SAFETY DIRECTOR CARL LEWIS

FEBURARY 2008

Hello racers,

Hard to believe it is already February and the racing season is just about underway for another year,

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This is a good time to look over your boats to see what needs to be up graded or repaired. I know there are a few boats that have been out in the cold under tarps in the driveway and could be holding water in the sponsons and elsewhere, this can cause dry rot and sometimes can be hard to detect install the first lap into the first turn and blamo your in the water with a whole bunch of broken boat around you.

A few other things to check over are your steering cables, I change mine every two seasons weather they look to need it or not, this is not very costly to do I think the last time I changed mine it was costing about .50 cents a foot from RPM Marine

Kill switches can go bad after a few years, and again are easy to check and change out if necessary.

You might want to try on your Kevlar cut suit and life jacket to see if it still fits from all the good suppers we have had over the winter. Remember these items are supposed to be comfortable when you are wearing them. I’m sure there is still time to get them refitted and sized from the original manufacture before the first race.

I know there are at least 25 more things to look at on the boat and motor to make sure they are secure and tight for the racing season but start with the simplest ones and work your way down the hull from there.

Remember ALL boats will be inspected for safety before their first race of the season and we don’t want to not have anyone not be able to race.

Regards,

Carl Lewis

AOF Safety Director