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Joseph CecchiniPresident Worldwide Boaters Safety Group

4226 Coronado AvenueStockton, California 95204

855.467.5368

A NEW EXCLUSIVE AND FREE MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAMIt is with a great sense of achievement that we can announce the introduction of:

As a new and exclusive Member Benefit Program that we believe will significantly enhance your boats ongoing experience.

For more information regarding this new/exclusive member benefit, please refer to the center spread this newsletter.

I am certain as you become acquainted and use this new program you will agree that this opens new horizons in your boating experience.

WESTERN BOATERS SAFETY GROUP BECOMES WORLDWIDE BOATERS SAFETY GROUP

On April 6, 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark office (USPTO) approved our new name filing.

As your association extends its activities toward a nationally and potentially an in-ternational presence it was the opinion and direction of your Board of Directors to change our name to more closely reflect our geographic presence. We were able to

accomplish this and still maintain for the most part our Western Boaters Safety logo identity.

The Aquapac Boat/Yacht Insurance program is now available on a national basis and will be administered by the Norman-Spen-cer Marine Agency. As the program gains size and geographic reach, it allows the administrators to more effectively negotiate better benefits for our members.

Have a safe and enjoyable boating season.

WE WELCOME YOUR SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTSWorldwide Boaters Safety Group wants to encourage everyone to enjoy boating in a safe and fun manner. We are looking for feedback on our newsletter and want to incorporate a letters to the editor section. If you have any boating information we have not covered, please contact us so that we may address your interests in an article. We also welcome any comments you may have on articles presented in this addition. Mail your questions or comments to WBSG, P.O. Box 208016, Stockton, CA 95208-9016 or e-mail us at: bsmith@aquapac.com.

Electrical System: make sure all connections are tightly fastened and in good repair with no corrosion or damage. Use a wire brush to knock off any loose dirt. And just like you’dcheck your car battery, you should also check your boat battery. Keep it dry, clean, and free of rust.Propeller: examine your propeller for dents and have it repaired or replaced if you find damage. Make sure your propeller shaft is properly greased and the propeller nut is sufficiently tightened.Hull: keep an eye on your hull for any signs of cracks or other damage and patch them appropriately if you do find them.Prevent Buildup by Cleaning Your Boat Regularly Boat hulls have a few persistent enemies: aquatic pests (think barnacles), algae, marine plants, and rust. All can cause fuel inefficiency, performance loss, and corrosive damage to your hull. You can prevent this by setting up a regular cleaning schedule that takes into account how much time your boat spends in the water.

Here are a few things to consider:If boating in saltwater, rinse your boat with fresh water when you return from an excursion, since the salt residue can cause quick corrosion.

• Use an antifouling paint on your hull if your water and storage conditions require it. Your needs will vary based on where you’re storing your boat. The boats in some bodies of water are far more at risk of fouling than others, based on biological factors. Consult other boat owners from the area about the likelihood of fouling in local waters.• Use a cleaning product that’s specially formulated for boat hulls. Other cleaning products may contain bleach or other chemicals that could harm the integrity of your hull. Use a soft sponge and gentle, circular hand motions.• Prevent hull corrosion by applying a protective coating of commercial wax intended for your boat’s construction material.• Use muratic acid to take care of persistent hull scum,but don’t leave it on for too long—it can,actually cause corrosion and paint damage.

As A boAt owner, you no doubt tAke pride in your vessel. whether you’re cAptAin of A luxury yAcht or An inflAtAble dinghy, your boAt’s cAre is something to be proud of. And As A good cAptAin, it’s your duty to tAke cAre of your wAtercrAft And ensure thAt it stAys seAworthy (or pond-worthy, As the cAse mAy be) for yeArs to come.reAd on for some simple wAys to prolong the life of your boAt.

