1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run A DCB M37R ‘Magnet’

With five M37R Widebody catamarans registered for the upcoming 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run in Clayton, N.Y., DCB Performance Marine—once considered a niche “West Coast” brand—will have strong representation at the July 18-20 event. That is music to the ears of Jeff Johnston, the president of DCB, and the rest of the team at the Phoenix-headquartered company.

“The M37R has crossed what were once considered ‘regional’ owner lines,” Johnston said. “That was one of our goals with introducing a dedicated full-tunnel catamaran.”

Johnston paused, then chuckled. “The 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run has become a bit of a DCB M37R magnet.”

Ken and Renee Lalonde were the first East Coast-based owners of a 37-footer from the now-Phoenix-based builder. Photo by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos

All four 37-footers have East Coast owners. But the most local 37-footers are owned by Ken and Renee Lalonde and Dave Montroy.

What’s more, the Lalondes and Montroy are members of the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run organizing committee.

Thanks in part to the Lalondes, Dave Montroy became a member of the DCB family with an M37R purchase. Photo by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos

The first M37R to be equipped with Mercury Racing 500R engines, Cowboy & Indian is the property of Upstate New York’s Kelly O’Hara and Kiran Pinisetti of Indiana.

Last but far from least is the Fisher Cat, an M37R owned by Vermont’s Chris Fisher, who took delivery of the pre-owned boat just in time for last year’s 1,000 Islands event and is among the organizers of the Lake Champlain Poker Run.

The 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run was the first event for Chris Fisher in his 37-footer. Photo by Tim Sharkey copyright Sharkey Images

DCB is among the event’s sponsors. Company vice president Tony Chiaramonte will be on hand during the weekend to support the company’s customers and represent the brand.

“We are super-proud to have these incredible members of the DCB family representing us again in Clayton this year,” Johnston said.