Boaters Rally For A Great Cause In Jacksonville

Following Saturday’s Jacksonville River Rally And Poker Run on the St. Johns River in Northern Florida, the response to this year’s event was positive for several reasons. Not only was the weather pretty much perfect, the fleet of roughly 40 boats was top-notch, the stops were smooth, the food was good and the initiative to move the run up a month from June to May this year was well received.

From Skaters to MTIs, the boats on hand for the Jacksonville River Rally And Poker Run enjoyed a great day on the St. Johns River. Photos by Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix

“There was a pretty good showing for the run,” said Mike Goldbaugh, who ran Late Fee$X2, his 36-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran powered by twin Mercury Racing 700SCi engines, with his wife, Angela. “We had a great time. I wouldn’t be surprised if the event has twice as many boats next year.”

With the lunch stop at Crystal Cove Riverfront Resort in Palatka, boats ranging from a 25-foot turbine-powered Warlock catamaran and a Cigarette Racing Team 42X V-bottom to a pair of new boats powered by quad Mercury Racing Verado 400R engines—the Adrenaline Powerboats 45 Speede and the Donzi Marine Icon 44—put on an impressive showing up and down the St. Johns River.

Check out the slideshow above for more images from the Jacksonville River Rally And Poker Run.

Bernie Neuhaus of Marine Unlimited in New Jersey brought the dealership’s new Mystic Powerboats C3800 catamaran powered by a pair Mercury Racing Verado 400R engines, and had a great time running the gorgeous blue, teal and white 38-foot sport cat that is currently for sale. It was Neuhaus’ first time at the event, and he had a lot of praise for organizers Greg Harris and Yvonne Aleman, who ran their 32-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran Mad Props.

“Jacksonville was an amazing event,” Neuhaus said. “The run was awesome, the marina was great, the weather was perfect and the food was good. Jacksonville is a cool venue—and the event is pretty low-key, which was nice. The card stops went off without a hitch and people were happy to see us everywhere went. I’ll definitely come back again. The best part is that it’s relatively affordable compared to most other events we do.”

Neuhaus said he was impressed by the charity involved with the run—Camp Amigo—because the organization that hosts a summer camp series in Florida for children recovering from the physical and emotional scars of severe burn injuries is making an impact for those who truly need it.

“It really is an incredible cause,” Neuhaus added.

That incredible cause is what drives Harris and Aleman to keep pushing to improve the Jacksonville River Rally And Poker Run. So, like Goldbaugh said, don’t be surprised if the event continues to grow next year.

Boaters Rally For A Great Cause In Jacksonville

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