Protect Your Boat with Proper Storage It doesn’t matter if you’re storing your boat for the winter or just between trips to the lake. Proper boat storage is key. One of the first decisions you’ll make as a boat owner is whether to store your watercraft indoors or outdoors. Indoor storage offers greater protection from rain, cold, wind, and harmful UV rays that can damage various components of your watercraft. Even if you’re storing your boat in your garage, you should still use a tarp or other watercraft cover. This helps keep moisture, dust, debris, and rodents out of your boat. Keep your boat away from any sources of heat, like radiators. If you have a small craft like a kayak, consider installing a suspension system so it’s not at risk of falling. If you’re using indoor storage facilities, like a marina or a boatyard, look for one that includes services such as periodic maintenance and cleaning in the price, especially if you’re going to be storing your boat over the winter. In fair weather climates where you can get away with outdoor storage, taking the time to protect your boat from the elements is important. Look into a portable storage unit like a lightweight galvanized steel hut. And don’t skimp when it comes to purchasing your watercraft cover. Find a quality, water-resistant or waterproof tarp that’s made to fit your boat. You may even want to consider shrink-wrapping your vessel if it will be outside for long stretches of time.

Perform Simple Routine Boat Maintenance If you have the maintenance knowhow, develop a healthy habit of routine checkups. If you don’t, consider taking a maintenance class. In fact, taking certain classes can even qualify you for dis-counts if you have boat insurance with Allstate.

Here are a few features on your boat that you should check regularly:

Bilge pumps: if your bilge pumps malfunction, you’ll be in a lot of trouble. Examine their electrical components for corrosion, keep their limber holes free of debris, and test the float switches and alarms.Motor: flush your engine after every trip. Once again, you’re keeping an eye out for rust and corrosion on the engine itself, but also on the engine clamps and the fuel line. Be sure to replace old, worn belts and hoses.Oil: check your oil levels and top up when necessary. Change the oil if it appears dirty, and make sure your oil filter is functioning properly.

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Learn How to Maintain Your Boat

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Find The Right Cover For Your Boat

TESTING THE SITES Googling “boat covers” delivers what seems like a zillion choices, so we started by clicking on the sites that came up at or near the top of the list. Sites with names such as boatcoversdirect.com, discount-boatcover.com and boatcovers.com (there are at least a few dozen more just like this) offer a variety of boat covers for a lot of popular brands. Familiar mail-order/Internet vendors such as Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops and Overton’s also offer a wide array of choices for “universal fit” and “custom fit” covers. Even companies normally known for other products, such as J.C. Whitney (automo-tive) and Northern Tool (tools, equipment and home/farm/recreation), are now offer-ing boat covers. Most Internet vendors seem to use the same (or at least very similar) search and access matrix once you get into perus-ing their sites. They begin by asking what brand/model boat you have. The list ofcustom-fit covers has expanded greatlyover the past few years, so much so that most popular and late-model hulls are listed on these sites.

When your year/make/model is not listed on these sites, you can go to the universal-fit section and give the length and beam of your hull, and typically what is shown is a universal-fit cover.

PRE-MADE CUSTOM COVERS This means you can obtain a pretty decent custom-fit cover for your Chaparral, Crownline, Sea Ray, Wellcraft, Whaler or other major boat brand. Even bass boats (most brands, anyway) are listed, so if your boat was made by a popular builder and is reasonably new, you stand a pretty good chance of being able to score a cover that has been designed, cut and sewn to fit your boat. If you have an older hull, or one that’s not well known, you’re going to have to settle for a universal cover that “sort of” fits. Something fairly new regarding boat covers are options. It used to be that these covers came one way: You buy the cover, that’s what you get. Now they’re offeredwith extras. For example, some covers offer optional tie-down strap kits, extra windshield reinforcement, a cover storage bag and support poles. Also a choice of materials, from “basic” canvas to modern reinforced breathable fabrics. These are generally identified in a “good/better/best” offering, with the price increasing as the quality of material improves.

Just a few years ago, when it came to canvas boat covers, you had two choices: Have a local canvas shop create a custom cover or buy a universal-fit cover. Today, you actually have a third choice. A number of Internet sites and other retailers offerready-made covers for many of the latest popular boat models.

