Renamed Key West Powerboat Week, the Florida Powerboat Club’s 33rd annual Key West affair in early November has approximately 180 club member registered with just a few weeks remaining before the event. The name change reflects the Pompano Beach, Fla., organization’s move away from a traditional poker-run format, which for potential liability concerns is no longer viable for the club.

Deep Impact Custom Boats is returning as the event’s grand-prizer sponsor. Photo by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.

“At three weeks prior to the event, the number of registered teams is probably subpar,” Stu Jones, the president and founder of the Florida Powerboat Club, explained. “But it’s also a very manageable number for our team and the entry list features some of the most incredible powerboats from all the major manufacturers.”

“I’m excited this year as we get closer to November when the temperatures change and the weather is ideal for powerboating in South Florida,” he added. “Last year we had a nasty encounter with her passing hurricane, but somehow we got through it, as we always do.”

The poker-run format itself has been replaced with what Jones described as two “safety checkpoints.” Teams sporting their mandatory personal flotation devices with a “bonus card,” he said.

As for land-based poker-run elements, they remain intact for Key West.

“We will continue the poker-run theme with the Saturday night party at the Conch Republic restaurant—our longtime host venue that never fails to do a great job for the club—where teams can still come and play their hands for great prizes,” Jones said. “As always, the Key West event is presented by Mercury Racing—and we have Deep Impact Custom Boats returning as the grand-prize sponsor.

“We also have a new backer this year,” he added. “The IHRA (International Hot Rod Association) has joined as our Saturday night party sponsor.”