What happened???

[JupiterSunsation]

Keep in mind more poker runners have been killed in the last 4 years than professional racers. Summer of 05 we lost 5 people in one crash...... Making a decision on the side of caution is the way to go no matter what the ability of the equipment was.

 

[Ratickle]

Keep in mind more poker runners have been killed in the last 4 years than professional racers. Summer of 05 we lost 5 people in one crash...... Making a decision on the side of caution is the way to go no matter what the ability of the equipment was.

That's a sobering fact we tend to forget about.

 

[cigdaze]

Keep in mind more poker runners have been killed in the last 4 years than professional racers. Summer of 05 we lost 5 people in one crash...... Making a decision on the side of caution is the way to go no matter what the ability of the equipment was.

It was blowing like a motherfvcker today...25-30 knots, 7 - 9 footers in the gulf, wash-machine sht in the bay. It takes a special breed to go out in a day like this. Respectfully, It was one of those days that most would have decided to stay at the dock. There were some boats that I saw heading out today that probably should not have. Take it for what it's worth.

It's about having fun. When it comes to putting your gear and/or one's self is at risk, sometimes the best call is to err on the side of conservatism, thus leaving yourself an opportunity to have fun another time.

That's the only point I was trying to make in my post. I'm a "better safe than sorry" kind of guy.

P.S.
I saw the Nashville Cats truck in St. Pete this weekend (looked like it was towing a car trailer - not boats - for the festival of speed)...It about brought tears to my eyes; very sobering.

 

[VtSteve]

It's the same for a lot of things. NASCAR fans that drive souped-up Vettes, people that have BMW's and Porsche's, many of whom couldn't begin to navigate on a track, much less a windy twisty through mountain roads. People like to feel they're part of a group, without necessarily being in the heat of it.

I think Poker runs are probably the closest most people will ever get to this kind of action. They can actually feel more a part of it given the hardware that's out there if they can afford it. Obviously, many are very proficient with their boats, but most lack the time, money, and even the skills to be out in water like that going fast. Just as in every sport, there's a much smaller percentage of people that can handle pushing the envelope.

But think of it this way, without PR's and fans that want to buy the fancy boats regardless of whether they are good pilots or not, racing would probably suffer big time. It's the reason Nike pays Tiger so much to use their equipment. Same with just about anything. The real tribute lies in the boaters that can take their boats out in snotty seas like that and handle it. Takes a special skillset, and like anything else, takes a rare breed. If everyone could do it, it wouldn't be much fun would it?

 

[catastrophe]

Actually I was amazed at the speeds that the cats ran at in those conditions.
My 44 quad V Nortech took the water easily and thats why we stayed out there. But when you stand a 36 Cat straight up in the air and get blown backwards mid flight by the wind its time to cool your jets.
Amazingly no big breakdowns or busted up equipment....everybody is building better stronger equipment these days.
But it was really rough and not everyone in every boat was comfortable in those seas.

 

[T2x]

Charlie:

With all due respect, there is a world of difference between a Poker Run and a race. As stated earlier there have been a number of fatalities in Poker Runs in the past few years although most of them occurred at very high speeds in calmer conditions.... In any case Poker Runners are , in many cases, not experienced racers, nor do they want to be.

We may look back with admiration on yesterday's racers who took off in any weather to attempt a showdown with mother nature, but even those guys didn't take their wives and kids along...or their useless, next door neighbor, Archie.

I have been one of the most vocal proponents of Poker Run (and Boat Racing)Safety for years and even created Skaterfest in response to some injuries in NJ of innocent passengers in high performance boats. You may be impressed with the guys that finished, but even those boats were probably sadly lacking in fundamental cockpit safety or survival equipment...... not to mention actual functioning canopy systems that work.

Remember when we had to have life rafts and 3 day's food rations? There was a reason for that...... Even certifiable nutcases need food and water.


