Please be aware there is currently a bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Watson for everyone on a boat in water to wear a coastguard approved life jacket.
I am strongly against this type of legislation for the following reasons:
1. I don’t believe in government legislating our lives!
2. I don’t believe this law can be enforced.
3. These life jackets can be uncomfortable and on a clear, calm day they just aren’t necessary.
4. I believe its everyone’s personal responsibility to determine whether they should or should not wear a life jacket.
5. The exceptions in this law are much more dangerous than some other types of boating. For example you won’t have to wear a lifejacket when going to your mooring in a small zodiac or while in a canoe owned by a children’s summer camp?!
6. What are the legal effects of this law on the regatta events and boat owners if a person is found not wearing a life jacket? (can’t control everyone’s actions all the time)
7. The requirement to wear a life jacket will be another barrier to our sport as it will increase costs and possibly turn people away.
8. Our sport sailing on the ocean has resulted in very few injuries or deaths from accidents involving people not wearing a life jacket.
9. Many more people who aren’t familiar with the boating on lakes are impacted each year, usually due to the sea worthiness of the boat and the knowledge of the operator. Not the use or lack of use of a life jacket.
10. With the economy the way it is right now is this what we want our legislators focused on? Don’t they have some better things to do like finding a way to attract more business, tourism, etc….
There are probably plenty more reasons to be against this legislation.
If you agree with my thoughts or oppose this legislation please contact Rep. Tom Watson and your local Maine Rep. to communicate your dissent.
To keep up to date on the status click this link here.
To read the proposed legislation click this link here.
These Beneteau’s 47.7 can perform quite well in PHRF and are sailing a bunch all over the country. With low interest rates and low prices now is the time to pick one up for yourself.
“GARBO” is a great example of this proven offshore perfomance cruiser. She has been professionally maintained and continually uprgraded.
Notable upgrades/features:
-*- Awl-Grip Topsides 2008 -*- New North Marathon 3DL main -*-Upgraded to Tall Rig I=59.68′/P=57.41′ -*- All spectra lines and halyards -*- 60 lph watermaker -*- All s/s Chain rode -*- New Dodger 2008 -*- Custom linens…..The list goes on.
The Gulf of Maine Ocean Racing Association will be having an informal holiday gathering of sailors this Friday December 19th starting at 8:30pm.
Here are the details from GMORA
Friday December 19th
8:30pm to whenever
at Buck’s Naked BBQ
568 US Route One Freeport, ME
Come have a few cocktails
Listen to some great live music by A Band beyond Description
If you haven’t done your holiday shopping yet, take a little time off Friday afternoon get to the shops in Freeport and then relax with your sailing friends and swap some fun stories.
Regatta Promotions was there for the first annual Leafer’s Last Leg Regatta hosted by SailMaine a non-profit organization that benefits sailing in Maine. We took photos of the regatta which was held in light winds on a somewhat damp but not cold day. 8 teams competed in 420s and Ynglings in a college format regatta for families and individuals that wanted to show there support for SailMaine. There was also an open 420 division for people that wanted to sail but couldn’t put together a whole team. The results are posted here.
Video friday this week is a reflection of the summer sailing season. This video was taken on one of the most popular Portland Yacht Club Thursday nights when there were roughly 60+ boats in attendence.
As Pacino in Scar Face would say “It’s a cream puff, baby!” Thats what this month’s brokerage boat of the month is – a cream puff. This C&C 34 R is a solidly built boat which rates around 81 racing and 93 cruising. Pefect for the the racer that wants a fast boat but not the huge waterline and up keep. Also this is a great cruiser/racer with full ammenities down below including an enclosed head (great for the ladies), full v-berth and a decent size galley and nav. station. At about half the price of a J105, C&C 99, Beneteau 36.7 or a J100 this boat is a great deal, especially since the economy may put a pinch in our pockets over the next few months. Now is the time to buy as there are some great deals out there so take a look at what’s available from our friends and sponsor East Coast Yacht Sales.
Ok, I bet you didn’t know that Regatta Promotions has its own video production crew. Well, we don’t really. Hall Web Marketing of Scarborough, Maine has generously donated their time and expertise to Fleet 43 and the Downeast Regatta to make this quick intro to the fleet. They will also be taking video during the 2008 Downeast Regatta for the sailors to enjoy each evening after racing.
SailMaine has added a new series to Casco Bay racing scene this summer — the 1st annual Summer Team Race Series.
Team racing consists of boats (usually 3 to a team) helping each other to the best combination of finishes against another team of boats. The team with the lowest combined score of all three boats’ finishes wins.
Racing is Monday nights from 5pm 8pm in SailMaine’s fleet of 18 collegiate 420′s. The last two Monday¹s have been fantastic with great breeze and clear skies.
SailMaine encourages anyone with experience in team racing to come sailing.
Many people arrive each Monday without someone to sail with. After a quick assessment of a person¹s experience, pairings are made and teams are made up. Presently we have 4 teams on the water (12 boats/24 people) If there are more than 24 people we rotate crews into the racing.
The group sailing each Monday is impressive. Of the 38 people so far fifteen adults were college sailors with extensive team racing experience. Seven sailors in the series are presently sailing in college at a variety of schools, including URI, Harvard, UVM, and St Mary’s . Many have commented on how “psyched” their coaches are going to be when they hear how much practice they got over the summer. The rest of the people signed up to team race are a part of the High School Sailing Program at SailMaine or experienced sailors.
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