Question - how do we get boats under 30ft to participate in poker runs?

[DaveP]

I just announced that we are sold out for this weekend's Roar At The Shore Poker Run - 40 boats which is great!

But - we only have 2 of the 40 boats under 30 feet.

We have a 60mph group for smaller / slower / or bigger boats that want to take it easy

The entry fee is $199 which includes 2 people for cont. breakfast, a killer BBQ for 2 at a Country Club which also will have a 2 hour top shelf open bar. And includes 2 poker hands.

So I think the value is there? I think the 60mph group helps accomodate?

Would like to hear some feedback from the under 30 boat owners as to how do we (NJPPC) get more smaller boats to participate?

[Chris]

I've seen a few up here this year. They tend to be nicer, newer boats.

I think that's part of it- a feeling of being out-classed on the water. Maybe personal invites from owners of larger boats. Or a buddy system- pairing a bigger boat and a smaller together.

[Buoy]

I like the fact that you are attempting to get the smaller/slower boats more involved.
It sounds like a good run, and for the money, it sounds like a nice day on the water with a bunch of cool boats.
I'm not sure about what all giveaway/contests you have in your run, but I'm used to seeing a nicest boat of the run, or something along those lines, as well as best dressed crew, etc... Just the goofy/fun contests.
Maybe offer something along those lines for only the slow/smaller boats.
Just thinking off the top of my head.

[C_Spray]

Call 'em "Blackjack Runs" and don't allow anything over 38'2" to enter....

[Baja Fresh]

I'd enter with my 29' boat but its a little far away! $200 is a good price but maybe give a little discount to 30' and under entries?

I don't know where you course runs but our SCOPE run has two courses. One to Catalina had another just down the coast and back. Anyone can run either course.

Maybe have some kind of special awards for each group (first boat, best looking crew, etc) under 30 and over 30.

Not sure what else you could do.

[BlackJack58]

Call 'em "Blackjack Runs" and don't allow anything over 38'2" to enter....

I might find that confusing... Would I have to attend all of them?

This is a great thread. Actually, I like Chris' idea about a Buddy System.

But I think NJPPC's runs sound very welcoming for owners of smaller boats, and the club makes it clear they are welcome on their website and promo materials.

The only thing intimitating about tying up next to a big-dollar boat would be my own apprehension regarding my docking skills, which are still under development. My natural tendency would be to keep a safe distance away...

[phragle]

most boats in the 25~30 range are 50~55 mph boats..., sure there are fast boats in that size, but I'm talking generalization. they also probably don;t have engines you want to hold wfo... so now your talking about 45~50 mile an hour boats. are poker runs fun? yes..but if I was to take one of the novas (twin smallbocks, or single 454) given the caliber of the other boats...
I would feel like some kind of refugee.... the anchor at the back of the run... the fast boats will be in and partying before I make the lunch stop. so given the choice of being a back marker turtle or a spectator, most would choose spectator..it's less humbleing.

[Buoy]

Phragle, I disagree to a certain extent.
For me, seeing a 27 Magnum, or my 24 Pantera, or any other old-school classic making the run in the slow group would be a very cool thing.
I think, (if they are educated in offshore), the guys with the bigger faster boats would also take some interest in the smaller older boats.

[Ratickle]

True Buoy, except there aren't a whole lot of small Magnums and Panteras in the world.

What is out there is the average Baja, Formula etc. It's hard to bring one as Phragle says because the feeling of not fitting in.

Have a completely seperate one limited to boats no larger than 30 feet that starts earlier in the day maybe???

[insanity]

most boats in the 25~30 range are 50~55 mph boats..., sure there are fast boats in that size, but I'm talking generalization. they also probably don;t have engines you want to hold wfo... so now your talking about 45~50 mile an hour boats. are poker runs fun? yes..but if I was to take one of the novas (twin smallbocks, or single 454) given the caliber of the other boats...
I would feel like some kind of refugee.... the anchor at the back of the run... the fast boats will be in and partying before I make the lunch stop. so given the choice of being a back marker turtle or a spectator, most would choose spectator..it's less humbleing.

That hits the nail, dead on the head.

[Pro1]

Dave give it to the end of the year. When all the bigger boat builders are bankrupt and out of business because no bank wants to finance anyone for a boat, you will have plenty of boats below 30ft. :hat:

[catastrophe]

We are doing the same thing up here with our club.
First you have to have a 55mph club.
You have to start in 2 waves with slow first so they can see something all day.
And most importantly you have to stress to your current members with any speed of boat to welcome them and make them feel included.

Especially the HEADLINERS

[Buoy]

We are doing the same thing up here with our club.
First you have to have a 55mph club.
You have to start in 2 waves with slow first so they can see something all day.
And most importantly you have to stress to your current members with any speed of boat to welcome them and make them feel included.

