Dear Rudder:
In reading the September 16th minutes from the annual meeting held at Lake Lanier I learned the ACBS annual meeting for 2006 would be held on Lake Tahoe, on the Nevada/California border.
This is disappointing. Lake Tahoe prohibits older two cycle engines, which means folks like myself have no reason to attend unless we want to show our boat in the parking lot.
 

This exclusionary act is a bit bewildering. I would have thought the ACBS would have sought out a venue that could include all its members, and in the case of Lake Tahoe, work out an opportunity to waive the two cycle ban for what promises to be a great event. When I questioned this possibility, I received an e-mail from an ACBS representative telling me, among other things, Lake Tahoe has a patrol boat looking for people who are on the lake with older outboards! Not the response I would have expected.
 

However this decision was made to meet at Lake Tahoe, I believe it has some far reaching implications down the road. As bans like this pick up momentum and move across the country, regardless of its legitimacy (which we won’t go into here) one can only wonder if this is going to remain a neglected issue.
Restrictions like the one executed on Lake Tahoe should be viewed as an opportunity to address these challenges so all our members can participate. I believe we will be dealing more and more with communities and activists who would just as soon keep all of our boats off all lakes for the sake of what is politically correct. The burden will be on us to preserve a unique slice of American boating history, not only so we can enjoy our boats, but so the public who comes to our events may enjoy them as well, and perhaps even develop an interest in them and become owners themselves.
 

What if a local chapter organizes an event and the “host” lake decides it wants a study that addresses the residual effect on the lake by contact with the paint and varnish before we are allowed to launch. Are we prepared to step in and address this concern, or are we to accept it as another lake that restricts what boats can participate?
 

If the Lake Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, (the group that banned two cycle engines) decides to ban the use of bilge pumps, will the ACBS take action and help persuade the appropriate authorities in granting us permission to be on the lake for one weekend out of the summer for those who use one?
I may disagree with the “environmentalists” of Lake Tahoe who made the policy to ban two cycle engines, but I think it is far more offensive and counter-productive that the ACBS endorses it. I suggest we start thinking of ways to co-exist with our detractors before it becomes problematic.
 

Among other actions, I have started writing to legislators to start the process of creating a statewide law here in California that would exempt two cycle engines being banned if they were made before a certain year. My neighbor pays the state of California $30.00 a year for the right to drive his 1943 military jeep. Because it is considered an “historic” vehicle, the emissions and seat belt requirements are waived. I am hoping ultimately to achieve an equivalent status for classic outboards. It is clear this process is slower than watching paint, varnish or stain dry and more complicated than you can possibly imagine, but it is a start.
There are 1,617* classic outboards attached to a boat listed in the 2004 directory and I believe the number is growing. (Largely due to the fiberglassics, the folks who have restored a 1950s/60s glass boat.) It would be nice to see a few of these at the 2006 annual meeting.
 

See you at dockside, I hope.
Miles Kapper
Publisher, The Thompson Dockside
 

* I counted classic Evinrudes, Mercurys and Johnsons only. This number does not include the less popular brands, or people who listed outboards but didn’t list the engine make, of which there were at least another 100, though the horsepower and number of cylinders were listed.

Dear Miles,
Thanks for your thoughts and opinions on this often overlooked situation. I would strongly encourage you to be in touch with the chairman of the ACBS Governmental Affairs committee, Gene Porter. Whatever may happen come 2006, it would be great to see you supporting the organization and the hobby – even if only from the parking lot.
Chris