Racing vs. Poker Runs- Which group spends more?

[JupiterSunsation]

After reading the unification thread I was wondering who spends more on boating the poker run crowd or the racers? For the example figure someone was to attend most of the big races/poker runs in the USA in one season. I don't know all the race sites but for the poker runs let it include Miami Boat Show run, Havasu, Jacksonville, Emerald Coast, LOTO Shootout, Thousand Islands, NYC and Key West as a closer. This wouldn't be the whole list but the list would include these.....

Keep in mind they both have fast boats but:

1. Racers have sponsors to help with the costs
2. Racers do much of the work themselves or in house
3. Racers I suspect get reduced pricing on parts/engines


In contrast:

1. Poker runners spend crazy money on bling (paint/interiors/GPS etc)
2. Poker runners are retail clients on everything from repair to parts to even buying the boat


The entry fees are probably similar to both type of events and the transportation costs are probably similar unless a race team has a tractor trailer.


So who spends more on a season of boating?

 

[MarylandMark]

I'd guess poker runners by times 4 for the same style boat.

A single 28 race boat will cost much less than a 44 MTI poker runner where a 50 Mystic race boat would cost much more than a 24 poker runner, etc.

 

[Chris]

I don't think you have to look too far for your answer. Take a look at the marketing dollars being spent by the industry on attendance and support at the races vs. the poker runs. Look at where the dealers go when they drag boats and staff to the water.

And, look at how many boats total are out there. OSS and SBI are fielding a dozen boats each. OPA gets 40+ boats but many are smaller. The FPC runs on the other hand are full of high buck boats, as are PRA's. Even the smaller and grassroots runs draw some expensive hardware.

 

[Wrinkleface]

I'd guess poker runners by times 4 for the same style boat.

A single 28 race boat will cost much less than a 44 MTI poker runner where a 50 Mystic race boat would cost much more than a 24 poker runner, etc.

I C U have taken your smart pill today!!!:biggrinjester:

 

[catastrophe]

I don't think you have to look too far for your answer. Take a look at the marketing dollars being spent by the industry on attendance and support at the races vs. the poker runs. Look at where the dealers go when they drag boats and staff to the water.

And, look at how many boats total are out there. OSS and SBI are fielding a dozen boats each. OPA gets 40+ boats but many are smaller. The FPC runs on the other hand are full of high buck boats, as are PRA's. Even the smaller and grassroots runs draw some expensive hardware.

Over 100k a year to run PR circuit..all after tax dollars
In Canada thats 200k of your gross income to go 100mph for 3 hrs 150mph for 2 hours, idle for 20 hrs, 50 mph for the rest of the 80 hrs.

Go to 1000 Islands PR fri, sat 1/2 sun or go to Cuba for 2 weeks with another couple flight food booze room

 

[Chris]

My guess is it cost that to run a supercat on an 8-race circuit. And you get WAY less on-water time. You can't take your friends with you and they have WAY more rules.

 

[BlackJack58]

An interesting question and some good answers. So when we talk about "the sport" is it Racing - or Poker Running - or (probably) Both?

Assessing the cost is hypothetical to consider - but in practical terms, what does the answer mean in terms of what's going on, or what should be going on? Does it mean anything?

Definitely interesting.

 

[masher44]

Racing, hands down.

 

[phragle]

you don't HAVE to be the fastest boat at a PR.. If you break something, you don't have a substantial investment forcing you to be ready for the next one like in Racing

 

[catastrophe]

you don't HAVE to be the fastest boat at a PR.. If you break something, you don't have a substantial investment forcing you to be ready for the next one like in Racing

I agree in southern USA
But up here with a shorter season, when it breaks or blows up it gets fixed same week.

 

[H2O Full Throttle]

Ask Tom Abrahms from Reliable Carriers, Tom rolled his boat three times in one season. Now that cost him some bigggggggg Bucks.

 

[cowisl]

racing....

 

[Ratickle]

My guess is it cost that to run a supercat on an 8-race circuit. And you get WAY less on-water time. You can't take your friends with you and they have WAY more rules.

Bob gets plenty of on-water time in his Amsoil boat.

 

[Ratickle]

Over 100k a year to run PR circuit..all after tax dollars
In Canada thats 200k of your gross income to go 100mph for 3 hrs 150mph for 2 hours, idle for 20 hrs, 50 mph for the rest of the 80 hrs.

Go to 1000 Islands PR fri, sat 1/2 sun or go to Cuba for 2 weeks with another couple flight food booze room

How many Poker Runs would be involved in that $100,000? Vs how many races would it take to spend the same $100,000?


My guess, it's a wash per event.....$5000 to $10,000 each. But????

 

[catastrophe]

How many Poker Runs would be involved in that $100,000? Vs how many races would it take to spend the same $100,000?


My guess, it's a wash per event.....$5000 to $10,000 each. But????

6 runs at 4k each
BTW the 100,000k is minimum

 

[Big Time]

I would say there are a few poker runners that spend the kind of $$ it costs to race, but overall more $$ is spent on racing. There are way fewer races then poker runs....I think most people tend to go to the poker runs that are in their region with the exception of Key West where everyone shows up.

If you look at guys that are running 28-30 ft race boats vs. the guys who are running 28-30 ft poker running boats the racers are spending more.

 

[Lubejobs42]

I know i had to spend over $2000 last year on poker runs!

I think if any of us sat down and figured what it cost overall per hour of running these things, first our wives would kill us, second, nobody would believe it.

I joke with my buddies it would be much cheaper to start smoking crack again! (Just kidding!! It would be cheaper but it's not an option!)

Years ago the money was in racing. The past 5 or 6 years it has swiched over to Poker runs. The average Poker run has 40 to 50 boat, the big ones have 80 to 200+ (FPC Key West).

I think more and more racers are switching to Poker runs. I think a lot of it has to do with Politics in racing. I will leave it at that.

 

[JupiterSunsation]

I know i had to spend over $2000 last year on poker runs!
.

You probably left out a zero or two........

 

[YoungPerformance]

When I first moved to Nashville and was taking care of the Nashville Catz 43 Nortech, I figured out what it took to run that boat. We made about 8-9 poker runs and with traveling expenses, hotel, fuel, my salary, insurance, etc. it cost at least 250K a year. That included a rebuild on the engines, but not if anything major broke.

 

[MarylandMark]

you probably left out a zero or two........

+1