NAMBA Propwash October 2017.pub

All of the boats would be equally competitive. It would be a drivers class. Anyone who wanted to step it up or had other boats could create an additional class. As time went by and the number of model boaters increased, Mark obtained a retrieve boat and would set up buoys for boaters to practice live racing situations. The idea was to take boaters who may be intimidated by other experienced boaters on the pond and help increase their comfort level. It has worked very well. The last Sunday of each month would be club points. The fee to race was zippo. Nada! I recently decided to join in the fun and see if I could help out and even participate. No one person can put on a race. Even a small one of 20 boats. When I pulled up to the pond, I saw Tom Hockenberry out in the retrieve boat with Mark setting up the course. Peter Paraino was filling out the class entries on a portable board using a grease pencil, and taking pictures for the club website. I asked Mark how he handled the start clock as no sound system is allowed without the purchase of a permit with the city. He was using a stopwatch and calling out the time. So I helped out by putting a 2:30 and a 30 second clock on my cell phone and Bluetoothed it through a portable speaker. Not the loudest but the boaters standing next to the race announcer could hear it. It was all about simulating racing, new boaters practicing their driving skills, and it didn't hurt that we were picking up new NAMBA members along the way. Probably the most important thing I noticed that really stood out in watching the S.D. Gassers conduct their day was the consideration they showed to the public. San Diego in the summertime will bring a lot of visitors to the pond. Many just hang out to watch the model boats, get a sun tan, get away from the inland heat, or bring their children who have their own electric boats. Everything from pool racers to gas sport hydros. Mark would shut down the course every hour and open it up to the public for them to have their time. Mark did all the right things so that there was no liability on NAMBA’s insurance. I will admit, I have enjoyed my time at the pond with his group. It’s relaxed, no pressure, and handled very well. Mark even points people my direction if they have questions about our organization because he knows I don't talk much. Then you don't know me. Hopefully from this article, someone can learn something on what others have done to increase model boating awareness. This is the S.D. Gasser way and it is working very well. Search for them on Facebook or go to https://www.sdgassers.net/ Insurance Explained By Al Waters NAMBA Executive Secretary As we end the new year of model boating, I thought it might be a good time to provide a reminder of just what our insurance coverage is all about. NAMBA membership provides you with liability and property damage coverage in the unfortunate event that your boat should be involved in an accident in which a spectator is injured or damage is done to someone else’s property. This coverage is $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Of course, this does not cover damage done to another model boat in the normal course of running. This coverage is primary coverage, so you do not have to look first to your homeowner's policy for protection as is the case with some of the other boating organizations. It is individual insurance which protects when you are running at NAMBA site insured lakes and ponds. Please keep in mind that you are also expected to be complying with all local and state laws and restrictions. If you are running a boat on a lake on which you are trespassing, or is not NAMBA site insured, you will not be covered. Several years a go, the NAMBA Board of Directors authorized the addition of a $1,000,000 umbrella policy to add to the above mentioned coverage's. In addition, NAMBA offers site insurance coverage to protect the owner of the running site with the same $2,000,000 as is afforded the individual member. This is required for the individual members insurance to be in effect. Some cities and site owners require this additional coverage. Registered clubs may purchase this coverage at a cost of $50.00 per year. However, please keep in mind that NAMBA site insurance provides insurance for, and names as an additional insured, the site owner only when the accident involves a NAMBA member. We do not provide general liability coverage for site owners for all possible hazards which can occur at their lake, but merely for those caused directly or indirectly by an insured NAMBA member. In addition, this coverage does not cover the site owner if an uninsured boater or a boater who has insurance through another organization causes an accident at the site. And yes, NAMBA's coverage is in effect any time you are running at a site with NAMBA site insurance and not merely at sanctioned events. This includes practice running or unsanctioned club or fun events. Of course, coverage would not be valid if you are blatantly breaking one of the NAMBA safety regulations, such as operating a boat while swimmers are in the PROPWASH October 2017 11 The line up of Crackerboxes. Open, Vintage and Modern