Do's & Don'ts
for parade fun & success!


 
 BE DIFFERENT 

DO

 Use light patterns other than just lining your rails.

DO

 Use Animation
 BE COLORFUL 

DO

 Deck displays and light with a lot of variety and color that
 demand attention.

DO

 One, two or even three colors in specific patterns can be very attractive.
 BE BRIGHT 

DO

 The more lights, the better the impression.

DO

 Light the objects ( Santa, elves, etc. ...) you want to be seen
 from a distance.
 BE VISIBLE 

DO

 Can your decorations be seen clearly from 300 to 400 feet?

DO

 Make things BIG.  Is your ID number on the starboard bow?
 

 
 DON'T PASS OTHER BOATS  
"...we had 2,3, and even 4 boats go by us..."

#1 boat (closest to the judge) get the most attention.
#2 boat gets some attention
#3 boat may be ignored
#4 boat WILL be ignored.
DON'T MAKE YOUR PARADE NUMBER HARD TO FIND

 

We do not judge you until we find your number.
If we see your number as you approach, we have sufficient time to look you over.
Numbers mounted on the bridge or salon windows are usually found when the boat is about 10 degrees past us.
Many bow numbers fold in half because of the wind, and are not readable.
Many times we can only identify the boat by the stern number.  In those cases, the boat is judged only from the stern
 DON'T TRAVEL AT 8+ KNOTS

By the time we see and record your number, you are gone.
We do not see details of your decorations.
 
 DON'T TRAVEL IN THE CENTER OF THE CHANNEL

The center is 500 feet from the seawall.  You are very difficult and often impossible to see.  Your numbers are not visible, so you are not judged.
 
 DON'T FOLLOW THE BOAT IN FRONT OF YOU REAL CLOSE

The front boat gets most of the attention.
2nd boat gets some attention.
3rd boat gets about as much attention as a boat going 9 knots.