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Spring 2005 SAPC Boats & Floats Newsletter As you look around our docks this spring you will see significant changes. We have completed the upgrade to the main dock, which can now accommodate boats up to 23 feet. We are in the process of completing upgrades to the kayak dock, which include a new launching ramp, re-designed storage racks which will accommodate more kayaks and canoes, and space to store optimist dinghies. Most significantly, we are moving the ramp approximately 20 feet to the North, to avoid having to juggle boats around the pool pump house to get them down to the dock. We are also replacing the sunbathing float, and adding additional kayak and canoe storage as well as a small launching platform to it. We hope to complete all this work, and to have all of the docks open for use by May 1st. Another welcome addition to our facilities is a "guest mooring", which is intended for short term use by SAPC members and their guests. It will be available on a first come, first served basis (within reason) for a fee of $30 per day. Requests for use of the guest mooring must be made by an SAPC member, who will ultimately be responsible for the payment fees and for insuring that his or her guest complies with all SAPC rules. This fee is intended to recoup the cost of maintaining the mooring tackle, which was generously donated by Mark Henley. To make arrangements to use the guest mooring, please e-mail me at boats@sapc.org. You will also notice that boats and floats fees have increased from last year. These increases are intended to defray the cost of the upgrading our facilities as well as to cover our operating costs, which like all of our operating costs, have risen steadily over the last few years. You will also notice a change in the fee structure for 13 to 18 foot boats at the dock. Instead of basing the fee on the beam of the boat, as in the past, we have changed to a per foot charge for all boats 13 to 23 feet, which will be fairer to all boaters and easier to administer. Please keep in mind that while fees have increased, they are still significantly lower than any other docking and mooring fees in our area. Attached to this newsletter you will find a copy of the SAPC Boats & Floats rules, which have been changed to reflect the recent changes to our facilities and to clarify certain areas that were ambiguous, or subject to misinterpretation. Please read these rules carefully before signing the enclosed Boats & Floats application – every member must follow these rules and will be presumed to be familiar with them. One significant rule change that effects a few of our boaters on moorings concerns mooring contractors. As a result of safety concerns, and in the hope of simplifying the placement and maintenance of moorings, the Board of Directors has decided to implement a new rule requiring that all moorings in the SAPC mooring fields be set up and maintained by a single contractor. The Board has chosen Harbor Marine as the exclusive mooring contractor. Harbor Marine has agreed to give all SAPC members a 10% discount on mooring work. Those members who used a contractor other than Harbor Marine last year must make arrangements with Harbor Marine to set up their moorings this spring, and to inspect the tackle if it is due for inspection. While the Board realizes that a number of our Members have long-standing relationships with their mooring contractors, we feel that this rule is in the best interest of all of our members. Given all the changes, I anticipate that it will take a bit longer than usual to get the boat assignments worked out – particularly for sunfish, canoes, kayaks and Optimist dinghys. In order to expedite the process, we have set a deadline of April 29, 2005, by which all renewal applications must be received. This will allow us to promptly determine how many spots we have available for new boaters. As in the past, all assignments will be posted on the bulletin board by the main dock. In order to avoid the mad shuffle of Canoes and Kayaks that we have endured over the last few years at the beginning of each season, I will ask once again that every sunfish, canoe, kayak, Optimist and dinghy owner prominently write their name and phone number on their boat, so that we don't have to play "guess whose boat" that is. Please note that writing your name and phone number on your boat is, and always has been, a requirement under the SAPC Boats & Floats rules. Please also note that every boat sold in the Unites States (including canoes and kayaks) has a hull ID number stamped on it – please include this number on your application. Please consider this fair warning that if you place your boat in a space assigned to someone else, and we can't readily identify the owner, we will remove the boat from the dock (cutting any locks if necessary) and will place it in the parking lot.
Please remember that Sunfish, kayaks, canoes and Optimist dinghys may only be launched from the Kayak dock and may not be launched from the main dock or the beach. Also please remember that fishing is only permitted on the Kayak dock, on the side facing the channel.
The Board of Directors will be enforcing these rule by issuing fines to members who do not follow the rules, and if necessary, will suspend boating privileges. Please remember that we are a volunteer organization and pitch in to keep our facilities clean and safe. I look forward to another great season, and hope that all our members enjoy our upgraded boating facilities. Don't hesitate to contact me by e-mail should you have any questions or concerns.
Matt Cohen Director, Boats & Floats Shore Acres Point Corporation Rules Read the rules and, please, act according to them
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