Page 62 - Poker Runs America 17-1

MEET THE PLAYERS
PRA

steve fennell

N
ostranger to the performance charged Aqua-Mania G3 Race Team at the

boating world, Chip Fendt is com- 2012 Alexandria Bay Poker Run where he

monly seen at our poker run events reported about his experience of hitting

and also occasionally lends his expertise 208 mph!
for the pages of Poker Runs America, writ- “The way poker run events have evolved,

ing boat tests and insightful feature sto- they are a strong contributor in supporting

ries. A World and National Champion off- the sport of performance boating and have

shore racer with an extensive background opened up a whole new genre for a range
in the go-fast industry, Fendt has worked of performance enthusiasts – not only the

in the sales and marketing capacities for elite with the fastest hardware,” says Fendt.

many notable manufacturers such as Donzi “The camaraderie at a poker run is simply

Marine, Talon Custom Boats, Outerlimits amazing and I never miss the opportunity to

Powerboats, Hustler Powerboats, Concept, attend one.”
and Statement Marine.With the performance season ramp-

Whether he is at a poker run or work- ing up across the nation, don’t be sur-

ing the Miami International Boat Show, prised to see Fendt walking the slips or

Fendt is always on the move – quite liter- onboard some of the latest eye-candy

ally. For instance, one of his most exciting doing what he does best – enjoying the
assignments for PRA was running with Rick water and taking in the performance

Merola and Gregg Rosen on the turbine-boating lifestyle.CHIP FENDT

SARASOTA, FL.

I

fyou have ever been on a poker run, chances are very likely that you have seen
or even met Bob Christie. Over the years, Christie has attended countless of poker

runs and ranks the 1000 Islands Poker Run, NJPPC Atlantic City Poker Run, and the

Tampa Bay Poker Run as he favorites.

“I like the destination aspects of poker runs,” says the Princeton, New Jersey native.

“The 1000 islands event is simply gorgeous with a great venue and a city that always
has lots to do and see. I also enjoy the NJPPC’s Atlantic City Poker Run as it’s real des-

tination and it’s more than a one-day event. In addition, I enjoy the Tampa Bay runs as

it’s convenient considering I have a house in Cape Coral. The area and Florida in gen-

eral is a great venue for boating with plenty to do and places to visit by boat.”

Having owned some serious hardware – including 43 Nor-Tech catamaran, a 44’
MTI, and even a Statement SUV center console with quad 300 hp Verados, the Poker

Run Hall of Famer can now be seen running a 42X Cigarette powered by 1000 hp

Mercury Racing engines with Number 6 drives.

“I have been into boating for a long time,” says Christie. “As I have three kids and
three grand children, my wife wanted more of a family boat. So, last year we pur-

chased the Statement center console, which was a great way to enjoy time on the

water. I think at one event we had something like ten or 12 people onboard. The

BOB CHRISTIEcenter console was a great transition but my wife only wants one boat and while the

CIGARETTE 42X Statement could run 80 mph easily, I wanted more speed.”
PRINCETON, NJ

62POKER RUNS AMERICA | Volume 17 Number 1WWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COM