September 12, 2002
Sailboat Rally Fizzles
Sailboaters rallied at the Batchellerville Bridge on Sunday of Labor Day Weekend to support their claim that the replacement structure should have a 55-foot vertical clearance instead of the 42-foot vertical clearance planned by the state. The rally was treated as a non-event by area newspapers and TV stations. Only one newspaper covered it. The rally also was treated as a non-event by sailboaters. Only 37 of the lake's 163 sailboats showed up, meaning that more than three out of four stayed away. Obviously, most sailboaters are either satisfied with the proposed 42-foot vertical clearance or couldn't care less about the height of the bridge because they plan to stay in the wide part of the lake where sailing will always be best.
A couple of dozen motorboats also participated. Again, that's an insignificant number amounting to a fraction of one percent of the thousands of motorboats on the lake.
As far as spectators are concerned, a grand total of seven showed up on the 3,000-foot-long bridge. Three of them were members of the Batchellerville Bridge Action Committee. To the boaters, they displayed a sign showing how high the 42-foot vertical clearance would reach on the existing bridge. By comparing mast heights against the sign, it was readily apparent that many sailboats in the rally could pass safely under that clearance when the lake is full. In fact, now that the lake is low, most could do so.
The back of the BBAC's sign, visible to motorists crossing the bridge, read: "Keep the Bridge Low." A number of drivers slowed to say encouraging words to our members or to give them a thumb's up.
Because of the sparse turnout and the visual proof that a 42-foot vertical clearance could accommodate most sailboaters, the rally did serve one useful service. It provided the BBAC with plenty of ammunition to support its assertions that the 42-foot vertical clearance is the motorboaters' choice, the sailboaters' choice, and the people's choice.
The BBAC's sign shows how high a 42-foot vertical clearance would reach
on the existing bridge. The deck would add another eight feet to the
replacement bridge's height, with its lamp posts sticking up an
additional 30 feet. Click on the images for enlargements.
Many sailboats in the rally could pass safely under a 42-foot vertical clearance when the lake is full. In fact, now that the lake is low, most could do so.