| Easter fell early this year, and as always, our Spring Key West Poker Run got shifted from its usual mid-March dates to early April. As an event organizer, the first question I often ask myself is, "Did the date impact the event in any way?" In this instance, I had no idea the result would be so dramatic! Last year's attendance was at 28 boats and this year's surged to 45! That's a sixty percent increase! Of course that statistic has a lot to do with a continuously growing membership base, and participation numbers were up across the board on the three events in 2005, but nothing has come close to a sixty percent increase on any FPC event that I can recall in years! So let's start by telling everyone what a great time we had, and maybe we can figure it out along the way. Because I'm still in shock! |
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For those who have joined FPC on any version of the Key West Poker Run in the past, the format is very similar no matter which event you attend. We usually try to leave the docks at Sealine Marina in Miami by no later than 10 AM, giving us plenty of time and to arrive comfortably in Key West with plenty of daylight. The whole process of getting poker cards, enjoying lunch and refueling the boats without feeling rushed, takes anywhere from six to seven hours, and after all these years we have it down to a science. |
| With Grove Harbour Marina as one of our sponsors, it's really worked out well to gather up our first poker card there, and it seems to get the run off to a pleasant start. Our lovely FPC model Brittany returned from Georgia to handle the task, and it appeared that most of the guys were just fine with that. |
Shortly before 11 AM, we were heading southbound on Biscayne Bay, with a well-behaved pack of poker runners following our brand new 38' Cigarette Top Gun, owned by Tom &
Julie Sheer.
The young couple from Alabama have been FPC members for a few years, but recently moved to South Florida so they could enjoy a year-round boating lifestyle. I know how exciting it was for them to not only be taking their awesome new Cig for it's maiden poker run journey, but to be the FPC official paceboat with more than forty equally impressive machines following behind.
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Go ahead TOM..you can say it…"Man, what a rush!"
Next stop on the agenda…you guessed it… Gilberts, Key Largo. And why would we go anywhere else?! Not only did Chef Susie and her talented kitchen crew serve up an awesome lunch, they really spoiled us by offering a complete breakfast buffet for those poker runners that stayed out late the night before and probably needed some good hangover food! |
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The lineup of colorful equipment at Gilberts dock was impressive as always, and after the second poker card was handed out, we fired up and began heading out to Blackwater Sound for the official start of the next leg, which would take the pack through the scenic upper Keys.
With Fountain Powerboats back as an event sponsor, it was time for a quick pace boat change, and we were soon aboard the Lighthouse Boat Center's new 42 Fountain Lightning, dressed in colorful custom graphics. |
| (It has become a tradition at FPC to alternate paceboats, giving event sponsors the opportunity to lead the run and get great photo and video coverage of their boats.) |
| The weather continued to hold, and the next sixty miles went without incident. By mid-afternoon we were settled in at Sunshine Key Marina in the lower Keys, getting fueled up for the final leg into Key West. |
Of course some of the teams had adequate fuel to make the trip the entire way, and they continued on their journey by crossing from the bay waters near Marathon, and taking the last fifty miles offshore and being the first to arrive in Key West Harbor. As for the rest of the pack at Sunshine Key, a dark, threatening sky started to move in, and we soon realized our window was closing quickly.
With not moment to spare, we sprinted to the Bahia Honda Bridge aboard our third official paceboat for the day, the brand new Nortech 3900 V, piloted by Randy Sweers of Fastboats.com. |
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Within moments of dialing the boat in for the offshore romp into Key West, the dark sky began to relieve itself on our remaining poker run fleet, but not for long. We dealt with the sharp needle-like pricks of rain pelting down for a few short minutes, when suddenly a glimmer of sun cracked through the cloud, and the skies began to clear. The remainder of the ride was dry, and with the three to five foot following sea, it was time to enjoy the ride. |
| With the pair of finely tuned Mercury Racing 600sci pushing us forward, the Nortech ran superbly and we breezed into Key West Harbor in what seemed like minutes. |
| Before long, we were settled in at the Conch Republic Seafood Company, where our sponsor boats normally dock on all Key West events, and it was time to wander around the Key West city marina and catch up with the rest of the boats. At first glance, it seemed pretty clear that the majority of our teams had arrived, but with a normal break-down rate of about fifteen percent, it was certain there were a few boats lumbering in on one engine or making radio contact with Towboat US for some assistance. |
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| Hey, it's all part of performance boating…$&#! happens! |
| But surprisingly the casualties were few. As I walked the docks at Key West bight, checking off boat-by-boat and helping some of the newbie's with tying for the tides, it was comforting to see so many getting settled in for the night. |
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Of course there's always a few who shared their distaste for the three-to-five foot seas, vowing to never attempt that ride again, at least in that boat. I suppose that's what makes the marine industry keep ticking. The constant demand for Bigger, Better, Faster…and don't forget SMOOTHER!
