Outside of Florida, winter spells dormancy for go-fast boating events. But for powerboating fans who live in the Sunshine State or are willing to travel to it, the season is just heating up.
Following on the heels of last weekend’s record-setting inaugural Fort Myers Offshore Marina Cantina Lunch Run sponsored by Concept Boats, the 2026 Florida Powerboat Club season begins this weekend with the Key Largo Winter Rendezvous at the Playa Largo Resort.
“The Winter Rendezvous is looking good at about 24 boats,” said Stu Jones, the president of the club. “That’s by design an intimate, casual event.”
Set for February 11-16, the Miami International Boat Show is after the Key Largo trek. Feelings about the show itself run from lukewarm to ice-cold among go-fast powerboat fans, as performance-boat-manufacturer participation has dwindled with ever-escalating costs to exhibit.
But at least for Florida Powerboat Club members in good standing special guests of Speedonthewater.com, boat-show-fatigue relief arrives in the form of the fourth annual Florida Powerboat Club/Speed On The Water South Beach Bash on Friday evening, February 13. It’s no substitute for proper Valentine’s Day treatment, of course. But the Sagamore Hotel-hosted celebration never fails to entertain a strong mix of shakers and movers in the performance-boating world.
And all is not lost for those seeking something on the water in Florida that weekend, although if you’re in Miami you’ll need to rise early Saturday morning and cross the state to make it. The Fort Myers Offshore “Sweethearts Run” to Junkanoo Below Deck restaurant in Fort Myers Beach is set for Saturday, February 14.
Now that’s a Valentine’s Day date most go-fast boating couples can appreciate.
The first of the club’s “bigger” affairs in any given year, the Hawks Cay Rendezvous—formerly the Miami Boat Show Poker Run—happens the following weekend. The February 19-22 event typically sees 50 to 60 boats, some of which were on display during the Miami Show.
Short month that it is, February is long on winter happenings for powerboat fans. And one of them—at least—could be just the escape you need.