Buffalo Poker Run Halftime Report: A Winner So Far

As 115 high-performance V-bottoms and catamarans continue to make their way back into the Erie Basin Marina and Templeton Landing, the host venue for today’s Buffalo Poker Run, it’s safe say the 23rd running of the Western New York Power Boat Association’s signature event has so far been an overwhelming success. The biggest fleet in the run’s history madea the 70-mile trek on Lake Erie and an assortment of rivers and canals without incident.

Go-fast boats from the largest fleet in Buffalo Poker Run history continue to make their way back to the docks at Templeton Landing.

“Everybody was safe, everybody paid attention to the rules, everyone had their life preservers on and I didn’t see any drinking—it was everything a poker run organizer could want,” said Steve McKie, one of the event’s key organizers. “We had a beautiful day with 118 boats registered. One had a mechanical issue and didn’t leave the docks and there were a couple of breakdowns during the run, but nothing major. It was great.”

At the start of the run, boats were organized into five speed-bracketed groups, each with its own lead boat. Photo courtesy/copyright Tim Sharkey/Sharkey Images.

None of the participants returned with playing cards as there were no real “card stops” along the course. Instead, the organizers have hired a professional poker dealer to distribute the hands this evening.

“We’re trying something different this year,” said McKie .”With so many boats, rather than hand out cards we gave each player a ceramic chip, which he’ll hand into the dealer who will deal the player’s hand.

“That’s going to start about 5 p.m., ” he added. “Dinner is at 6:30, and then we’re going to go all night.”

The reporter caught the action from inside Joe Sgro’s Outerlimits SV 43, at present the world’s fastest V-bottom, with Outerlimits company founder and owner Mike Fiore.

Editor’s note: Look for a final wrap-up on the Buffalo Poker Run tomorrow on speedonthewater.com.

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