Mr. Jones’ Most Excellent Ongoing Adventure

After 25 years of organizing poker runs, Stu Jones of the Florida Powerboat Club has earned the right to be a little burned out and in need of some soul recharging at the end of any given season, which ends every November with the club’s signature Key West Poker Run. And yet with the Pompano Beach-based club’s signature event, which attracted 214 registered boats, just three weeks behind him, he’s anything but.

For the Florida Powerboat Club impresario, the best year always lies ahead. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix and the Florida Powerboat Club.

In fact, Jones can hardly contain himself when asked about his plans for the club next year. To borrow from the surfing world, he is totally stoked about the 2019 FPC event roster.

Credit at least part of his enthusiasm to near completion of “Project 1080 HP,” the restoration and repowering—with twin Mercury Racing 540 engines—of his 2000 model-year Cigarette Racing Team 38’ Top Gun.

“We’re in the final stretch,” he said. “Performance Marine Trading is doing the rigging. Dark Force Marine did the incredible graphics. And Mike (Mears) at Fineline Interiors did an amazing job—I couldn’t’ have even imagined it.

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Related Story: FPC’s Stu Jones Reflects On 2018 Key West Poker Run Safety Success