PICK YOUR FABRIC Cotton, Duck, Canvas, Polyester, Blends … which is best? Which will last longer? Which is most expensive? Here’s a quick primer on boat cover fabrics. Cotton Canvas The least expensive of commonly used boat cover materials, cotton canvas is not really waterproof (but can be made to be water-resistant by treating it). It’s very breathable and usually durable, plus it’s mildew- and rot-resistant. Duck canvas is of somewhat higher quality due to its tighter weave, which makes it more durable. A basic cotton canvas cover usually has a two- or three-year warranty, but if maintained well and not stored outside 100 percent of the time, will last much longer. I have a cotton canvas cover that was sewn in 1975, and it still protects its 1975 boat and engine almost like the day it was new. Poly-Cotton Blend These fabrics attempt to maximize the good characteristics of cotton and polyes-ter. Such covers are usually mid-priced and last about half as long as a polyester cover. They can be decent for trailering and keep-ing the boat outdoors, and usually feature a three-year warranty. Polyester This is a much stronger and more durable material than cotton, but it doesn’t breathe as well so care must be taken when using a polyester cover in humid climates. Typically more expensive, poly covers last longer and are more resistant to fading, ripping and tearing as they grow older. Polyester is much more water-repellant than cotton canvas. A polyester cover, especially one made from treated material, is a better choice for long-term outdoor storage and trailering. Since these are the best boat covers, they usually carry the longest war-ranties—typically three to seven years.

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This is a very important time for you and your boat. If you take the necessary steps now, you will have a much more enjoyable boating season next spring. Now is the time to take the steps to properly protect your boat from the elements and insure that it will be in the same condi-tion next spring as it is now. You may still get some warm days to take the boat out, but you can start the process now. First thing is to add fuel stabilizer to your fuel. Even if you go out several more times this season, it is a good idea to add it early. That way if you don’t use the boat again it’s in there. The stabi-lizer works best if you add it to the fuel and then take the boat out on the water. That way it gets run through all the fuel lines helping to prevent a buildup of varnish that can cause poor performance next year. This is cheap and adds so much. The next item for winterizing your boat is making a check list that you can follow as you carry out the steps needed for storing your boat over the winter. Check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recom-mendations for winterization or off season lay up. It is highly recom-mended that you contact a reputable boat service center and pay to have your boat winterized properly. This is the best way to make sure your boat is ready for the winter as well as making sure the regular mainte-nance has been done. This is a small price to pay for peace of mind. However, just because you pay someone to professionally winterize your boat, doesn’t let you off the hook as far as checking on your boat. The worst thing that can happen to a boater is to come to your boat in the spring, remove the cover and find out it’s full of water, or covered in mold and mildew. There is no way to store your boat all winter that is fool proof. The best thing to do is check on your boat often. Especially if there has been any kind of inclement weather. Where are you going to store the boat? In the open, in your garage, in a barn. These are all common storage places. Each brings a different set of checks. Any of the above have some common checks. Take out the drain plugs. Allow any moisture in the boat to get out. Make sure you clean out any debris in the bilge area so that it can’t build up in front of the drain plug opening. Make sure you store the boat in a bow up position. Make sure your cover fits and that it is tented properly. In other words be sure the water will always run off and not puddle in the canvas. If you store in a barn or other outside type building, you may want to cover the cover with a sheet of plastic just loosely draped over the cover to keep bird droppings off the canvas and the boat. The acid in the droppings can cause color fade on both the canvas and the gel coat on the boat. Inside Storage. The best way to store your boat is to have it in a locked, indoor facility. But even then you need to check on it to make sure there is no moisture accumulating inside the cover. Moisture trapped inside the cover causes mildew and mold. Both items that may not be covered by insurance. Also with inside storage you can have mice and rodents get into your boat and destroy upholstery, wiring and hoses. Be sure to check your boat often to be sure you don’t have a problem. Shrink Wrap. Many marinas and shops offer shrink wrap as a service and solution to customers storing their boats for a long period of time. This is another way of storing and works very well for keeping rain, snow, dirt, and debris from entering the boat, but it can also lock in moisture from condensation and with the fluctuation in temperatures again cause mold and mildew. If you decide to shrink wrap your boat,

