oneguyfromdetroit
Super Anarchist
Just sent this off to both Mac race chairmen...I know at least one of them pokes his nose in here....
Comments?
July 10, 2009
To: Chicago Yacht Club and Bayview Yacht Club Mackinac Race Chairs.
Re: Mackinac Race Safety Requirements
Gentlemen:
After a 10 year hiatus from campaigning my own boats, I once again find myself racing my own boat in both Mackinac races. The new (to me anyway) combined MSR contains some requirements that I’d like to see modified. Below are my comments and suggestions. I would appreciate yours, and your committee’s serious consideration.
1. MSR 18 – Cooking stove. Is it really necessary to be able to cook for a 40-60 hour race? Many crews survive just fine with sandwiches and other non-cooked foods. I suggest stoves be optional, those who chose to carry must of course meet current standards.
2. MSR 49 – Charts. I was annoyed I had to buy all new paper charts. I understand the concern about total reliance on electronic charts, but an alternative could be a second, battery operated GPS, or, not require current paper charts (The lakes don’t change…the buoys do), and, and use older paper charts, and, updated light list/notice to mariners. That would be a more meaningful back up. My point is that all new charts, for both races cost around 100 bucks….you can download the light list and updates for free. And I already have older charts. I suggest offering a choice between back up electronic charting, and/or a combination of older charts/light list/updates.
3. MSR 67 – Personal Flotation Equipment. The requirement to carry Type I PFD’s, especially on boats also carrying life rafts, is impractical, as they are not suited to actually wear. This would be less of an issue if we weren’t required to wear them. The alternative that currently exists is certainly more wearable, however, they don’t do much good if you’re unable to pull the cord to inflate it. Suggest that boats be allowed the Type II, (or whatever was required before this requirement was implemented), at least for those boats who carry life rafts.
4. MSR 69 - Wearing of PFD’s. This requirement really doesn't make a lot of sense. Sailing between sunset and sunrise is not at all inherently more dangerous than sailing during daylight, and the requirement to wear a PFD simply because the sun is down does not make us safer. . With the current requirements, you are forced to wear a PFD at night when it is 0 gusting to 2, and NOT required to wear them during daylight hours, regardless of conditions. I suggest you eliminate this requirement, and leave it to the choice of the responsible party, or person in charge. Or, if we could wear our dinghy style PFD’s, that actually work when you hit the water without having to manually activate anything, that would be a reasonable and more practical alternative
This year I am racing in my 15th CHIMAC and my 27th BYCMAC, so I feel qualified to comment and offer suggestions.
Thank you for your consideration. Not trying to be difficult, just practical.
Please consider these suggestions for 2010 and beyond.
Thank you,
Comments?
July 10, 2009
To: Chicago Yacht Club and Bayview Yacht Club Mackinac Race Chairs.
Re: Mackinac Race Safety Requirements
Gentlemen:
After a 10 year hiatus from campaigning my own boats, I once again find myself racing my own boat in both Mackinac races. The new (to me anyway) combined MSR contains some requirements that I’d like to see modified. Below are my comments and suggestions. I would appreciate yours, and your committee’s serious consideration.
1. MSR 18 – Cooking stove. Is it really necessary to be able to cook for a 40-60 hour race? Many crews survive just fine with sandwiches and other non-cooked foods. I suggest stoves be optional, those who chose to carry must of course meet current standards.
2. MSR 49 – Charts. I was annoyed I had to buy all new paper charts. I understand the concern about total reliance on electronic charts, but an alternative could be a second, battery operated GPS, or, not require current paper charts (The lakes don’t change…the buoys do), and, and use older paper charts, and, updated light list/notice to mariners. That would be a more meaningful back up. My point is that all new charts, for both races cost around 100 bucks….you can download the light list and updates for free. And I already have older charts. I suggest offering a choice between back up electronic charting, and/or a combination of older charts/light list/updates.
3. MSR 67 – Personal Flotation Equipment. The requirement to carry Type I PFD’s, especially on boats also carrying life rafts, is impractical, as they are not suited to actually wear. This would be less of an issue if we weren’t required to wear them. The alternative that currently exists is certainly more wearable, however, they don’t do much good if you’re unable to pull the cord to inflate it. Suggest that boats be allowed the Type II, (or whatever was required before this requirement was implemented), at least for those boats who carry life rafts.
4. MSR 69 - Wearing of PFD’s. This requirement really doesn't make a lot of sense. Sailing between sunset and sunrise is not at all inherently more dangerous than sailing during daylight, and the requirement to wear a PFD simply because the sun is down does not make us safer. . With the current requirements, you are forced to wear a PFD at night when it is 0 gusting to 2, and NOT required to wear them during daylight hours, regardless of conditions. I suggest you eliminate this requirement, and leave it to the choice of the responsible party, or person in charge. Or, if we could wear our dinghy style PFD’s, that actually work when you hit the water without having to manually activate anything, that would be a reasonable and more practical alternative
This year I am racing in my 15th CHIMAC and my 27th BYCMAC, so I feel qualified to comment and offer suggestions.
Thank you for your consideration. Not trying to be difficult, just practical.
Please consider these suggestions for 2010 and beyond.
Thank you,
