Lots of the competitors on the race course have also earned their J.D. and have problems (accidents) that result in personal injuries. I've been asked by one skipper to sign a post accident waiver of my rights(to sue) after an inattentive moment on his part led to me getting about 20 sutures and a round of antibiotics or two. Yes he is a personal injury attorney and he worried and hounded me for a week about my condition. I never even considered action but his attitude was that it was a big deal even among friends.

In some cases, the cost to defend yourself from a claim costs more than the claim settlement itself... Sad, really.

Gentlemen, As an adjuster for over 20 years, please allow me to add my two cents. In most cases, if you review your own Homeowners Insurance policy, you will find that under the Liability section, your beachcat is covered. This even includes for a racing event. I would refer you to your individual policy and or contact your agent. If there is coverage, then your Insurance Company would owe you a defense for any claim and or suit that results from an accident, and or occurrence. This woould include the reatining of an attorney all the way through trial if needed.

RE Mark's comments to improve friendly racing proceedings.:
>Protest committes are almost non existant at cat races... so they may not play by the rules and the game suffers.
>What if a USSA judge showed up and did a public Protest Committe hearing .. We get to play the game hard and safely the next time we race.
>the non racers (can still) give it whirl
>Regatta PRO was asked to state his credentials and USSA training at the skippers meeting.

I submit that Protests are a necessary element to racing. They remind one that it is best to race by the rules, and to exonerate yourself as best as possible on the racecourse. It is not intended to be a punitive process resulting in jail-time, lawsuits or total and utter disgrace. Protests are a part of the learning process.

By the way: I suggest that PROs, Race Committees and Protest committees are irrelevant to a lawsuit. I have had my boats damaged, rarely but occasionally, and would prefer the offender to pay to repair the damage rather than inspire a lawsuit. Only Katherine Garelick absolutely refused to be responsible for her damage (and is still an unrestrained renegade IMHO).

I don't think he straightened them out but he was patient, intelligent and articulate.

MICreek

I just want to clarify... The insurance coverage that we are talking about is NOT a personal property and liability issue. eg your Hobie 16 and the damage you cause to property or personal injury while racing. I agree with your point that your homeowner's policy could well include the boat and your liability.

In order for an organized race to occur, IMO it's prudent to protect your volunteers from crap that could happen.
The insurance is for your actions while you are serving as a volunteer on the race committe. Even if you have an enormous personal umbrella coverage... most volunteers would expect your organization to step up with coverage and not have to fall back on their personal financial package.

Also, you organize and launch off someone's property. We would have a devil of a time getting a permit for Baltimore City property... They insisted that CRAC have a policy that covered their property... After several years they figured out that the liabilty policy we would send them only covered our actions on the water and not their property... Likewise, the DTB won't happen because the owner of the land at a midway point is uncomfortable with the policy for his property that we could purchase. So... from his point of view... Eh... not worth the hassel.

The good ol days are long gone... Yacht Clubs exist with property on the water and a structure to host regattas...

Cat Sailors should use them.

Rock Hall, MD hosted 75 dinghys including 12 A class and 11 Open class this weekend Including a 12 mile down the river race with 3 classic Chessie log canoes on the starting line. .... The cat sailors thought it was a priceless deal and we were happy! That is the future!

Who knew? Where are they?

I see the issue now. I stand corrected, thanks.

There's the one in Jensen Beach:US SAILING Center Martin County

Miami: US SAILING Center Miami

Long Beach: US SAILING Center Long Beach

I didn't know they existed. So what makes a US Sailing Center a US Sailing Center?

BK, In short, Money... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I would be nice if every community sailing center were also a US Sailing center, and it would be nice if they all had rental programs for members who are "certified" (take a test, get certified, rent a boat) but they don't want to be in that business. And they wonder why the sport is in decline...how is a newbie supposed to get started?

US Sailing would have him join a week long program for say, $300+, and at the end of the program guess what, he still can't rent a boat from US Sailing. Brilliant!

Timbo, offer still stands. Next time you are in Seattle, we will get you out on one of our six H-16's or six Waves.
Caleb
www.sailsandpoint.org

Sail Sand Point in Seattle is open to ALL sailors.
This is how the OPEN SAILING program works.
http://www.sailsandpoint.org/?content=OpenSailing

See you on the water.

Caleb Tarleton

"US Sailing Center" is just a title that adds prestige and maybe some local political clout to a sailing center, and maybe makes it easier to get their nonprofit-charitable designation.

US Sailing does not own the centers and does not give them any money. The three centers that have the US Sailing designation just have to be available to US Sailing for clinics and regattas. But each center has to figure out how to support itself.

The Martin County center has lots of learn-to-sail programs and a number of membership programs, some of which allow members of the center to have unlimited use of their boats during the hours the center is open. There is also a membership for people who want to be able to launch their own boats from the center.

However, none of this has anything to do with whether you are a member of US Sailing -- you have to join the sailing center itself.