Newsletter/Press Release

IRBA News April 2009

From The President's Bridge

Rick Levinson

Greetings to all of our IRBA members. This is the first issue of our new electronic newsletter written by your IRBA Board of Directors. Our goal is to keep in touch with you throughout the season with interesting and timely articles regarding boating and fishing in our part of the world.

We will bring to you updates about the Marina, IRBA activities, fishing reports, dock chit-chat, photos, and more. We are always looking for stories and interesting tid-bits from out members-so please feel free to send in your stories, questions or comments to John Pinkman who puts our IRBA Newsletter together. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,

Rick Levinson

Fishing Tournaments

Robin Quann

Big news on the tournament front is the Memorial Weekend Bluefish Tournament.The new Calcutta changes can be viewed on the IRBA website. As an additional benefit we will be accepting the entry and Calcutta fees in advance by credit card online. This should make paying for the tournament more convenient. Since the captains meeting is optional this year, there is no rush to get down to the beach to sign up. Of course, not attending the captains meeting, one will miss out on food and drink which will be provided at the meeting.

Sign up is much simpler this year, just go to the web site www.irba.us, select the tournament you wish to fish, complete the online entry form and follow instructions for payment via credit card or check. Finally, we suggest that you print a copy of the rules. Your boat number will be sent to you through email shortly after your online registration and payment is received. Print your boat number to display on your boat and go catch the winning Bluefish.

P.S. Don't forget the general tournament winners awards for 2008 will be presented on Sunday evening, May 24th, during the picnic. This year's picnic will be catered by La Tolteca. Menu information and a new online method of RSVP will follow when the event gets closer.

Walkin' the Dock

With Capt. Chris Corbi

Impeller Maintenance -
Easy at the Dock
Expensive After a

Breakdown at Sea!

As we come upon another boating season, boat maintenance is a concern for all boaters.
One very important item to replace routinely is the raw water impeller. This part is used to supply the engine with cool seawater ,cooling the engine in its entirety (raw water cooled engine) or used to cool engine anti-freeze in a heat exchanger (fresh water cooled engine).

The impeller is a serviceable part in a pump made of flexible rubber, neoprene, or plastic.
Over time impurities will invade the impeller from seawater and general use. In addition impellers degrade from time spent in storage, loss of flexibility, and in extreme cases they can totally come apart. Depending on your engine configuration, access can be very tight and special tools may be required. An impeller is one part you do not want to have faulty. It could lead to over heating and the possibility of complete engine failure.

Therefore good engine maintenance requires impellers to be replaced every two to three years.
With the time and understanding of the job at hand, an average boat owner can tackle this job. If there is any doubt about your mechanical skill, it is better to get a qualified technician to replace them.

Chris Corbi writes this monthly column on great boat maintenance ideas. Chris, a lifetime resident of Rehoboth, is a Lic. Captain and Master Boat Mechanic. He owns J&C Marine, a full service marine company. www.info@jcautomarine.com

Communication

John Pinkman

2009 presents a challenging year for IRBA. Volatile fuel prices, changes in Marina Management, development of new marina facilities, pressures on traditional sponsors, and the boating industry as well, are both positive and negative issues on the horizon.

We stick together however; after all that is the purpose of any association. By working together this can be a unique time to increase membership. We can do that by increasing the value of membership and communicating that value to others.

As new Board members join veterans, and as new members come aboard, we look forward to getting things done. The best way to increase action is to increase communication. That specifically is my responsibility.

You will be hearing about many exciting new events. We are going to reach out to current members for their special skills. Thriving associations involve member creativity and energy.

You will be hearing from us ...... Will are counting on hearing from you!!!

John and Ruth Ann Pinkman

john22@pinkmanbsaeball.com

2009 Membership Renewal

We Need You Back!

It's time to renew your IRBA membership. IRBA is getting better and better each year. We need you help! Along with the fabulous picnics, social events, clinics, and fishing tournaments, we will be working hard to increase member benefits. We have already received and are putting into action several member suggestions!

When you print out the Membership Application Form on the website it is convenient, but not necessary, to register for Fishing Tournaments at that time. Participation in IRBA does not require participation in Fishing Tournaments -- It's just a Bonus!

Next month we will publish an online survey to get feed back on what services and benefits our members enjoy. Included in that survey we will be identifying the economic clout of IRBA. It is extremely important information. When we solicit discounts, member benefits, and sponsorships, businesses will want to know more about IRBA, member buying power, and members specific needs.