See the race course map below.


For more information, head over to the OSS website, or the official Smokin' The Sound website, HERE.

PRA Cape Coral Season Opener

Poker Runs America [PRA] kicked off another spectacular season of poker runs with their opener over the weekend of March 11-12. Cape Coral, FL proved to be a great site for the event, as the weather was warm and sunny, and winds were light - at around 11 knots.

PHOTO CREDITS: Poker Runs America.

To see more shots from the event, check out the PRA website HERE. There are also some nice photos of the event to be found on this Serious Ofshore thread - courtesy of member Frank Fasulo. Take a look - it's probably the next best think to being there.

New Mystic with V-16s to Debut at Lake of The Ozarks Shootout

We first wrote about Lightning Performance Group and their V16 engine about a year ago, and this weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, you can check it out. Lightning Performance Group will be debuting their highly anticipated 50’ Mystic Project with this incredible V-16 power. If you make it to the Shootout, you need to stop and see these engines for yourself--they're rated at 1700 hp on pump gas...at a mild 6100 rpm.

PHOTO CREDIT: Lightning Performance Group.

In addition, Lighting Perormance will also be showing off an innovative new trailer setup (see abov) with a separate boat cradle/trailer frame design. It’s a perfect combination for getting your boat safely transported down the highway and into the water. These and all of the company's “Next Generation” bolt-on performance items will be on display this weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Tell 'em [B3] sent ya!

PRA 1000 Islands Run: Another Year of Success

The 1000 Islands Poker Run roared into life again on Saturday August 7th, luring hundreds of admirers to watch the mighty engines ply the St. Lawrence -and to get a close-up look at the cigarette boats moored temporarily in Tunnel Bay.

There were more people (spectators) this year than in recent years," said city Councillor Larry Journal, one of the event's organizers. "We were really, really pleasantly surprised."

PHOTO CREDITS: Kingston This Week

For many local people, standing amid the thunder of these powerful engines seeing the kind of toys they will never be able to afford themselves is becoming a tradition. This year, the poker run boats made card stops in Brockville, Prescott and Kingston.

This year's event drew about 65 boats, but included some impressive examples of offshore power, including AquaMania, a 50-foot carbon fibre Mystic, that's equipped with two turbine helicopter engines.

"(It's) currently the fastest boat on the St. Lawrence River in history," said Merola, adding the vessel went over 205 m.p.h. last year. "We came to try and beat our record. I have been attending for 25 years. I have been to every single 1000 Islands Poker Run since the beginning."

While a handful of locals have criticized the poker run as an unnecessary waste of energy -not to mention a source of pollutants -in an age of global warming, most local residents support the event, and the economic boost it provides every year. Oh well--So much for the party-poopers ... congratulations to Poker Runs America for putting on another superb event!

Formula Returns to Offshore Racing

People often forget that Don Aronow's first "Cigarette" was actually a Formula 233 deep-V (see photo at left). While Don had moved on to grow and sell several high performance companies, the Formula tradition has continued on with his original vision. Over the years, the Porter family has kept the Formula legend alive by continuing to strive for performance perfection, something that Don would be proud of today.

With that in mind, it was good to hear that Ted Porter, vice president of Formula Powerboats, has announced the formation of a new team to compete on the Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) Series presented by GEICO. This new team, named “Formulaboats.com”, will use the 382 Formula Fas3tech, which has several national and world titles on its resume. Tabbed to be in the cockpit are Scott O’Connor of Bradenton, FL and Trent Weyant of Palm Coast, FL. both from TnT Racing. Scott and Trent bring several national and world titles to the team as well as achieving the first ever Triple Crown, obtained by winning the Florida, National, and World Championship in the same season.

PHOTO CREDITS: Formula Boats

While Formulas are seen all over at poker runs, and are widely acclaimed for their comfort, safety, quality and ability to handle rough water, they will have some work to do to to make it to the top of the podium in OPA. If you want to follow their progress,just check out the Formulaboats.com Offshore Race Team at www.tntoffshore.com.

No Vacation? Live Vicariously with Bob The Builder as he Crosses the Caribbean.

Having recently started a new job, I'm not sure I will be able to get any time off this summer. But I don't feel so bad after checking out this thread on Offshore Only - courtesy of well-known performance boater Bob the Builder and his crew, who have been keeping us all up-to-date as he undertakes a wonderful adventure that's seen him cavorting across the Caribbean to enjoy friendship, fun, beautiful scenery and plenty of good times.

PHOTO CREDITS: naplesimage.com

It will take you some time, but check out the whole thread, where you'll read about Bob's superlative piloting skills (managing seas and dock areas with no steering - only throttles and trim tabs for control), swimming with pigs (really) awesome sights, and plenty of hot boat action.