be sure the shop puts in vents and it is a good idea to ask for a door to be added to the shrink wrap so you can open it during nice days and air it out. Boat Covers, Canvas, Tarps. This is the most common way to store boats. The problem here is that most covers are not “tented” properly. You need to make sure that there is no sagging areas in your tarp where water can stand. Eventually the canvas will leak and the water will run into your boat. To keep the boat tented properly, you can use a custom fitted cover with tent poles already built in, or you can build your own frame work to hold the cover up. In either case you need to check the cover often and look under the cover to make sure that mold and mildew are not growing under the cover. It is a good idea again to open up the cover during nice sunny days and allow the boat to air out. Another tip for keeping the moisture in check is to take plain Tidy Cat, cat litter and pour it into 3 or 4 vinyl dishpans. This will absorb several times it’s own weight in moisture. Spread the dishpans out in the boat. Be sure to use smaller dishpans as a large one will get too heavy to re-move from the boat when filled with moisture. What does winterization mean for you in your area? Check with the local marine service shops, other boaters, and find out what needs to be done to properly store your boat for the winter. For example: If you live in a climate that freezes or border line freezes, or you are going to tow your boat through an area that freezes, you need to be sure that your engine and drive are free of any water that will freeze and crack engine components. These freeze claims may not be covered by your insurance policy. Below is a beginning checklist for you to start from. You can add or delete any items that pertain to your individual situation.

1. Add fuel stabilizer to your fuel tank. Make sure you run the boat for several minutes after adding to make sure the fuel stabilizer gets through the entire fuel system. Be sure you have a water source hooked up to your engine when you run it. 2. Change the engine and drive oil in the fall. You don’t want to leave moisture, dirt, or metal in the oil over the winter. 3. For inboards and I/O’s have the alignment checked. This needs to be done every season and on I/O’s the bellows can be checked at the same time. If you own an inboard or V-drive the shop can check your shaft packing and the transmission and/or V-drive. 4. Have the engine fogged out. This is a heavy coating of an oil like substance that covers all the internal parts of the engine and keeps everything from rusting during a long lay off period. 5. Clean the boat. Wax, vinyl conditioners and cleaners all add to the life of your boat. You can add as many items as your owner’s manual or your shop suggests. Every step you take this fall will help you have a more en-joyable season next year.

GETTING READY FOR WINTER

CHECK ON YOUR BOAT! It’s your fun and relaxation in the summer, don’t assume it is all right all winter. The last couple of winters have been very wet. We hear all the time about people who did everything right at the beginning of winter, but then just never checked on their boat. Covers get blown off, heavy rains cause the covers to sag and then the moisture in the boat causes mold and mildew.

You can’t check on it too often.

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There are three things you can count on—death, taxes and the call of nature. You know what I’m talking about. And when nature calls while you’re out in the middle of the lake, what are you going to do? If your boat is equipped with a marine head, you can smile. But what if your boat is not so equipped? The best option, of course, is to have a marine head on board. The first task associated with bringing a head aboard is to figure out where it’s going to go. If your boat has a cabin that can serve as a space for privacy, all is well. If yours is an open boat with no type of enclosure, the situation gets a bit more public.

SIMPLE SOLUTION A simple solution is a portable marine head, available at boating accessory retailers, as well as camping supply stores. This is the easiest, cleanest and least-expensive solution to the problem of dealing with human waste on a boat. It’s compact, lightweight (the only real weight is the flush water), simple to operate, portable and easy to service at the end of the trip. This kind of toilet can be stowed away until needed, then pulled out and put to use wherever there’s a couple square feet of extra space. The portable unit is divided into two chambers—the upper one holds fresh water for flushing and the lower chamber is the waste holding tank. A slide valve in the bottom of the toilet bowl seals off the lower chamber to keep odors from escaping. A small amount of holding tank treatment product is used to help dissolve the waste and paper, as well as eliminate the aroma. To operate, first pump a bit of fresh water into the toilet bowl while the slide valve is closed. When done, open the slide valve to flush, close the slide valve.

