READER FORUM LettersToEditor@BoatUS.com
An Almost FAtAl ChAin oF events
Two weeks ago I purchased a new Zodiac RIB with a high-perfor-mance motor. As part of the break-in procedure, the engine needed
to be brought up to wide-open throttle. On this day, the river was
very rough. Being by myself, I had an auto-inflate vest, the engine
cut-off switch leash attached, as well as ditch bag, VHF radio, and
cellphone. The new boat was very slippery due to the mold-release
solution still on it, or maybe just the wax of a new boat.
While repositioning myself, I slipped and knocked the tiller
violently to one side while negotiating a narrow channel. Going full
speed, I ran head long into a day-marker piling. The force ejected
me out of the RIB, into the piling, knocking me unconscious. My
life jacket inflated, righted me with a clear airway, and saved me from
drowning. I had a broken clavicle and several broken ribs, but the
life jacket kept me afloat, and allowed me to swim to the boat. I’m a
huge advocate for wearing a life jacket. Robbie Elves
Satellite Beach, FL
IT MADE A BIG SPLASH
I liked your April cover, for The Water Issue, the most of any of the
covers you’ve had on your magazine for the past year. Beautiful and
fun to look at. Mike Hortens
Nyack, NY
I’ve been a BoatU.S. member for 30
years. Your April Water issue is the best
I’ve ever received. As a full-time cruiser
on my 52-foot Halvorsen, your issue
touched on many aspects of my daily
life. As a professional writer, I know quality when I see it. Keep up the good work.
Marty Richardson
Green Cove Springs, FL
SEAWORTHY RETURNS TO PRINT
Years ago my insurance carrier (autos, home, and umbrella policy)
notified me that because my boat was insured through BoatU.S.,
they were no longer going to cover that policy with the umbrella. Surprised, I contacted the underwriter. He said that they had boat
policies and that if I wanted to have the umbrella cover the cruiser,
I’d have to insure it with them.
I told him that if he could show me that his boat policy was at
least as good as the BoatU.S. policy and was competitively priced,
I’d switch. I subsequently sent him the declarations page for my
BoatU.S. policy together with a copy of Seaworthy (BoatU.S.’s quarterly publication devoted to helping BoatU.S. Marine Insurance
MEMBERS’
GALLERY
One Buttoned-Up
Bichon: Candyce
Corcoran from
tennessee is
passionate about life
jackets. “First, thank
you for stressing
life jackets in your
magazine,” she
says. “i’ve been an activist about wearing, promoting, and
enforcing the use of them for many years. i also stress their
use for pets.” to illustrate, she sent this picture of the suited-up Beemer and lexus, both Coton de tulears, and oliver, a
bichon frise (who has appeared on tv with Candyce!). see
our Foundation Findings on dog life jackets, page 50.
Sailing Camp 101: “Attached are two pictures of the kids
enjoying themselves at sailing camp this past summer,” says
lars Peterson. “the camp is a great program run by the
Brockville yacht Club on the st lawrence River in the thousand
islands in Brockville, ontario. the kids are in a 420 in the
picture.”
Where’s My Better Half?
“this photo was taken
during the fall migration of
bluefish through western
long island sound,” says
Kim Bruce. “it was definitely
a case of the cup being half
empty for the fish!”
We think there’s another
side to this story!