From Bimini to the Bahamas - to Turks and Caicos and the Dominican Republic, San Juan and then on to British Virgin Islands for a poker run, Bob and his intrepid crew members including his (damn lucky) photographer Jay - put you right in the passenger seat for what has to be one of the best trips ever.


Not only will you see some great locations, hot women and unforgettable sights, you'll also see some very nice boats...a classic Monza, a nicely-restored Midnight Express, and plenty of others, including Bob's very own 2009 Diesel-powered NorTech 5000, Predator.

If you haven't registered for Offshore Only yet, be sure to do it so you can check out this wonderful photo-packed story that almost reads like a travelogue. The photos are incredible, with most demonstrating the considerable skills of Jay at naplesimage.com

Washington Redskin's Albert Haynesworth & Hell Razor Featured on ESPN E:60

It was nice to see well-known pro football player, powerboater and poker runner Albert Haynesworth featured on the ESPN show E:60 a few weeks back, and viewers were treated to some nice footage of Albert's incredible 44' MTI cat, Hell Razor.

PHOTO CREDIT: ESPN E:60.

Albert, who plays for the Washington Redskins, has a reputation for being a great competitor, both on the football field and on the water, and he normally takes in several popular poker runs each year. He also has a reputation for being a great guy and a lot of fun as well.

PHOTO CREDIT: ESPN E:60.

Though this boat reportedly will do about 160mph, word is that Albert is already having a new 48' boat built. To read the article online and watch the segment, head over to the ESPN website.

VIDEO: Apaches Go Head-to-Head at LOTO

Apaches are great boats - but you don't see one every day - much less two of them speeding side-by-side across the water. That's why we just wanted you to see this great-looking video posted on YouTube by user 41Apache, whose 41-foot No Reservations is shown flying down Lake of The Ozarks with a 31' Apache named Indian Giver. As he explains on an accompanying thread on OSO:

"I was running 65-70 in that video at about 3700-4000 rpms. Wave heights were 4-5's with a few 6's thrown in between. The swells were from hurricane Bill."

The footage is better than most casually-shot onboard videos - that's probably due to the excellent GoPro video camera, which is specially made for high-shock environments such as this. Also - a little scotch tape over the mic helps cut down on the wind noise!

There's a nice thread on OSO about this video HERE - and some accompanying videos that aren't too bad either - but for very different reasons!

Lake of The Ozarks Shootout Just a Week Away

Last month, we told you a little bit about the great boating action to be found at Missouri's huge Lake of the Ozarks, otherwise known as LOTO. The eagerly-anticipated Lake of The Ozarks Shootout is the largest unsanctioned boat race in the United States, and was named by Powerboat Magazine as one of the "8 boating events that you must see." With speeds reaching well over 150mph on a mile-long drag course, boats from all across the United States, Canada, and beyond to vie for the honor of being “Top Gun”.

Last year's 20th Anniversary event, which was held at the new location of Captain Ron's brought a new and exciting chapter to the shootout. Crowds over the two-day wekend were estimated at over 60,000 spectators, watching David Scott & John Tomlinson re-captured Top Gun Honors with a top speed of 178 mph. This year's Shootout will continue to benefit the Lake Area Rescue Teams, as well as Habitat for Humanity, and other charitable organizations.

PHOTO CREDIT: www.lakeshootout.com.

This year's event, scheduled for August 27-30, promises to be another exciting weekend, filled with high speed fun and lots of serious partying. Accommodations throughout the region tend to fill up fast, so if you're planning on heading out there, you better get on the phone now and find out what's available. Check out the event web site HERE for more information.

2009 Shootout Schedule - Friday / Saturday / Sunday

Friday, August 28, 2009

7:30am-7pm Poker Run
8am Registration and Start at Franky & Louie's
9am-6pm On-site Registration on Cannonball Beach
9am-5pm Racer Village open to public at Captain Ron's
9am-5pm Vendor Booths open to public at Buccaneer Bay
6pm Stereo Shootout presented by Waves & Wheels at Dog Days
8pm-12am Platinum Powerboat Club Party at Cannonball Beach

Saturday, August 29, 2009

8am-4pm Registration on Cannonball Beach
8am-4pm Safety Inspections and Class Identification
9am-5pm Racer Village open to public at Captain Ron's
9am-5pm Vendor Booths open to public at Buccaneer Bay
8:30am Driver's Meeting on Cannonball Beach
10am Opening Ceremony
10am-11:30am PWC classes run
11:30am-12:30pm Professional/Manufacturer classes run
12:30-2:30pm Open Classes Run
2:30-4:30pm Professional/Manufacturer classes run
7pm Live Entertainment at Captain Ron's

