BoatU.S. Celebrates 10-Year Partnership with Recreational Boaters of California (RBOC) with Presentation of $10,000 Check BoatU.S., the nation’s largest association of recreational boat owners with over 530,000 members, will present a $10,000 check to the state’s leading boater’s advocacy organization, Recreational Boaters of California (RBOC), at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, June 1, during the Grand Opening of the BoatU.S. Marine Center in Sausalito/Marin City. BoatU.S. Chairman and Founder Richard Schwartz will present the check to Russ Robinson of Cupertino, who as RBOC Vice President-North represents the interests of all California boaters.

Also during the Sausalito/Marin City Marine Center opening, The Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA), representing nearly 100 Northern California boating clubs stretching from the Monterey Bay to Lake Tahoe, and over 16,000 boating families, also will welcome BoatU.S. to the Bay area along with RBOC with a ceremonial exchange of burgees (flags). PICYA Commodore Richard Clark , RBOC Vice President Russ Robinson and Mr. Schwartz will make the symbolic exchange.

“RBOC is the most active and influential state-wide organization for recreational boat owners and we are committed to supporting their efforts over the long term,” said Schwartz, whose organization has been representing boaters at the federal level in Washington, D.C. since 1966. Since 1992, BoatU.S. has contributed over $100,000 to support RBOC’s lobbying efforts in Sacramento and throughout the state on behalf of recreational boaters. RBOC is committed to promoting the enjoyment, protection and responsible use of California’s waterways.

The new BoatU.S. Sausalito/Marin City Marine Center will open its doors at 8:00 a.m. on June 1. Mr. Schwartz will be on hand from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to welcome boaters, commencing day-long Grand Opening celebrations that feature hourly prize drawings. In addition, a second BoatU.S Marine Center will open the same day in Oakland. Together, these facilities represent the association’s first retail presence in Northern California. Three BoatU.S. marine centers have been in operation in Southern California since the early 1990s.

The marine centers will be giving away a grand prize of a $2500 shopping spree. U.S. Power Squadrons personnel will be on hand to set-up appointments for free vessel safety checks. Kids can see a real “TowBoatU.S.” red and white striped towing vessel and, just in time for spring commissioning, demonstrations on proper boat care and cleaning methods will be given by professionals from 3M Company.

Both the Sausalito/Marin City and Oakland Marine Centers include a state-of-the-art Resource Center with free “how-to” boating information and online access. Customers can find product information and see demos of new navigational software. Also new at the stores are special engine parts departments.

Although it’s not necessary to be a member to shop at BoatU.S. Marine Centers, those considering membership will be able to join BoatU.S. at these Bay area stores for only $14 - a 25% discount off the regular membership fee of $19.

In addition to its boater advocacy efforts, BoatU.S. operates a Consumer Protection Bureau for boaters and offers its members a wide array of consumer services. These include a group-rate marine insurance program that provides over $6 billion in hull coverage; a fleet of more than 400 towing assistance vessels; discounts on fuel and slips at over 650 marinas; and a subscription to BoatU.S. Magazine, the most widely read boating publication in the U.S.