T2x

 

[DaveP]

When a 50 foot turbine cat comes in and a 50 foot turbine v bottom comes in that should tell you something. I was there and kept my boat on the trailer friday and saturday.It was 50mph gusts at the very least.Had a great time broke nothing and will be back another day! Call me a *****,or a genius.Just do it in person.I wish I could post pics of tampa bay they are on my buddies camera.

Good judgement for those people who turned around probably saved the coast guard alot of money.:sifone:

Extremely wise words......we can only hope that more people follow your awesome example today and tomorrow.

 

[Ratickle]

Charlie:

With all due respect, there is a world of difference between a Poker Run and a race. As stated earlier there have been a number of fatalities in Poker Runs in the past few years although most of them occurred at very high speeds in calmer conditions.... In any case Poker Runners are , in many cases, not experienced racers, nor do they want to be.

Wev may look back with admiration on yesterday's racers who took off in any weather to attempt a showdown with mother nature, but even those guys didn't take their wives and kids along...or their useless, next door neighbor, Archie.

I have been one of the most vocal proponents of Poker Run (and Boat Racing)Safety for years and even created Skaterfest in response to some injuries in NJ of innocent passengers in high performance boats. You may be impressed with the guys that finished, but even those boats were probably sadly lacking in fundamental cockpit safety or survival equipment...... not to mention actual functioning canopy systems that work.

Remember when we had to have life rafts and 3 day's food rations? There was a reason for that...... Even certifiable nutcases need food and water.


T2x

How'd you know about Archie?

Well said, and only water???

 

[stainless]

That's the only point I was trying to make in my post. I'm a "better safe than sorry" kind of guy.

P.S.
I saw the Nashville Cats truck in St. Pete this weekend (looked like it was towing a car trailer - not boats - for the festival of speed)...It about brought tears to my eyes; very sobering.

The guy from Nashville Cats recently purchased a 399 skater v bottom that has been re rigged with 1200 + hp engines(Young Performance Engines) (see posts elsewhere on here)
Glad to see he's getting back into it !

 

[bluellama]

What happened?? I heard there were 73 boats registered and 50 boats left to take the start.......BUT only about 7 or 8 boats made it to Sarasota. When I started asking people about it, I got very reserved answers. No one wanted to diss anyone else, so the comments were low key.

Well it has been quite a 24 hours since my first post. Obviously some feelings have been hurt and for that I apologize. My intent was to put the focus on the boats, not the egos.
From the 50 boats that started, take out the boats with wives, girl friends and kids , and the boats that have owners with no experience in these conditions, there still had to be 10 or 15 boats with crews with experience.
This post was just a personal observation. I was surprised and thought I would post it here for comments.

Charlie, you answered your own question. Looking at your math, and the safety criteria you used to narrow the field, the boats/crews that were able to balance the risk/reward aspect of the large water did so.

 

[LEOPAJM]

Close very close 2 out of 3 aint bad

Wasn't Formula the other one ?

 

[cigdaze]

The guy from Nashville Cats recently purchased a 399 skater v bottom that has been re rigged with 1200 + hp engines(Young Performance Engines) (see posts elsewhere on here)
Glad to see he's getting back into it !

Got it; Thanks...

 

[sp123]

You were right Charlie, some take it the wrong way, Oh well!

 

[T2x]

You were right Charlie, some take it the wrong way, Oh well!

Charlie does better than I do in that regard......

 

[baddogz28]

Last summer I ran from East Chicago, IN to Chicago for the Chicago Scene boat party at the Playpen... NWS called for 2-3's, but it wound up being 7-10's for most of the 15 mile ride there. A guy in a 38 gun turned around.

40 minutes later:

1 burst 5 qt jug of oil (total debacle)
a totally destroyed cabin with shyt tossed everywhere
1 crying girlfriend who got bounced off the cockpit floor, repeatedly

Thankfully, we made it safe and sound. Dennis (Obnoxus) was impressed we didn't turn around...


