PowerBoatNation was privileged to be able to enjoy Memorial day in the Bahamas with the Florida Powerboat Club on the SportBoat Bahamas Poker Run. It may have only been four boats but it was a great time. We left Port Everglades early Thursday morning and had a great run to Bimini for breakfast, Then a flat fast run to Nassau to moor up at the spectacular Atlantis Resort Marina.

Friday was a relaxing pool day and many club members enjoyed all the resort activities including a swim with the Dolphins adventure. Saturday we fueled up and ran hard to Staniel Cay for a great beach day where we were greeted by swimming wild pigs swam out to meet the boats as we came in. The run back was beautiful crossing the shallow bank right at sunset

Regrettably work called us back early while the rest of the group went on to the Abacos for Sunday and Monday to return through West End, Bahamas on Tuesday. But as all plans are subject to change they are having so much fun they decied to stay for an extra day and might return Wednesday. What a great way to spend memorial day weekend.

This trip was truly powerboating in Paradise and showed off how great the new Center Console Sport Boats are for this type of adventure. We were able to get out and back fast thanks to quad Mercury Verado 300’s and a 400 gallon fuel capacity on the 39 Nor-Tech. Running at 70 mph our fuel burn was about .5 MPG with 10 people on board, and a great 1.1 MPG average when I slowed down to 50 MPH for the straight run home from Nassau back to Port Everglades.

Special thanks to Larry Goldman’s Extreme Powerboats for providing some additional pictures of the run.

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When you buy a boat brand new and keep it for 43 years you can bet there has to be a really strong emotional attachment to that particular boat. Such is the case for Robert Real who just had to have his 1971 DONZI 18 Corsican completely redone.

This project was to be one that brought the boat back to life. Larry Goldman of Miami’s Xtreme Powerboatstook on the project that took the boat all the way down to a bare hull. They replaced nearly everything with new or restored parts, the original vintage Logos were replicated, the original DONZI Gauge Bezels were bronzed and chromed which was a very delicate renewal because if they are damaged their is no chance of finding replacements. New Gauges and a N-Control Hotfoot control were used to make the boat modern in operation but yet kept the boat with its original look.

Robert did want to keep the original drive but the engine is a brand new 350 Mercury Magnum.

The interior project was handled by Fineline Marine Interiors. Larry told us that Mike Mears was a great in complementing the project with his ingenuity and expertise in making these projects come out the best they can be.

This great project is just one of three recent full restorations being completed at Xtreme Powerboats

SEE BELOW FOR ANOTHER BEFORE AND MORE AFTER PICS…

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A serious collision occurred Sunday morning at the Poker Run taking place in Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.

Several people were injured, one person seriously, when the two boats – a 38 Top Gun Cigarette and a 44 Concept Center Console crashed into each other.

It is believed that a malfunction in the steering system on the Cigarette caused it to veer out of control and crash into the Concept.

It is not yet known what caused the malfunction. The Cigarette came out the worse of the two boats and has sustained serious damage, but remained afloat.

See below for additional pics of the damaged Cigarette (White) and Concept (Red):

Florida Power Boat Clubs Makes History

Land and Sea Poker Runs have been done before but this time the Florida Power Boat Club did it up right with the May run to Key West. Planes, Bikes, Cars, Motor Coaches and of course boats.

This unique event gave members the opportunity to cruise to Key West in other conveyance than they have during Novembers big event. For some the idea to be able to drive/ride to Key West; to where they had their boats delivered and then fly home on their own plane was a really cool way to take it all in.

The group was the right size to be able to hang around and have fun with great people at a great venue. While the weather wasn’t the greatest it held off long enough for everyone to have fun and see Key West in a different way.

Big Congratulations to Christian McCauley who won the Poker Run with triple Kings!

Look for more FPC coverage from this coming Memorial day weekend as PowerBoat Nation participates in the Bahamas SportBoat Run.

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It just keeps coming back and we have more and more great content for you. It takes some time to capture it all but with a bunch of work the video is sorted, spliced, and then made to come alive.

A hearty cast of characters proved that the fun was really just being on hand to witness it all. Of course if you weren’t there then you can be happy PBN was around to capture at least tiny little pieces of it all. For me the trip in its entirety was the coolest part. Trialering boats for hours on hours up from Florida, boating for a few hours and towing home. The small parts and pieces of the trip make the whole of the experience what it is.

I think this is just a video episode, because there is way too much to cut through.

Thanks again to Brand X Hi Performance Marine

Here are some of the Boats of Tickfaw

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Here are some of the Girls of Tickfaw

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Enjoy!

World Products is a company with a storied past. Founded in 1987, World brought the first viable aftermarket cast iron engine blocks and cylinder heads to the performance market. While the company has certainly had its ups and downs over the years, they have played an important role with marine performance engine builders.

