Destination Changes In Store For Orange Beach Powerboat Week

The final stateside event before the Florida Powerboat Club heads for the Bahamas this summer and returns for the Emerald Coast Poker Run in mid-September, Orange Beach Powerboat Week descends on the coastal Alabama town May 9-12. According to club president Stu Jones, approximately 50 club members have registered their boats so far. That translates to roughly 180 participants.

Conditions for the 2023 Orange Beach event got extra sporty at times. Photos by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“That’s about where we need to be for The Wharf, our host venue in Orange Beach,” he said. “So it’s so far, so good.”

There are two significant changes for this year’s event. For those interested in an extra stop, Jones has added Juana’s Pagodas to the destinations for the Friday run. The new stop adds 34 miles to the course for participants who “want to go a little faster and farther,” Jones said.

“I’m sure this will please a lot of catamaran owners,” he added, then chuckled.

An extra stop at famed Juana’s Pagodas in Navarre Beach, Fla., adds mileage to the course.

Also new for the 2024 event, Saturday’s run will boast a full-group lunch stop and party at a spot in Mobile Bay. The lunch stop, which boasts “a very rustic vibe,” according to Jones will have live entertainment. To ensure the function remains private, Jones is keeping the location under wraps for now.

“As for the rest of the activities, that’s the easy part because we are headquartered at The Wharf in Orange Beach,” said Jones. “This venue provides us with everything we need for the weekend, including great shopping and dining, entertainment on site, as well as truck and trailer parking.

“There’s also a wide selection of lodging including the Springhill Suites and private condominium rentals on site,” he continued. “The marina is just a few steps away and the nearest boat ramp is just across the canal so really this is an ideal one-stop poker-run venue.”