Having a marine head aboard makes your boat more civilized

and keeps everyone smiling.

The only drawback to a portable unit is the limited capacity, but that’s easy to deal with by planning shoreside stops where it can be emptied every few days. When the tank is full, it is simple to disconnect the lower cham-ber and take it to any bathroom and empty it in the toilet (check with the local marina for any restrictions). Some marinas have dedicated dump stations, which make it convenient for emptying and cleaning the holding tank in a matter of minutes. For many trailer boaters, a portable marine head makes perfect sense. It is not a permanent installation, so it is legal on any boat anywhere (except the province of Ontario in Canada).

ADDITIONAL USES Because a portable toilet is, by definition, portable, you also can use it for camping trips or as an emergency sanitation system at home in the event of a disaster that disables normal sewage systems. And that very characteristic also means that the installation strategy you use in your boat will be quick and easy to mount and demount. Try using 2-inch-wide hook-and-loop fasteners with the loop portion stuck to the boat sole and the hook portion stuck to the bottom of the holding tank. This should be sufficient to keep the potty from moving around even when the going gets rough on the water.

PRIVACY ISSUES If your boat has no cabin for privacy, and the potty is out in the open, drape a lightweight blanket over the area. On any boat, no matter how manly you are, it’s always best from a balance stand-point to sit down for every relief break. Even then, it’s much easier if the boat is slowed so it isn’t bashing through chop. Perhaps the configuration of your boat will allow you to drape some fabric over a “clothesline” that runs from one side of the vessel to the other, creating a wall of sorts for privacy. Analyze your boat and see what you can come up with in this regard. Buying a portable marine head is a great step toward making your boat a more civilized place to spend your days. It is money and time well spent. The reality is that nature will call, and you don’t want it to interrupt your fun on the water. The solution is to plan ahead. Plan a head.

PORTABLE HEADS Today, there are two major brands of portable marine heads—Dometic Group and Thetford Corp. Both companies offer a range of models with different capacities and features. There is even an electric-flush model. Yet all of these models are compact enough to fit in a head compartment or small cabin.

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Ah but what a tangled web we weave…By: Bill Krauss

The 2012 Legislative Session has the usual “questionable” budget and political intrigue, but with the added twist of confusing ballot measures and betting on the future to “balance” our state budget. As times get more desperate, those in charge must be ever more creative in their approach to finding solution to our various problems. The best place to start to demonstrate this challenge is with the state budget. As has been the case for several years we continue to face a steady decline in our fiscal health, running deficits annu-ally in the tens of billions of dollars. Overlaying this problem is an unemployment benefit system that has been bankrupt since January of 2009 and we are in debt to the federal government to the tune of around $11 billion dollars as we have looked to them to cover the ongoing costs of this program. The challenges don’t stop there. Our public pension system also has unfunded liabilities of around $500 billion. Despite all of these challenges, and many others not mentioned, we always find new ways to “balance” the budget each fiscal year as required by the California Constitution. This year we got particu-larly creative. The state budget is predicated on the passage of a tax measure on the November ballot that the Administration says will raise around $6 billion annually. If the tax measure fails, there will be automatic “trigger” cuts, mostly to education. Some of the more cynical in the Capitol are saying the “trigger” cuts are focused on education to force support for the tax measure. Boating was also caught up in this “trigger” cut maneuver. Should the measure fail, boating law enforcement will be cut by $5 million. Either way, the measure is barely holding its own in the polls so the outcome is uncertain at best. The fact that we are facing financial challenges is not the most surprising news. What is interesting is that the Legislature con-tinues to increase spending in spite of our circumstances. For example, just before going on summer recess, the Legislature chose to allocate $2.6 billion in bond funds to begin work on the high speed rail initiative. While the necessity for this rail system can be argued on both sides, from a purely budgetary perspective, the debt maintenance costs for these bonds will cost the state General Fund hundreds of millions of dollars or even more each year. Given the harsh realities of our fiscal state, it is not surprising the boaters took a hit as well. In January the Governor proposed a better-than-average budget for the Department of Boating and Waterways. He confirmed this financial support for the Department when he released his revised budget in May. This was certainly good news, but the cynic in me was concerned given our state’s dire circumstances. Unfortunately, my instincts were correct; after the revised budget was released a late proposal was introduced to take $10 million from the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund (HWRF) to pay for “recreational enhancements” on the State Water Project (SWP). The SWP is the quasi-private system of dams and

