Read All Of This Page If You Have Never Been Entered In This Raft Race!!!

 CAPTAIN'S MEETING & BARBEQUE 

        For the past couple of years the race committee has changed the format of the Captain's meeting. In previous years this engagement was held at the local Elks club in Middletown. Although this site worked out fine in the past, the committee determined that there was a more suitable location. They wanted a site where many of the old timers could reminisce of past victories and adventures. They also desired a place where the new and upcoming rafters could enjoy this camaraderie and get a feel for the event, the other participants, as well as the launch location, course layout, and finish area. The site chosen to hold the yearly rendezvous of the Captains is The Riverside Marina in Portland.

        This is the marina where many of the preliminary race day activities are centered. This is where most of the rafts are launched from in the days leading up to the race.This landing also serves as homeport to various committee members and their respective vessels. In addition to this, there is a huge meeting hall there where Otto sets up his D.J. equipment & P.A. system. The music is crystal clear and people can hear theday's presentation with better clarity. There is also plenty of parking for all, clean bathrooms, a terrific view of the river, and a portable barbecue grill to use. As it turns out this is the perfect place to hold a gathering.

        On Saturday, July 14-th at 10:00 A.M. the Captain's meeting will take place. Bob Niland who is the Race President will go over the raft race rules, answered any questions, conveyed last minute developments, and review the safety requirements of the event. After this informational sesson Captain's are invited to sign up their raft & team members. Entry fees are $12 dollars per crew member. There will be event T-shirts & Koozies on sale during registration.

This also marks the beginning of the socializing hour where everyone exchanges stories about
previous races, discuss raft improvements, and declares how much fun or misery they endured at
last year's event. While all this is going on a flurry of action will be taking place over at the barbeque
grill. Volunteers from the committee will be busy cooking a huge Steamship Round of beef, roasting corn, and will prepare salads & snacks. Everyone is encouraged to bring along their favorite carbonated beverages to wash everything down. Otto will play music during the meal and will take your special requests. There will be lots of rafting memorabilia left out for everyone to browse throughout the afternoon. There will be event pictures, albums, news articles, and all sorts of other stuff to look at.
  Race Course Map

LAUNCHING AREA  Riverside Marina, 37 Riverview Street, Portland, CT 06480  Kenny & Elsie Gouin are the owners.  They provide launching facilities, parking, and a home port to the event ( they charge $5 - $10 to park .)    If you have any questions call them at 860-342-5389.  Yankee Boat Yard is also near by and has a launching ramp ( they charge $15 - $20 to launch and park.)  Both Marinas are located on Riverside street and are right next to each other.

 STARTING LINE  is located in the waters closest to the swinging railroad trestle to the south of the Arrigoni suspension bridge  ( Route 66.)  Plan on getting to the starting line early.  Many rafts get towed to the start and this generally takes a bit longer than you'd think, so get an early start.  The Connecticut River Raft Race will start from here around 10:00 a.m. July 28-th, 2001.  The starting cannon will be fired by Lord Gildersleeve (our commissioner of explosive devices) when everyone is positioned and ready to go.

STAGGERED START  This year another attempt will be made to have a staggered start.  The strategy is to have two blasts from the starting cannon.  The first detonation will launch everyone except the fastest rafts entered in the "America Class".  After a short wait a second discharge will launch the high speed vessels.  This arrangement should have the faster rafts catching up to and passing the whole field of entries.  This will give everyone a chance to observe the faster rafts battling in out between themselves.

RACE COURSE  is approx. 4.1 nautical miles long.  It runs from the Middletown Railroad Bridge to Dart Island.  The race course will be closed to most boat traffic until 2:00 p.m.  The event will be monitored by representatives from the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Environmental Protection's Marine Patrol.  Emergency medical support will be provided by representatives from the local police and fire departments.

FINISH LINE  is located in the shoals at Dart Island.  This is a state park and is only accessible by boat.  This is an ideal location for swimming, water sports, volleyball, horseshoes, etc.  Barbecue grills will be available for cooking.  Port-a-Potties will be provided and music supplied.  An awards ceremony will commence once all rafts are safely in.

END OF DAY  is the later part of the afternoon when rafts start to head out for the long tow back up the river to the boat ramp at Portland Marina.  This is where having your own support boat really comes in handy as you can take off when your ready to.  If you do not have a support boat you can ask a "Sweeper Class" vessel to assist you by providing a tow back up the river, you'll have to hang tight until their ready to leave though.  Nobody will be left behind on Dart Island.  Keep in mind that Captain's are much more likely to lend assistance if you are friendly. Offer them some of your food or carbonated beverages. Give them all the consideration and respect you'd give to your Mom. And a donation for "gas money" is always welcome . Please pick up after yourselves any grab any loose trash you might see so the cleanup crew has an easier time of it later .