Long story short, had the NWS forecasted accurately I would have def. launched at Burnham in Chicago or not gone at all.

Too much risk to my boat and crew... Although I can say, I probably picked up some priceless boat-handling skills along the way.


If I were a hardcore ex-racer with a big dollar, wave crushing rig, you can bet your ass I'd have probably completed that run you speak of though, as long as there were no women and children on my rig.

Provocative topic Mr. McCarthy- thanks for posting it.

 

[catastrophe]

With all due respect, there is a world of difference between a Poker Run and a race. As stated earlier there have been a number of fatalities in Poker Runs in the past few years although most of them occurred at very high speeds in calmer conditions.... In any case Poker Runners are , in many cases, not experienced racers, nor do they want to be.




Exactly....Very good point


And you don't see ANY racers that are going out in questionable water the next day up till 2 am in a bar either.

 

[stainless]

And you don't see ANY racers that are going out in questionable water the next day up till 2 am in a bar either.[/QUOTE]

Now that's a good point !:26:

 

[Top Banana]

Well I guess that sums up this thread!!!

Thank you all for so kindly sharing your thoughts.....looks like we had quite a few views along the way by other members ...which is good for the site.

There clearly is a distinction here that I wasn't fully aware of before....but now consider myself fully briefed.

I hope to have a poker run boat for next season and I look forward to sharing the run on rough days with those who care to...for the others..... enjoy your day in any way that makes you happy....enough said.

Of course I can never adequately explain the era that an old fart like myself is from....maybe this might help. Once upon a time....on race morning at 7AM...if the wind was not blowing at least 10MPH...the race was CANCELLED. Different strokes for different folks.

PS T2X....it was never the difference between a race and a poker run...it was just enjoy the conditions and do it safely with your friends....if you can't then turn back.

 

[Buoy]

Charlie, let me be the first to say I understand your post from the beginning.
Alot of us guys that are younger realize through the pictures that guys like T2rex, BROWNIE, 7x, Jim, and yourself bring to the table here. I don't mean to be leaving anyone out, and apologize if I have.
You guys had some stones to make those races happen.
The pictures of a guy laying flat on the deck just to get the boat on plane...
That takes some stones.
I personally really appreciate the fact that you guys choose to share those stories with us.
I also see where you might be a little disappointed that these guys that have mega hardware chose not to take it out into those conditions.
You have to be a little jealous (that may not be the right word) that these guys have all this technology, and you basically ran it with a compass and a chart, and two-three guys that were basically expecting to return (if lucky) with a few broken ribs, and at least a weeks worth of bruises.
Don't let it sour you.
"These Damn Kids these days...":sifone:

Thanks for everything you contribute, and that is a lot.

 

[Top Banana]

Charlie, let me be the first to say I understand your post from the beginning.
Alot of us guys that are younger realize through the pictures that guys like T2rex, BROWNIE, 7x, Jim, and yourself bring to the table here. I don't mean to be leaving anyone out, and apologize if I have.
You guys had some stones to make those races happen.
The pictures of a guy laying flat on the deck just to get the boat on plane...
That takes some stones.
I personally really appreciate the fact that you guys choose to share those stories with us.
I also see where you might be a little disappointed that these guys that have mega hardware chose not to take it out into those conditions.
You have to be a little jealous (that may not be the right word) that these guys have all this technology, and you basically ran it with a compass and a chart, and two-three guys that were basically expecting to return (if lucky) with a few broken ribs, and at least a weeks worth of bruises.
Don't let it sour you.
"These Damn Kids these days...":sifone:

Thanks for everything you contribute, and that is a lot.

Thank you .....we do get our rewards with the kids every now and then....and you would appreciate this one.

Ratman let me drive his Cigarette one day out on the Gulf that was blowing pretty good.......after the ride, that was the quietest that boy had been in years...I'm sure he shared with you.