In 2014, the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run boasted an unprecedented 301-boat fleet. For the 2015 event, current registration as of today stands at a combination of 264 V-bottoms and catamarans. While there are no guarantees, the fleet size of this year’s event—with just two days to go before the run—is likely to match last year’s fleet size. And given that the rain prevailed during last year’s event and this weekend’s forecast is far better, the 2015 event total could even exceed that of 2014.

If that happens it will make the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run the largest event of its kind for two years running.

“Online registration has been shut down but open registration is tomorrow from 2 p.m. till 10 p.m.,” said Beau Renfroe, one of the organizers of the event. “It’s always hit and miss with open registration. A lot of the locals tend to wait to see what the weather is going to be like before they commit. We’re looking good this year—we may have some thunder showers Saturday afternoon—and we’re running crazy right now. Boats are rolling in. We had 301 boats last year. I feel like we are going to be right at that number again.

Said Renfroe: “We are running like crazy right now. Boat are rolling in.” Phantom MTI photo courtesy Pirates of Lanier Facebook page.

Among the performance boats registered so far are 12 Cigarette Racing and 26 Fountain Powerboats V-bottoms, seven MTI catamarans—including the well-known Windship and Phantom 48-footers—and two Mystic Powerboats cats—the 50-foot Habitual and 44-foot Agent Provocateur cats. Plus, nine Skater Powerboats catamarans are registered. Also on the roster are a host of go-fast boats from Active Thunder, Donzi Marine, Eliminator Boats, Formula Boats, Hustler Powerboats and almost every major brand.

Equally impressive, at least from a “come one, come all” perspective, are registrations for non-performance-oriented powerboats. Most notable among those brands is Sea-Ray, with 21 models from a 21-foot runabout to a 55-foot Sundancer sport yacht on the list.

Look for coverage of the 2015 Pirates of Lanier Poker Run on speedonthewater.com throughout the weekend, as well as in the upcoming issue of Speed On The Water digital magazine, which will go live next week.

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