July 24-29, 2020
Since May 1992 when Stu Jones took the Sunny Isles Powerboat Club on its first Bahamas adventure across the gulf stream waters to South Bimini, the Bahamas Poker Run has become a “must-do” poker run on the FPC event calendar year-after-year. In the past twenty-eight years, FPC has visited almost every popular Bahamas destination including Grand Bahama Island, the Northern Family of Islands including the Abacos, The Berry Islands, Nassau & Paradise Island and the Exumas.
More recently, after the devastation in the Abacos and Grand Bahama due to the Hurricane Dorian in August 2019, FPC has structured our agenda to stay further to the south, while the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island take time to heel and rebuild.
For the Bahamas 2020 event, we’ll cross the Gulfstream from North Miami, enjoying two days at the Resorts World Bimini Hilton, where we will visit all the local boating attractions including sting ray feeding, snorkeling at the landmark Sapona shipwreck, or just basking in the sun along the sandy beaches of North Bimini. Continuing Sunday, we’ll head across the crystal-clear waters of the Bahama Bank to Chub Cay, where we’ll enjoy a pleasant pit-stop for fuel and lunch, before completing the journey southbound to Atlantis, Paradise Island.
There’s no place more vibrant and bustling with entertainment than Atlantis, where we have secured two different room types, as well as docking in their yacht-centric marina that puts us on the doorstep to abundant cruising grounds for exciting daytrips. One of those daytrips, will be an adventure to Staniel Cay in the Exumas, where we’ll enjoy lunch at the charming Staniel Cay Yacht Club, and later visit the famous Big Major Cay or “Pig Beach”, where our friendly four-legged friends will be very happy to see us!
After five days in paradise, we’ll return on the following Wed July 29th, stopping in Bimini for lunch and refuel, before arriving back in Florida. The FPC staff is here to assist with all the planning, and please remember room and dock space often sells out on this event, so please try to register as soon as possible. For those with less time to spare… the Shortened 3-day version of this event is also possible, returning on Sunday from Bimini. (already 2-3 boats are on this program)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Reservations: Contact FPC Office at 954-545-1414
Note: Sample schedule. Subject to change. Updated itineraries will be provided to all event participants at check in.
THURSDAY:
All Day: Launching staging at Haulover Marine Center
7PM: Welcome reception and captains meeting – Duffy’s North Miami
(Customs paper workshop- we will complete all Bahamas papers for easier entry on Friday)
FRIDAY:
6:30am: Dockside continental breakfast at Haulover Marine Center
7:00am: Departure from Marina- via Haulover Inlet ( approx. 90 min crossing)
8:30am to 11am: Big Game Club- Customs clearance and breakfast/lunch
11am: Depart to local boating attractions.
4pm: Arrive Resorts World Bimini- Dock and check in to Hilton / pool rendezvous
6 – 8PM: Cocktail happy hour- location TBA. Followed by dinner.
SATURDAY:
11am: Departure for local boating attractions/ Honeymoon harbor or north beach – depending on weather
4pm: Return to Resort – pool happy hour rendezvous
7-10pm: Dinner as you wish/ no formal plans
SUNDAY:
10am: Departure from Resorts World Bimini / Fuel stop at Bluewater Bimini
10:30am: Departure Bimini harbor – approx. two hour ride to Chub Cay
12:30pm: Fuel and lunch stopover Chub Cay Resort & Marina (Pool time included in stop)
2:30pm: Depart for Nassau – approx. 90 minute ride.
7:00pm: Cocktail reception poolside / Dinner to follow.
9:00pm: Off property outings optional/ BahaMar & Atlantis Resort
MONDAY:
FREE DAY: Enjoy resort or venture off to other Nassau attractions. Optional short cruises can be arranged locally. FUEL and prepare boats for Tuesday Exuma Adventure.
TUESDAY:
8:00-9:00 AM: Breakfast before departure
9:00-10:00AM: Fuel and prepare boats for departure – MUST BE FULL/ fuel is difficult to find in Exumas and will mess up the agenda
10AM – 5PM: Exuma adventure- Staniel Cay, Big Major Cay ( Feeding the pigs) Compass Cay
7PM: Poker Run Party – Location TBA – Play Out Poker Cards & Exchange Photos
Event Fees:
Powerboats: $1,250 ( Captain + 1st mate)
Includes all planning for the 5-day event, making reservations at all (3) hotels and marinas on behalf of captain & crew, assistance with securing and completing required US customs and Bahamas clearance documents, quarantine and Bahamas cruising flags, poker run hand, limited catering at club functions, Captains bag with Bahamas poker run souvenir event tees, bait samples for feeding stingrays, photo and video coverage of event. Catering to include finger foods & snacks at Captains party, along with dockside breakfast before departure and a Poker Run awards reception in Nassau)
Extra Crew: $200pp (Includes function passes and all services and/or provisions as outlined for Captain & 1st mate – Additional poker hands at $50 each)
Additional Fees & Costs:
Acquire US CUSTOMS/CBP Sticker:
$27.50—Pay with application/renewal
Bahamas Customs Clearance:
Vessel under 35′: $150 cash
Vessels over 35′: $ 300 cash to clear ( for up to 3 on board)
For the 4th and additional passengers: Add $ 20 pp for Bahamas Customs.
Documents required to bring:
Valid passports for all passengers on board.
Registration or USCG Documentation required for the vessel.
Insurance: Be certain you vessel is insured for the Bahamas.
Bahamas Preparation List: Will be provided at time of registration. This list outlines all the FAQ’s and helps you prepare for this big event.
Applicants for participation must meet the following requirements with no exceptions:
- Registered boat owner must be an active member with Florida Powerboat Club. (social or video membership are not qualified member programs)
- Registered boats may be approximately 25-80 feet in length, and must be fully insured with liability coverages. A proof of insurance must be submitted in the form of a declaration page. (Detailed and accurate engine data, horsepower and performance specifications must also be submitted to company officials.)
- All captains & co-drivers must attend a mandatory poker run captains safety meeting on the evening prior to departure. Captains will sign a safety waiver which includes compliance with guidelines that include: No consumption of Alcoholic beverages or medications that diminish operating skills prior to or during the poker run.
- ALL OCCUPANTS (including passengers) of the vessel must sign safety waiver provided by Florida Powerboat Club prior to departure.
- All OCCUPANTS are required to wear USCG approved Personal flotation devices during on-plane operation. Exceptions will be made in the case of Lifeline or other specialty safety products that do may carry the USCG official approval.
- All participants are required to have their vessels in compliance with USCG safety standards.