A little less than two years ago, World Products was bought by PBM Performance Products of Louisville, KY. The entire operation has been relocated, foundry tooling has been revised, machining procedures have been revised, new quality control procedures have been implemented and production has been ramped up to meet the demand in the marketplace. Every aspect of the business has been evaluated and improved under the new ownership, and the resulting product is very high quality blocks and heads.

Even more remarkably in this business, World now has genuinely great customer service. They are paying close attention to what their customers have to say and continuously improving their products accordingly.

When World Products approached us and said “Hey Powerboat Nation, we love what you’re doing, we know that your members are our customers, we’ve got a lot we want to let the Hi Performance boating world know.” – We said we’ve heard about what’s been happening at World and were excited to share it with our readers.

For some behind the scenes info here’s some of the highlights of that conversation.

PBN: What are you doing to help meet the needs of marine engine builders?

World: We now have inventory positioned strategically around the US so that we can deliver engine blocks and cylinder heads to most of the country within 3 days.

PBN: We understand that all of your machining operations have been relocated to a new facility, how is this affecting the finished product?

World: We are machining our blocks in the same facility that machines GM Performance’s Bow Tie products. New fixtures and CNC machining centers are enabling us to produce some of the highest quality parts in the industry.

PBN: Speaking of quality, what kind of QC procedures are you implementing now?

World: The level of quality control that goes into our products is a crucial part of our process. Parts are inspected with a CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) during the manufacturing process, and then are inspected again by trained technicians before they are packaged and shipped.

At Powerboat Nation we are excited to see these developments in the engine building business and will follow up with more coverage. You can look forward to some in depth tech in the near future as we pull back the wrapper and show you just what it takes and who makes the best engine blocks and heads in the world.

Strong Winds and a Strong turnout for race two of the SuperBoat International Offshore Race Series.

This last weekend on Florida’s Space Coast brought out the toughness of Offshore Powerboat Racing. High attrition brought down many of the 29 boat fleet but the remaining boats wowed the crowd with spectacular racing in the heavy offshore conditions.

Today I got a call from my great friend Mark Kowalski who throttles the 388 Team Sthil Racing Skater, who said the race was incredible and raved about how well the 388 Skater ran to take Team Stihl to the win in the tough conditions.

Results:

SUPERBOAT UNLIMITED, Miss GECIO battled with SPIRIT OF QATAR for the win with a 90.00 mph average speed.

INSTIGATOR ran alone in SUPERBOAT EXTREME turning in 5 laps at 60.66 MPH

SUPERBOAT had six entries two from SKATER Powerboats and four from MTI. The two Skaters ran up front for the entire race with STIHL ahead until they had a small fuel pressure problem that allowed WHM to take the lead for a few laps. After getting a handle on the problem STIHL was able to reel WHM back in and finished with a 85.23 average speed for the 13 lap race.

SUPERBOAT V was handled by veteran Racer Steve MikLos in his SunPrint Boat at 61.40 MPH

SUPERBOAT STOCK was won by Ryan Beckley in SOS Venezuela at 61.97 MPH.

MANUFACTURER PRODUCTION 3 was again won by a Poker Run boat. Gary Jones and Billy Glueck ran the 38 fountain BLACK PEARL with 280 hour factory sealed Mercury Racing 525 Motors to another win in the rough conditions at 67.64 MPH

MANUFACTURER PRODUCTION 4 was won by Dare Devil Racing at 51.72 MPH

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RACE RESULTS

SEE ALL THE PICTURES FROM FREEZE FRAME and SHOOT 2 THRILL

While we’re always in communication with our supporters and advertisers its not that often that we all end up in one place. Luckily for us Desert Storm gave us the chance to not only share a few laughs but grab our buddy Alexi and get him to give us the low down on whats brewing at his Southern California Engines Building and Service Facility.

There was a huge crowd swarming and gawing and the monstrosity of an billet engine block and heads that Boostpower brought to display at Desert Storm. Hell if it wasn’t for BoostPower you wouldn’t have even know there was an engine builder committed to the sport there at the show! So Powerboat Nation’s leading lady on the spot Bonnie spent a few minutes razzing Alexi and prying out of him just what the heck is happening at their workshop. We hope you enjoy as much as we did.

The people of powering boating. The boats are cool and some are better than others and I know I have said it before but it really is important for me to recognize how the people we meet and enjoy life with at all these events are really what is important and sets things apart.

Sure not everyone is cool, but when we employ two simple PowerBoatNation rules…….No Whining and Don’t be a Dick………. things just seem to work out pretty good. Of course having a bunch of great looking girls around makes it all that much better. PowerBoatNation is a online tool designed to support the people of powerboating and these pictures show just a little glimpse of how much fun we all had at the Tickfaw 200. More to come and be sure to post your pictures and tell your tells!