Especially the HEADLINERS

The only problem I see with this scenario is a possible safety issue.

Having the slower boats out front (~60mph), and them getting passed by a group running ~120mph could get ugly, especially for a lesser experienced captain in the slower boat - which is often the case in the smaller/slower boat.

A few years ago, Cumberland had the slower guys start later, and it worked.
Not sure what they have been doing since then.

[Buoy]

True Buoy, except there aren't a whole lot of small Magnums and Panteras in the world.

What is out there is the average Baja, Formula etc. It's hard to bring one as Phragle says because the feeling of not fitting in.

Have a completely seperate one limited to boats no larger than 30 feet that starts earlier in the day maybe???

At the risk of making the unpopular post, I'm going to say this anyway.
The smaller, production performance boats, are generally a persons entrance into performance boating.
Once they get the bug, they generally (not always) seek out a larger, faster, or more of a custom/purpose built boat.
Larger - may stay with the same brand because they were happy with it, or it is affordable and suits their needs.
Same size - maybe try a manufacturer that has a race history or pedigree, or something a little more unique at the local hangout.
Faster - maybe try something the same size in a cat or with exotic motor(s).

It affords the opportunity for them to see how their boat stacks up against what else is available on the market, and to look over the hardware and kick the props.

[Magic Medicine]

We are doing the same thing up here with our club.
First you have to have a 55mph club.
You have to start in 2 waves with slow first so they can see something all day.
And most importantly you have to stress to your current members with any speed of boat to welcome them and make them feel included.

Especially the HEADLINERS

I agree with this. Water conditions also keep me on the dock in my old 28'. Now if you start me in the back of the pack now I have run on chit water conditions plus all the boat wakes. I like the idea of starting the slower boats first. Remember the rules of the road, state that the boat that is being overtaken has the right away. I think some people don't even know this law, with this applied the responcibiltiy is put on the faster boat group. Another thing is the smaller boat crowd might not have budgeted the money that is takes to do a poker run.

[phragle]

starting smaller boats early makes sense try to get everybody to the lunch stop within a half hour of each other so the slow guys can feel like they are part of the run and not a hinderance.

[phragle]

they should be spread out enough by the time the fast boats get thereto negate the risk

[catastrophe]

We never have them arriving anywhere 30 minutes apart.
Same time is our goal'

WHAT WE ARE SEEING is that the big guys arent wailing the pizz out of their stuff anymore.
Lot of our guys including me say Been There Done That

Our goal totally is Comraderie not First at the next stop.

I'm having same great day at 70mph as I was at 150mph.
Beer tastes exactly the same.

[GENERAL LEE]

We never have them arriving anywhere 30 minutes apart.
Same time is our goal'

WHAT WE ARE SEEING is that the big guys arent wailing the pizz out of their stuff anymore.
Lot of our guys including me say Been There Done That

Our goal totally is Comraderie not First at the next stop.

I'm having same great day at 70mph as I was at 150mph.
Beer tastes exactly the same.

Good words :coolgleamA:

[Airpacker]

I'm having same great day at 70mph as I was at 150mph.
Beer tastes exactly the same.

IS that why you keep bugging me to finnish my boat ?


























Seriously, I have never had a plus 30 boat. I have run in I forget how many poker runs. Some once due to Biggus Dickus syndrome. Several many times because they are runs that are all about fun. Yes, we have run some very fast ( thanks Alec ) yes we have run some real slow ( my power play did 68 to the fire wall on a good day ). It is without a single doubt, the people who make or break a poker run to someone like me.

When I first started doing poker runs waaaaaaaaaay back in 1989, one of the first "boat people" that ever spoke to me was our dear departed friend and the god father of poker runs, Bob McCoy. Here's me, a young 20 something in a little boat parked beside some old guy in a 39 footer with 4 engines strapped to the back and he is actually talking to me. Cool.

Bob set the tone for me as to how I wanted to treat people at these runs and how I expected to be treated as well. Now 20 years later, I still feel the same way. I don't care what boat you have, how fast it goes or how fat or skinny your wallet is. If you're a good person, you're a good person who I could call a friend. If you're a complete wanker,well then, thats your problem. You won't make it in our club or circle of boating friends.

I ran poker run events for the Performance Boat Club of Canada for 10 years. I always did everything I could to make them "family friendly events".

Lots of folks in "normal" boats would come to those events with their friends and families as well as a lot of the "big hitters".
Everyone was made to feel comfortable and welcome. Wankers usually found themselves sitting in their boats alone at the end of the day while everyone else, big, small, slow, fast that showed respect and friendship to each other partied together.

As long as you can offer the smaller guys a decent course to run so they don't get beat up, show honest friendship and mutual respect regardless of what boat they run, offer true value for the entry fee and just be "good people", they will come and they will have fun.