fund razor
Founding Member
That's the kind of guy who should be building our boats. 
Thanks Charlie. (and buoy too.)
Thanks Charlie. (and buoy too.)
Headlines
What happened???
- Thread starter Top Banana
- Start date
baddogz28
Contributor
Glad to hear we're on the same page. :seeya:
I'm 25, hopefully I'm able to chat with you at an event sometime!Top Banana said:
Tank
Charter Member
I haven't read all the posts but I will say this from personal experience.
Can my resin bucket Top Gun handle 6 footers and snotty weather? Of course, I've been in those conditions before and got back safe and dry.
However, I (as most poker runners) are "fare weather boaters". Sunny and nice water...And when I say nice water, I don't mean flat water. I mean a good 2' swell and some chop to get up ontop of and work the throttles a bit.
When it gets brutally rough, it takes the fun out of it for me. I go boating to relax and have a good time. If I have to start worrying about the safety of my crew and machinery it takes away from me relaxing.
That's just how I see it.
Can my resin bucket Top Gun handle 6 footers and snotty weather? Of course, I've been in those conditions before and got back safe and dry.
However, I (as most poker runners) are "fare weather boaters". Sunny and nice water...And when I say nice water, I don't mean flat water. I mean a good 2' swell and some chop to get up ontop of and work the throttles a bit.
When it gets brutally rough, it takes the fun out of it for me. I go boating to relax and have a good time. If I have to start worrying about the safety of my crew and machinery it takes away from me relaxing.
That's just how I see it.
Charlie,
You and you're generational cohorts in offshore racing are an inspiration to all of us; I mean with that with the utmost in respect. Your efforts and adventure put us on the map and set a course for us to enjoy what we have today in terms of recreational offshore seamanship and technology. I completely see your point, and appreciate the stance - one which busts at the seams with gumption and pride when facing the challenges of mother nature and the seas - one that is full of accomplishment and victory.
It's also needless to say that we are a point where there are few offerings out there, speaking of today's craft, that can't handle all but the harshest of conditions, but it takes a trained set of eyes to determine the potential for detriment and make the call on whether to pursue adventure or to call it for what it is, and remain within the confines of safety - and that's where the distinction must lie. Do you dedicate yourself to the race, or does one find themselves simply seeking some moments of pleasure?
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Top Banana
Icon/Founding Member
Thank you Nick.....first of all I am just another boat nut like all of you....only through circumstance and luck did I find myself in the heart of the action..Miami in 1963. I was sent for a part for a new race boat at a guy's shop, by the name of Arrow Now....Who I said? Aronow...
The rest is history...his, not mine. I was just the kid trying to bum rides in the test boats and race boats whenever I could....the same as all of you, if you had been there. Full story on the site www.bananaboatco.com in the heritage section and media section.
I don't want to turn this into a commercial for Brad and Tres, but if you are the owner of a boat that is within your reach as far as dollars, but out of your reach as far as ability....get yourself some lessons and learn to run it in a safe manner so you can use it in all kinds of sea conditions.
Another fellow boater friend of mine, who went on to become a big auto dealer in the northeast is Herb Chambers. Herb had a home in Connecticut on the Connecticu River and another in Boston...in the 70's he used his 35 Mistress to commute between them all the time. Boats are made to take care of you...not the other way around.
Dangerous Dave
New member
The only time I've ever seen the bay rougher than that was durring a hurricane. There was a small craft advisory issued for the bay. That doesn't happen often. After watching the boats leave the vinoy basin I went and checked the NOAA bouys and the gulf had an average swell of 8.5 ft at 6 to 8 seconds! That is nasty. If they are 12 sec. apart thats one thing but when their that close?
I will say Catastrophe's Nor-Tech was absolutely destroying waves when it took off. You could see it throwing 20 ft walls of water all the way through the blowboat regatta. Did any of the blowboaters give anyone the one finger salute?
I dont blame anyone for turning around. I just hope everyone had fun and I'm glad everyone made it back in one piece. I also hope everyone enjoyed St. Pete as it is a privilage to live here. It's a cool city that has a lot to offer.
I will say Catastrophe's Nor-Tech was absolutely destroying waves when it took off. You could see it throwing 20 ft walls of water all the way through the blowboat regatta. Did any of the blowboaters give anyone the one finger salute?
