The Case of Poker Run liabilities

No speed limit on lake Michigan, so issues. We always boat as a group and show up with 5 or more offshores at any given port any given time

I think the cops and USCG would be interested if 50 boats showed up regardless of the no speed limit on Lk. Michigan.
 
I think the cops and USCG would be interested if 50 boats showed up regardless of the no speed limit on Lk. Michigan.

Not down this way, alot more boat traffic down here. We have a large group of offshores that run together every weekend.
 
I think the cops and USCG would be interested if 50 boats showed up regardless of the no speed limit on Lk. Michigan.

No problem that way down here. We will have anywhere from 15 to 30 boats and on a few occasions showed up to watch us start but never interferred in any way.
Bob
 
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE said:
"The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers." -Dick the butcher

Henry VI, part II, act IV, scene ii, lines 83–84.
I guess this is not the first time those problems have shown their ugly head.... They started a thread in 1590....
 
OK...I'll bite. As the potential "organizer" of a memorial run next year for Brian...exactly how much liability will I be facing here? Do I need to limit my "organizing" and just count on the run being a "major coincidence" of a bunch of boats running from East Chicago to Michigan City? I pretty concerned, seeing as I'm a small business owner who wouldn't much like to lose everything...

Just have everyone meet somewhere for lunch with their boats .... then everyone go for a run somewhere else ....... Less is more these days bro !
 
So what is the difference between a poker run and a race as far as organizer liability is concerned?

A race is on a closed course with a waiver signed by all participants as well as all are members of the race organization. It is also fully insured with medical, tech inspections and purpose built boats. You can't build a race boat and then get hurt and say you didn't know that you were going to take yourself and your boat to the limits.
 
A race is on a closed course with a waiver signed by all participants as well as all are members of the race organization. It is also fully insured with medical, tech inspections and purpose built boats. You can't build a race boat and then get hurt and say you didn't know that you were going to take yourself and your boat to the limits.

Not true...that is only one form of racing. How about distance races?
An dthe prob is some of these guys take recreational boats past the limits...that's when people get hurt.
 
No problem that way down here. We will have anywhere from 15 to 30 boats and on a few occasions showed up to watch us start but never interferred in any way.
Bob

I just remembered the run you and others took in the Georgian Bay two years ago. That would be a good example of an extended fun run.
ed
 
I just remembered the run you and others took in the Georgian Bay two years ago. That would be a good example of an extended fun run.
ed

Just for clarity the runs I was referring to in a previous post where 15 to 30 offshores would get together was in the Ft Myers, FL area under the Ft Myers Offshore, Inc. banner.
The Geo Bay run you are referring to was something that I personally put together and I knew I was exposing myself to some risk as an organizer. I considered it a minimal risk however as it was more of an offshore cruise than a poker run. The Performance Boat Club of Canada is hoping to put together a similar run next year and I would support that.
I also carry a $5 M umbrella policy however my lawyers advise me it makes me a bigger target. I am careful to do my due diligence tho and do not lose much sleep over getting people together to enjoy their boats.
Bob
 
Just have everyone meet somewhere for lunch with their boats .... then everyone go for a run somewhere else ....... Less is more these days bro !

That's exactly what I'd do. No reason to overthink it.


You can still do something for a charity easily, just not give boat rides, or hanging banners everywhere. Just have anyone that would like to contribute to the charity give you a check/cash? It doesn't have to have anything to do "with" boating....even though you guys are going to be boating over the weekend.

For example: We could all write a check right now, pool it together, and you can deliver it to the charity. Then, we could call a bunch of friends, and go boating this weekend and talk about StraightJacket, & how nice it was to donate some funds to the needy in his honor. There's nothing "official" about that, so everyone is just responsible for themselves. Make some shirts after the event is over. You may come up with a better idea for the shirts, AFTER you've had a great weekend boating & hanging out with your friends anyway.
 
Not true...that is only one form of racing. How about distance races?
An dthe prob is some of these guys take recreational boats past the limits...that's when people get hurt.

Sorry, every "Offshore Race" I have ever participated in was under Coast Guard permit and closed course. The only exception I could possible think of would the Bimimi race and I have no knowledge on that event. Can't imagine getting insurance coverage without closing the course and the CG would not allow it closed without permit.

I was not responding to a question regarding rec boaters running out of control.
 
:confused:A legal word whould be Fun Run how far you take the run is your call and liabilities:leaving:

The funny LAW of New Jersey. You can sign waiver after waiver then use it a toilet paper. In NJ you can not sign your life away on a waiver. LLC, Insurance, Speed limits, Medical staff and police are becoming a very big part of Poker Runs. All boat owners must have Insurance, no canopy boats. yada yada, We started doing Rendevous and more fun runs. Rendevous are limited to 15-20 boats and we run about 60 mph with an agenda.
 
if someone somewhere is running a fast boat in an event, I would be more than happy to ride along as medical staff :D
 
Sorry, every "Offshore Race" I have ever participated in was under Coast Guard permit and closed course. The only exception I could possible think of would the Bimimi race and I have no knowledge on that event. Can't imagine getting insurance coverage without closing the course and the CG would not allow it closed without permit.

I was not responding to a question regarding rec boaters running out of control.

Races now don't resemble what races used to be...
If you look at some of the older footage, all the races where"destination" races. Closed course racing has evolved in the last 20 years or so.

My point was that rec boats have as much,if not more power than alot of race boats, with no(or little) safety gear even closely resembling what racers utilize.
 
no guarantees and no amount of coverage will help

We had waivers, we had insurance, we had all the right things in place still we were sued

As long as there are lawyers there will be frivolous lawsuits . It is not about the amount they sue for but amount that is settled for. Millions and Millions oh and the people suing get some of it as well


Damn attorneys
 
Sorry, every "Offshore Race" I have ever participated in was under Coast Guard permit and closed course. The only exception I could possible think of would the Bimimi race and I have no knowledge on that event. Can't imagine getting insurance coverage without closing the course and the CG would not allow it closed without permit.

I was not responding to a question regarding rec boaters running out of control.

I would like to hear you respond and define what "rec boaters running out of control " really is.

One first has to be a boater who wants to go fast ,

or, you could be like "Jason the Racer who just bought the boat "

or, you might just be one of those " nose stuck up in the air boat racers" who thinks all pleasure boater's are careless, untill you need them to be flag, medic, or course controll boats ,, for free of course!!:boxing_smiley:


RHC
 
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