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A Skater, named “Freedom,” tipped over just before 2 p.m. near Brown’s Ravine on Lake Folsom on Saturday. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department had sent a dive team to search the water for the missing boaters but as of yesterday Authorities said the search is now considered a recovery operation, not a rescue. California State Parks Sgt. Barry Smith said the multi-agency search efforts have been difficult due to issues with high winds and poor visibility in the lake.The four men were identified as Toby Strauch, 54; James Strauch, 47; Jake Jacobs, 53; and Jon Smith, 48.

Investigators have stated that they believe the boat was a relatively new purchase, and that they do not know what level of experience the boat’s operator had. Loved ones of the men speaking with local news outlets struggled to understand how a day at Folsom Lake turned terribly wrong. A friend of one of the men said it’s hard to believe what happened. “He’s a very good guy. We’ll miss him,” the friend told local news outlet KCRA 3.

The speed boat was recovered on Saturday, but investigators are trying to determine why the 35- to 40-foot vessel capsized and have yet to find any leads. Authorities said the accident happened in a part of the 18,000-acre, man-made lake that is dotted with small islands. The boat overturned in a shallow part of the lake. The recovery operation continued on Monday but so far nothing has been found.

One of the only things that can really improve the amazing quality of some of the West Coasts most stunning boats is a beautiful PBN model. The closest example to explain would be like finishing off that Sunday with a gleaming cherry.

For your pleasure we brought along our professional sharp shooter photographer and grabbed some great shots here for your viewing pleasure. But these aren’t just pretty faces these girls pack a talented resume from E-TV reality series to a professional MMA Commentator and Vegas radio host. While pictures are great to capture the personality of Powerboating you need to have the sass and class of some real talent to get the real picture presented.

PowerBoatNation is all about PowerBoating and a great big piece of the lifestyle is without question beautiful girls. We went to a lot of work to get this done and hope you take the time to scroll through and check out the wonderful pics that were captured.

Of course we have much more video coming to you as well!!

Enjoy and tell us what you think!

Attending Tickfaw for the first time reminded me of a guy I talked to on a dive in the Turks and Caicos a long time ago. I had about 200 dives at that time and he had just surfaced from his first open water ocean dive. He appeared to be pissed off, throwing his gear around. When I asked about his mood, he shruggingly responded by saying he was 50 years old and he was upset that he had waiting so long in his life to go diving, because he loved it so much. Pretty much how I felt about Tickfaw… I had such a good time and met so many great people I am so sorry I waited until 2014 to get there.

I also had a perception reality gap. The Tickfaw is a run in a river and not a boating event: Not at all, eight card stops with over 200 miles of running, as soon as you clear the Blood River its wide open running all over Lake Pontchartrain. The event is not safe: Not at all true, with two days of boating to cover all eight stops the 300 plus boat fleet naturally breaks up into common running groups and spreads everyone out. Not having a forced start time makes it easy, fun, and relaxing. The event is in the Bayou; and thankfully so. The Blood River Landing is freaking cool, Motor Coaches, Toter Homes, Big Trucks, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and more limos than any other poker run I have ever been to. The guys would come down early and set up the boats and then the wives and girlfriends would begin to arrive in full Limousines all ready to go. They might try that “Just Simple Country Folk” line, but the reality is witness to the visuals provided and they provided many of them.

Even with the limos, big trucks, million dollar motor homes, Lamborghinis, 300 plus boats in attendance, over 200 miles of boating, and the enjoyment had at the “Fun House” by far margin the single biggest take away from the Tickfaw Poker Run was the people.

I have never been to an event where the event organizers; hosts Joey and Casey and their entire team…..went out of their way to make you feel welcome. We left Fort Lauderdale Wednesday afternoon and hit the site Thursday afternoon to be greeted as someone would welcome you home. We launched the boats and they grabbed our trailers with tractors and parked them for us. Water and electricity was routed for the toter home and they had free Jambalaya for everyone Thursday night.

The entire weekend was just unbelievable. Different live bands playing at the Fun House, great food on site, short runs to the Prop Stop to take part in a giant raft up and a wet T-Shirt show like no other.

While I am so happy I made it to TickFaw this year I do wonder what did I miss the years before. I plan to never miss another and most importantly my perception of South Louisiana is forever wiped by the heartfelt genuine people we met on this trip.

I will tell you don’t wait until it’s too late to experience this run, it is for sure something special and I can only hope it always is.

PowerBoatNation thanks BrandX Hi Performance Marine for all the support and help with bringing us to these events so we can share the PowerBoating Experience with all of you online!

Here are some of the pictures: We have so much more coming! Stay Tuned!

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