Dave Patnaude, the longtime president of the New Jersey Powerboat Club—formerly the New Jersey Performance Powerboat Club—is retiring from the Toms River-based organization and is shutting it down. Patnaude announced his decision in an email to NJPBC club membership this morning.

Dave Patnaude (right with his father, Ray) led the NJPPC for 21 years. Photo courtesy/copyright Tim Sharkey/Sharkey Images.

“After 21 years at the helm of NJPPC, now NJPBC, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to retire as president,” he wrote in the email. “I am currently living in Toms River as well as Northeast Maryland due to my latest full time client. As such my spare time has been reduced and I also have to say that the patience needed to manage and perpetuate the club have diminished over the last few years.

“Since I legally own NJ Powerboat Club LLC and I am open to any and all liabilities, I will be shutting the corporation down in the near future,” he added.

The NJPPC currenty has 200 members. It was founded in 1998 by Garden State powerboat enthusiasts Ray Patnaude, Dave Patnaude’s father, Bob Cleveland and Rick Engstrom. According to the younger Patnaude, who was involved from the start, the club was established for “like minded performance boat owners to enjoy camaraderie, as well as to explore new waters both near and far.”

“I cannot find the words that can even come close to expressing my extreme thanks, gratitude and admiration for all who have supported me and the club all these years—especially those whom I have known since the club’s inception,” he wrote in the email. “It has been one hell of a ride.”

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