Miami To Key West Poker Run 2019
Key West Poker Run 2019 – Episode 8 Posted on May 7, 2020 Author FloridaBoating Comments Off on Key West Poker Run 2019 – Episode 8 As the latitude changes from Miami to Key Largo, and south to Marathon, the Florida Powerboat Club poker run teams continue their exciting day of powerboating in paradise through the Florida Keys. IT IS KEY WEST TIME! Today the first wave of Powerboats left Miami en route to Key West with 41 boats making the 160 nautical mile run. Right now in the weather in Miami is a little overcast and a little windy but it just doesn’t matter. When we all get to Key West the weather will be the last thing on our minds. The actual poker run course was also of great concern so Stu hired a sea plane and just last week flew the entire course from Miami to Key West low and slow checking every inch of the inter-coastal waterway to verify the course remained well marked and free of any submerged objects or debris. Florida Powerboat Club‘s premier event, the Key West Poker Run, will kick off on Wednesday with the first of two departure days from Miami to Key West, according to the group’s leader, Stu Jones. The event encompasses six days of fun, sun and speed. Starting at 9 a.m. On Thursday, Sept. 15, Poker Run participants can ride from Miami to Key West, stopping at designated points along the Overseas Highway to draw cards.
Poker runs are fun powerboating events in Florida and the surrounding area. At each of five stops, participants draw a card with the winning person having the highest poker hand at the end of the event. There are often many other fun events held in conjunction with poker runs. After buying powerboats in Sanford, FL. these events are fun ways to get involved with the powerboating community.
Fort Myers Poker Run
The Fort Myers Poker Run will occur between April 25 and April 28, 2019. Pink Shell Resort & Marina will once again host this exciting event. This resort has been listed among the top 25 places in North America to tie up. Around the race, participants can take advance of the white sand beach, three luxurious swimming pools, and delicious restaurants. Of course, the real highlight of the event will be the gala dinner and the playing of your poker hand.
Orange Beach Powerboat Week
The Orange Beach Powerboat Week will occur between May 29, 2019, and end on June 1, 2019. The exciting Trucks N Boats Parade will occur on Wednesday followed by the crowning of Miss Orange Beach Powerboat Week Contest on Thursday. Both days there will be fun powerboat poker runs. The action will heat up on Saturday with a poker run including multiple stops in Florida and Alabama. On Saturday night, the awards program will be held.
Emerald Coast Powerboat Week
Enjoy Florida’s sunny weather from August 7 to August 10 by attending the Emerald Coast Powerboat Week. This event that is centered around Destin, Florida, has been getting better every year for the last 25 years. This event has already raised more than 2 million to help children in Florida and beyond. You will want to arrive on Wednesday to enjoy the beautiful music and great food at the Blues, Brews, and BBQ Party held at AJ’s on the Bayou. A fun run will happen on Friday before the Big One occurs on Saturday and the Emerald Coast Poker Run.
Fall Bimini Blast
As the name suggests, the Fall Bimini Blast is always so much fun. This event will occur from September 27, 2019, to September 29, 2019. All participants will need a passport and a U.S. Customs Seal on their vessel. You are sure to enjoy this upscale event that is always perfectly presented.
27th Annual Key West Poker Run
End the powerboating season at the 27th Annual Key West Poker Run occurring from November 6, 2019, to November 12, 2019. This world championship is sure to have everyone ready for a great time during this event happening between Miami and Key West.
Before you can get involved in these fun poker runs in Florida, you will need to get a new powerboat in Sanford, Florida. Head straight to Velocity Powerboats to get a new boat. If a new powerboat is not in the cards right now, then make sure to see them about getting your old one tuned up.
Florida Powerboat Club‘s premier event, the Key West Poker Run, will kick off on Wednesday with the first of two departure days from Miami to Key West, according to the group’s leader, Stu Jones. The event encompasses six days of fun, sun and speed.
Miami To Key West Poker Run 2019 2020
Jones told Powerboat Nation that about 70 teams are expected to run on Wednesday, with an additional 195 teams enjoying the adventure for the Thursday run. “These numbers are epic in proportion to previous years for this 27-year event, and we are very thankful to all the FPC members and our featured sponsors, who continue to support this event every year,” Jones said.
He added that the strong economy, coupled with the general growth in the performance boating sectors, has caused the popularity of poker runs to grow exponentially. “People are finally starting to get it—that poker runs are fun, full of adventure and camaraderie, and there’s no better way to enjoy the powerboating lifestyle than to do poker runs,” he said. “The Key West Poker Run, beyond any other experience, captures that true spirit of performance boating. It’s a great platform to see the Florida Keys and really enjoy a few bursts of adrenaline. You get to meet people from all around the world and watch the powerboat races all in one bang-up weekend.”
One major challenge of FPC’s growth is dealing with the huge amount of participants. For example: What venue can serve so many people lunch at one go? “We’re happy to report that we figured out the solution,” Jones said. “With so many boats on the Thursday run, it just amounted to finding good lunch stops for some of the larger manufacturers. So what we’ve done is, the Nor-Tech owners will have lunch at Sundowners in Key Largo. Meanwhile, Cigarette owners will have lunch at the Playa Largo Resort in Key Largo. And the majority of MTI owners have decided that the Faro Blanco Resort would be their chosen lunch stop. That represents more than 100 boats that have selected to go to those three locations, and takes care of half of the fleet right there.”
Miami To Key West Poker Run 2019 Route
In other venue news, Jones said that the popular Gilbert’s Resort in Key Largo have had their docks redone and are capable of accommodating larger groups, especially in conjunction with using the docks from the Anchorage resort next door. “There’s a few hundred feet of docks across the canal between those two locations, and they can accommodate at least 80 boats,” Jones said. “That’s going to take care of the bulk of our lunch needs going down on Thursday.”
Well-planned safety management is paramount to the success of any large-scale poker run event, and FPC will has recruited all of the major law-enforcement agencies to patrol and support this effort, including USCG, Florida FWC, City of Miami, Miami Beach and Bal Harbour marine patrols to join in this effort. Once again, Miami Dade Fire Rescue will have a strong presence on the course, with their Fireboat Fleet, along with MDFR rescue teams on board volunteer boats. Jones extends his thanks to Team SeaKeeper, which will be joining the Safety Management effort, by volunteering the SeaKeeper Boston Whaler to transport a rescue team for the Wednesday Run.
With a record number of 265 registered teams, and all the leading manufacturers on board to support this event, Jones asks the general boating public and non-participant boaters, to please understand that FPC has reserved “special event” docking at all of the major waterfront restaurants in Key Largo and Marathon, and we will be posting signage at those locations. “We need these facilities to support our poker run logistics during peak times of noon to 2:30 p.m. at these key locations, and ask for your cooperation as we move this massive fleet from Miami to Key West,” Jones said.