CONSTRUCTION: Printer Friendly Page
Size: Raft base must be a minimum of 5’ by 8’, there is no maximum allowable size.
Material: The base (the part of the raft that is in the water) of the raft must be constructed of logs or poles. (no hollowed out logs, no drums, no pontoons, no Styrofoam etc.) The logs may be seal coated or painted to prevent them from deteriorating. The gap between the base logs may not be caulked or packed. The base of the Wanigan may not be sealed in such a manner that would prevent water from entering or exiting the deck or the interior of the Wanigan. The deck may be planked with boards (not plywood or OSB). The boards may also be sealed or painted to prevent them from deteriorating. No caulking or packing of the seams between the deck boards is allowed. The deck may be covered with canvas, burlap or indoor/outdoor carpet with no padding. The deck may not be covered with a tarp, plastic sheeting or anything that is not water permeable. Every raft must have a structure (cook hut) built of wood or canvas. This structure must be large enough for the cook stove and a person to fully fit in and sit erect under it – at least 4’ high, but not more than 6’ high. 3 sides and the roof must be covered at all times during the race. This structure must be permanently erected on the deck.
No sealed hulls, no canoe style rafts, no V hulls, no tri hulls, ETC…
The intent of the Cheboygan Jaycees and the Wanigan Raft Race Committee is to have all rafts resemble a raft, not to have rafts that resemble a state of the art race boat.
Mechanical pumps are not allowed.
ALL RAFTS MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE CLEAT SECURELY ATTACHED TO THE BOW. YOU MUST ALSO HAVE AT LEAST ONE LINE (ROPE) BEING A MINIMUM OF 15 FEET IN LENGTH. THE CLEAT AND ROPE MUST BE STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE WANIGAN WHEN THE WANIGAN IS TOWED BY ANOTHER BOAT.
PROPULSION:
Any combination of the following may be utilized:
Sails – A mast of small poles may be used to string up a clothesline but not to exceed the width of the Wanigan. Up to three pairs of long johns may be hung. The long johns may not be cut, sewn or altered in any way.
Rudder - MAY NOT BE USED TO PROVIDE MEANS OF PROPULSION. All rafts must include one. No size restrictions.
Poles & Paddles - Natural wood, any length. Limit of one pole or paddle per person and you must finish with the same number you started with. No oars, oarlocks, or paddlewheels. ABSOLUTELY NO MEANS OF PROPULSION FROM OFF THE RAFT.
CREWS:
Size - A minimum of three members per crew, with a maximum of six members. Each crew must finish with the same number and same people as it started with. No relief members allowed.
Age Restrictions – Every crew must include at least one person over the age of 18. Any contestant under the age of 18 must have a legal parent or guardian present to co-sign a waiver of liability before the beginning of the race.
RACE COURSE AND DATE:
Date: The race will be held on Saturday, June 26th, 2010.
Time: The race will begin at 10:30 am, however all Wanigan’s and their full crew need to be at Waterways Campground no later than 8:30 am.
Course: The race will be timed with a staggered start. Racing order will be determined by a drawing. The race will begin at M 33 Bridge and finish at the south side of the Lincoln Street Bridge. The entry with the quickest time will be declared the winner, pending a final inspection and judges meeting.
ENTRY:
All Wanigan crews will be responsible for supplying their own means of getting their Wanigan to the race start and for removing their Wanigan at the end of the race. All Wanigan’s must be removed immediately after the race ends. Any Wanigan’s left at the Lincoln Street Bridge launch are subject to be fined by the local law enforcement. Michigan Water Craft Registration Numbers (MC numbers) are not required. Life preservers meeting current Coast Guard regulations are required for each member onboard and must be accessible. All racers are expected to comply with local and federal laws, and to respect other boaters on the river. No pike poles, grappling hooks, etc., may be used to deter the progress of other contestants. Absolutely no littering will be tolerated.
STOVE:
The stove must be wood burning. No charcoal, coal, propane, kerosene, gas, etc. may be used. All stoves must be homemade and not factory made. No modified camp stoves. A lined fire pit may be used instead of a stove. FIRE CANNOT BE STARTED UNTIL YOUR HEAT HAS STARTED RACING!
MENU:
Each raft must make 5 quarts of chili during the race. The ending temperature of the chili must be 160 degrees. The meat may be pre-browned and the other ingredients may be cut or diced before hand but chili must be assembled on the raft during the race (NO PRE MIXED INGREDIENTS).
INSPECTION:
There will be a crew of inspectors that will inspect your Wanigan starting
at 8:30 AM Saturday morning. If you have any questions prior to the race, please
call.
Nathan Howell (231) 290-3552
If you would like your raft inspected prior to the race day it can be arranged by calling one of the people listed above.
The inspectors reserve the right to disqualify a Wanigan if it does not pass their inspection.
THE INTENT OF THE CHEBOYGAN JAYCEES IN CONDUCTING THIS RAFT RACE IS TO HOLD AN EVENT IN WHICH ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY MAY BECOME INVOLVED AND HAVE AN ENJOYABLE WEEKEND WHILE AT THE SAME TIME RAISING MONEY TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS.
ALL LOCAL, STATE & FEDERAL LAWS & REGULATIONS APPLY AND WILL BE ENFORCED!
COMMON SENSE SHOULD ALSO APPLY!
