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Just saying the words Winter Rally, most people would not associate them with anything that had to do with boating, but for Florida Powerboat Club, it's the leadoff event after the New Year begins. This year, twenty five powerboat crews participated in the scenic sunny ride through paradise. Like most other events heading towards the Florida Keys, Friday got kicked off from Sealine Marina, with Norwegian Johan Mustad leading the pack in his 43' Nor-tech, appropriately named WINTER EXPEDITION.
Johan (pictured below) had recently joined us for the Key West Poker Run, so his two-for-two sweep was quite an accomplishment for someone that lives a continent away. |
After a fantastic first leg through Biscayne Bay and across Barnes Sound, the colorful pack stretched out into a long single file procession that carved a foamy vapor trail through Jewfish Creek, soon arriving at the club's rustic retreat, Gilberts Resort.
As the boats rafted up and organizers ran a quick checklist of arrivals, it was apparent that the first round of early attrition had taken its toll, as one of six Cigarettes attending idled in on a single motor.
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By mid-afternoon dozens of engines were fired and the boats idled towards Blackwater Sound, the starting point for the second and final leg of the run. With the majority of the run through protected waters, some of the more aggressive weekend warriors eagerly awaited the final pass under the Channel Five causeway, where open ocean waters awaited. With a gradual turn to the South, Duck Key was now in sight...
Upon first arriving, Duck Key appears entirely residential, as the carved rim canal provided a scenic tour of some outstanding homes that feature wide open vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, while offering protected intracoastal dockage for their yachts. Price tag? Last reports from
Duck Key Realty indicated $2.5 million might get you started! |
| But today, FPC members found comfort in knowing that our destination, Hawks Cay Resort and Marina, offers some of the finest accommodations in the Florida Keys. Furthermore, Hawks Cay is a resort that was truly designed with the boater in mind. |
| With slips reserved for the participants in what is referred to as Hawks Cay's back basin, FPC members were able to dock their prized machines adjacent to luxurious two-bedroom cottages that featured spacious accommodations including large verandas and balconies that provided hours of comfortable lounging and socializing. |
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| Within just two hours of arriving, the boats were settled in for the night, and members were already gathering at an evening soiree host by member Eddie Loudon that featured an Asian-themed array of treats, prepared by FPC's Jackie Gordon. A lavish dinner followed at the resort's popular Waters Edge Restaurant, where a late seating in a private dining area seemed to prevent any our louder-than-most FPC members from upsetting the otherwise peaceful setting of this relaxing resort. Let's face it, the boats are parked, nobody's driving, we're havin' fun, the bartender is staying very busy…you get the picture. Kind of like old-aged rock stars. |
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Saturday brought beautiful weather, with light winds and calm seas, and it seemed only appropriate to be heading out on the boats. Anywhere at all would do!
But it has become more suitable to split the group into smaller factions with different missions in mind. One group headed north to Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada, another to Little Palm Island for a five-star lunch, while another half-dozen boats took the 125-mile roundtrip to Key West. As for those who chose D, for "none of the above", it was soon apparent they were content to relax and enjoy the amenities at Hawks Cay Resort. After all, it is a full-service resort with several pools great dining, plenty of kids activities, not to mention a renowned spa! Surrounded by family and friends while enjoying a weekend of boating fun in the Keys. |
All this, in the middle of winter!
Stu Jones
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Click here to see event photos
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