Carnival & Fair News

In mid July, Poor Jack Amusements debuted its new Pirate Ship from Rides 4-U after a long-awaited journey to the midway. While the ride made its first appearance in North America more than a year ago, an unfortunate series of events delayed its arrival before it finally entered service this summer.

The ride was originally delivered in February 2025 and showcased by Rides 4-U at the IISF Trade Show in Gibsonton, Florida. After the show, it was scheduled to be transported to Poor Jack Amusements' winter quarters in Indiana.

The show contracted veteran truck driver John Yonkers to haul the ride north.

"John was very well respected and trusted in the carnival industry," said Len Soled, president of Rides 4-U.

During the trip, Yonkers suffered what was later determined to be a medical emergency, causing him to lose consciousness behind the wheel. The tractor-trailer rolled onto its side before leaving Florida.

"The cab was totally destroyed, and it did quite a bit of damage to the ride itself, but not to the point where it was beyond repair," said Soled. "Because of how it landed in the dirt, the A-frame was in good shape."

Following the accident, Rides 4-U, SBF/Visa, and Poor Jack Amusements worked together to return the ride to the SBF/Visa factory in Italy for a complete inspection and rebuild.

"We paid to send the ride back to the factory ourselves. I felt bad that it happened. Unfortunately, in life there is no crystal ball, and we didn't know John was having health issues," said Soled.

The manufacturer took no chances during the rebuilding process, replacing any damaged components with new parts and restoring the ride to factory-new condition.

After more than a year of repairs and rebuilding, the Pirate Ship returned to the United States in early June 2026 and was safely delivered to Poor Jack Amusements, just in time for one of the company's longest-running Indiana fairs.

"The ride ran flawlessly. The lines were wrapped around the block, and people were loving it," said Soled. "It was exciting to debut the ride at one of their oldest fairs. It was a great event to christen the ship." Soled said he plans to visit the show soon to see the ride operating in person.

Sadly, the accident marked the beginning of an even more difficult chapter for Yonkers. Shortly afterward, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and recently passed away.

"John was a wonderful guy who had a long history in the business working for Conklin Shows, Amusements of America, and many others over the years. He will be missed," said Soled.



Poor Jack's Pirate Ship was technically the first portable SBF/Visa Pirate Ship delivered in North America. Last fall, another unit was delivered to Stewart Amusements of Connecticut, and a third is scheduled for delivery to Skerbeck Family Carnival in Michigan.

"It's a wonderful family ride that also appeals to teenagers. Depending on where you sit, you get more or less of a thrill," said Soled.

He also noted that Rides 4-U worked with the factory to reduce the minimum rider height to 48 inches. Operators who choose to install additional safety belts can further reduce the height requirement to 36 inches.

In addition to the three portable units, numerous SBF/Visa Pirate Ships have been sold to amusement parks and family entertainment centers throughout North America.

"We can theme these rides however the customer wants," Soled explained. "One of our park customers asked for the ride to be themed as a giant dune buggy, so we're producing custom molds specifically for that project."

Currently, SBF/Visa can deliver new rides in as little as 10 to 12 months, depending on production timing.

With its successful debut now behind it, Poor Jack Amusements' Pirate Ship has finally completed a journey unlike any other. What began as a routine delivery evolved into a remarkable story of resilience, cooperation, and perseverance, culminating in a fully restored attraction that is now entertaining guests while also serving as a lasting tribute to veteran truck driver John Yonkers, whose final haul became an unforgettable part of the ride's history.