FPC Miami Event Nearing Poker-Runner Capacity, Still Adding Exhibitors

In the early planning stages of the Florida Powerboat Club’s Miami Boat Show Poker Run and Exhibit, scheduled for February 18-21, club president Stu Jones set a 75- to 80-boat participant goal for the Key Largo event. And with the run just two-and-a-half-weeks away and the count standing at 75 poker-run “teams,” he’s close to reaching that goal. And registration is still open to would-be poker runners.

In mid-February, the Florida Powerboat Club will transform Gilbert’s Resort in Key Largo into a high-performance powerboat show. Photo courtesy/copyright of the Florida Powerboat Club.

“We are still signing up boats as we found a few more hotels that can accommodate us,” said Jones. “Dockage is certainly not a problem. We have overflow at the Anchorage across from Gilbert’s Resort, our host venue for our Poker Run Village exhibit, and a few club members with homes in Key Largo have offered docking solutions. So we’re good as long as the rooms last.

“You know me,” he added, then laughed. “There’s no such thing as ‘sold out.’ I will put people up in Homestead if I have to and send my shuttle to go get them at their hotels.”

Two other vendors, Total Marine—a multi-location Fountain Powerboats and Donzi Marine dealer in the Northeast—and the SLT Collection in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., have signed on to exhibit at the Gilbert’s Resort and Tiki Bar. Though Jones said he’s still checking on what Total Marine plans to display, SLT is bringing a 34-foot Airship RIB powered by twin Mercury Racing 400R outboard engines and a 39-foot Invincible center console with a trio of the 400-hp, six-cylinder supercharged outboards on its transom. And with two Sport Chassis Offshore Editions to display, SLT will be adding a truck element to the show.

Said SLT principal Scot Conrad, “The new Offshore Edition trucks are really cool.”

The SLT Collection will display a 34-foot RIB, a 39-foot center console and two trucks at the FPC event.

To accommodate all the boats on display, Gilbert’s Resort will be closing its fuel docks during the event. But Jones and company have a solution.

“We are bringing our own fuel truck in for all three days will be offering 90- and 93-octane fuel on the Gilbert’s property,” he said. “The truck will be on the backside of the resort beside the boat rental. It will be very convenient for our participants, especially the ones requiring higher-octane fuel.”

FPC Miami Event Nearing Poker-Runner Capacity, Still Adding Exhibitors

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