Buffalo Poker Run Day 1 Wrap-Up: Winding Down And Ramping Up

From noon to roughly 3 p.m. today, the registration staff at the Buffalo Poker Run in Western New York had little do but wait for pariticpants to arrive and complete their paperwork. Now, with less than 30 of the scheduled 111 boats left to complete registration, the small sign-up area inside Templeton Landing is packed—and there’s still a line out the door. But for those who have completed the process it’s time to chill, grab a cold drink and some food either inside or on the sundeck and patio areas, and listen to live music while the sun sets on the Erie Basin Marina.

Outerlimits will have no less than six boats when the Buffalo Poker Run starts tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.

“Registration actually is going little better today that it has in years past,” said Tony Scioli, the event’s primary organizer. “We’ll be open till midnight, but I don’t think we’ll have to be here that long.”

Rafted five-deep at the docks in front of the host venue, the catamarans and V-bottoms represent every notable brand in the industry. Title sponsor Double R Performance brought an immense four-engine 50-foot Nor-Tech catamaran owned by one of its customers, and it’s one of several Nor-Tech catamarans here. By the time Joe Sgro’s world-speed-record-setting SV43 V-bottom arrives, Outerlimits will be represented by no less than six models including its new all-carbon-fiber 46-foot canopied catamaran.

Baja,Checkmate, Cigarette, Donzi, Eliminator, Formula, Fountain, Skater and so on, you name the boat brand and you’ll see it at the docks—and for most part the quality of the boats, some brand new but most seasoned, is high. As are the spirits heading into tomorrow’s event.

The dock in front of Templeton Landing is filling in for the run. 

“It’s been great so far,” said first-time Buffalo Poker Run participant Pat Honors, who brought his 38-foot Hustler Slingshot and four friends to enjoy the event with him. “I hope everyone has a good time tomorrow.”

Editor’s Note: Look for continual on-scene coverage of the Buffalo Poker Run this weekend on the speedonthewater.com.

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