reservoirs that made an agreement with the State decades ago that required the State to pay for these recreational enhancements, to which the State has not been holding up its end of the bargain. Over the last four years the parties have tried to negotiate a solution and this year they finally reached a compromise, at our expense. Department of Boating and Waterways The $10 million hit is certainly bad news, but the most signifi-cant news this year is the merger of the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) into the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Rumors began to swirl last winter that the Governor was working on a variety of mergers and consolidations of government agencies. Those rumors became officially true when he introduced his “Government Reform Proposal #2” (GRP) on May 3 of this year. As expected that bill called from the merger of DBW into DPR and the elimination of the Boating and Waterways Commission (BWC), along with many other mergers, consolidations and eliminations of agencies. Procedurally, a GRP is different than a bill. A GRP is introduced and by default becomes effective in 60 days. To stop it, either house can vote to reject it and it is then dead. During this 60-day period the proposal is reviewed and public hearings are conducted by the “Little Hoover Commission” (LHC). The LHC has no other authority than to review the proposal, produce a report, and offer recom-mendations for future adjustments to the plan if it so chooses. We participated in this review and hearing process and in the end their report recommended maintaining the BWC. It became clear early on that there was little political support for going against the Governor and restoring the Department in its entirety. However, we did get strong support from the Legislature for restoring the BWC. Working with the other boating interests in Sacramento we were able to find legislative “champions” to help in our efforts. Ultimately, a bill was introduced that restored the BWC and within days it reached the Governor’s desk. As of the writing of this article it is still pending his signature, but he is expected sign it into law. The make-up of the new Commission is different in that it will no long provide “advice and consent” on loans and grants. However, one could argue the new Commission is as good, or even better, than before. The new Commission must be given an opportunity to review and comment on any regulations affecting boating programs; it must provide advice and comment on proposed loans and grant; the Division must submit a report on its annual budget to the Com-mission for advice and comment; the Commission will con-tinue to hold regular meetings throughout the state; it will review boating infrastructure plans that have requested loans or grants; and it must prepare a report every three years on the Division’s programs and activity and discuss that report in public hearings. This level of dis-closure and reporting will ensure the boating community is heard and are aware of what is going with their funds. In terms of the impact to boating programs now that DBW is a division of DPR, I am trying to be optimistic. While it is true main-taining a separate department is ideal, hopefully DPR will “adopt” the new division and rather than see it as another Department to which it is in competition for funds, it will seek to protect it as “one of its own.” If not, DPR will still be required to submit budget proposals for legislative review annually, giving us the opportunity to advocate for our interests.

