Judging by the success of our first two season-opening APRA-sanctioned poker runs in Sarasota and Fort Myers, this summer season is shaping up to be one of the best years yet for performance boaters throughout the nation.

But the best is coming August 13-15, 2004, as some of the heaviest artillery of the nation will be displaying their firepower in Kingston, Ontario for the Annual 1000 Islands Poker Run.

Spectators will get a close up look at some of North America's top teams and poker run crews - people such as the subject of this months cover story: poker runner/championship offshore racer Tom Abrams of Reliable Carriers Supercat fame.

Barry Zekelman will be there with his all new Zuperman Skater, rigged by John Tomlinson and TNT Custom Marine. The custom 46-foot exotic beauty, powered by twin 1400 hp Sterlings, is also the subject of our front cover and an exclusive inside story written by Bill Jennings (who, incidentally, had the master throttle hand of multiple world champion John Tomlinson on board for the ride of his (Bill's) life.

The exotic paint job (by Mitcher T) is the likes of which you've never seen before. In motion, it's like being in the same place in outer space and watching the planet Krypton explode around you.

And that's just the beginning. The King of the 1000 Islands, Bill Tomlinson, will bring his 46 turbine-powered Skater, My Way. Mike Fiore and XXX, the 160+ mph 47 GTX Outerlimits, will turn more than a few heads. Poker Run Hall of Famer and good friend Oliver Bock - the recently crowned V-hull King of the Hudson at the New York City Poker Run - will be there with his new canopied 47 Outerlimits.

And, as a special surprise, the legendary Reggie Fountain plans to bring a brand new top secret concept boat to our 1000 Islands event. As in the past, you might even catch a glimpse of Reggie in his private plane, checking out the course and tipping his wings to the crowds below.

On land and on the water, Kingston 2004 is the place to be August 13-15. I can personally say this year's 1000 Islands Poker Run will be one of the year's best performance weekends you'll have the opportunity to attend. We hope to see you there.
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