Sunday, August 30, 2009

8am-3pm Registration on Cannonball Beach
8am-3pm Safety Inspection & Class Identification
8am Driver's Meeting on Cannonball Beach
9am-5pm Racer Village open to public at Captain Ron's
9am-5pm Vendor Booths open to public at Buccaneer Bay
10am National Anthem
10am-12pm Professional/Manufacturer classes run
12pm-2pm Open classes run
2pm-4pm Professional/Manufacturer classes run
4pm-4:30pm Final Top Gun runs
6pm Awards Ceremony at Captain Ron's
7pm Live Entertainment at Captain Ron's

Mid-August Poker Run Roundup

The summer poker run season has been in full-swing for some time, and we've already seen some great events on the water this year. Things are still going strong all over the country, from the Great Lakes and East Coast to the sunny Florida panhandle. Here are three mid-August events that are sure to offer you a good time...but you better hurry if you're interested! Even if you don't have a boat - you can hit the participating establishments and check out the Big Bad Hardware.

EMERALD COAST

Emerald Coast Boat Week is a week-long celebration of boating, with the highlight event being the Emerald Coast Poker Run on August 14,15 and 16 in Destin, FL. The run is the Emerald Coast Foundation's flagship event and primary fundraiser, which has raised over one million dollars for local children's charities and youth organizations. This is one of the summer's premier poker runs, and being in the Florida panhandle, is not quite so far south as some of the other Florida runs - making it a little more accessible to boaters in the Midwest.

PHOTO CREDIT: Emeraldcoastpokerrun.com.

On Friday, there's a Miss Boat Week Bikini Contest (judging spots are up for auction) a "Rock The Dock" Party, and a Boat-in Movie. Of course, the poker run itself is on Saturday, with a Sunday follow-up featuring a raft-up on Crab Island. For more information, go to: http://www.emeraldcoastpokerrun.com/home.shtml

PORT CLINTON
The 14th Annual Port Clinton Poker Run has become one of Lake Erie's best poker runs. Scheduled each year to be held on the 3rd Saturday in August, this year's run is set for 8/14 - 8/16, and promises to deliver an exciting weekend and plenty of fun. The number of boats participating has reached up to 60 vessels in past years, and the organizers are again accepting donations for the Project PJs Charity. All entrants are asked to bring a pair of new pajamas to donate; they are distributed to children throughout NW Ohio and the surrounding region.

PHOTO CREDIT: Marine Tech Concepts.

The party begins with pre-registration at Nick’s Road House, located at 124 Buckeye Blvd, Port Clinton, Oh 43452. You can register online and get the complete rundown on the weekend schedule at www.marinetechconcepts.com.

NORTH CHESAPEAKE
For 2009, the CBPBA North Poker Run will be focused in and around some little jewels in and around the Patapsco River area. Scheduled for August 22nd, the start of the event will be featured at the new Hard Yacht Café, located in Bear Creek at Anchor Bay. Other stops include Nick’s Fish House, Reckless Rick’s, Dock of the Bay near Middle River, Pleasure Cove Marina and Club on Bodkin Creek, and a Finale Party - held at The Beach House (formerly Dick’s Dock Bar) in Bear Creek.

PHOTO CREDIT: The Hard Yacht Cafe.

This great event is sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Power Boat Association (CBPBA) - a Maryland-based group of boat owners who share in their love for the Chesapeake Bay waterways. You can register for this run online and pay via PayPal at www.cbpba.com/catalog

Be One of The Lucky Ones to Enjoy the 2009 WYNOPA BlackJack Run

Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo, New York will host the 2009 WYNOPA BlackJack Run, from July 31st to August 2nd. This club (Western New York Offshore Powerboat Association) always puts on great events, and one of the best things about this run is that the course is set up to be run on by boats of all sizes. All the planned activities are located about 100 yards of each other, and there is also a naval museum located in the harbor.

PHOTO CREDIT: Western New York Offshore Powerboat Association.

The location is very user-friendly as well; there are no launch fees, boats don't need to be launched Friday night, and they can also be left on the trailers at the marina. The facility has 24-hour-a-day surveillance, and the club has rented out over 250' of docks this year to keep everyone together after the run for safety...and so everyone can get a good look at all the boats. All of the recommended hotels are within 5-10 minutes of the marina as well, if you're not sleeping on your boat. Other features of this run include:

- Cook out Friday Night / 5-7:00 PM.
- Cocktail Party ( The Good Stuff ) 7-9:00 PM - Shanghai Reds - at the marina Friday.
- Photo Boat - Pictures for sale at Dinner.
- Post-Run Dinner and open bar [beer / wine only] 5:00 PM Saturday Night.
- CASH Awards for 1,2,3 Place.
- $500.00 in Door Prizes.

The entry fee is only 125.00 for Boat and driver -- and $50.00 each for additional crew members...that's a great deal. (WNYOPA / ROPA Members get a $ 25.00 Discount) Check the BlackJack Run out -- you'll be glad you did. To register and get more info, go to http://www.powerboatingwny.com