Legislation:On the legislative front, we continue to hold our own. We are sup-porting bills to cut the regulatory red tape for large vessels coming

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Initiative Process: With a gridlocked legislative process, interest groups and even the Legislature and the Governor are turning to the ballot to promote their agenda. The Legislature just voted again to bump the “water bond” to the 2014 ballot. It was originally slated for the 2010 ballot and was subsequently moved to 2012 due to fear that it will fail at the polls. As noted before, the Governor is looking to balance the budget with the ballot and there is another tax measure on the November ballot that could further complicate the situation. Excessive use of the ballot can also lead to voters not neces-sarily knowing what they are voting for. In the recent June election the voters approved Proposition 28, which would “shorten” term limits from a current maximum 14 years to 12 years. However, the practical implication is that time served by individual members will likely increase. Here’s how: Before the limit was three, two-year terms in the Assembly and two, four-year terms in the Sen-ate. However, because of all the “seat jumping” efforts by current members looking to maximize their time as elected officials, it was common for members to not serve to the limit in each house. For example, an open Senate seat right at the end of the six-year limit of an Assembly Member might not be available. That sitting Assembly Member might leave the Assembly after just two or four years to fight for that open Senate seat. It was also common for a sitting Legislator to simply not have a chance at the other house due to overlapping districts and competition from a more popular Legisla-tor taking the other house seat they were looking at, limiting their time in the Legislature to just the limit of their original house. Now, with Proposition 28, a member can serve the full 12 years in one house. This will likely see the return of the strong “Willie Brown” style Assembly Speakers and longer overall time served in the Legislature in the aggregate as members choose to make a career in one house rather than risk a jump to the other house. My guess is many voters thought they were voting to shorten term limits, but in fact the opposite is likely true.

Ah but what a tangled web we weave… The bottom line is that there are a lot of moving parts and the parts get more complicated over time. In a simpler time the process was more straight forward: budgets were based on real numbers and were really balanced each year, coupled with a prudent reserve. Now, budgets are “sketchy” to be kind, complex ballot measures are used as a means to an often hidden “end;” and the public is not always sure what they are getting. However, in all of this complexity we continue to generally hold our own. DBW is now a division of Parks, but their budget will remain a public process, which allows us to continue to work to protect the boater’s dollars. We also have what I think is a new and improved Boating and Waterways Com-mission. Yes, the State is more complex, but that complexity can work to our advantage as well. In closing, I want to reiterate what I always say: Get to know your Legislator. That personal relationship is criti-cal for our efforts in Sacramento!

to California and a bill to allow DBW to work on controlling SouthAmerican Spongeplant, which is becoming more of a concern. We joined other Sacramento interests in beating back two bills that would have placed a “service” tax on many industries, including marina services and boat repair. The one remaining challenge is a bill that would place a fee on vessel registration of up to $10 annually to pay for Quagga Mussel programs, which we oppose because the HWRF is already funding some of these efforts to the tune of over $6 million annually. On a positive note, the copper hull paint bill, which would have banned anti-fouling paints due to copper in the water, has been dropped by the author. This bill saw extensive activity in Sacramento and at the local level as all the stakeholders have attempted to work through the complex issues. Although we may see a bill next year, the good news is there are ongoing discussions and reviews of the existing and emerging science of the impact of copper on aquatic species, which should lead to a better bill. Elections:Although DBW merger/funding are the public policy development we see today, it is the electoral process that sets the stage for future policies, making it worth a note or two. Three big changes have happened lately to the political process that have had and will con-tinue to have implications for the boating community: The majority vote budget; the open primary system; and an increased use of the initiative process.

Majority Votes Budget: As we saw this year, the recent change to a majority vote budget, meaning no votes from the minority party are needed, has resulted in on-time budgets. An on-time budget is positive, but a majority vote approach has serious implication for the State. First, even though there is a requirement for a balanced budget, the Legisla-ture self declares that it is “balanced,” which can lead to obvious problems. This year’s budget is a good example. The Governor openly declared, and the Legislature agreed, that the budget will be balanced only with the passage of a tax increase on the Novemberballot, meaning at the time of passage it was not technically “bal-anced;” some would argue in violation of the State Constitution. Although this new arrangement increases efficiency, it removes a significant “check” on the system. On the other hand, this new ap-proach prevents the parties from blaming each other for the prob-lems. From a boating perspective, a majority vote budget eliminates our opportunity to argue our case to the minority party who could leverage our interests in the budget negotiations.

