The Members previously assigned off-season moorage @ the Winslow out-station, will continue with priority to return to Winslow, as promised.
Rule 2.11 Charters has been challenged by some Members. The State of Washington is very specific as to what they consider a valid charter operation, and what they do not.
WAC 458-20-211 A bare boat charter occurs when a vessel is rented or leased to others and total dominion and control is provided to the customer. This means that the boat owner or the charter business cannot provide captain or crew or be otherwise present on the vessel during the charter. Vessel owners can place some restrictions on vessel operation, such as requiring the lessee to hire a licensed skipper, limiting the number of passengers on board, and limiting where the vessel can be operated. To avoid tax liability for intervening use, the boat owner cannot be on board as a skipper or crew member, or guest. The term "leasing" and "renting" are used interchangeably and refer generally to the act of granting to another the right of possession to, and use of, tangible personal property for consideration. Vessels purchased solely for bare boat charters are for purchaser’s resale and are exempt for sales tax. Sellers must retain a resale certificate in their records documenting the exempt sale. The purchaser will be subject to use tax (based on the total value of the boat) if they engage in intervening use of the boat. Charter boat owners or businesses are not treated as vessel dealers. Therefore, intervening use of a charter boat is subject to tax on the full value not the rental value.
As this makes distinctions between charter business and vessel dealers, what does the State of Washington say about vessel dealers?
RCW 88.02.023 Vessel dealer display decals--Use.
Vessel dealer display decals shall only be used:
(1) To demonstrate vessels held for sale when operated by a prospective customer holding a dated demonstration permit, and shall be carried in the vessel at all times it is being operated by such individual;
(2) On vessels owned or consigned for sale that are in fact available for sale and being used only for vessel dealer business purposes by an officer of the corporation, a partner, a proprietor, or by a bona fide employee of the firm if a card so identifying any such individual is carried in the vessel at all times it is so operated.
How a private Club with a mission statement of "an average mans' boat club where each man would be equal to all others, where his family would be in proper surroundings, and an added opportunity afforded of getting acquainted with other boat men" equates to accommodating corporations and dealer inventories is a question for the Members, and ultimately the Board of Trustees.
With regard to moorage placements, the Seattle Fire Code specifies in: 9405.7 Moorage in intervening moorage space. Vessels in open spaces between covered moorage shall not exceed 7 feet (2,133.6 mm) from the top of the vessel superstructure to the waterline, unless protected by an approved fire partition. The deadlines for these codes is closing in with approximately 3 years remaining. Something to consider in making placements for moorage and budgeting for expenditures.
3.08.05. Inactive Boat. What a nightmare! How can any committee be burdened, without the support of the Members, to enforce this rule? Hey, if you don't use your boat anymore, why not sell it and let some fresh faced New Member have a chance to become active in the Club? We need the vitality!
"Transparency" is a word I heard applied to the Moorage Committee at the onset of the term of Commodore Yates. Every effort has been made to involve the Membership in the efforts of the Moorage Committee and the challenges faced by the volunteers that serve the Membership. Pay your taxes, Use your boat, and support your committees. QUEEN CITY YACHT CLUB is not a business, it is a yacht club.
"Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity".
Bruce Ramon
Moorage Chairman
