Boat U.S. - September 2008 - (Page 32)

from Tim Brenner in the July issue, Mr. Brenner states that he would not own a boat on the West Coast because there is no place you can transit the coast with the option of entry into numerous safe harbors along the way. Apparently Mr. Brenner is not familiar with the Inside Passage which stretches 1,500 miles from Olympia in southern Puget Sound all the way to Sitka, Alaska. Unlike the ICW, which is only good for relatively shallow draft boats, the Inside Passage has plenty of depth for deep draft vessels. I like the ICW too. But there's no call to denigrate the West Coast just because you know nothing about it. As for your article "One Calm, Cool Nine-year-old,” 45 states have made it unlawful for persons under the age of 12 to operate a vessel under power, even under direct parental supervision. If this law is rigidly enforced, the Kayla Cohens of this world will not be able to learn the skills necessary to operate the boat in an BoatU.S. Magazine September 2008 emergency. This is part of the mandatory boater education law. I support boater education, but this part of the law needs adjusting. David Rogers Vashon, WA Wake Up to a Harsh Reality I read your recent editorial "Behind the Buoy" with some interest, hoping to finally see a glimmer of intelligence from the powerboating community. The disappointment I felt upon completing the editorial was profound. The lack of insight is typical of what I have seen in the past few years. That is why marine manufacturers are dropping like flies in an ice storm. Of all the articles that I have read in the last few years, only the one describing Edison Marine's new electric powerboat gives me any hope at all that powerboating has a real future. I have owned several boats in the past, and have decided to sit it out for now until the industry gets its act togeth- er. One look at Long Island Sound last week was a clear indicator that powerboating as we know it is on it's deathbed. As far as the eye could see, I counted four operating powerboats where last year there would have been dozens. Most boaters use boats that are both larger and more fuel inefficient than are needed for the activity planned, wasting tons of fuel in a world that apparently has little to spare. Honda is currently shipping the first of hydrogen powered cars to the Southern California area, but the current crop of boat manufacturers are more like GM than they are like Honda. They, like you, talk about what they cannot do, instead of just doing it. I would love to see Triumph or Boston Whaler come out with an electric 17-footer in the next year or two. Boaters would snap them up like Pac-Men eating cherries. Wake up before it is too late. Bill O'Connell Scarsdale, NY

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Boat U.S. - September 2008

Boat U.S. - September 2008 Contents Behind The Buoy BoatU.S. Reports Member Forum List Locker Aluminum Can Do Cruising in Crossovers Second Guessing Seasonal Forecasts A Cradle for Your Baby Badlands Boating The Inns and Outs of Penobscot Bay All in the Family: The Butler Did It Stealing Back Peace of Mind DIY Boat Owner Files Good Foundations Boat Smart 2nd Time Around Hot Tips Tangled Line Seaworthy Ask Chuck At Your Service BoatU.S. Exchange Behind the Boat Where Our Flags Fly

Boat U.S. - September 2008

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