Open Primary: This will play out over the next few election cycles but is ex-pected to result in more competitive seats and a more responsive Legislature. We just had our first “open primary” election and here are some interesting facts: 101 of the 103 candidates from the majority parties advanced to the General Election. However, 42% faced challenges from within their own party; as compared to about 18% normally. The open primary is significant in that it will force office holders to respond to their districts out of fear of a chal-lenger from within their own party. This dynamic is confirmed by the statistic that 20 elections in November will have two candidates from the same party.What does this mean for boating? I think a Legislature less con-cerned about Sacramento politics and more concerned about the interests of their constituents will be more supportive of boating. We have a good story to tell about the economic and social value of boating; and when we can get individuals to listen, we get support.

• Always tell someone of your travel plans and file a float plan. • Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures and permit requirements. • Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment and supplies accordingly. • Make sure you have enough fuel and oil for the entire trip. • Make sure your owner’s manual and registration are on board in waterproof containers. • Always carry a Coast Guard approved working fire extinguisher and warning flares. • Prepare for the unexpected by packing necessary emergency items. • Carry a Global Positioning System (GPS)and know how to use it. • Know distress signals and warning symbols. Know your limitations. Apply sunscreen, drink lots of water and watch your energy level. • Take a boater education course to learn more about navigating waterways and safe and enjoyable boating. • Make sure your boat is mechanically up to the task. Be prepared with tools, supplies and a spill kit.

AVOID SENSITIVE AREASAvoid sensitive areas and operating your watercraft in shallow waters or near shorelines at high speeds.

• Always launch at a designated boat ramp. Backing a vehicle on a riverbank or lakeshore can damage the area and leads to erosion. • Always travel slowly in shallow waters and avoid boating in water less than 2½ feet deep. High speeds near shorelines lead to large wakes which cause shoreline erosion. • Sensitive areas to avoid include seasonal nesting or breeding areas. • Do not disturb historical, archeological or paleontological sites. • Avoid “spooking” wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. • Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in designated Wilderness Areas.

DO YOUR PARTDo your part by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of fuel, oil and waste, avoiding the spread of invasive species, and restoring degraded areas.

• Pack out what you pack in.• Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others. • When fueling your boat take every precaution not to spill fuel into the water. • Be prepared. Carry a spill kit which includes absorbent pads, socks and booms. • Use a fuel collar or bib when fueling to catch drips and overflow and prevent backsplash. • Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out. • Before and after a trip, wash your gear, watercraft and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Remove all plant material from watercraft, motor, trailer and other gear and dispose on dry land in a garbage container. Drain livewells, bilge water and transom wells at the boat launch prior to leaving.

TRAVEL RESPONSIBLYTravel responsibly on designated waterways and launch your watercraft in designated areas.

• Travel only in areas open to your type of boat. • Carry a Coast Guard approved life vest (PFD) for each person on board. • Always operate your boat at a safe speed.• Always have a designated lookout to keep an eye out for other boaters, objects and swimmers. • Never jump a wake. If crossing a wake, cross at low speeds and keep a close lookout for skiers and towables. • Comply with all signs and respect barriers. This includes speed limits, no-wake zones and underwater obstructions, etc. • Make every effort to always go boating with apartner. • Make certain your trailer is in proper working order and that your lights work and your boat is secure on the trailer before you travel to your destination. • When trailering your boat, balance your load including items stowed inside your boat. • Don’t mix boating with alcohol or drugs.

RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF OTHERSRespect the rights of others, including anglers, swimmers, skiers, boaters, divers and others so they can enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed.

• Show consideration to all recreationists on and around the waters. • Be courteous to other boaters while in boat ramp areas. Launch and retrieve your boat as quickly as possible. • Keep the noise down, especially around shore. • If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s).

EDUCATE YOURSELFEducate yourself prior to a trip by learning rules and regulations, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes and knowing how to operate your equipment safely.

• Obtain charts of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of boat. • Make a realistic plan and stick to it.

Tips from the

USCG