RBAW Monthly Newsletter
- April 2025 -
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Call to Action for all Recreational Boaters - Oppose the Luxury Tax
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Thank you to all who have made your voice heard! There’s still time to tell Legislators to oppose this tax which is a DOUBLE hit to responsible recreational boaters and will cost family-wage jobs in the marine trades.
- Boaters already pay an annual watercraft excise tax of ~$20 million - this is another tax on responsible owners.
- The proposed tax will dramatically impact boat sales and we will all feel the ripple effects in reduced services, fewer jobs, and higher costs.
- In 1991, the U.S. Government invoked a 10% luxury tax that led to a staggering 77% drop in boat sales within just one year - decimating the marine industry.
- The tax was repealed in 1993 after tax revenues were much less than projected, and the economic damage was too obvious to ignore.
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RBAW and CBCYC Annual Meeting
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The annual meeting was held April 5th via Zoom. First and foremost, our Canadian Boating friends are very much looking forward to seeing us this summer. We, in turn, expressed our respect for our cruising neighbors and yacht clubs and look forward to seeing them out on the water. |
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We discussed updates with the Princess Louisa Foundation. The past winter and spring were spent on repairs and improvements. The falls area has received temporary fixes to stabilize the pier and ramp, which should last for another season before a plan to replace it. At McDonald Island, new mooring buoys (rated for 60-foot boats) have been installed. Click the button below to get current news and information from their website
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Discussion continued with the BC Marine Parks Forever Society. Their work includes expanding and improving marine parks in BC. To date, over $2.5 million has been utilized to acquire land, install stern ties, and add mooring buoys. The button below points to more information and how you can support BC Marine Parks Forever. |
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We suggest keeping up to date with the Transport Canada page regarding rules, regulations, restricted zones, etc. Click the button below for more information. |
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RBAW's FREE Mobile Pumpout Program - adding Fridays for Summer 2025
As we gear up for the delivery of our new pumpout boat and year #2 of our West Sound summer program – RBAW will be adding Fridays to our route in June through August!! This extra day in the busy summer months will enable more boats to be serviced . . .right where they are. RBAW is also working to add new stops to this route this summer, stay tuned! |
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As boaters know, Puget Sound is a No Discharge Zone and vessel waste must be properly disposed of at a fixed pumpout station, or via a mobile service. RBAW’s state advocacy in 2023 provided additional state funding to enable more pumpout services, and RBAW was awarded 2 CVA grants – a new vessel build and a 3-year Operations and Maintenance (O&M) program to service West Puget Sound waters.
Our summer 2025 program is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, May 3rd and will run through September – as always with anything boating, equipment and weather permitting! And like all good boaters, we’re doing a “shakedown” West Sound pumpout cruise the last weekend in April. If you’re floating in Poulsbo (Port of Poulsbo guest dock or Liberty Bay), Eagle Harbor, Blake Island or Illahee State Parks, or Fort Ward waters - please make an appointment, hail on VHF 68 or flag the boat down (see program information at button below).
And an update on our vessel naming contest. Once our “baby” is all logo’d up and out in the world, we’ll send out some pictures and get this girl a name – stay tuned!
We hope to see you out on the water this summer! There’s no better feeling than an empty holding tank, IYKYK – if you’re in West Puget Sound waters reach out to the FREE pumpout boat.
Partial funding for this project is provided by Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program with contributions from the WA State Legislature, Port of Poulsbo, City of Poulsbo, City of Bainbridge Island and WA State Parks Foundation. The Clean Vessel Act Grant Program is funded by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which is financed by the purchase of motorboat fuels and fishing equipment. Click here for a downloadable PDF of the Free Mobile Pumpout info |
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WA State Parks and Recreation Commission on Safety While Paddling
The Recreational Boating Safety Program is responding to new 2023-2024 data showing that many paddlesport fatalities occurred when individuals were not wearing a life jacket. As many boaters enjoy paddlesports as well – we’re asking boaters to complete the survey to aid in collecting information to help influence safety programs.
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Small Locks - Still Closed (Hiram M. Chittenden) |
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Just a reminder that the small locks are still closed for repair and maintenance.
Closure info:
The small lock will be closed to vessel traffic from 0700 on Feb. 18, 2025, to 0600 on May 19, 2025, for saw cutting, concrete drilling and demolition. All loud noise and vibration-inducing work will be completed before the end of this period. The small lock will remain closed to vessel traffic for final installations and commissioning from May 19, 2025, to June 18, 2025.
