There is no such thing as "some regulation". Government will always use
some regulation to justify more. Those that think there is a need for
this better take a long hard look at what has happened in the US in our
lifetimes.

Ron

This is true. Anyone ever see many laws repealed, or sales taxes reduced???

The real goal is safety. If more weight, among consumers and designers,
were given to voluntary compliance with things like the ABYC standards
(which already exist of course), then I would think there'd be less pressure
by the gov't to push through mandatory regulations for small craft.

People should make obvious statements on their plans (and in advertising and
on web sites etc) that say something like "Compliant with v.XXXX of the ABYC
Standards & Technical Guidelines for Small Craft" or some such thing.
Hopefully consumers/customers would start to see that showing up and would
develop a preference for boats that meet the guidelines. Designers are the
only ones who can start things in this direction ...don't know if this would
keep the dogs off our backs or not but it can't hurt.

Brian


"Ron Thornton" wrote in message
...
There is no such thing as "some regulation". Government will always use
some regulation to justify more. Those that think there is a need for
this better take a long hard look at what has happened in the US in our
lifetimes.

Ron

"Brian D" wrote in message
news:jZXhb.734183$Ho3.178853@sccrnsc03...
People should make obvious statements on their plans (and in advertising
and
on web sites etc) that say something like "Compliant with v.XXXX of the
ABYC
Standards & Technical Guidelines for Small Craft" or some such thing.

Good suggestion. We may print that on our plans with some warnings etc.
Note that we sell 30% of our plans to export and do not plan to stuyd all
the regulations of all countries but the ABYC standards make sense.
--
Jacques
http://www.bateau.com

"Jacques Mertens" wrote in message ...
"Brian D" wrote in message
news:jZXhb.734183$Ho3.178853@sccrnsc03...
People should make obvious statements on their plans (and in advertising
and
on web sites etc) that say something like "Compliant with v.XXXX of the
ABYC
Standards & Technical Guidelines for Small Craft" or some such thing.

Good suggestion. We may print that on our plans with some warnings etc.
Note that we sell 30% of our plans to export and do not plan to stuyd all
the regulations of all countries but the ABYC standards make sense.

I have been putting warnings and the regs I follow on my plans for years
Scotty from SmallBoats.com

I have a standard statement on house plans that we use that basically says
"We tried, but if it doesn't meet your local requirements, then it's your
fault." A disclaimer. Written more nicely than that of course I can
dig it up and post it here if anyone is interested...

Brian

"Jacques Mertens" wrote in message
...

"Brian D" wrote in message
news:jZXhb.734183$Ho3.178853@sccrnsc03...
People should make obvious statements on their plans (and in advertising
and
on web sites etc) that say something like "Compliant with v.XXXX of the
ABYC
Standards & Technical Guidelines for Small Craft" or some such thing.

Good suggestion. We may print that on our plans with some warnings etc.
Note that we sell 30% of our plans to export and do not plan to stuyd all
the regulations of all countries but the ABYC standards make sense.
--
Jacques
http://www.bateau.com

Passing a test just means you pass the test. In particular it does not
mean you can design a good, or even a safe, boat. There are a large number
of graduates of all sorts of certification programs who do not have the
judgement and experince of people who did not take the test. Goodness I've
seen too many people with BA after their names who can't perform or
produce, or even cope. I have belonged to professional associations and
have been certifed and I know it may not mean much. What it says is at
some point in time you knew some specialized knowledge. Some of the actual
aims of certification associations I know of were basically
self-promotion, lobbying, networking, and marketing. I discontinued
membership in one after a short time.

I was arguing recently online with kayak paddlers who claimed you needed
formal instruction from a certified paddling instructor. They were quite
defensive about it.

I think the best protection for any consumer is is free and open
discussion like we have on the Usenet, which is why I like newsgroups and
avoid forums. I don't think people need to agree. Spirited discussion is
good. Even married couples don't *always* agree. Ever since Consumer's
Report started its annual automobie reliability survey better built Asian
cars and trucks have been taking market share away from other
manufacturers. Openess is good.

Often people who design and build boats for money are restricted in what
they can do. If you've put in the time and money to become certified you
serve the market. It the amateur who can try new things. I know
amateur dingy racers have introduced new things which eventually found
their way into the designs of larger boats carrying the names of certified
marine (naval?) architects. When I was racing dingys in a small way with a
local club one of the things I liked best about big race meets was walking
around looking at the neat things people added to their boats.

Long live the amateur desinger and boatbuilder.
--
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