You readers could really help me out.  I anticipate that one of the most popular sections of each magazine edition will be the "MY RIDE" department.  The premiere issue is missing that important department since I didn't publicly solicit for reader contributions prior to the debut.  Now that it's out, I'm counting on reader participation for every issue -- so don't let me down.  Your boat does not have to be a chromed and polished custom piece -- it just needs to be something that is near and dear to your heart, a V-drive, jet or outboard preferably, and you use it every chance you get.  Just click on the "BOAT INFORMATION"  button on the left hand side menu, read the instructions and fill out the form.  I'd love to put your boat in the magazine!  You can also do the same if you have an event or race coming up.  Hit the "EVENT SUBMISSION" link on the left hand side menu and do your thing!

In a couple of weeks, the traditional winter boat show season powers into full-throttle mode.  Practically every major city in the U.S. has a boat show between early January and late March, but this year, thanks to the worst economic downturn since WWII, there will be fewer boat shows around the country as some have already been canceled.  What's forcing shows to be eliminated is a drastic thinning of the herd of exhibitors -- a lot of boat dealers and boat manufacturers have gone out of business in the last twelve months, and those who are left have seriously challenged bank accounts.  I think it's no secret that practically every boat show this winter will be smaller in size, and displaying fewer boats than it did in 2008 or 2009.  Assuming that will be the case, what should consumers do?  Stay home, save the price of admission and parking, and wait until things get better and the shows get back on their feet again?   I suppose that's one strategy, but definitely not a good one for the boating industry.  The way I see it, if people decide to pass on attending their local shows this year because they're not in the mood to buy right now, or they're afraid the show won't be worth their time and money, the boating industry will never recover.  In fact, the only thing it will do is hasten the self-fulfilling prophecy of failure for more boat dealers and manufacturers.  Do I expect to see lots of new models and innovative products in the next few months -- probably not.  But I think there will still be enough there at the shows to hold my interest and make it worth the $10 or $12 to get in the door.  I don't think that any boat dealers or manufacturers are necessarily looking for a hand-out or charity, but I'm positive that they do want some reassurance from the general boating public that there are still plenty of confirmed boaters out there interested enough in what they have to sell to spend a few hours at a boat show and at least look around.  I hope to see you there!

I swear....California has a death wish, at least for business in general and especially for anything that is motorized and uses gasoline.  The California Air Resources Board is busy up in Sacramento figuring out a rather complicated and very expensive evaporative emissions control system for recreational boats.  Yes, that's right, the escaping gasoline vapors from power boat fuel systems is polluting our California air supply to such an extent that it must be regulated.  Please, give me a break.  Lowering the level of escaping gas vapors from new recreational boat fuel tanks and hoses so it improves California air quality is like stressing over somebody draining the ocean because they filled a Dixie cup with sea water at the beach and took it home with them.  Regardless of record unemployment and a bankrupt state, our stellar California employees at CARB are full speed ahead on this project which could take effect as early as January 1, 2012 on all new boats sold in the state.  If the all-knowing bureaucrats in Sacramento have their way, every boat manufacturer will have to comply to these new regulations which could very likely raise the retail price of a boat by as much as $3,000, $4,000 or even $5,000.  And don't expect Arnie to intercede on our behalf -- the "green" governor loves the idea.

Since I've been around this business for so long, occasionally someone will ask me to name off a few of the most interesting people I've met.  There's always three or four that come to mind immediately, but the other day I sat down for a couple of minutes and actually thought about who I'd put on my top-ten most interesting boating people I've either worked for, raced with, raced against, or considered a good personal friend over the past 45 years.  So in no particular order -- here's goes:   Carl Kiekhaefer -- bought a pile of junk outboards and turned it into a marine propulsion empire;    Don Aronow -- all the stories you've heard about him are probably true and then some;  Tom Gentry -- rich playboy turned super serious offshore racer and icon;  Bob Nordskog -- from sheet metal bender and welder to multi-millionaire industrialist and champion boat racer;   Eddie Hill -- just a country guy with a heavy foot and smart as a fox;  Bill Muncey -- making a good living as the world's best known boat racer wasn't as easy as he made it look;   Gary Garbrecht -- running Team Black was no picnic;  Chuck Stearns -- practice makes perfect;  Howard Arneson -- a mad scientist to the core;  and Betty Cook -- so much for male domination plus a phD.  Anybody want to add to the list?  Just remember, I'm not necessarily looking for the "best", but those with the most memorable, interesting and unforgettable personalities.