If you’re still experiencing withdrawals from powerboat winterizing—symptoms include deep depression and a burning desire to buy boat parts you don’t need—you’re not alone. Go-fast powerboat fans around the country—with one notable, regional group-exception—feel your pain.

The exception, of course, is those in Florida.

Go-fast boating is just starting to get good here. OK, that’s not accurate. It’s good for the past couple of months, though the unseasonably cool temperatures of December and January, sent native Floridians scurrying for the nearest REI or Helly-Hansen location.

Starting with the February 12-16 Miami International Boat Show, this month is stacked with worthwhile happenings. Florida Powerboat Club members in good standing have two events to keep in mind—the February 14, Florida Powerboat Club/Speed On The Water Miami Boat Show Bash at the Sagamore Hotel and the following weekend’s Miami Boat Show Poker Run to Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key.

How stacked with cool events is Florida in February? In just one week you can party like a rock-star with your boat-loving friends in Miami, hang around the pool at the Naples Hyatt House and have lunch at Gilbert’s Resort and Tiki Bar (above) on your way to Hawks Cay. Resorts a part of the Florida Powerboat Club Miami Boat Show Poker Run. Photo by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.

For go-fast-boat types across the state who don’t feel like traveling east for any of that, Fort Myers Offshore’s Naples Fun Run is set for February 15.

But this puts folks who want to hit the Miami Boat Show Bash and be in front of the Sanibel Island Bridge by 11 a.m. for the Saturday Fort Myers Offshore lunch run in a bind. Because almost 170 miles of road separate the two locations.

The solution? Mine, at least?

Show up on time, Irish-fade from the celebration early and head across the state at sunrise. Yeah, I’m one of the part hosts, but people who know me expect that anyway. It’s a little work to do both, but the Miami bash and the Fort Myers Offshore lunch run will be worth your time.

Want to make it a February event-trifecta? Toss in the Florida Powerboat Club Miami Boat Show Poker Run the following weekend.

Come on. Who’s with me? —Matt Trulio

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