June 14th
Opens at: 10:00 am
PYC Clubhouse
100 Yacht Club Road, 
Staatsburg, NY 12580

Poker Run Regatta

Ahoy there! You're cordially invited to join us for a Poker Run Regatta at the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club.

The Poker Run, which supports the Hudson Athens Lighthouse, is a boating poker run where boats travel to various locations to collect playing cards. This is a controlled event, not a race. Participants proceed at their own pace, and there is no advantage to being "first" at any of the card stops.

A poker run is an enjoyable event for both participants and spectators. This poker run will promote camaraderie among yacht clubs, boaters, and maritime enthusiasts while raising funds for the Hudson Athens Lighthouse Association.

A Start will occur at the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club at 9:45 with a message and a blessing of the fleet; participant check-in and card check point locations will officially open at 10:00 a.m. and remain open until 3:00 p.m. All registered Participants and others are invited to the after-party commencing at the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club and are welcome and encouraged to spend the night socializing.

During the Poker Run, each boat will travel to 5 locations provided by your map card, during which your boat must pass by the location/vessel stationed out and VHF call to that boat to receive a playing card. This will be noted by the vessel issuing the cards and the vessel registered in the poker run. The best 5 card poker hands will be made from these five stops. The best 5-card poker hand among registered Vessels will win the Poker Run Regatta.

Instructions

1. Submit the attached registration form with a $50 payment to:

   The Poughkeepsie Yacht Club, PO Box 667, Hyde Park, NY 12538
   Contact regatta.pyc@gmail.com for more information.

2. Once we receive your payment, we will confirm your registration and issue you a number.

3. You must construct this number on both sides of your hull using contrasting painters tape, about 1 foot tall.

4. You can check in at the club on the day of the event and receive a chart card showing the locations of the five checkpoints.

5. Set sail and visit each checkpoint to receive a random playing card, chosen by our honest and uncompromising member. They will then transmit your card to you via text, radio, or, if safe, in person.

Rules & Regulations

1. All registered boats must be paid before the Poker Run Regatta; if not, there will be no entry.

2. Sailboats may motor if the winds or current are not favorable.

3. Personal flotation devices and a/k/a life jackets are mandatory for everyone on board a participating vessel.

4. The areas around each participating stop shall be considered NO WAKE ZONES. All participating vessels shall keep their wake to a minimum and operate at idle speed when operating near a participating stop. All other official NO WAKE ZONES are clearly labeled and must be adhered to. The areas around each participating stop shall be considered NO WAKE ZONES. All participating vessels shall keep their wake to a minimum and operate at idle speed when operating near a participating stop. All other official NO WAKE ZONES are clearly labeled and must be adhered to.

5. Captains are prohibited from consuming alcohol during the Poker Run.

6. Each participating vessel should maintain a safety zone within at least one hundred (100) feet of other participating vessels when possible.

7. Your participating vessel must not "cut off" other vessels, whether participating in the Poker Run or not, or be the cause of emergency reaction on the part of other boats.

8. The Poker Run is NOT a race. Racing between/among participating vessels should not occur during the Poker Run.

9. Each vessel must carry a functional cellular telephone or a VHF radio in working condition.

10. All participating vessels must obey all federal, state, and local laws, such as possessing the required safety equipment. The participating vessel's captain is responsible for familiarizing themselves and the crew of the participating vessel with these laws. If law enforcement or the United States Coast Guard tickets a participating vessel for reckless driving, the participating vessel shall be immediately disqualified and its entry fees forfeited.

11. Participants must have valid and sufficient liability insurance for the vessel, passengers, and crew. Captains are to determine at their discretion if their vessel is seaworthy for current conditions and potential conditions that arise during the Poker Run.

12. The captain of each participating vessel is responsible for all crew members and their actions. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

13. Each Captain is responsible for reading and understanding these rules before participating in the Poker Run. Except as provided above, any violation of the above rules and regulations may result in the immediate disqualification of the participating vessel or the forfeiture of poker hands for the violating party(ies). The Event Director will make a disqualification or forfeiture decision. The Event Director may also consult with local law enforcement and/or the United States Coast Guard to conclude. In the event of forfeiture of poker hands or disqualification of the participating vessel, no refunds will be given, all card hands aboard the participating vessel will be forfeited (in the event of a disqualification), and no occupants on the participating vessel will be allowed.