2001  Rulebook  &  Entry  Form

1. All rafts must be homemade.
2. No commercially manufactured hulls.
3. No inner tubes.
4. All rafts must be self-propelled, (i.e., poles, oars, paddlewheels, sails, etc.) or   any combination there of.
5. Minimum size is 4' x 8' as measured at the waterline.
6. The deck must measure at least 4' x 8' and be capable of supporting the weight of the crew.
7. The use of nails below the deck line is prohibited.
8. The deck must be securely fastened to the frame and the frame securely fastened to the hulls/flotation devices.
9. All open hulls (hulls with no bulk heads) shall have styrofoam flotation fastened/affixed to the underside of raft deck.
10. Aftermarket marine rigging is acceptable.
11. Minimum size of crew is 3.
12. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
13. All raft members must have a Coast Guard approved life jacket in their possession.  These jackets must be worn at all times during the race.
14. All Captains will instruct himself and crew of whereabouts of stored (Coast Guard approved) life jackets aboard the raft AND all Captains will conduct “abandon ship” drills with the crew (donning life jackets) before leaving dock!
15. All Captains/Admirals must remain aboard his/her registered vessel for the entire duration of the race.
16. All rafts must be equipped with a Coast Guard approved anchor and 100' of 3/8" line.  The line must be secured to the raft at all times.
17. Each raft must be equipped with one 50' length of 3/8 min. diameter tow line.
18. Each raft must be equipped with an adequate amount of fresh drinking water.
19. No Glass Containers!
20. Each raft must be equipped with a first aid kit.
21. All rafts to carry their own garbage bags.
22. Sun sensitive members should wear appropriate sunscreen.
23. No mechanical devices or tubing shall be used to propel water balloons.
24. All members shall wear sneakers or other appropriate footwear.
25. All sheet metal raw edges to be turned over and taped.
26. All protruding long bolts to be sawed off, filed and taped.
27. All entries to be inspected prior to launching and will be subject to disqualification at the discretion of the Committee.
28. All rafts must run the entire race course on their own accord to be eligible for any award.
29. Any raft that has not crossed the finish line by the allotted race course duration (10a.m. - 2:00p.m.) is required to accept a mandatory tow and thus becomes ineligible for any award.

AMERICA'S CLASS:  Competitive rafts.  Winning entry and Captain's name to be inscribed on a silver bowl which will be permanently displayed at the Connecticut River Museum, Essex, CT.  The Captain will be presented with an engraved mug. The winning raft will have next year's entry fee waived.

SWEEPER CLASS:  Motorized rafts.  All motorized rafts must be registered with the State of Connecticut and comply with the minimum Coast Guard requirements.  All operators of said rafts must hold a Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate.  The winner shall be the entry which tows the most number of disabled rafts across the finish line.  The Captain will be presented with an engraved mug.  Note:  No motorized raft shall pass other rafts in competition, with the exception of carrying out emergencies and official duties.
 

BECKY THATCHER AWARD:  The first raft to cross the finish line with an ALL FEMALE crew.  The Captain will be presented with an engraved mug.

COMMITTEE'S CHOICE AWARD:  At the sole discretion of the Committee, one raft will be selected to win an award.  To qualify you must 1) be registered no later than the Captain's meeting, 2) adhere to the rules and regulations of this Race and 3) "feel lucky"...the rest is up to the Committee!!!  No specific criteria will be used by the Committee!!!  The winning Captain will be presented with an engraved mug.
 

• The race course is 4.1 nautical miles.
• The Middletown Railroad Bridge North of Harbor Park (America's Cup Restaurant) is the starting point for the race and ends in the shoals at Dart Island, a state park accessible only by boat.
• The race course will be closed to boat traffic until 2:00 p.m.
• The race will be monitored by representatives from the United States Coast Guard and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's Marine Patrol.
• Medical support will be provided by representatives from the local police and fire departments.

• Rafts may be launched at the Yankee Boat Yard ramp (Yankee charges $15-$20 to launch and park car/trailer), or arrangements can be made at RIVERSIDE MARINA (Riverside charges $5 to park). Both Marinas are located on Riverview Street, Portland.
• Rafts may begin launching on Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 4:00 p.m.
• Motorized rafts will, when available, tow entries to the starting line, where they will be moored until race day.
• All Raft Captains shall be fully responsible for their own mooring arrangements.

1. Fully recognizes and assumes all risks and hazards involved in such an  activity.
2. Accepts the responsibility of one designated driver for every three crew members.
3. Willing to incur all responsibility for claims and personal injury and/or property damages to him or herself or fellow raft-racers or spectators which might result from his or her negligence.
4. Waiving all rights and claims against THE CONNECTICUT RIVER RAFT RACE, INC., its Officers and Members of the Raft Race Committee, jointly or individually.
5. Subject to revocation of the registration and forfeiture of the entry fee if, in the opinion of the Raft Race Committee, there is misconduct, misuse or nuisance on the undersigned's (one or all) part.
6. Relinquishing all promotional rights before, during and after the Race event.
7. As a contestant in an organized raft race and thereby eligible for prizes or awards associated with the event.
8. This form must be returned to the Committee prior to the start of the Race.  The Committee will allow no crew to participate in the Race without this release.

CAPTAIN'S SIGNATURE  _______________________________

DATE________________________________________________

CREWMEN'S SIGNATURES (PRINT AND SIGN)

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*DD_________________________________________________

*DD_________________________________________________

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E-MAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________________

ADDRESS: ___________________________________________

CITY/TOWN: _________________________________________

PHONE: ______________________WORK:__________________

YEARS IN RACE:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  repeat offender

RAFT’S NAME: _______________________________________

SIZE: _____________________NO. CREW: _______________

FLOTATION: ________________PROPULSION:______________

WHAT CLASS ARE YOU ENTERING?

AMERICA CLASS: ____________CRUISING CLASS: _________

HORRENDOUS CLASS: _________SWEEPER CLASS:___________

PERMANENT #________________ FEE PAID: ______________
(class letter, followed by a one or two digit #)                          ($12.00 per crew member)

By signing this registration form, I hereby acknowledge the risks associated with this event, and I agree to accept full responsibility for the safety and welfare of my crew, and to hold the Connecticut RiverRaft Race, Inc. Organization and its Officers and Directors harmless for any and all injuries and/orproperty damage which may arise out of the operation and/or participation of my entry in the Connecticut River Raft Race.

Dated this ___________ day of July, 2001

NAME:  _____________________________________________

 NOTARY:___________________________________________

***************FOR OFFICE USE ONLY****************

Raft Number    ___________  Designated Drivers ____________

New Captain    ___________  Release Form  ________________

Crew Fee:  No. of Crew X $12. per crew = $_________________

COMMENTS/NOTES:__________________________________

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