LAUNCHING AREA  Riverside Marina, 37 Riverview Street, Portland, CT 06480  Kenny & Elsie Gouin are the owners.  They provide launching facilities, parking, and a home port to the event ( they charge $5 - $10 to park .)    If you have any questions call them at 860-342-5389.  Yankee Boat Yard is also near by and has a launching ramp ( they charge $15 - $20 to launch and park.)  Both Marinas are located on Riverside street and are right next to each other.

 STARTING LINE  is located in the waters closest to the swinging railroad trestle to the south of the Arrigoni suspension bridge  ( Route 66.)  Plan on getting to the starting line early.  Many rafts get towed to the start and this generally takes a bit longer than you'd think, so get an early start.  The Connecticut River Raft Race will start from here sometime around 10:00 a.m. August 5-th, 2000.  The starting cannon will be fired by Lord Gildersleeve (our commissioner of explosive devices) when everyone is positioned and ready to go.

STAGGERED START  This year another attempt will be made to have a staggered start.  The strategy is to have two blasts from the starting cannon.  The first detonation will launch everyone except the fastest rafts entered in the America Class.  After a short wait a second discharge will launch the high speed vessels.  This arrangement should have the faster rafts catching up to and passing the whole field of entries.  This will give everyone a chance to observe the faster rafts battling in out between themselves.

RACE COURSE  is approx. 4.1 nautical miles long.  It runs from the Middletown Railroad Bridge to Dart Island.  The race course will be closed to most boat traffic until 2:00 p.m.  The event will be monitored by representatives from the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Environmental Protection's Marine Patrol.  Emergency medical support will be provided by representatives from the local police and fire departments.

FINISH LINE  is located in the shoals at Dart Island.  This is a state park and is only accessible by boat.  This is an ideal location for swimming, water sports, volleyball, horseshoes, etc.  Barbecue grills will be available for cooking.  Port-a-Potties will be provided and music supplied.  An awards ceremony will commence once all rafts are safely in.