The docks eventually cleared, as our teams made their ways to a variety of hotels, including our two host resorts, the Crown Plaza Laconcha and the Key West Hyatt Resort. Rates ranged from $ 179 per night at the Laconcha to well over $400 per night for a ju
nior suite at the Ocean Key House Resort at the foot of Duval St.
Festivities that evening kicked off at our party headquarters, the Conch Republic Seafood Company, which has played host to many FPC poker runs over recent years. Their indoor/outdoor atmosphere combined with live musical entertainment and a view of the Historic Seaport, make it one of Key West's most popular hangouts. |
| With our poker run sponsor boats lined up right in front, the Conch Farm was converted to Poker Run Headquarters, giving hundreds of tourists and Historic Seaport pedestrians the opportunity to stop by and check out the colorful display of hardware. |
| Later that evening our poker runners eventually migrated towards Duval St, just two blocks away, and began a full scale invasion of every popular bar at the height of Spring Break. First Sloppy Joe's, then the Lazy Gecko followed by Fat Tuesday for some high-octane frozen drinks that numb the brain if inhaled too swiftly. Then, it's across the street to the Bull, and all the way upstairs to the clothing optional Garden of Eden if you dare. Back on the street and a few doors down, a few members are lured into a strip club, while several others congregate upstairs at Ricks. |
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| No matter where you go… in any bar or down on the streets, there are FPC members living it up and having a blast. After the boats are docked, that's what they seem to do best! |
Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day, and it seemed like a waste to leave the boats sitting at the dock. About a dozen of the forty-five registered teams assembled in Key West Harbor, and headed out to Boca Grande for a casual beach rendezvous. It's not far at all, and with sea conditions extremely calm, we were beaching the boats within minutes, and cooling off in the tropical waters. There's a section of the beach where the depth drops off quickly, so it's easy to secure the boat in the sand and still have plenty of deep water at the drives. A swift current allowed members to enter the water at one end of the beach, and floating with life jackets and rafts, they would end up at the other end of the beach and wade back in the shallow waters.
Yes… we are easily entertained. |
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Saturday evening was slated for our poker run party at the scenic TOP Restaurant at the Crown Plaza Laconcha. It's the tallest building in Key West, and aside from Mallory Square, its one of the most popular hangouts for a nice sunset. And sunset we had, fit for a Chamber of Commerce brochure.
Dinner soon followed, and like many other catered FPC functions with large groups, we arranged two seatings, and our guests cooperated in every way to help make the party go very smoothly. |
Somewhere close to 9 PM, the sponsor awards began, with presentations being made to UX Audio, Fastboats.Com, Fountain Powerboats, Fountain of North Texas, Grove Harbour Marina and Hideaway Marina, dealers for Cigarette. And once again, the coveted People Choice awards were presented in a wide variety of categories. But a new award was created this year in honor of a new member who went over-and-above the call of duty. Ryan Haines from Team Midnight Express offered assistance to many poker runners along the way, and from repairs to rides, he earned the Good Samaritan Award, which is officially a new tradition on all FPC poker runs.
At the end of the evening, with dozens of hands posted on the board, Eddie Loudon's full house took the top spot, winning the Texas oil businessman his first-ever FPC poker run. |
With two great back-to-back days of boating and Key West fun in the can, we were on a roll, and Sunday made it a triple-play. The weather was absolutely perfect, and the seas heading home were lake-like conditions making it a fun ride for everyone. It wasn't hard to say YES, when our FPC
crew was asked to join Stefanie Paprosky aboard the 50' Magnum JADE for the first leg home, and we were soon escorting the poker run pack towards Islamorada for our scheduled stopover at Holiday Isle Resort.
With Captain Mike Stocker at the helm, we set the pace, and military-like formations soon began to take shape on port and starboard sides, as FPC members got comfortable with the calm conditions.
Some club members stopped at Holiday Isle, some at Gilberts, and by late afternoon most of the poker run fleet had splintered off into smaller groups. |
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Nonetheless, all returned safely and we can add the Spring Key West Poker Run '05 to our record books as one of our best Spring flings ever. Special thanks to everyone who made it, and if you plan to join us for our November Key West Poker Run Festival, be sure to get registered soon!
Stu Jones |
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