Here are a couple of reminders from the lock personnel. Clink the link below for the boater information from the US Army corps of Engineers. |
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The 73rd Annual Daffodil Marine Festival and Parade
Tacoma Yacht Club’s Daffodil Weekend is in the books! This year’s theme was “Boating Locally”.The weather was amazing over the weekend. Fircrest Yacht Club Delegate, Kevin Loyd, and crew proudly displayed the RBAW banner for all to see! |
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There were 42 boats in the parade this year, 20 in the "Flagship Division" that MV Done Truckin' participated in. Done Trucking won the 3rd place trophy! 29 Yacht Clubs and 107 boats were registered to take part in the annual festivities. |
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More info on the Daffodil Festival
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Opening Day of Boating Events
Several RBAW member yacht clubs have planned events around the northwest.
The Seattle Opening Day of Boating parade is a tradition that marks the start of the boating season, the large gathering of boats, yacht clubs and onlookers take in the festivities including the Windermere Cup Crew Race, a boat parade, and other celebrations. The parade itself begins around noon, after the races conclude, and features a variety of decorated boats, this years theme is “Back to the 80’s”
Many clubs will be on hand at the Seattle Yacht Club in Portage Bay and along the Montlake Cut to gather and celebrate in the annual parade, going on for over 100 years! See our "Upcoming Events" below for more events across the state! |
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The first Seattle Yacht Club Opening Day Parade in Montlake occurred on May 1, 1920. The parade included commercial vessels, fishing boats, sailing yachts, and motor cruisers. The Montlake Bridge did not exist just yet built, spectators lined the sides of the Cut to enjoy the collection of vessels they paraded by.
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Boats Afloat Show RBAW will have a booth at the Boats Afloat Show, come on down to Lake Union and say hello while you check out some beautiful boats! |
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Contributing Business Members
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We've added a new Contributing Member. Please consider supporting those that support recreational boating with your boating dollars! RBAW would like to thank all of our Contributing Business Members for their investment in Recreational Boating!
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S3 Maritime
Thank you for your Bronze Membership! S3 Maritime is your trusted source for complete yacht Systems, Service, and Support. Thank you for supporting Recreational Boating! |
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RBAW Membership Committee Meeting
April 21st, 2025 | 12:00PM - Zoom
RBAW Finance Committee Meeting
April 22nd, 2025 | 9:00 AM - Zoom
Boats Afloat Show - NYBA
April 25th through April 27th, 2025 | Lake Union Piers
RBAW Board of Directors Meeting
May 1st, 2025 | 5:00 PM - Zoom and Montlake Cut
Opening Day of Boating Events
April 26th, 2025 | Richland Yacht Club ( Tri-Cities)
May 3rd, 2025 | Seattle Yacht Club, Montlake Cut
May 3rd, 2025 | Des Moines Yacht Club
May 3rd, 2025 | Vancouver (WA) Waterfront (Longview YC)
May 3th, 2025 | Swinomish Yacht Club
May 10th, 2025 | Olympia Yacht Club
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Contributing Business Membership Opportunities |
Where are you spending your boat dollars? Ask your vendors to invest in what's important to the Recreational Boater and Support RBAW, and get notice by our 8,000+ members Please refer them to Troy at 206.929.2757 or ExecutiveDirector@rbaw.org Platinum Member - $10,000
- Educational Speaking Consideration
- Exhibitor Table at Annual Member Meeting
- Ability to Offer Discounts to RBAW Members
- Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Member Directory Listing on RBAW Website
- 2 Social Media Spotlights with Information of your Choice
- Member Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
- Member Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
- Named Member & Logo on RBAW Member Communications
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Gold Member - $5,000
- Ability to Offer Discounts to RBAW Members
- Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Member Directory Listing on RBAW Website
- 1 Social Media Spotlight with Information of your Choice
- Member Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
- Member Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
- Named Member & Logo on RBAW Member Communications
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Silver Member - $2,500 - Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Member Logo on Exhibit Booth Banner
- Member Logo on Annual Meeting Banner
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Bronze Member - $1,000 - Named Member & Logo on RBAW Website Home Page
- Business Card Ad & Logo in RBAW’s Newsletter
Learn more about how your business can support what's important to the recreational boater in WA - and get noticed by our 8,000+ members, contact Troy at ExecutiveDirector@rbaw.org for more information. |
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Follow us on social media and join our boating community!
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