I dont blame anyone for turning around. I just hope everyone had fun and I'm glad everyone made it back in one piece. I also hope everyone enjoyed St. Pete as it is a privilage to live here. It's a cool city that has a lot to offer.
Dangerous Dave
New member
Hey CigDaze, You bringing your boat to the Grand Prix this weekend?
cuda
Banned
The reason there are more fatalties in poker runs than racing might also be attributed to the fact there are a whole lot more poker runners, than racers.
Not saying that inexperience has nothing to do with it, but just a thought.
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
And racers are a very close knit group who try to help each other if they see something which seems unsafe or questionable.
Just a question, the racers at the Poker Run, if a race had been scheduled, would it have been postponed? Thsy cancelled one up here a few years back for too rough.
T2x
Icon/Charter Member
Sht! Is that this weekend? I can't keep up. It's possible, will see how it goes...
Let's also add that race boats are equipped with safety harnesses, oxygen (for closed canopies), racers wear full lifeline protection (some wear fire suits), helmets, etc., etc....You also have divers and paramedics up in the air ready to go at a moments notice...much of this doesn't exist at poker runs, not to mention many invited guests haven't a clue on what to expect, nor what to do in an emergency.
phragle
Charter Member
you CAN have medics at poker runs...medics like boat rides, But i have only had 1 pokerrun promoter ever talk to me about working an event. Unfortunately Boatme no longer holds SOTW. Medics aren't expensive and we usually have our own gear. From a legal standpoint it's actually better for a medic to volunteer than be paid (good samaritan law). medics like excitement, or they probably wouldn't be medics. call us up..send us a pm..99% of all medics are up for 'working' anything fun as long as it's not going to cost them money (medics actually get paid squat- a carreer in fast food can often pay more than a private ambulance company). unless your dealing with canopies a bird is nice but not vital, you find 3 medics that want to help, and 3 boats that will have them, one boat a front runner, one boat that runs mid pack and one that towards the back..call them 'safety' boats not med boats and your not on the legal hook for med services, you don't have to pay them, just feed em, and cover thier room, maybe help with travel expenses..it's cheap, cal a private ambulance co. and ask what they charge per hour for a couple medics, your jaw will drop.
Sean Stinson
Founding Member/Contributor
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
I will file that away for future reference. Thanks.
Sean Stinson
Founding Member/Contributor
I remember racing Ventura back some years ago and turning North up the coast past the pier and looking at the water saying aawwww this is going to hurt!!!!!
I will agree with the safety issues and the relaxing.....nothing used to ruin my day more than having someone with you that wasn't having fun usually some barbie doll with the done up hair and makeup...... My ex wife for example went to dinner in Long Beach hair all done and makeup on....I looked at her like have you lost your mind put it in a ponytail and stick on a ball cap no it will be fine just dont go over 50.....ok babe you got it.....left Newport break at approx 6pm turned into the swell went up on plane looked at her......she looked like a mix of phyllis Diller and Tammy Faye Baker.....Asked her you alright???? Her response "Just phucking terrific"......Great enjoy the rest of your cruise....She spent an hour in the cabin recomposing herself upon arrival at Shoreline Village while I drank at the bar.....Maybe thats why we arent married anymore!!!!!!
I will agree with the safety issues and the relaxing.....nothing used to ruin my day more than having someone with you that wasn't having fun usually some barbie doll with the done up hair and makeup...... My ex wife for example went to dinner in Long Beach hair all done and makeup on....I looked at her like have you lost your mind put it in a ponytail and stick on a ball cap no it will be fine just dont go over 50.....ok babe you got it.....left Newport break at approx 6pm turned into the swell went up on plane looked at her......she looked like a mix of phyllis Diller and Tammy Faye Baker.....Asked her you alright???? Her response "Just phucking terrific"......Great enjoy the rest of your cruise....She spent an hour in the cabin recomposing herself upon arrival at Shoreline Village while I drank at the bar.....Maybe thats why we arent married anymore!!!!!!
Nortechnorth
Sponsor
This event was very refreshing in the fact that it really showed the "pleasure" aspect of the runs. I have been on runs where it was ROUGH and the general feeling was "this is going to be brutal. Let's just get through it." That is not fun. You shouldn't feel like that on a weekend you came to for fun and relaxation.
At the drivers meeting, PRA said that at any time, anyone felt uncomfortable, unsafe or just didn't want to run, there was no harm, no foul. You would still recieve your cards.
