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NBYC Race Committee Boat - your feedback requested



The flag officers and a group of race committee “regulars” have been studying possibilities for a new committee boat.   We intend to buy a good quality boat that is suitable for our needs but that still leaves lots of choices and any boat will be some sort of compromise regardless of how carefully we study the issue.  The most fundamental choice is between a pontoon boat (similar to our current FlatTop) and a monohull boat (probably something similar to Peck’s Squire but more likely with an outboard engine).  We expect to make a decision within the next week or so and get a boat on order so it will be ready for this coming season.  To be certain we haven’t overlooked anything, we are looking for input and opinions from everyone.  If you have thoughts, particularly if they are based on your experience working on the race committee, please send them to any member of the executive committee.

 

Dick Morris,                    remq53@yahoo.com

    Harlan Fredericksen        harlan.fredericksen@dittman-greer.com

    John Brousseau             shorelinecutter@aol.com

    Dave Peck                     DAP14971@aol.com

    Joe Swider                     mmsjes@msn.com

 

To prompt your thinking, a partial list of committee boat characteristics follows:

 

- have a large open workspace

- be stable at anchor

- have an anchor system that is easy to deploy and hoist

- have a usable enclosed head

- have 360 degree visibility from line sighting position

- have suitable course board mounting

- have suitable method to hoist signal flags

- have adequate room to stow marks (3 cylinders & 3 balls?)

- have adequate stowage for mark anchors & line (6)

- have a large working anchor and rode with storage

- have a suitable anchor winch

- have large cleats all the way around the boat (3 minimum to a side)

- have a suitable towing arrangement (cleats, etc.) for marks

- have some sort of enclosure to allow people and gear to get out of the weather while in motion

- have some sort of enclosure to allow people and gear to get out of the weather while recording finishes, checking in, etc.

- have comfortable seating for a crew of 6

- have room to walk around (this and seating keep people from going stir crazy)

- have dry stowage for flags, course cards, line, life jackets, parts, crew gear

- have radio(2 separate radios) & pa system (with remotes/extension cords so they can be used on deck) and GPS

- have a small dry counter area for a laptop, a chart, clipboard or whatever

- have low boarding height over the sides for easy access

- have suitable engines and power

- consider resale value

- consider maintenance / annual upkeep costs / fuel and operating costs

- consider winterizing / hauling costs

- consider its drivability by "typical" club member race committee volunteer

- have adequate speed & maneuverability

- suitability to install a start signal system that is audible all along line

- consider seaworthiness outside bay

- have easy movement for crew from bow to stern

- initial purchase price