Your board has been working hard since November on the question of how to upgrade our RC powerboat  fleet.  Last year, we had far too many problems with those boats.  The problems reduced both our ability to make sure we could rescue people in trouble and our ability to help capsized and swamped boats recover.  We have a vision for where we want to be and a plan on how to get there. 

So now is the time when I have to ask you for your help in funding this plan.  We simply cannot do it from dues alone.  So please read this article and then send me an email with a pledge of an amount -- no matter how small -- and I’ll let you know where you can send the check.  Contributions are welcome from everyone including crew! 

To keep this article to a reasonable length, I’ll jump to our immediate plans:

First, buy a new 16-foot Carolina Skiff (J-16) with a new 40 hp 4-stroke Yamaha. 

Second, buy a new 19-foot Carolina Skiff (DLX 1965) with a new 75 hp 4-stroke Yamaha.

Both of these boats are equipped as follows:
Center console
Built-in 18 gallon fuel tank
Storage bench seat
Front deck with more storage space
Built in bilge pump
Instruments (fuel, tach, volts)
Low rails around front and rear
Tow bar to facilitate pulling capsized boats out of the water
Props to maximize pulling power.

We have thought hard about these choices.  These hulls are very very stable and unsinkable.  They are low enough that people can climb into the boats from the water although we’ll also have ladders.  They aren’t fancy, but they are durable work boats and very reasonably priced.  The motors are extremely reliable and durable and the choice of most watermen. 

The cost for these two boats are $8,000 and $13,000, respectively (including new galvanized trailers.) 

How do we pay for them?  We have $7,000 in the PRSA bank account that we have been saving up over the last few years for this purpose.  We believe we can sell the Boston Whaler and Robalo to raise another $5,000 or so.  (I just sent out an email about selling the Whaler.)   So this leaves $9,000 that we need to raise from you, the membership.   Although that sounds like a lot of money, we have already been working on raising some of it, and we are actually quite close to our goal. 

Here are a sampling of the generous pledges we have received already:
Jeff Storck (Lightning) $500
Lloyd Leonard (Albacore) $500
Bobby Astrove (Lightning) $500
Rob Tompkins (Lightning) $500
Bill Buck (Albacore) $300
Chris Bolton (Hobie 20) $300
Bill Kleysteuber (Albacore) $250
David Dalbec (Albacore) $250
Laurie Duncan (Lightning) $200
Scott Bradford (Lightning crew) $200

and in no particular order…

Jennifer Parrow (Laser), Steve Yelland (Laser), Joe Warren  (Lightning),  Ann Rennie (Albacore), Cathy Bleakly (Lightning crew), Bob Wilbur (Lightning), Bryan Lanier (Buccaneer), Daphne Byron (Albacore), Ian MacLeod (Lightning crew), Russ Roberts (Lightning crew), Lisbet Kugler (Lightning crew), Jill Williamson (Lightning crew), Tony Vernon (Lightning crew), Yates Dowell (Hobie 16), Ben Ackerman (Hobie 16), Hap O’Brien (Albacore), Ian Twinn (Hampton), Tim Dickson (Penguin), Joe Anderson (Lightning), Penguin fleet, Lightning fleet, Albacore fleet….

Two sailors have committed to getting lifetime memberships at this time ($900): Pat McGee and Frank Gallagher. 

As you can see, we are doing well, but we still need some more.  If we are fortunate enough to get more than we need, we’ll set it aside for the time we need to replace the Bayliner.  So please let me know how much you can contribute.  Don’t let the large amounts above discourage you.  Any amount would be appreciated.  Thanks.


Nabeel Alsalam
703 356-6032h
202 225-2639w
703 786-1967c