Donating money to worthy causes is at the heart of most volunteer-organized go-fast boating events, and that definitely was the case with this weekend’s Jacksonville River Rally Fun Run. The event, which was organized by Greg Harris, a South Florida real estate agent who owns Mad Props, a 32-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran he runs with his longtime girlfriend, Yvonne Aleman, raised $3,500 for Camp Amigo. And the money for the weeklong nonprofit North Florida program for children healing from the physical and emotional scars from severe burn injuries is still coming in.

An array of high-performance catamarans and V-bottoms participated in the Jacksonville River Rally Fun Run. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“Our goal was $5,000 and we’re expecting more donations to come in this week,” Harris said. “We’re still waiting on a couple of checks, and both are from very generous people.”

The three-day event started with a casual Thursday evening “meet and greet” at Hooters restaurant, followed by Jacksonville’s traditional “Boater Skip Day” gathering at Bayard Point on the St. Johns River the next day. While 34 owners signed up their boats for the Fun Run, the Skip Day happening reportedly attracted more than 300 vessels for a late-morning and afternoon of raft-ups and a barbecue lunch and entertainment arranged and hosted by the organizer.

For images from the Friday Boater Skip Day raft-up, check out the slideshow above. Photos courtesy/copyright Yvonne Aleman/Speedonthewater.com

Saturday’s fun run to Crystal Cove Resort in Paltaka for a buffet lunch reportedly went off without a hitch. “The worst casualty for anyone was a prop blade,” Harris said.

That evening’s dinner—set up in a private room at the River City Brewing Company—reportedly attracted 80 participants. Most of the people involved, including Harris and Aleman, departed Jacksonville this morning.

For a look at some of the action from Saturday’s fun run, check out the slideshow above. Photos courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“Everyone who came said they had a great time and thanked us for keeping the Jacksonville run going,” Harris said. “And they asked me to keep trying to run it every year.”

Story Update: As of June 16, the Jacksonville River Rally Fun Run had reportedly raised $11,000 for Camp Amigo.

Related stories
Jacksonville Rides Again
Jacksonville River Rally Fun Run Gathering Momentum