We had the sunny weather and beautiful venue we all came for. We got that thunder and rumble we all love and the mass start. And when it got too rough, everyone who wanted to turn around did so, headed for the docks and the rest of a great weekend. It was that simple, that beautiful.
To make the entire run to Sarasota and back, you needed three things:
1: The proper vessel, capable of safely handling BIG water.
2: Experienced operators and crew.
3: The DESIRE to run in the BIG water.
I was with Cat'astrophe in his Nor-tech 44 CC quad boat. We had the first two requirements. That boat is a tank that can drive through almost anything. Alec (Cat'astrophe)and Keith from Nor-tech were running the boat so there were no issues with experience. Dwight Powell who owns the yellow 44 Nor-tech Roadster Supercat was also in the boat with his brother in-law. The crew was as capable as any other.
But we stopped the boat when we got to open water and had a little pow-wow. There were people turning around already. We asked ourselves if we were in the mood to go out in the BIG water for a BIG adventure... We weren't. We were there for a relaxing weekend. So we turned around. There was NO SHAME in it.
As much as there is a competitive nature in many of the poker runners' nature, you can show up at these runs and drive as long or short as you want, fast or slow and have a fantastic time. I had as fun a ride in Alec's new 44 CC Nor-tech, turning around after 30 minutes, as I would have had with Rob in Alec's previous 43 Nor-tech Supercat which ran all the way to Sarasota and back with ease beside Lawrason's and Jim Lee (not that it wouldn't have been fun in the cat boat). It's about the sun, water and atmosphere. That is why people in 25ft Baja's who get up the nerve to actually do runs up north on the lakes usually wind up surprising themselves with the great time they had.
I sell Nor-tech's. So I understand the whole big gun mentality. It can be a lot of fun. The big hardware is awesome and a great part of the runs. It is fantasic that we have people bringing their ultra fast, ultra cool equipment to the runs. But this weekend highlighted that 150 mph+ is not what the runs are all about. Thanks Alec and PRA for a great weekend.
At the drivers meeting, PRA said that at any time, anyone felt uncomfortable, unsafe or just didn't want to run, there was no harm, no foul. You would still recieve your cards.
We had the sunny weather and beautiful venue we all came for. We got that thunder and rumble we all love and the mass start. And when it got too rough, everyone who wanted to turn around did so, headed for the docks and the rest of a great weekend. It was that simple, that beautiful.
To make the entire run to Sarasota and back, you needed three things:
1: The proper vessel, capable of safely handling BIG water.
2: Experienced operators and crew.
3: The DESIRE to run in the BIG water.
I was with Cat'astrophe in his Nor-tech 44 CC quad boat. We had the first two requirements. That boat is a tank that can drive through almost anything. Alec (Cat'astrophe)and Keith from Nor-tech were running the boat so there were no issues with experience. Dwight Powell who owns the yellow 44 Nor-tech Roadster Supercat was also in the boat with his brother in-law. The crew was as capable as any other.
But we stopped the boat when we got to open water and had a little pow-wow. There were people turning around already. We asked ourselves if we were in the mood to go out in the BIG water for a BIG adventure... We weren't. We were there for a relaxing weekend. So we turned around. There was NO SHAME in it.
As much as there is a competitive nature in many of the poker runners' nature, you can show up at these runs and drive as long or short as you want, fast or slow and have a fantastic time. I had as fun a ride in Alec's new 44 CC Nor-tech, turning around after 30 minutes, as I would have had with Rob in Alec's previous 43 Nor-tech Supercat which ran all the way to Sarasota and back with ease beside Lawrason's and Jim Lee (not that it wouldn't have been fun in the cat boat). It's about the sun, water and atmosphere. That is why people in 25ft Baja's who get up the nerve to actually do runs up north on the lakes usually wind up surprising themselves with the great time they had.
I sell Nor-tech's. So I understand the whole big gun mentality. It can be a lot of fun. The big hardware is awesome and a great part of the runs. It is fantasic that we have people bringing their ultra fast, ultra cool equipment to the runs. But this weekend highlighted that 150 mph+ is not what the runs are all about. Thanks Alec and PRA for a great weekend.
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
Ya think?????? :sifone::rofl::rofl::sifone:
Sean Stinson
Founding Member/Contributor
Pretty much after 12 years of putting up with each others **** it was time to make a change.....I didnt want to spend the rest of my life like Al Bundy:26::26:
