Marinalife Blogs About the Boating World

Successful 2013 American Boating Congress

The 2013 American Boating Congress, which wrapped up Thursday in Washington, D.C., was a success for the recreational boating industry, the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) announced, noting a 25% increase in attendance (from 160 to 200) and a 138% increase in co-hosts (from 13 to 31). Which is a great turnout!  The increase in participants from all sectors of the recreational boating community resulted in more than 250 meetings with Members of Congress, up 34 percent from last year’s 187 visits, creating a more unified voice and making the boating industry’s presence known on Capitol Hill. Joy and Barb attended the May 8th events at the American Boating Congress and during lunch took a break and headed over to visit the Capital Yacht Club in DC, where Barb took a minute to pose for a photo by the famous anchor.

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Kanberra Gel Partners with Jamestown Distributors

KANBERRA GEL® AND KANBERRA SPRAY® NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH JAMESTOWN DISTRIBUTORS OF RHODE ISLAND. The Kanberra Group announces the company has joined in a partnership with Jamestown Distributors, an industry leader in marine and boat building supplies headquartered in Bristol, RI. The family-owned business now adds Kanberra Gel® and Kanberra Spray® to their complete catalog of boating supplies, bringing the advantages of these all natural air purifiers to customers around the world. “Jamestown Distributors has supplied and assisted boaters for more than 30 years and they really know their stuff,” said David Levesque, Director of Business Development at Kanberra. “That is why we are especially proud of our partnership with them -- they are a team of boat lovers who only want the best for their customers, so their choice of Kanberra products is significant.” Boaters around the world have found Kanberra all natural air purifiers to be an ideal solution, both inside the cabin and other areas when on the water, and in protecting against mold and mildew when the vessel is stored in the off-season. Sold around the world through distributors and marine stores, Kanberra products have proven themselves in some of the toughest locations to the most discriminating customers for years. For more information, visit www.kanberragel.com or call toll-free 1-800-683-0021. E-mail davidl@kanberragel.com.

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Welcome to Exuma Cays, everything you need to know and more!

Chuck and Susan contined their journey in the Bahamas, and stopped in Exuma Cays. They shared their experience as well as extremely helpful tips for those looking to cruise in the area. Thanks Susan and Chuck for continuing to keep readers updated on your Bahamas adventure! The Exuma Cays may well be one of the most beautiful cruising grounds we have ever experienced. Beginning with Sail Rocks and Ship Channel Cay, just slightly south and east of Nassau, the Exumas stretch down to Great and Little Exuma to the southwest. The Exumas offer anything from remote anchorages, to small settlements, to busy towns like Georgetown. Many cays offer fabulous beaches, unusual wildlife and some of the greatest anchorages you may ever experience. It has been a great joy to be able to experience this wonderful cruising ground once again as we continue our research for the next edition in our Great Book Of Anchorages series, the Bahamas Edition. Someone pointed out to us that there is just no way we can call this work, so we won't try. The road most traveled by a majority of cruisers is to head south from Nassau, across the Yellow Banks and then southwest to Allans Cay. The anchorage is between Allans and Leaf Cay. The currents here are strong so either two anchors are needed or you need an anchor that will reset well in reversing conditions. Dinghy in to Leaf Cay and say hello to the native iguanas. When seas are up in Exuma Sound, the deep water side of the Exumas, a surge can work into the anchorage that can make it uncomfortable. Deeper draft boats may have to anchor in the cut at the south end of Leaf Cay or off the west side of the Cays if there is no westerly component to the wind. From Allans it's just a short hop to Highbourne Cay if a marina is needed. There are some supplies sold at Highbourne. Be aware that a strong surge can work in around to the west side of Highbourne and make this a very uncomfortable anchorage. There are many, many, opportunities for some wonderful stops south of Highbourne Cay. Normans Cay is another very popular stop with some good snorkeling. There is a wrecked drug lord's plane in the lagoon, but not much of it is left. We visited when a good portion of the plane was intact and the old mansion was still in fair shape. But it's still fun for a day or two. There is a very good anchorage on the west side of Norman's in prevailing winds. There is a beach bar on Normans that has a very good cheeseburger in paradise. From Normans, the anchorages at Shroud Cay and Hawksbill Cay are indescribable. The crystal clear water, outstanding snorkeling and white beaches are all must visits. Wax Cay marks the northern boundary of the Exuma Land and Sea Park. The Park is a no-take zone and that means, fish, shells, coral or ANYTHING. Stiff fines can be levied if you're caught with anything and the Park Wardens are always on the lookout. We were a bit disappointed on our recent visit. We almost felt like we were back in south Florida in one of the areas that require you to take a mooring. The north anchorage has always had moorings and we have used them in the past. But recently moorings have been added in one of the other popular areas where boats would often anchor (near Emerald Rock). We can understand moorings to protect the coral in the park, but this new area has nothing more than a sandy bottom. There are buoys installed as markers and all boats must anchor west of these marker buoys. As a result, you are forced to anchor farther out in much more exposed areas, or take a mooring. The moorings are not free and we felt we were being punished for not taking one since we were also told that the Park would not share their paid wifi with us unless we took a mooring. We have never experienced this in the Bahamas anywhere else. But we did enjoy our time there, and it's still one of the most beautiful cruising areas anywhere. The upside is the mooring fees are used to pay park employees and upkeep of the park. Park boundaries extend south to about Little Bell Island and Conch Cut. Boats with deeper drafts can continue south on the banks, and the next popular stop is the Sampson and Staniel Cay area. There is a marina at Sampson with a restaurant that is by reservation only. You need to tell them what you want to eat and how many people there will be so they'll know what to cook. The marina also sells fuel if it's available. It is all expensive. Everyone's favorite is Staniel Cay and Big Majors Spot. Big Majors is where you can find the famous Pig Beach. The pigs will see you coming in your dinghy and swim out to meet you. They expect something to eat and can get quite aggressive at times. It is indeed a sight to see and one you will always remember. Staniel Cay is a good spot to hang out for a while. The Yacht Club offers fuel, water at a price, and dockage if you need it. Ashore there is a restaurant, bakery and two small grocery stores. Snorkeling is excellent, especially at the Grotto where one of the James Bond movies, "Thunderball," was filmed. Farther south is one of our favorite settlements, Black Point. This is one of the largest settlement in the Exumas second only to Georgetown. The settlement is typical of the friendly Bahamas experience we have encountered everywhere we have been. There is a government dock where the supply boat lands and this is the best spot in which to anchor. Be sure and leave enough room for the supply boat; it's rather large. There is a community dock to land the dinghy. The settlement has a modern laundry, a cafe, several small groceries and free wifi at the cafe or near the church. You can often find ladies working their magic making baskets and all sorts of wares from straw and palm fronds. Don't bypass Black Point and plan to stay a while. From Black Point, Farmers Cay is another popular stop. There are occasionally festivals for special events at Farmers and there is a restaurant there, but we have never felt is was one of our must see places. For deeper draft boats, Galliot Cut is the last opportunity to transit off the banks to the deep waters of the Exuma Sound. It's wise to keep a good eye on the weather before heading into the Sound; winds and seas can make for an uncomfortable trip. Under the wrong conditions, a rage can build in all the cuts and you can suddenly find yourself in some heavy weather with no place to go. For shoal-draft boats like Beach House, you can carry on farther south as far as Rat Cay Cut and stay in the more protected waters. All of the cuts in the Exumas can have strong currents depending on which way the tide is flowing. These currents need to be respected and planned for anytime you enter or exit the cuts. If a strong wind is opposing the currents, the cuts can become impassable. From Galliot Cut, the entrance at Elizabeth Harbor is about 34 miles. It's straightforward, and since the Sound is deep, there are no hazards to worry about as long as you stay a short distance off the outlying cays. The west entrance to the harbor is wide but can get very rough if winds and waves have been building. The Conch Cay light is obvious, but the transit of the harbor is not straightforward. Once off the Sound and moving toward the inner harbor, there are a number of shoals and coral heads to be avoided. A good set of charts, like Wavey Line, and close study BEFORE you get there will take some of the stress away. You will snake your way through until reaching the main anchorage area off Volleyball Beach or off the town. For many boaters, Georgetown is the Destination for the winter, and many boats come here year after year, spend months, and then return to their home countries. Which is unfortunate, since they bypass some really wonderful cruising grounds. Georgetown is indeed a cruising mecca. The boaters are always planning events, pot lucks on the beach, volleyball tournaments, fishing excursions, dinghy  raft-ups and every imaginable reason for  a get-together. Any kind of boating service  is available, and supplies can either be  easily found or fairly easily shipped in  from the U.S. At least easy from Bahamas  standards. The town is the largest  settlement in the Exumas and has a  variety of shops and restaurants and a  well-stocked grocery store, Exuma  Market. The market has a very large  dinghy dock and it can get crowded.  There is a water faucet on the dinghy dock for filling jerry jugs and the water quality is not bad, and best of all, it's free. In town you can find banks, dive shops and hotels, and there is a good airport for flying almost anywhere you might need to go in a hurry. It's also a good place to fly in friends and relatives so they can come and enjoy the Bahamas with you. There is an on-again, off-again marina that sells fuel and water and offers dockage when it's open. Out of town, there is a haul-out facility for repairs and bottom painting. Making preparations to return home is easy and one of the better locations. We always have to be careful when we go to Georgetown. It's one of those harbors that swallows your anchor and makes it very difficult to pull up and leave. This is the terminus where most boaters turn around to head north again. Beyond is the out-islands where most cruisers seldom go - the more remote parts of the Bahamas.

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Celebrating the closing of the Spring 2013 Waterfront Guide!

This year, Marinalife was handed the role of publishing the Waterfront Guide, Baltimore Counties guide to the Chesapeake Bay presented by the Maryland Trades Association. The final product looked great! We were more than pleased with the turnout of the issue and very thankful for the great work put in by Marinalife's team to make this all happen.  Celebration was definitely in order! The group headed down the street to one of our favorite restaurants in Baltimore, Ryleigh's Oyster. Everyone rewarded themselves with a few grapefruit crushes and a couple delicious appetizers (Joy and Ellen even tried one of the infamous Oyster Shooters!).    We are extremely pleased with the final product and ready to share it with our readers. Thanks to everyone who helped contribute to this quarters publication and we are eager to begin the next issue!

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Successful Getaway Weekend!

What an exciting and eventful weekend! The Princess Yachts Owner Getaway was held this past weekend at Hawks Cay Resort and Marina with huge help from Joy and Chris Cantwell. The group had a busy weekend enjoying a cocktail reception at the resorts Beach Grill, playing golf, tennis, relaxing at Calm Water Spa (with a little added touch of the areas gorgeous tropical setting) and a fun island adventure with lots of water activities. The group went to a nearby island by dinghy and with help from Sundance Watersports and had a lovely picnic lunch and lots of fun kayaking, paddle boarding and hanging out in the water (photos below).       Thank you to all those who participated and helped out with the event! Looking forward to this summer's northern getaway, stay tuned...

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Funky Nassau

Guest Blog: Chuck and Susan Baier Authors of The Great Book of Anchorages The pair have been happily cruising the Bahamas and Marinalife is lucky to have them share their experience in Nassau with our readers, enjoy! There are a few places to anchor in Nassau Harbor. The quality of the anchorages varies considerably, depending on your precise location. The two most popular are the west anchorage near the BASRA docks and the Green Parrot, a popular meeting place for boaters, and the east end of the harbor just past the marinas. This anchorage is a sand bar that divides the channel through the harbor. The inner channel runs along the marina docks and the outer channel is the main transit channel and favors Paradise Island. All of the anchorages and all of the marina slips, with the exception of Hurricane Hole and Atlantis, are extremely rolly. There is no speed limit on the boats and ships transiting the harbor and most run full speed and throw up large wakes which roll the boats at anchor from side to side and keep the boats in the marina slips bouncing all around. It begins around sunrise and goes on well into the night. Many might find this very uncomfortable, and is one of the reasons we usually pass bypass Nassau. But since it has been a while, we stopped for a few days. Bay Street is the main road that runs along the harbor. There you will find the cruise ship terminals, restaurants, shops and supplies. There are two good boating supply stores and a number of service companies ranging from engine repair to outboard motor sales and service. Nassau also has one of the rare haul-out yards in the Bahamas complete with a travel lift and full service facilities. We found the city interesting and noted the major changes and development that have taken place since the last time we were here, especially on Paradise Island, where the entire island has now been developed with hotels, casino, condos and restaurants. The Atlantis complex is huge, and to visit there is a $30.00 per person charge just to go in and look around. We found the prices here for most things are more expensive than we have encountered so far. Continuing east past all of the marinas takes you into the banking district with large, well-kept buildings and perfectly manicured grounds. The homes in this area are much better kept and all are privately gated. If you keep walking you come to Montagu Beach and Fort Montagu. The fort is very small and if you want to go inside there is a charge. The beach is nice with white sand and a breakwater in several locations to protect the beach from erosion. We didn't see anyone using the beach, but maybe that was because the water is still pretty cold. We saw a man cleaning fish and since we were looking for fresh fish, asked him if he had any for sale. He said no, but pointed us to a group of red covered tents not too far away and said we could get all the fresh fish we wanted there. We knew we hit the jackpot when we got to the local fish market and found table after table covered with fresh fish, conch and lobster. What wasn't on the tables could be found in coolers sitting all along the seawall, chock-full of fish of just about every species and size, from small to humongous. We went from table to table, asking prices and negotiating for the best deal. We settled on grouper from a nice lady who gave us a good price. This seems to be where the locals come to buy there fresh seafood. We walked away happy and with fresh grouper for dinner. The fish market near Montagu Beach is totally unlike the market at Potters Cay, under the bridge to Paradise Island. These are mostly small food stalls and restaurants, and the stalls that do sell seafood sell only conch. Even the commercial boats tied up to the government dock only had conch for sale. When the cruise ships are in, Potters Cay is a favorite place for the passengers to visit. We assumed that is why they don't sell much fresh seafood, just prepared food. It is an interesting place to visit and has been part of Nassau Harbor for many, many years. A good way to really see Nassau and New Providence is to hire a car and driver. These are taxis that are for hire and for a set price will drive you around and show you the island. The prices do vary so you have to ask around and find out which will be in your price range. They can run from $120 up to $500.00 for a couple of hours, but they will take up to 10 people in a van. Be sure and find out in advance if you will get a "tour" or just a drive around the island. Most drivers will take you to the different forts, the Queen's Staircase (pictured left) and many of the other shops and points of interest. The drivers we ran into were all very knowledgeable about the island's history. And of course, there is always lunch at many of the restaurants overlooking the harbor. We choose The Poop Deck at Nassau Yacht Haven. The food was okay and reasonably priced by Nassau standards. Each Thursday, boaters in the harbor meet at the Green Parrot for lunch and to discuss all things boating. We didn't do lunch there because we looked at the menu and found it rather expensive ($17 for a fish sandwich). Just about any type of dining can be found in Nassau - from steak to Chinese to, of course, fresh seafood. We were very excited to arrive just when a new supermarket was having their grand opening. Solomon's Fresh Market is located in the shopping center across the street from the Nassau Harbor Club Marina. This is a true supermarket and the best surprise was that the prices for most items were equal to what we paid for groceries in the States. Walking in the front door is like walking into a Publix or Trader Joes. There is a large section for fresh fruits and vegetables, a wide selection of meat and seafood and mostly organic products in the shelves. The store also has a deli that sells sliced meats and a bakery that makes fresh bread and other baked goods. You can buy sandwiches and salads and eat at the booths set up in the market. It was pretty incredible to find this here, and we took advantage to restock some of our supplies before heading down the Exuma chain. There is a pharmacy, Dairy Queen, Domino's Pizza, Radio Shack and several other shops in the center. The local officials were making a celebration of it with speeches and a steel drum band set up in the parking lot. If all goes well, we should be on our way very shortly. During our time here we took advantage of being in the harbor to do an oil change and some minor maintenance. The next stop is the northern Exumas. We're not sure what the internet service will be like so the postings may not be as often. When we have a good connection, we'll bring you up to date.

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Beating the Winter Blues with Franks and Planks!!

Guest Blog Post: Susan and Bill Wade, authors of Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, invite you to come along as they explore the Bay to expand the upcoming Maryland edition of their popular travel guide. What a wretched time of year! At our house, we’re sick of hearing weathermen’s false promises about inches of snow and receiving only rain and mud. We’re tired of looking at bare trees with no leaves – and we’re starting to get itchy for crabs. It doesn’t help that we still have months to wait before Maryland crustaceans are back in business. For a respite from our seasonal doldrums, we cruised to Annapolis for restaurant week. We’re currently updating our Maryland book, so we wanted to investigate some new places. Despite the cold temps and occasional snow flurries, the town was bustling with hungry people eager to taste the best bites in Annapolis. We were hoping to discover a little crab at this historic port, even in the off-season. Our first stop, The Boatyard in Eastport, was packed, but we found two seats at the bar. Bill ordered a dozen raw oysters, and I requested another dozen fried. I was busy listening to a boater’s animated explanation of the town’s annual ritual of roasting oysters and burning old socks in a bonfire to get geared up for flip-flop season, when Bill nudged my arm. He uttered a sentence I never expected to hear from Bill’s lips, “A man in hotdog suit just walked into the bar.” I half-expected him to be followed by a priest and a rabbi, living out the off-color jokes my dad used to tell. Instead, four more wieners with mustard trails swirled down their chests sauntered through the door. Before my eyes, five cheerful franks were lined up politely asking the bartender for a cold brew. Hotdogs and beer make sense at a summer Orioles game but in winter at an oyster bar? What gives? Grabbing my camera, I approached the Frankfurter Five and started taking photos. Were they promoting a new brand of sausage? Helping a local charity? Or maybe trying to lure customers to another restaurant nearby? Nope. They were just a bunch of guys hitting the town on a dreary Saturday. They didn’t deny that they were offered more free beer than usual thanks to their hotdog and bun attire. One can only imagine how much better they’d scored if they’d chosen to wear crab outfits. We followed the merry sausage brigade into the streets for a while, but soon realized that the off- season didn’t afford much opportunity for local crabs. So, we headed north of town in search of something more tropical and perhaps a little tiki. Rumor had it that a new place called Mutiny just opened in Glen Burnie, and pirates had infested the joint. Other than a parrot and a sword on its sign, we didn’t see much evidence for a tiki experience outside the bar, located in a middle-class neighborhood and surrounded by suburban homes. Rum barrels on the deck lifted our spirits. Once inside the dimly lit tavern, we walked the plank and plunged into an island world where scallywags roam and sea wenches with tattooed arms sling drinks to thirsty travelers. The bartender greeted us with a crooked grin. A lusty “aargh” seemed like the appropriate reply. Maps of Caribbean trade routes covered the walls, bamboo blinds hung above rattan furniture, lights made of bloated pufferfish floated above the bar, and wooden barrels served as tables. Aargh, indeed. We’d landed in a place that boasted 140 different types of rum and a passport club to test them all. Again I felt that “check this out” nudge on my arm as Bill nodded toward the end of the bar. I saw a man dressed like a pirate. “Put on your glasses and look again.” Once he came into focus, I realized that the gentleman cozied up on a bar stool had no skin or flesh, only bones. He donned a dapper hat with a chartreuse plume, and his skeletal hand firmly gripped a pewter mug of grog. The perfect companion for a long cross-country flight or an evening when you don’t want to be disturbed. His steely grin assured us that winter would soon be over and a warm breeze would return to the Bay. And before long we’d be back on a sunny trail, discovering new places to cure our crab withdrawal and share a sip of tiki. In the upcoming Maryland edition of Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, you’ll find full coverage of Boatyard, Mutiny and about 200 other waterfront eateries. For more info, go to www.crabdecksandtikibars.com or email susan@crabdecksandtikibars.com

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Kanberra Gel's Back to the Bay... with a Spray!

On behalf of Dave at Kanberra Gel, they are happy to announce that Kanberra Gel will return to Strictly Sail Pacific 2013 and will be unveiling their new air purifying spray product. Kanberra Spray®, a brand new product that puts the power of Tea Tree Oil (TTO) in a convenient spray to clean air and surfaces, will be unfurled at Booth 428, at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA, April 11 - 14th. Following the success of the highly popular Kanberra Gel® all natural air purifier in a jar, new Kanberra Spray® does not mask odors; it removes them by attacking airborne bacteria that cause odors. “Our new, one-of-a-kind spray makes smooth sailing out of protecting vessels against mold, mildew, bacteria and odors in the cabin and other areas,” said David R. Levesque, Director of Business Development. “Sailboat lovers are discovering how Kanberra Spray® scrubs air and surfaces to eliminate odors, even in the holding tank area, like magic." Available in 2-ounce and 8-ounce sizes, Kanberra Spray® features a proprietary formula that takes the antiseptic and antifungal properties of TTO airborne to clean air and surfaces with no chemicals. The spray is easy to use and safe around kids and pets. The spray will be on display at Strictly Sail Pacific along with Kanberra Gel, available in a variety of sizes. The gel provides 24/7 protection and is effective for 90 to 120 days. For more information on new Kanberra Spray®, visit www.kanberragel.com, call toll-free 1-800- 683-0021, e-mail DavidL@KanberraGel.com.

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Tunes for Tuesday! Hollow Hill Band

Marinalife member Charlie Hodge is excited to announce the release of his bands new album! We decided to switch things up this week and get our readers groovin' with some tunes for Tuesday. Marinalife is pleased to promote Hollow Hill Band, a Baltimore based band that has been around since 2006. William Whitehurst is the band's lead singer & songwriter. In addition to Whitehurst, the band is comprised of bass player and Marinalife member Charlie Hodge, drummer Brennan Gildersleeve and John Grant on guitar, keys & backing vocals. The entire band participates in creating the musical direction of every song. Whitehurst writes the lyrics and basic chord progressions to each song. The Hollow Hill Band then steps in to turn his "folk-rock" acoustic guitar-based songs into rock-n-roll songs, complete with screaming guitars & awesome hammond B3. 2013 is an exciting year for the group with their release of their first ever album, Taking the Long Way Around. This album was recorded over a five-year period, at Secret Sound Recording Studios located in Middle River, MD. All of the music was produced by Hollow Hill Band and ready for your listening pleasure! The album is available on iTunes, Spotify and CDbaby. Come on folks! Lets support our extremely talented, local Baltimore band!

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Hey Maryland! We're Back

Guest Blog Post: Susan and Bill Wade, authors of Crab Decks and Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, invite you to come along as they explore the Bay to update and expand the Maryland edition of their popular travel guide. After the Virginia edition of Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay launched on the Fourth of July 2012, we took a break to promote the new book and eat cheeseburgers, Chinese take-out, and Philly cheese steaks. Other than slipping back into Bay cuisine with crab pierogies for the holidays, our Chesapeake seafood rehab was going pretty well. But by mid-January we started to get restless. With the Ravens steamrolling toward the Super Bowl, it seemed like the entire football-loving world was talking about crab cakes. Also cracking our resolve were emails from crab fans alerting us to crab deck closings or new places to investigate. So we snooped around, researched their claims, and realized that while we were in the Bay’s southern waters, much had changed. Even though our first book was only 18 months old, quite a few fresh eateries had appeared along the Maryland waterfront. Heck, my younger son has grown six inches taller since our first book came out. Of course it was time to get back out and document every crab joint along the Bay. And to keep things interesting for our readers, and us, we wanted to augment our coverage and include places along the Potomac River in Washington and Maryland. On the road again For those of you who think that all we do is laze in the sun picking crabs on glorious waterfront decks, it’s a good time to let you know that plenty of our “research” takes place in the off-season when the temperature hovers around freezing and the harsh Bay winds make my hair look like a squirrel has been digging for nuts in a tumbleweed. Sure we have fun, but sometimes-frigid winter weather can turn a day at the Bay into a personal challenge. So, we thought that if we were gonna freeze for crabs, we should start in one of my favorite places -- Dundalk. Yep, there’s something about Baltimore County that feels like my home near Pittsburgh. I have a soft spot in my heart for those souls who have a certain swagger and a determination to survive even when Big Business shortchanges them. Plus we’d heard that some supremely tiki places had opened there. Expect the Unexpected I never know what to expect when I drive through Essex and Middle River. Rows of single-story ramblers built for steel mill workers sit next to high-end waterfront homes. I see fine dining restaurants on the same street as neighborhoodbars that run happy hour from 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning to accommodate workers getting off the night shift. On this trip, I was delighted to slam on my brakes in a residential area when I spotted a grocery cart proudly hanging from a tall oak tree. I never found out why the cart was up there, but it sure felt good to be back in Baltimore County. We hit about a bunch of spots and munched on fried oysters and crab cakes. We sadly checked off our list a few restaurants that had closed and were relieved to see most of our favorites were still in business. That day, the Ravens were the underdogs in the playoffs against the Broncos. We reached the Seahorse Inn shortly after kickoff and luckily found two empty seats at the otherwise packed bar. In between plays, I checked on a unique decorative item that I’d blogged about during our previous adventures – the famous Baby Doll Leg that hangs from the pub’s ceiling rafters. Despite the bar’s recent renovations, there she was in all her splendor, dressed up in a Raven’s sock with a lucky dollar bill tucked inside her little elastic band. Good-luck voodoo at its best. At half time, we paid our check and rushed over to what feels like our home away from home at the Bay – Hard Yacht Café – to watch the end of the game. As always, the owner greeted us like family, handing us purple shots wheneverBaltimore scored a touchdown. The Ravens’ victory that night is now part of NFL history, but what sticks in my mind most is the unbridled joy that erupted at Hard Yacht Café with the win. The icing on the cake was when a massive, 300 pound Ravens fan jumped up on the bar and stripped down to his skivvies in celebration of the game. Photos of that priceless moment will remain in my camera. But what a way to christen our return to the Bay! Next stop … Baltimore. Stay tuned. Do you have a favorite crab deck or tiki bar that you want us to check out? Email us at susan@crabdecksandtikibars.com. For more info on Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, go to www.crabdecksandtikibars.com.

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It's da boat show hon! Marinalife heads to the 2013 Baltimore Boat Show

On behalf of Marinalife, Joy and Barb made their apperance at Progressive's 2013 Baltimore Boat Show docked at the Baltimore's Convention Center. The show went from Thursday, February 28th to Sunday, March 3rd and the duo had a chance to make a visit on Friday to catch up with some of Marinalife's favorite partner marinas and businesses. Among the many exhibitors at the show, visitors were able to join in the nautical fun with new boat show attractions; Swampmaster Gator Show, Captain Dave from Wicked Tuna and new Miss GEICO Offshore Race boat where the six-time racing team introduced its newest and latest offshore racing boat. (For more details about the new attractions click here) The pair had time to pass along a few copies of Marinalife Magazine and catch up on the new scoop. They ran into the crew from Marina's International Bohemia Vista Marina property as well as Freedom Boat Club (picture below). Lisa Almeida (left) from Freedom Boat Club recently was a guest blogger on our site and wrote an entertaining piece "Boating is NOT just for the boys!" about how she started in the industry and got her start in the industry. You MUST check it out (here)! Also, it was a "pleasure" catching up with Jerry and Rick from Pleasure Cove Marina based out of Pasadena, MD. Of course a stop at the Baltimore Marine Center booth was a must to see Lisa and Kevin, who were very generous and continued to pass out some of our magazines throughout the show.  For those of you who did not have the opportunity to come out to the event, here are a few fun facts about the show: 250  Number of boats on display 24+  Number of interactive, educational seminars during the five-day show 125  Number of exhibitors showcasing their latest products $1,500  Price of the LEAST expensive boat 1.5+  Miles of carpeting installed for the aisles 25  Hours it takes to move all the boats into the Baltimore Convention Center 200  Weight (in lbs.) of the live alligator that Swampmaster Jess Quattrocchi caught during the Gator Show

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Boating is not just for the boys!

Guest Blog Post Submitted by: Lisa Almeida - Freedom Boat Club  As a born and raised Floridian I don’t even bleed blood when I am cut, I bleed salt water. When people talk about 10 degrees below, I think they mean 10 degrees below 80 and that’s cold enough for me. I love my state, I love being in on and around the water, and I’ve come to this quite naturally. My parents were competitive water skiers, and skied at Cypress Gardens. My mom even set a record in trick skiing in 1962. When I was born my mother said with quite an indigent tone, “well honey, we just couldn’t quit practicing” so they would put me in a carrier, tie it down, and put me under the bow of the boat. My mom said when the engine started I would go to sleep, when it stopped, I would wake up. She would feed me, start the engine again, and off to slumber land I would go.  When my father was in the army and would not be available to go to a tournament, my mom and I would go and everyone would say, “Oh, I see you have your chaperone with you”. There are pictures of me at 3-years-old in a tutu trying to copy my mom doing an arabesque on skis.  Since my dad only had women around, I learned at a very young age to help him drive the boat, back the trailer, etc. There was never a question if I could do it. It was ALWAYS understood that I could, I just had to learn how. I grew up believing women could drive a boat and trailer by themselves no problem. I bought my first boat when I was 24-years-old. My boyfriend at the time and I both worked for Bellsouth, and traveled the state of Florida. We would ski all the time, and take the boat with us wherever we were working. When we decided to part ways, Jim said he wouldn’t use the boat without me.  I decided to buy the boat.  I called my dad, informing him that I was going to buy Jim’s boat. He definitely was not excited and said, “you better think about the responsibility of that by yourself.” My first thought was: single girl with a boat, doubt I will be by myself. Second thought: why can’t I do it by myself?  I called him two days later and told him I bought the boat, and I needed him to come help me set the dock lines at my apartment dock, and to paint the bottom.  He replied, “I’ll be there, and here is the list of stuff we need.” That was the beginning of what started my six boat ownership history.  So throughout my Bellsouth years, I became known as, “Have Boat, Will Travel”. I loved to water ski just like my parents, and I couldn’t stand the thought of not being able to ski.  I took it to every city we went to.  From Pensacola, to Ft. Lauderdale, I had my boat drug it with me everywhere.  I moved to a house on the river, and had a sign in my office that read, “A waterfront view is NOT a matter of life and death, it is MUCH more important that that!” So became my motto. My deepest joy has always been to share my love of the water with others, to bring them to a world they may not of known or ever seen. I am so blessed to live in a city that has such a beautiful river, Intracoastal Waterway, and a gorgeous ocean. I have taught a countless number of people to ski, get up on one ski when they never could, and even taught a one legged friend to hydroslide. My friend from high school loves to tell the story of flying into Jacksonville for a business meeting. I picked him up at the airport, and 40 minutes later we were skiing.  So now, who knew 30 years later I would own 18 boats, and bring this gift to others every day! It is amazing. What a blast!  I love the opportunity to bring people to the water who may not have ever decided to buy a boat, especially women.  Most women I meet think they can’t do it that is just pure baloney, it is all in their head, and because no one ever told then they could. So now with my business I really enjoy empowering women to become boaters.  I have a member who literally sat in the back of the boat clutching her purse and her 9-year-old daughter when they went for a ride. She came into my office a while back equipped with a high five telling me how she drives the boat, and pulled into the gas dock to get gas, she did it. I have another women who took her girlfriends out by herself, and she says previously she would have not even entertained the thought.  Freedom Boat Club has been recognized in several Jacksonville publications, especially for their Charity Boat Rides they do quarterly. I feel boating should be an escape rather than a nuisance. “Boating is way for people to relax, connect with friends and create powerful memories with family” It is also a way to see any area from a totally different perspective. With 5000 miles of shoreline in Duval and St. Johns county, I wonder what you are waiting for…..

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Old Port Cove Marina Celebrates 40 Years!

Old Port Cove Marina Celebrates 40 Years of Service to the Yachting & Cruising Communities! OLD PORT COVE MARINA, a trademark name among yachtsmen, is embarking on its fortieth year of service to the boating and mega yacht communities. Long known as a favorite Palm Beach destination, Old Port Cove Marina is thrilled to announce completion of numerous first class amenities designed to further elevate this marina facility’s five-star reputation and unsurpassed desirability. Old Port Cove Marina is perfectly located to take advantage of the best that the Palm Beaches have to offer. By water, the marina is located a mere four nautical miles north of the Lake Worth Inlet off Coast Guard Channel Marker 27. Open seven days per week, Old Port Cove Marina provides safe and secure dockage for vessels and tenders from 20’ to 200’ along with 24 hour gated security. State-of-the-art floating docks offer easy docking that both captains and owners appreciate as well as modern power pedestals with 100 amp single and three-phase electric. By land, the marina is just a few minutes away from the famous PGA Corridor, world-class spas, golf and shopping. Ease of land access to major thoroughfares like I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike, as well as Palm Beach International Airport and private airfields mean ingress and egress is smooth and seamless.   Adding to its already full complement of amenities, boaters will enjoy dining in the all new clubhouse known as Sandpiper's Cove Restaurant & Bar. The full service restaurant and bar will offer lunch and dinner in a casual setting featuring stunning marina views. An “Express” area will feature gourmet food and supplies on the go such as fresh made sandwiches, pizza and beverage selections and yacht provisioning service offering a wide range of delivered provisions for every level of boater. The all new marina office rounds out the services available in the clubhouse and is where you will find friendly and experienced, long-term, management staff dedicated to providing first rate service to boaters. Old Port Cove Marina’s newly remodeled “Boater’s Building” includes a litany of enhancements designed exclusively for visiting boaters, their captains and crew. Well-appointed amenities include a comfortable lounge with flat screen TV’s, a convenient business center, fitness center, modern restrooms with private dressing areas and updated laundry facilities. Complimentary high-speed internet access and Wi-Fi are also available. Knowing what it takes to make a marina facility best-in-class is not only the features and services that are offered but the total commitment to providing an exceptional experience and that is the credo of Old Port Cove Marina. Every member of the Old Port Cove’s team of management and staff consider the needs and desires of the yachting community as paramount. The variety of amenities and services are backed with one-of-a-kind attention to detail. Old Port Cove Marina’s long reputation as a marina that cares for their clients’ needs has been the key to their success over the past forty years and it is exactly those ideals and commitments that propel them into the future as a world-class yachting destination. Please make your cruising plans today to include a stop or long term stay at Old Port Cove Marina this fall and enjoy the exciting new amenities designed exclusively for the boating community. See you at Old Port! For more information please contact Mark Lavery, Marina Director. 561-626-1760 www.OPCH.com             www.SANDPIPERSCOVE.com

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Welcome Home Ravens! Baltimore's Super Bowl Champions 2013

The Marinalife team joined, what seemed be, the entire city of Baltimore on Tuesday morning to welcome home the Baltimore Ravens with an enormous parade around the city. Thousands of fans decked in purple and gold gear lined the streets and filled the entire football stadium for a celebration! Fans waited by City Hall to welcome the entire team with the silver Lombardi trophy in hand, and proceeded to parade around the streets all the way to the stadium where the celebration continued.            The mayor estimated that over 200,000 people were in attendance for the parade. Coach John Harbaugh thanked the fans for their support, and Ed Reed sang the melody of Eddie Money's "Two Tickets to Paradise." Retiring Ray Lewis, the only current player to have started with the team when it came to the city from Cleveland in 1996, told fans the team had fulfilled a promise to go to New Orleans and win. Some fans along the parade route said they planned to go to the team's M&T Bank Stadium. But the stadium, which typically seats 71,000, reached capacity around 12:30 p.m. But that did not stop some passionate fans from climbing the gates of the stadium that were closed off due to capacity.  The Ravens were more than appreciative of all those who attended the parase and continue to show their endless support for the team. Marinalife was proud to be apart of a moment in history for Baltimore and will continue to cheer on our boys next season!

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In Honor of Purple Friday....

Purple Pierogies for the Ravens Submitted by: Susan Elnicki Wade, author of Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay Marylanders sure love their crabs. Traditionalists steam them, pick them and roll them into golden brown cakes. They pull out heavy cream to whip up crab soup or crab imperial. The adventurous dress up soft pretzels with crab dip and melted cheddar, or sprinkle jumbo lumps on top of garden-fresh tomatoes and toasted Italian bread to create crab bruschetta. I’ve even taken a bite of crab tucked inside a crispy spring roll. Around the Bay, variations on this tasty crustacean seem unlimited. This past Christmas, I was inspired to put my own spin on Chesapeake crabs. While I was looking for a way to blend my husband’s Maryland roots with my family’s Ukrainian holiday cuisine, my Polish girlfriend Carol challenged me to invent crab pierogies. Every year, we recruit our children to help make the dozens of the regulation potato/cheese or cabbage stuffed treats, so adding crab to the mix sounded perfect. After scouring through cookbooks, internet recipes, and talking to crab deck cooks, my idea for the crab pierogie began to take shape. A simple dough of flour, sour cream, and a dash of Old Bay would compliment the delicate flavors of crab folded into a potato and cheddar filling. Rubbed with warm butter to prevent sticking, my crab pierogies were the darlings of the Christmas table. Once the Ravens fought their way into the Super Bowl, my husband wanted to show his support by having an all-Chesapeake tailgate. Crabcake sandwiches, fried oysters, and steamed shrimp were fine with me, but it hardly seemed like a party without a steaming bowl of pierogies. And none of these foods showed the Raven’s team colors. When I heard ESPN’s Chris Berman refer to Baltimore’s stadium as The Big Crabcake, a light bulb clicked on above my head. To show true team spirit, our tailgate needed purple pierogies. That’s right … purple. Like a determined alchemist, I grabbed red and blue bottles of food dye and squeezed drops of them into the sour cream. Eventually I concocted a pierogie dough that glowed with the Raven’s purple hue. San Francisco better look out now. We’ve got our game face on and enough team colors going to bring the trophy home to Baltimore. For extra good luck, maybe I should ship a batch of purple pierogies to the Ravens in New Orleans? If you’d like to make purple pierogies for your Super Bowl party, e-mail susan@crabdecksandtikibars.com for the recipe. For more info on Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, go to www.crabdecksandtikibars.com.

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Quantum Key West 2013

Joy was invited to join in on the fun and watch Friday's final day of racing at the Quantum Key West 2013 sailing regatta. Celebration and champagne toasts were in order for this years winners aboard Bombarda. After a challenging week of intense competition, jubilation was in order. This year was a particularly stellar yea due to the fact that it featured some of the most spectacular conditions the midwinter regatta has seen in its 26-year history. In midst of all the excitement, Joy was able to capture some photos during the races giving us a first hand look at some of the exciting moments at sea.

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Marinalife Heads to ABBRA Boatyard Business Conference 2013

Marinalife attended the ABBRA (American Boat Builders and Repairers Association) Boatyard Business Conference held in Fort Lauderdale, FL – January 16-18, 2013. Marinalife had the opportunity to present at the conference in a session called Information, Communication, and Relationship Building in a New Global Marketplace. Joy shared the session with Kevin Hutchinson, Marinalife member and founder of My Boat Village. During Marinalife's presentation, Joy was happy to announce the launch of our new Service and Maintenance Locator feature on our website. This feature provides detailed information about specific services provided by boatyards and repair yards around the country. This new service makes it easy for boaters to search by city, state, or facility name and use an advanced search to filter by the type of repair they need. ABBRA is celebrating 70-years and the conference was a huge success with lots of great interaction between member boatyards! Marinalife got to visit with many of their partners including Jerry Nessenson from ValvTect (above photo) and John Fitzgerald from Saunders Yachtworks. The ABBRA awards dinner was held on the Penthouse Floor of the B Hotel in Fort Lauderdale and honored the many successes of their members. From Boatyard of the Year, which was awarded to Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, ME to Excellence in Customer Care, that was awarded to Washburn Marina in Washburn, WI. All in all, the ABBRA Boatyard Business Conference was a great success! Thank you to those who made this experience possible and we are looking forward to continuing our future with ABBRA.

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Sunset Cruise with the Von Lange's!

Joy is having fun in the sun while catching up with members Richard and Key Key Von Lange aboard their new 25' Aquasport, docked in Key West for the month. The Von Lange's hosted a crew of about six people on their new boat and ventured out to Hurricane Hole to have some cockatils and snacks. En route back to Garrison Bight Marina, the crew got to see an amazing sunset! And what a view it was... Thank you Richard and Key Key!

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Bon Voyage!

While in Key West, Joy was able to catch up with members Tom and Anne Rose and visit their new boat Corsair, docked at Conch Harbor Marina. Marinalife has been working with the crew and helping with some of the reservations for their upcoming cruising expeditions to the Caribbean's.  Accompanying the Rose crew is Tom and Becky Dugan. Tom and Tom are leaving from Marathon, Florida for St. Thomas, USVI to start their Caribbean adventures. The group will have different groups of friends meeting them along the way to help crew. Let's not forget about the women on deck, they will give a helping hand when the time is needed. Ready to cruise, we are wishing best of travels to both the Rose and Dugan crew! If you would like Marinalife to help plan your next voyage at sea, visit marinalife.com or give us a call 410-752-0505. Also, for more information please check out our new VIDEO detailing all services Marinalife offers!

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Spreading Christmas Cheer!

Can you pass the rum please?

Joy and some of her crew traveled far away from Marinalife's homeport in Baltimore, Maryland to Cuba this past November. No trip would be the same without experiencing some crazy adventures along the way. Traveling from city to city with cheap rum and fresh coconuts, the crew got to see beautiful sites and meet amazing people that were more than welcoming.  When the group arrived, a photoshoot opportunity was something that Joy couldn't pass up when the infamous Pink Panther taxi cab pulled up and toted the group around the city (with rum in hand of course).  They visited Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa. They met up with friends of Marinalife along the way and even got to celebrate a birthday of one of our own group members, Douglas McPeters. The group bunked with Alex and his family- a friend of Joy's and a local fisherman, sporting the Marinalife Hat. They had the pleasure of dining on fresh caught lobster that Alex himself caught when he went spear fishing earlier that day- a regular activity for the fisherman.  This trip was a great way to catch up with fellow Marinalife supporters- Commodore Escrich from the Hemingway Yacht Club in Havana and Dominic Soave from CubaPlus Magazine. Thank you to everyone who helped make this trip a huge success. We are looking forward to sharing the groups experience with our members in an upcoming issue of Marinalife Magazine in 2013!                                                 For more information on Marinalife Magazine and how to get your copy, visit marinalife.com/magazine

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When You're Tired of Stuffing, Go For Shucking

Blog Post Submitted by: Susan Elnicki Wade I’m never shy about reaching for seconds of Thanksgiving turkey poised next to a mashed potato swimming pool filled with golden-brown gravy. And I don’t feel a pinch of guilt taking extra helpings of my mom’s stuffing laced with Jimmy Dean sausage, walnuts, and mushrooms. But after two days of cholesterol-friendly holiday fare and microwaved leftovers, we decided to break camp and head up to Baltimore for the 13th Annual Micro Brew & Oyster Tasting at Kooper’s Tavern. The temperature had dropped considerably since we last emerged from our Thanksgiving cave, so we bundled up and braved the 35 m.p.h. wind gusts along the Fell’s Point waterfront. Strolling down the cobblestone streets, we breezed past eateries that we’d frequented months ago in pursuit of steamed crabs and tiki drinks, and set our sites on the fall conquest – fresh oysters. As we rounded the corner onto Thames Street, we spied a bright red awning that signaled we’d reached Kooper’s. An eager crowd was lining up in front of a gal selling tickets for oysters. Her table offered an impressive array of mignonette sauces. Traditional, cucumber, cilantro-apple, orange-tarragon, and Asian were among the sauces displayed in tall plastic squeeze bottles. Bowls of home-made cocktail sauce were overflowing. Bill started to lick his chops. We knew we’d found oyster heaven. The ticket gal handed us a sheet of paper and explained the lay of the land. The oyster price tag was $1, $2 or $3 each, depending on the type. We were welcome to eat outside and enjoy the crisp Bay breeze, or seek shelter inside the century-old tavern. We opted for indoor warmth. We settled into a boisterous room with an oyster station flanked by TVs playing rugby matches and college football. With one of the five specialty micro-beers in hand, we began to consider our options. The list showcased a spread of oysters that read like the Who’s Who of Atlantic Coast bivalves featuring stand-outs from Virginia’s barrier islands to Canada’s rugged shoreline. With 24 varieties to choose from, we needed a plan. At first, I got sidetracked by the unusual oyster names like Beavertail, Fire Lake, Pickle Point. And the “Little Bitches” from Magothy Bay, VA, seemed like they should be sassy and hard to open. Bill approached the list like a champion Risk player, conquering one geographic region at a time. We started close to home with familiar species like Maryland’s Choptank Sweets and Virginia’s savory Chincoteagues and Nassawadox Salts. Their fresh briny taste sparked us to order more. We barely took time to admire the differences in shells, because that might slow us down. I switched to a crisp Chardonnay as we migrated north. Connecticut Blue Points instantly caught my eye. They were the 18th Century darlings of the East Coast until Chesapeake oysters stole America’s heart. I couldn’t resist slurping this piece of seafood history that was nearly extinct by the 1900s. Bill requested a couple of Massachusetts Wellfleets, but then ran into a snag when he learned that our room’s oyster station had no Rhode Island Wilds. He ran to the outside shuckers and scored a few, along with a plump pair of Potters Moons from Maine. Dodging the rowdy sports crowd, he brought his plates of treasures to the table unscathed. The smooth buttery taste made his efforts worthwhile. With almost two dozen mid-Atlantic and New England oysters under our belts, it was time to end our oyster crusade in foreign soil. Our siege on Canada began with a sampling of Malpeques, Salt Aires, and Tatamagouche oysters. These were pretty tasty beasts, but when our server brought us a plate of oversized Canadian Cups, we knew who really wore the crown on Prince Edward Island. Having reached our fill, we asked for the check. The waiter nodded in approval as she cleared away our massive pile of shells. As we walked back to the car, happily discussing our favorites of the day, I noticed that my stomach was sloshing around more than normal. Thirty-something oysters can do that. So I started looking for a little starch to settle my belly. Bill picked up a final four walking oysters for the road. Only two blocks up Broadway, my wish was granted. Inside a deli, I spotted an orange neon sign that glowed the word “Pierogie.” Nothing makes this Ukrainian gal’s heart putter like a little dough stuffed with cheese and potato. In fact, my parents required us kids to eat at least one before we were allowed to open our Christmas presents. With a six-pack of warm pierogies and a pound of smoked kielbasa under my arm, I knew I wouldn’t make it to the car without popping at least one in my mouth along the way. And as the temperature continued to plummet, I realized it was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Susan Elnicki Wade is author of Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay. For more info, go to www.crabdecksandtikibars.com

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Marinalife Updates: Fort Lauderdale Boat show and Hurricane Sandy

What a whirlwind couple of weeks it has been for everyone here at Marinalife. With Superstorm Sandy wrecking havoc along the East Coast this week and attending the busiest boat show of the year, it is safe to say that we have been pretty busy! A few team members traveled to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show which turned out to be a very successful trip, even with Sandy tearing through Florida later last week. The show went on and Marinalife was able to catch up with some of our loyal members at the booth. Unfortunately, the effects of the hurricane on Thursday and Friday flooded some areas and destroyed some of the tents at the show. But that didnt stop us! We hosted a happy hour for loyal boaters and marina representatives, the majority of the invitees attended! We were greeted by the gorgeous weather on Saturday at the show which turned out to be one of the busiest days we have ever seen. Overal it was a great show and looking forward to next year (hopefully no hurricane will come through)! View Marinalife's live broadcast video update from the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show here. We hope that everyone stayed clear and safe from the damages caused by Hurricane Sandy. Our thoughts go out to all those who were affected by the devistation that she brought to the East Coast. We have recieved word from multiple dock masters and marina staff about the status of their marina and we continue to encourage those to reach out to us and tell us how your marina is holding up.  South Jersey Marina, Saybrook Point Marina, and Canyon Club Resort Marina are up and running. Unfortunately the Golden Nugget Atlantic City Marina suffered a great deal of damage and Liberty Landing Marina is still without power. Best of luck and we hope everyone is up and running shortly!

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Exciting Weekend at the Annapolis Powerboat Show!

Everyone here at Marinalife got to join in on the excitement this past weekend while attending The United States Powerboat Show held in Annapolis, MD. This year we thankfully avoided the floods (that unfortunately took over last years show) and got to enjoy the lovely fall weather with the sun shining and clear blue skies. We were able to catch up with participating business vendors and some Marinalife members all while distributing our new Fall 2012 issue of the Marinalife Magazine! Next week members of the Marinalife team will be traveling to the "Yachting Capital of the World" for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. We are looking forward to a successful and very busy show! All those attending, stop by our booth, Bahia Mar #163.

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Tips for Planning a Successful Bareboating Vacation

Trawler Fest 2012

Trawler Fest 2012 sailed into Baltimore's Harborview Marina this past weekend and all who attended were greeted with the gorgeous fall weather weekend! Taking place from Thursday to Sunday, each day was jam packed with fun, informative demonstrations and seminars ranging from boat buying basics to several tours, one of which was the birthplace of the American National Anthem tour!                                     We were excited to be posted up next to great vendors and businesses lined up along the dock. We had the opportunity of meeting many of our own Marinalife members and catch up on the trips and cruises they have been on this year, as well as some of own Marinalife clients! Marinalife is now gearing up for the Annapolis boat show in a couple weeks, come visit our booth (c43) and say hello!

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Haven Harbour Crab Feast 2012

A big THANK YOU! goes out to Haven Harbour Marina in Rock Hall, MD for inviting Marinalife to join in the fun at their Customer Appreciation Crab Feast this past weekend. Feasting on crabs, corn, burgers, dogs and mouthwatering desserts left all the friends, families and kids that attended with full stomachs and great memories! Thanks again for a great time and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon!

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Newport International Boat Show Weekend!

Marinalife joined the group of over 750 manufacturers, representatives and dealers showcasing and selling their products and services at the 42nd Annual Newport International Boat Show, September 13-16th. Multiple waterfront facilities along America's Cup Avenue hosted the show, including Newport Yachting Center, Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, Oldport Marine and Bannister's Whark.                                          This was our first show of the season and what a success it was. The weather could not have been better, and what a successful season the marinas have had! Service yards have been packed and transients were up. We were grateful to be in the company of many clients of Marinalife including Kanberra Gel, Bimini Bay, and Maptech.

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2012 Grand Prix Weekend

What a weekend in Baltimore! The 2012 Grand Prix of Baltimore took over the streets of downtown Inner Harbor bringing in a large crowd anxiously awaiting to see the action unravel. Aboard Marinalife member Bob Arrington's boat Liberdade, Joy and Douglas joined the fun celebrating Bob's birthday while docked at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Marine Center for the race weekend with special guests- the Arrington's cruising canines!         Docked right next to them were Marinalife members, Mark and Shelley Gaulin aboard Touch of Gray, a Grand Banks vessel.  Baltimore welcomed over 100,000 specators this past weekend and watched Ryan Hunter-Reay come out on top as this years 2012 Grand Prix of Baltimore winner!

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Marinalife's Adventure to the 5th Annual Pirates and Wenches Weekend

The Marinalife team took to the seas this past weekend to the 5th Annual Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend in Rock Hall, Maryland, with the Riverside Yachts Club out of Weavers Marine      This town-wide theme party was one that won’t be forgotten. While rum was tasted and sea shanty songs were sang, Haven Harbour Marina was able to show off it’s $2.5 million in improvements. Pool renovations, dredging, landscaping and fuel pier to name a few- along with the brand new floating docks made from IPE wood (gorgeous!)

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Newport Yachting Center, Newport RI

We really enjoy when we can visit with our partner marinas and in some cases finally put a face with a name. I was lucky enough to be in Newport, RI recently and had a chance to meet Ray LeBlanc from Newport Yachting Center. We talk to Ray on the phone at least once a week for marina reservation requests so it was great to finally meet him. Ray also helped us with the Princess Yachts (Viking Sport Cruiser) Getaway last month. By the way, this picture was taken at Newport Yachting Center in front of the ValvTect Fuel Pumps - another great partner.

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Princess Yachts Getaway in Montauk, NY & Newport, RI

Marinalife was excited to be part of the Princess Yachts Getaway this past weekend. The cruise started in Montauk at the Montauk Yacht Club and then went to Newport to the Newport Yachting Center. The 5 day getaway was filled with activities including a welcome cocktail party in Montauk and rum punch upon arrival in Newport and then a cocktail party on the docks at Newport Yachting Center where we watched a beautiful sunset. Friday morning, in spite of the rain, the group boarded the "Rum Runner II" a 1929 motoryacht built during the height of Prohibition to run booze from Canada to the US. The destination was Castle Hill Inn - a beautiful location for brunch. Marinalife's Peter Teuten, who runs our boat insurance program is also a pilot so several of us had the pleasure of flying from Montauk to Newport and we took aerial photos along the way. It was a beautiful day with gorgeous views of Block Island and Newport.

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Key West Reception aboard the Greatest Loop

Marinalife hosted a reception aboard the Beneteau Swift Trawler called the Greatest Loop which is in the process of completing the Great Loop. They were stopped in Key West for a few days at Conch Harbor Marina which helped to support the cause by offering a prime slip location at a discounted rate and discounted fuel - thank you to Conch Harbor. The reception was fun and gave people a chance to check out the Beneteau 34 foot Swift Trawler.

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Summer Heat In St. Michaels

Summer has definitely hit the Chesapeake Bay area as we had record breaking temperature all last week and through the weekend. I visited the team at St. Michaels Marina to say hello and drop off the new Summer edition of the Marinalife Magazine. Anne and Mike and the dock hands were all trying their best to stay cool but as usual the marina was buzzing with activity. The docks were full and the fuel dock had constant traffic and of course the swimming pool was packed. St. Michaels Marina is a great partner and we love when we can visit.

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The Marinalife Magazine Summer edition is now online

The Summer 2012 edition of the Marinalife Magazine is now online and will be mailed to subscribers very soon. You can search for articles by key word, location etc. The summer issue features include Cape Cod, The Jersey Shore, San Francisco, the Great Lakes, and more. Visit: Marinalife Magazine to check out the summer articles online.

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Baltimore Sailabration with Blue Angels

This weekend's Sailabration to celebrate 200 year anniversary of the War of 1812, was one of the most exciting for the city of Baltimore that I have witnessed in a very long time. We enjoyed perfect weather and so many exciting events and festivities you could not keep up. The city was filled with hundreds of thousands of people and thousands of boats to witness the Blue Angels perfromance, the Tall Ships, the Fireworks from Fort McHenry, and many other festivities scattered around the waterfront. The Marinalife team was able to meet up with several members that came by boat and also visit several of the local marinas that were teeming with people and activity. The Blue Angels performance was amazing and literally took your breath away with the sheer power and sound of these amazing planes. We would love to hear from you with stories about your experience this weekend. Please send me an e-mail and let me know and send photos as well so we can share with other members. E-mail: joy@marinalife.com. I look forward to hearing your stories. Blue Angel photos taken by Dori Arrington

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The Tall Ships Arrive in Baltimore

It is an exciting weekend for Baltimore as the host of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebration that includes a visit from more than 40 Tall Ship from all over the world and performances by the Blue Angels flying team not to mention the more than 2,000 transients that arrived at Baltimore marinas to take part in the celebration. Marinalife is in the middle of all of this as our offices are across the Inner Harbor and we were lucky enough to jump on a dingy to check out the Tall Ships up close. There are many Marinalife members in town and we hope to visit with many of them. The marinas are all packed and the boaters have incredible weather to enjoy the festivities. (photo by Jim McCafferty) To see a short video clip of the Tall Ships, click play!

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Kangaroo Sighting at Harborview Marina in Baltimore

I admit I was pretty tired after spending hours cleaning our boat to get ready for the Tall Ship celebration this weekend. But as I walked off the dock at Harborview Marina in Baltimore last night and I had to do a triple take - is that really a kangaroo that someone is holding? As I got closer I realized it really was a baby kangaroo. It ends up that Peteeee Roooo as his owners call him, does live part time at the marina when he is not in commericials and movies. So not only do we have a resident kangaroo at the marina but a famous kangaroo. Petee Roo nibbled on my jacket playfully and let me pet him just like a dog. He also seemed very comfortable with our dog Lucy. I heard he also has a dog to keep him company at home. Look for more Peteeee Roooo updates soon.

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Key West Minimalist Regatta

We enjoyed watching a funky Key West tradition on Memorial Day Weekend which is the Key West Minimalist Regatta held by Schooner's Wharf. Each team must build a boat seaworthy enough to stay afloat for the entire race course in the Key West Bight in front of Schooner Wharf. The catch---the boats are made of plywood, fasteners, duct tape, and 2' x 4's. There are several different categories of winners from most creative design award to the famous sinker award. It was a beautiful day to sit on the edge of the dock drinking rum punches and watching this fun event. View the Key West Regatta Video

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Beneteau's Greatest Loop Departs for 4-month Journey

Marinalife is very excited to be one of the sponsors of Beneteau's Greatest Loop. The 34-foot Beneteau Swift Trawler, appropriately named The Greatest Loop embarked on her maiden voyage on May 15th from Annapolis. The weather cleared and an excited crowd gathered at Pusser's in Annapolis to see them off. Their 4-month journey will begin and end in Annapolis, Maryland in September 2012. She is outfitted with the latest equipment available in the marine industry including her engine, a Cummins QSB5.9 312KW (425HP) Diesel. Marine publications throughout North America and Europe will be aboard The Greatest Loop for specific segments of the journey to document and share with their readers experiences both on water and land along the way. Audiences interested in following her journey can participate in the expedition with Beneteau and their many partners at  www.TheGreatestLoop.com. Marinalife is handling the marina reservations and helping with the planning of the voyage. Several Marinalife partner marinas have generously offered discounted or free dockage to the Greatest Loop including the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City who offered free dockage during their stay. Thank you to the Golden Nugget. To see a short video clip of their departure in Annapolis click here:

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The Pride of Baltimore

Blog 7: Three Chance Encounters with an Elegant Old Gal  Susan and Bill Wade, authors of the new travel guide, Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, invite you to come along as they explore the Bay’s southern waters for their upcoming book on Virginia’s waterfront eateries. I think I’m being stalked by an old schooner. It all started when we took our boys to Virginia Beach for spring break, which was a thinly disguised trip to crab decks in the Norfolk area. Our kids are “FED UP!” with crab decks, so we vacationed with friends who also have two boys and generously entertained our rat pack while we worked. For the record, we did spend quality time with our kids. When a Navy airplane crash closed roads between Norfolk and our Virginia Beach hotel, we took the boys to an Irish pub for “ice cream” while waiting for Route 264 to reopen. Wait a minute … that makes us sound like even worse parents. To kill time, we walked along Norfolk’s scenic waterfront and took a paddle-wheel ferry to Portsmouth to get the flip-side view. That’s when I first spotted the schooner tied up near the Renaissance Hotel. She was tall, sleek, and elegant with graceful vintage lines that seemed out of place amid Norfolk’s skyscrapers, battle ships, and tugboats pushing barges of coal down the river. I was star-struck. Who was this beautiful ship that looked like she was ripped from the pages of a history book?            The captain introduced us to Pride of Baltimore II, a reproduction of an 1812-era topsail schooner privateer. He explained that she was in town to get pampered with a full spa treatment of cleaning, general maintenance, and hull painting. She needed to be spruced up for summer cruises. A couple weeks later, I was checking out the awesome cannon from the Chesapeake Oyster Wars at Annapolis Maritime Museum and heard a thundering boom. We residents of Washington, DC, don’t react well to loud bangs, but the locals here were pretty laisse faire about the noise. They recognized the sound of cannon shot, so they peeled me off the ceiling and took me to the harbor to see who was in town. There she was again! Pride of Baltimore II looked marvelous after her nip-and-tuck down in Norfolk. She seemed to fit in better with the 18th Century Golden Girls of Annapolis architecture as she dwarfed the modern sailboats in the water around her. This time I asked questions. Her measurements are impressive: She is 157 feet long and weighs in at 185.5 long tons. This lady is a get-about, having sailed 200,000 miles and sashayed into 200 ports in 40 countries since commissioned in 1988. With that kind of travel agenda, I wondered if I’d ever see her again. The following week I was in Baltimore, talking to a retailer about our crab decks book. When I walked toward the Inner Harbor for lunch, I saw the tip of a wooden mast among the skyscrapers and realized I’d found her a third time! She had just pulled in from a morning sail, and her crew was inviting guests on board. Stepping onto her deck was like time-traveling back to an era of unparalleled woodwork and craftsmanship. She was even more stunning up close and personal than from a distance. I was filled with awe for the original ship designers and admiration for the people who are keeping Chesapeake maritime heritage alive. The crew told me that Pride of Baltimore II would be cavorting around the Eastern Seaboard this summer and strutting her stuff in places like New York, Boston, Savannah, Newport, and Nantucket. And she’ll be the belle of the ball at War of 1812 celebrations all around the Chesapeake Bay. If you’re sailing on the Atlantic Coast this season, check www.pride2.org for her schedule. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to meet this elegant old gal. Now I think I’m smitten with my stalker. For more info on Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, go to www.crabdecksandtikibars.com or email us at susan@crabdecksandtikibars.com.

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Marinalife team visits the Bay Bridge Boat Show

It was a gorgeous day for a boat show and the Marinalife team got together to walk through the Bay Bridge Boat Show. The show was held April 19 - April 22 at the Bay Bridge Marina that overlooks the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. We saw lots of our partner marinas including Haven Harbour Marina in Rock Hall, Piney Narrows Yacht Haven, and others. We also enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Hemingway's Restaurant on their outside deck - the food and service were great.

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Boating in Faraway Places

I was fortunate enough to travel to India recently and tour around the country. The highlight was (of course) being on the water in Southern India (Kerala State) on a houseboat. My husband and I went on a 2-night, 3 day houseboat trip through the backwaters of Kerala throughout Lake Kumarakom and the canals that run throughout this area. There are more than 900 Km of canals to explore. Our houseboat was very comfortable and we had a captain and a cook. The captain reluctantly let me take the wheel for a while and it was much harder to maneuver the vessel than our Ocean Sportfish. We had a great time and I did not hit anything!

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Marinalife Loves Our Women Boaters!

Marinalife loves when our members send us pictures, so when Lisa sent us this image it surely caught our attention! Lisa has been a boater all of her life, has a true passion for boating and loves to empower women to be boaters.  Here she is with her girl friends on her 30 ft Sea Ray at Fort George Island reading the Marinalife Magazine! Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter/marinalife Become a Fan on Facebook: Marinalife Fan Page Tag Marinalife in your photos or send to: info@marinalife.com

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Marina Spring Issue Hits the Streets

The Marinalife Spring issue is here! The new issue is filled with many fun spring cruising ideas and great featured destinations to add to your list. Check out articles such as Cruising Through History: South Carolina and the Civil War or one of our Featured Destinations on Tobermory, Ontario or Kennebunkport, Maine.  Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for your copy in the mail soon.  Until then, check out our featured articles in the Spring issue now by clicking below! Featured Destination:  Kennebunkport, Maine Sound Waves: Waterside Music Festivals Cruising Through  History: South Carolina and the Civil War Featured Destinatoin: Tobermory, Ontario Tales of an Epic Journey: Crab Decks & Tiki Bars                  To view all of the articles that are in the Marinalife Spring 2012 Issue, click here!

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Princess Yachts Getaway in Miami Beach and Key West, FL

Viking Sport Cruiser owners (now called Princess Yachts) gathered together for a southern getaway organized by Marinalife, Princess Yachts and Mainstreet Marketing. The group started the festivities at Sunset Harbour Yacht Club in Miami Beach with a festive welcome cocktail party. The next day the group was off to Key West for a day of cruising to the southernmost point in the USA. The owners enjoyed a welcome cocktail party at the Galleon in Key West and Low Country Boil that got everyone laughing and very messy. The days were filled with lots of fun activities including snorkeling and cruising around the Key West waters. Princess Yachts along with Marinalife and Mainstreet Marketing are already planning the next owners getaway in the north starting in Montauk at the Montauk Yacht Club and then to Newport, RI. The dates for the northern getaway are July 18- July 22nd.

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Marinalife Launches Enhanced Web Services

Marinalife is pleased to announce that we have launched enhanced web services to give our users easier access to all of Marinalife's services and tools. The enhancements include: The new Discount Card (with many new partners) Streamlined online reservations (pay-as-you go option)  Easier access to popular cruise itineraries & travel tools Visit our site at www.marinalife.com to see our new enhancements. Our mission is to provide more value to our users by opening access to many of our services. We are also committed to expanding our discount partners nationwide and have recently added many new partners - visit: www.marinalife.com/discounts to see a complete list of new discount partners.

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Lady Maryland Undergoes Major Renovations

I visited the Lady Maryland, a historic schooner in the Chesapeake Bay, to glimpse this huge renovation project. The Lady Maryland is dry-docked at Living Classrooms’ Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park campus located in Fells Point in Baltimore, MD undergoing extensive repairs including painting and replacing over 4,000 nails. Lady Maryland has sailed with over 250,000 youth from throughout the State of Maryland, the country, and internationally. Each season, from April through November, she introduces students to the ecological, cultural and economic importance of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean as she runs educational and sail-training programs. While on board the ship, students become crew and scientists for the voyage, steering, navigating, handling sails and conducting scientific sampling of water and marine life. They are having a benefit dinner on March 12th at the Waterfront Kitchen in Baltimore. Click here for more information.

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A Toast to the ChesaTiki Bay

Susan and Bill Wade, authors of the new travel guide, Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, invite you to come along as they explore the Bay’s southern waters for their upcoming book on Virginia’s waterfront eateries. As we walk onto the crab deck, I can’t suppress a smile when I see a pair of red and yellow plastic palm trees. With the rolling Chesapeake farmlands as a backdrop, they look like two happy misfits determined to inject a little tropical spirit into the landscape. We’ve seen this phenomenon plenty of times before – the whimsical influx of Polynesian décor amidst steamed crabs and nautical gear. Scowling tiki masks get nailed on walls beside portraits of 19th Century ship captains. Pictures of hula gals in grass skirts dance next to signs for Natty Boh beer. A local crab deck owner once told us about his annual trek to Florida to buy palm trees. He ties the 12-foot tropical beauties in the back of his Ford pick-up and plans a white-knuckled route home trying to avoid low bridges. The entire trip back, he prays they don’t come loose and topple onto the highway. The harsh Chesapeake winters kill his trees, so he has to return south every spring to transport more swaying palms. So I start to wonder what’s behind this tiki-craze? When did folks start going to such lengths to blend Polynesia into traditional décor? Well, it all began back in 1934. Smack dab in the middle of the Great Depression, a traveler named Don Beach, opened a Polynesian restaurant in Hollywood, CA. Flaming tiki torches, bamboo furniture, and carved masks from his island journeys caught people’s attention, and they raved about his fruity rum drinks. It was such a hit that 12 more locations were spawned. Before long, other restaurateurs like Trader Vic caught tiki fever and spread the island groove across the country. This set the stage for American soldiers returning home from the Pacific in World War II with souvenirs and vivid stories of exotic lands. Housewives held luaus instead of backyard barbeques and dressed their men in tropical-print shirts instead of white button-downs. Tiki’s boom-time hit when Hollywood got on board. Movies like Jaguar God and South Pacific gave the masses a glimpse of island life, and girls went wild over Elvis during his Blue Hawaii Period. By the time Gilligan’s Island appeared on TV, tiki-mania had shifted into high gear. By the late 1960s, however, Polynesian Pop started to decline. American youth turned their focus to the jungles of Vietnam, protesting the war and rejecting the frivolity of their parents’ generation. Soon, disco balls replaced tiki masks in lounges, and American Tiki went into hibernation. But not for long. By the 1980s, the new generation went retro and dug through attics and yard sales to find vintage hula dolls, tiki mugs, and Hawaiian shirts. Tiki was back in vogue, from Oregon to New York, and the rage trickled down into the Chesapeake. To accommodate the revived quest for tropical fun, Bay restaurants strung colorful lights around wooden decks, turned up the volume of Buffett and Marley tunes, and taught bartenders how to make Mai-Tais, Zombies, and other tiki classics. Palm trees started popping up along the water from Virginia Beach to Baltimore and beyond, and tiki found its place among the oyster boats and crab shacks. “It all boils down to an escape from reality,” explained a waitress at a tiki hot-spot on the Bay. “When people walk under our 30-foot tall elephant tusks and gaze at the water through a grove of palm trees, they feel like they’ve been whisked away from their daily dull-drums into a world of tropical pleasure.” I raise my Orange Crush in agreement and make a toast of thanks to the benevolent Gods of Tiki. Do you have a favorite crab deck or tiki bar in Virginia that you want us to check out? Email us at susan@crabdecksandtikibars.com. For more info on Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, go to www.crabdecksandtikibars.com.

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Rocket Man at Miami Brokerage Show

The weather and the crowds continue to be great at the 2012 Miami Boat Show. We love walking through the Brokerage Show on Collins Avenue with all of the mega yachts. Also we saw an interesting demonstration from "rocket man" who was literally flying through the air over the water by the brokerage show. Does anyone know what this cool toy is called?

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Miami Boat Show 2012

Marinalife is busy at the Miami Boat Show. We have seen many members and partner marinas. The crowds have been steady and the weather has been perfect. We saw many partners including Joan Kelley from Key West Harbour, Sam Weaver from Weaver's Marine, Ashley and John from Saunders, George Bassett from Nantucket Boat Basin, Eric Shorten from Bimini Bay, Larry from Banana Bay, John Louis from Westrec Marinas, Peter Anzo from Vinings Marine Group, Mike Moon from Georgetown Yacht Basin and many others.

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Blog 5: Chesapeake Walls of Fame – From Surfing Crabs to Prosthetic Limbs

Susan and Bill Wade, authors of the new travel guide, Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, invite you to come along as they explore the Bay’s southern waters for their upcoming book on Virginia’s waterfront eateries. When I started visiting crab decks, I’d scan dining rooms to get a feel for the general atmosphere. Then I’d get wrapped up in the menu, the seafood piled on my plate and maybe the TV screen if a decent ballgame was on. Crowd watching was often a hoot, because you never know what quirky characters might get washed in with the tide. But, with over 160 crab deck trips under my belt, I’ve refined my gaze and now set my sites on items that really show a place’s personality -- stuff that’s hung on the walls. I’m not talking about window treatments or paint color choices. I mean the personal artifacts that people nail up for the world to see. It’s the best litmus test for who’s not taking life too seriously and where you’re likely to have fun. Lots of eateries mount regulation nautical items, such as fish nets, crab pots, light houses, ships, anchors, blue herons and vintage photos of watermen. They’re charming and underscore wonderful Bay traditions. But I sit up a little straighter in my bar stool when I notice visual play with crabs. Millions of realistic cooked and uncooked plastic crabs cover walls around the Bay. Yet I yearn to see depictions of steamed crabs doing the unexpected -- playing the saxophone, wearing a pirate hat and eye patch, straddling a Harley, waving a frosty beer mug, or hanging 10 on a surf board. The possibilities for animated crabs seem endless. One place paints NFL team logos on real crab shells and hangs them in the playoff bracket positions. That tells me they mean business when it comes to seafood and football. On another restaurant’s wall, a polite crab sits at a white-linen table patiently waiting for his dinner companion to share a rack of ribs. I almost expect to see an oyster Rockefeller wearing a top hat and monocle pull up a chair beside him. Birds are also a source of personal statements at crab decks. While I appreciate the craft of duck decoy carving, I’m always a bit wary of the come-hither look in their eyes that lures innocent mallards to their demise. Some folks use their restaurant walls to express a disregard for seagulls. After watching the mid-air ninja moves to grab French fries off my plate, I understand why people portray seagulls with a tad of disrespect by posing them with a captain’s hat on their head or a corn-cob pipe clenched in their beak. Perhaps the sassiest bird I’ve seen at the Bay was a tropical parrot that rejected dinner for a refreshing beverage by saying “Screw the cracker … Polly wants a cocktail.” By far, my favorite room accent was a 2-foot long plastic baby doll’s leg I saw dangling from a rafter. The owner admitted that it washed ashore after a storm, and patrons grew fond of the artificial limb. For holidays and special events, they slip on a fresh clean sock to commemorate the occasion and add a splash of color to the festive décor. That doll’s leg might be hard to beat, but I’d like to hear about your favorite item you’ve seen hung up at a Chesapeake crab house. Feel free to send photos and comments to susan@crabdecksandtikibars.com. For more info on Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, go to www.crabdecksandtikibars.com

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Gasparilla Pirate Fest 2012

Marinalife member Tom Rose partied with the pirates this past weekend at Gasparilla Pirate Fest held in Tampa, Florida each January. This year's event took place January 28th. Tom took these pictures from a charter boat (he thought this was safer than navigating the craziness in his own boat - smart move Tom).

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The Oddest Driftwood - Crab Decks & Tiki Bars

Blog 4: The Oddest Driftwood Susan and Bill Wade, authors of the new travel guide, Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, invite you to come along as they explore the Bay’s southern waters for their upcoming book on Virginia’s waterfront eateries. I’ve always wanted a ghost. Not a big terrifying apparition like in the movie Poltergeist. More like a congenial companion spirit who would float about giving the house a year-round Halloween feel and raising our neck hairs from time to time to show that science can’t explain everything. On my night stand I’ve amassed a nice collection of books about Chesapeake ghosts, which I often consult before trips to crab decks. Sometimes, I convince my husband to deviate from our planned route so I can catch a haunting. Unfortunately, I’ve come up empty-handed every time. It’s bright and sunny for today’s visit to the Dockside Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach, VA, so my expectations for a paranormal treat are low. The location is splendid – a lovely strip of land that separates Monroe Bay from the Potomac River. After admiring the well-kept marina, we step inside the restaurant. It was built in 1932 as an oyster-shucking plant, but they bumped out the back to add a tiki bar, wooden deck, and beach area with tropical-colored chairs and palm trees. I leave Bill at the bar and stroll around snapping photos of rooms decorated with an eclectic array of vintage nautical items. An odd thumping sound from around the corner catches my attention. I don’t see anyone else around, so I head back to the lounge. When I mention the noise in the back, the bartender says, “That’s probably our ghost. He bumps around, knocking things off shelves or rearranging stuff to let us know he’s here.” I ask if I can take him home with me, but the bartender declines, “I’m sorry, but no. He needs to stay here with the others.” What? Others? Not fair! She’s got multiple spirits, and I have none. Tell me more. The bartender leans forward, raises her eyebrows and spins a delightfully morbid tale. “Back in 1985, a major storm blew threw Colonial Beach causing serious flooding. After the skies cleared, beach combers noticed several pair of skeleton feet sticking out of the sand right outside where you’re now sitting. Authorities were called in to assess the situation and found all kinds of human bones from different bodies scattered around the beach. Forensic results dated the bones back to the 1800s.” She refills our glasses and continues, “The mystery remains unsolved, and we never learned the names of those unfortunate souls. But the locals have a theory – those men were shanghaied.” I gasp and take a sip of my Chardonnay. “You see, this region is famous for some of the richest oyster beds in the mid-Atlantic. During the oyster boom of the 19th Century, captains had a hard time recruiting crewmen to work on the skipjacks in the cold winter months when oysters are harvested. So, local watermen would troll the bars in Baltimore, Alexandria, and other ports, looking for immigrants or other hearty men to bring aboard. If these recruits didn’t come along willingly, unscrupulous captains would often ply them with alcohol until they passed out and then drag them onto the ships. That’s what we call “shanghaied.” “As if that wasn’t bad enough, some captains couldn’t afford to pay the crew when the season was over. So, they’d whack their workers in the head or toss them overboard, leaving them to die a watery death. We believe the skeletal remains that washed up on our beach belong to a crew of ill-fated oystermen -- and our house ghost is one of them.” In a room with a 19th Century restless spirit, I am overjoyed. Thrilled beyond measure. But when I glance over at Bill, he’s rolling his eyes and shaking his doubting head. I can not take this ghost home with me, but I promise I’ll come back to visit him the next time we’re in town. Do you have a favorite crab deck or tiki bar in Virginia that you want us to check out? Email us at susan@crabdecksandtikibars.com. For more info on Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, go to www.crabdecksandtikibars.com.

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Baltimore Boat Show

I attended the Baltimore Boat Show, which was held January 19 thru 22 at the Convention Center and met with lots of friends and partner marinas. I ran into Kevin and Carol from Baltimore Marine Center, Jerry Herson from Pleasure Cove, Mike Moon at Georgetown Yacht Basin, and others. It was great to see everyone and pass out the new Marinalife Winter Magazine. - Barb Barrett

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Visiting Key West

I had an opportunity to swing by Key West Harbour to see my friend Joan Kelley and get an update on the marina. The marina and the rack storage barns are almost full. It is amazing to see the difference from my last visit about 6 months ago. - Joy

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Winter Marinalife Magazine is here

We are excited that the Winter edition of the Marinalife Magazine is now available. It is filled with stories about boating to fun events, hictoric hotels, a cruise along the Texas Coast, Ft. Myers Beach and much more. Check out all of the articles online or Register to get a free 1-year subscription.

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Crab Decks and Tiki Bars

Blog 3: Wait a minute! I thought we were in Virginia. Susan and Bill Wade, authors of the new travel guide, Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, invite you to come along as they explore the Bay’s southern waters for their upcoming book on Virginia’s waterfront eateries. On research trips around the Bay, I’m the designated driver. This has nothing to do with alcohol consumption; it’s all about speed. When I watched a carload of nuns pass my snail-paced husband on a highway, I knew my place was behind the wheel. But Bill’s a wiz at deciphering maps and charting travel routes. Today, I’m counting on him to navigate the course to crab decks on the Potomac River near Colonial Beach. But he’s quieter than normal. Something on the map is bugging him. He shows me that the MD/VA dividing line seems to run along the Virginia shoreline rather than up the middle of the Potomac. That can’t be right. We pull in to Coles Point Tavern, a weather-worn structure that’s built on a rickety wooden pier above the water. The wrap-around deck looks inviting, but we walk inside and take a seat at the bar. “Welcome to Maryland,” says the bartender, and I glare at Bill, assuming his renowned navigational skills have failed us. I thought we were in Virginia. “Nope. The minute you step onto our pier, you enter the State of Maryland. Virginia’s border stops at the water’s edge, and Maryland has the rights to the entire Potomac River,” explains our bartender. Ok, I’m curious. So, your business pays taxes to St. Mary’s County, MD, right? If you get married on a boat next to the restaurant, you need a Maryland marriage license? And if I walk back to the parking lot, I’ll be in Virginia? “You got it,” he nods. It’s delightfully quirky, but how did this happen? Our resident historian tells us that in the early 1600s, Maryland was part of the Virginia colony. But in 1632, King Charles I took a chunk of Virginia and granted the land to Cecil Calvert of Baltimore, who established the colony of Maryland at the banks of the Potomac. Virginians sorta ignored the boundary line. Even George Washington built a herring hatchery on the Potomac near Mount Vernon and never paid Maryland for using “its” waters. The dividing line has been debated and contested for centuries, especially during the Oyster Wars when watermen on both sides fought over rights to the region’s rich oyster beds. Nonetheless, the border remains as it was drawn in the 17th Century. It gets even more interesting in the 1950s when gambling became legal in Southern Maryland, but not in Virginia. The good citizens of Colonial Beach and Prince William County wanted a piece of the action, so they put slot machines on barges in the water on Maryland turf – but made sure Virginians could walk out on piers to test Lady Luck. Three “floating casinos” still exist: Coles Point Tavern, The Riverboat, and Tims II. Amused by this great local lore, I look around the old tavern with renewed interest. But with only a few stacks of Keno cards and a TV showing horse racing, it doesn’t seem like much of a casino. Near the kitchen door, I notice a home-made roulette wheel that had mixed up the numbers 14 and 15, so I ask the bartender how it works. “If you look on the back of the bar stools, you’ll find numbers stenciled in white. When the mood hits, we spin the wheel, and the lucky patron who’s sitting in the stool with the number that comes up gets a drink for $1.” I check the back of my seat and call out, “Come on number 6!” Do you have a favorite crab deck or tiki bar in Virginia that you want us to check out? Email us at susan@crabdecksandtikibars.com. For more info on Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, go to www.crabdecksandtikibars.com.

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Marinalife Holiday Party

The Marinalife team got together for our annual holiday party. We had lots of good food and drinks and someone brought red and green jello shooters - was it Barb?

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Marinalife visits Cape May, NJ

We had a great visit to Cape May, NJ where Barbara and I met with the team from South Jersey Marina and Canyon Club including Bob, Chris, and Rick. We did lots of brain storming and planned some fun events for 2012. Look for more details soon about a possible Marinalife Getaway in Cape May, NJ in 2012. We would love to get your feedback - would you be interested in attending a weekend getaway at South Jersey Marina with the Marinalife team and members? E-mail us to let us know what you think and the best time of year for this.  - Joy We had beautiful weather during our visit to Cap - it was in the 60's in December so we enjoyed a quick visit to the beach.

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Crab Decks and Tiki Bars

Blog 2: Dorothy, We’re not in Maryland Anymore! from Susan Elnicki Wade Susan and Bill Wade, authors of the new travel guide, Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, invite you to come along as they explore the Bay’s southern shores for their upcoming book on Virginia’s waterfront eateries. Maryland is homey and familiar, and we know that part of the Bay like the back of our hand. But the quest for crab decks is taking us into Virginia, which is new and uncharted territory. We’ve ventured South before, but I once had a run-in with a woman from Richmond who “hadn’t gotten over Gettysburg,” so I’m wondering what’s in store for us. We’re on the Eastern Shore today, breezing down Route 13 past Pocomoke City and taking our last gasp of Maryland air. After we cross the state line into Virginia, it doesn’t seem much different -- gentle landscapes, sleepy little towns, and plush farmland. Then the unexpected crosses my eyes. I slam on the breaks and back up the car. “Sweet Jesus, it’s a cotton field!” I tell my two boys in the back seat to put down their electronic gadgets and witness a real-live cotton field. They look and shrug, only moderately impressed. Other than scenes in Gone with the Wind, this Pennsylvania gal has never seen cotton growing, so I’m excited about the new experiences that await us. We get back on the road, but before long, we have to stop again. I spot a bright lemon-yellow trailer that requires investigation. Signs plastered to the walls promise to sell us a menagerie of local wares – peanuts, BB guns, country pork products, cheap cigarettes, and fireworks. Who could resist? Inside the dimly lit general store, we stroll past an eclectic assortment of explosive devices, plastic-wrapped snacks, camouflage dress wear, souvenirs, and more. I grab a burlap bag stuffed with smoked pork belly bacon and find Bill near the section dedicated to Confederate flags and garden gnomes. I whisper, “Dorothy, we’re not in Maryland anymore.” “Yes,” he grins, “This is a hoot.” Promising no more delays, we head for our afternoon destination -- The Sunset Grill in remote Kiptopeke, VA. We arrive just as the sun begins its descent into the horizon, casting soft light across the shoreline. I pause to take in the breathtaking view of a long beach with children playing on sandbars and adults picking steamed crabs on the deck. I look around and realize I’m alone. My boys are down at the water, chasing crabs and throwing sand clumps at each other. Bill is sitting on a wooden bar stool, holding a cold Budweiser and shouting at the TV with other Redskin fans. A warm breeze lifts the fishnets hung around the bar’s open windows. When I step inside, a suntanned waitress says “Welcome to Paradise” and takes my order. We might not be in Maryland anymore, but right now we don’t want to go home. Questions and Comments: Email: susan@crabdecksandtikibars.com or visit: www.crabdecksandtikibars.com.

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Crab Decks and Tiki Bars

Marinalife will be posting excerpts from Susan Elnicki Wade, author of Crab Decks and Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay. Please let us know what you think and if you have any feedback. E-mail: info@marinalife.com. Susan's contact information is at the end of this post. Welcome to the World of Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay For eight months, we devoured about 11 gallons of crab soup, 300 oysters, 85 crab cakes, 40 pounds of mussels, 25 rockfish, 200 steamed shrimp, and an undisclosed amount of rum. We raised a glass to rosy sunsets at marinas in every Maryland county along the Bay and washed down hot crabs with icy beers from Solomons to Crisfield. What’s behind this feeding frenzy? Research. My husband Bill and I set out to write a travel guide to all the waterfront restaurants on the Chesapeake Bay, so we had to sample the goods. You see, Bill’s a Maryland native, who takes blue crabs very seriously. He grew up catching them from his family’s boat and can pick crabs faster than a Phillips processing plant worker. Western Pennsylvania is my home, so my youth was spent scrambling up rocky streams with my brothers in search of the elusive brook trout. But Bill converted me to a fan of the Bay. He courted me with romantic get-aways to B&Bs in Cambridge and fishing trips from Kent Island. After our boys were born, we camped under the stars at St. George Island and swam in the warm waters at Calvert Cliffs, praying the dreaded jellyfish wouldn’t sting their tender skin. At home in Washington, DC, we told friends about our adventures on the Eastern and Western shores. Their relentless requests for Bay destinations convinced us that we had to share our experiences with everyone. This June we published our first book, Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, and it’s a big hit with boaters and landlubbers alike (see www.crabdecksandtikibars.com). Nearly 160 waterfront eateries in Maryland got full coverage, but we ran out of steam and only offered an appendix of Virginia. After an outcry from Virginia crab lovers who felt neglected, we decided to explore the Old Dominion and write a second book about how they do crabs in the Bay’s southern waters. As we cruise around Virginia, we’d like to share our stories with you. Join us on our adventures by checking the Marinalife blog. Do you have a favorite crab deck or tiki bar in Virginia that you want us to check out? Email us at susan@crabdecksandtikibars.com. For more info on Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay, go to www.crabdecksandtikibars.com.

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Marinalife Magazine Delivery in the Keys

I had a chance to deliver the most recent Marinalife Magazine by bicycle. This was a fun way to visit the marinas in Key West and enjoy the beautiful sunshine. I wish I could deliver our magazines by bike to all of our partner marinas! Joy (back in cloudy Baltimore)

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Marinalife Visits Marathon Marinas

I had a chance to spend an afternoon in Marathon visiting several marinas and also grabbing fresh stone crab claws from my favorite restaurant and seafood store - Keys Fisheries (which by the way has the best Lobster Reuben in the world). I met with Larry at Banana Bay where we could see that he has a very full marina and a beautiful view. Larry told us about the islands nearby that you can rent - what a great idea to rent an island for a week - when you really need to get away. Pretty Joe Rock is the island that is only about 100 yards from the Banana Bay Marina and the house on the island can sleep 6. Then on to the City of Marathon Marina and Moorings where I met with Richard. They recently put in a new dinghy dock and the place was hopping. Richard said the season is just getting started but they are already starting to fill up. Finally I went to Marathon Marina where I met with Judy and Mike. The marina looks great and they have added a new swimming pool which is gorgeous - I really wanted to take a dip. The outside bar at Lazy Days was busy even in the late afternoon as we watched the Sunset Sail take off for their daily cruise.

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Key West Powerboat Races

The 31st Annual Powerboat Races kicked off this week in Key West. Unfortunately the races have not started off on a good note as two offshore powerboat racers died Wednesday after their turn on the third lap of Wednesday's race inside Key West Harbor very near a spectator area. The event has attracted about 60 high-speed racing boats, from the U.S.. and six foreign countries, competing in the season-ending finale for the 2011 Superboat International season. The races will continue today and through the weekend.

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Marinalife Announces Winners of the Best Marina Contest for 2011

AND THE WINNERS ARE.... Nantucket Boat Basin in Nantucket Massachusetts, was voted Best Transient Marina for the second year in a row, tying with Twin Dolphin Marina in Bradenton, Florida. Harbour Town Yacht Basin in Hilton Head, SC, was chosen as number one for Best Customer Service. Runner up for Best Customer Service was Orange Beach Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama. Nantucket Boat Basin, a 240-slip full-service marina located two blocks from the town of Nantucket, is known for special touches like a hand-written confirmation note and a welcome bag delivered to arriving boaters. A full-time concierge service is also on-call to make restaurant reservations, tee times, and special arrangements like a clambake on the beach. George Bassett, Nantucket Boat Basin’s Director of Marina Operations for over 25 years, has made the extra effort to earn and keep a loyal following. Commenting on winning the Best Transient Marina award for the second year in a row, Bassett said, “Marinalife does an outstanding service to the marina industry. To be selected two years in a row is really great recognition from all of our guests. We will strive to continue our great service and hospitality in 2012.” Tied for first place for Best Transient Marina is Twin Dolphin Marina. The marina boasts 225 slips and is located at historic Memorial Pier in Bradenton, Florida. Mike Shanley, Harbormaster, is pleased with the award, saying, “Twin Dolphin Marina is very proud and honored to receive this national award. We’ve made a major commitment to cater to our visiting yachting guests so they too can enjoy a fabulous experience at our wonderful facilities.” Harbour Town Yacht Basin was chosen as the winner for Best Customer Service. It is located in the heart of Sea Pines Resort on Caliboque Sound in Hilton Head, SC. Nancy Cappelmann, Harbourmaster, said, “We are excited to be named as the Best Customer Service award winner by Marinalife and its members. Our goal is to provide the very best in resort amenities and service, and it is gratifying to know that these ambitions have not gone unnoticed. Marinalife provides valuable referral services to its members and it is our pleasure to work with Marinalife to ensure our boaters get the most enjoyment from each day they are lucky enough to be on the water!” Runner up for Best Customer Service is Orange Beach Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama. The facility bills itself as “The most complete marina on the Gulf Coast” with 180 stalls in a fully protected harbor. Bennett Long, president, commented on the achievement by saying, “This award is a true endorsement from the customer and the marina industry for a job well done. I would like to congratulate our great staff at Orange Beach Marina who strive to provide the highest level of customer service in the marina and boating industry.”

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Ft. Lauderdale (FLIBS) Cruises to an End

The Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show proved to be a very busy one in spite of torrential rains and flooding. (sound familiar: Annapolis Boat Show-ha!). The rain did make it difficult to peruse the docks but overall was still a good turnout. I do feel bad for the manufacturers and dealers though. The weather definitely did not help them any. Lots of Marinalife customers came by booth – marina partners and boating members.

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Marinalife Cocktail Party with Kanberra

Today we hosted a small rum tasting at our booth to culminate the first general admission day of the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show. Our friends at Kanberra Gel sponsored the get together. Kanberra Gel, "natures activated protection," is an all natural protectant against mold and mildew. This stuff really is fantastic. You can use it anywhere -- just place a container on the boat, in the bathroom, in a closet. If you're feeling ill or have allergies, they say you sniff twice and will feel the effects. The scent isn't overpowering and is actually refreshing. Visting the Kanberra Gel Website for more information.

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St. Louis for Art and the World Series!

Yesha planned to hit St. Louis for a 10 year anniversary of Art Dimensions months ago. Because of the work and progress this non-profit has achieved in bettering their community, the mayor came and gave the organization a KEY TO THE CITY! This is a high alcolade and we hope the Baltimore Chapter (still in infancy) is able to muster up the same support to aid in bettering the communities of Baltimore City while encouraging the growth of art, fashion and culture. So when you boat to the Baltimore Harbor (or visting otherwise) be sure to check some of the many art galleries within walking distance to the marinas. If you need recommendations, give us a shout, and we'll paint the way for you. Oh- and the World Series first 2 games were being played during the visit, giving the city quite and exciting buzz; thus, creating a great way to meet people and make connections. The Cardinals were victorious on their first game but less lucky the Thursday night game. It was actually pretty emotional out and about that night.                   ~Play Ball!

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Annapolis Boat Show Wrap-Up

Saturday the weather finally started to turn around slightly, and by Sunday it was gorgeous! It was great to see the industry people, as the boat shows are sometimes are only time to reunite. The sun and warm weather also brought our members out for perusing and laughing. Now prepare for Ft. Lauderdale!!

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Annapolis Boat Show is Drenched!

Joy and Barb trekked down to Annapolis only to be flooded out Thursday and Friday! You can see a kayak in front of our booth's location. What a way to kick off this boat show. It's funny, a captain in South Florida said to me today, "I heard there are storms and a tornado warning in Annapolis today. It must be time for the Annapolis Power Boat Show." haha I swear it never fails; every single year it rains cats and dogs during the power boat show in Annapolis. Not always during the sail boat show -- sometimes maybe -- but ALWAYS during the power boat show!      ~Get your swimmies out everyone!                                Yesha

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More photos from Trawler Fest!

Stephen Tagliatela from Saybrook Point Marina came by to see us at the booth – he was in Baltimore for a wedding and came by our booth with his father in-law. Silver Shalis – 180 feet came into Baltimore during TrawlerFest and docked at BIHMC and departed Monday. Dibbon Joy from Maptech and Joy McPeters of Marinalife in front of Joy M/Y: "The Joys" Trawler Boats in Baltimore. Oct. 2011.                  ~Happy Boat Hopping, Yesha

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TrawlerFest Baltimore

It was a beautiful day at TrawlerFest Baltimore held at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Marine Center from Thursday through Sunday. The Marinalife Booth was busy and had several existing partners stop by to say hello. We also talked to many boaters that are planning for their dream cruise. Other have already started their cruise which ranges from the Great Loop to a Caribbean adventure. If you are in the Baltimore area please stop by to say hello – access to the exhibitors in the tents is free!

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Marinalife Members Circumnavigate the East Coast!

Hello from Green Turtle Bay, It’s official. We circumnavigated the eastern United Sates. Hip, hip, hooray!!!!!! We’re now flying the “Gold” looper burgee. Why cross in Green Turtle Bay? Our first time in Green Turtle Bay was July 17, 2009. That’s when we made the voyage up the Cumberland River to Nashville to escape hurricane season. When we turned to head down the rivers on September 8, 2009 our loop officially began. Now, a little over two years later on September 27, 2011, we drove into the harbor at Green Turtle Bay and crossed our wake. Link to Kem’s blogs and marinas / anchorages. www.boatersites.com/SpiritDancer/Linked%20Pages/2011GreatLoop/06IllinoisToGreenTurtleBay.html On our way back down the rivers we’ll see a lot of familiar places and we’ll stop at Joe Wheeler State Park for the American Great Loop Cruisers Association (AGLCA) Rendezvous toward the end of October. We have a little over 1,200 miles to go at 7 miles an hour so we should be back in The Woodlands by late November.                                                              ~Bob and Kemba DeGroot, Marinalife members. Also AGLCA membres.

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Chuck Presents at MTOA Northern Annual Rendezvous

Newport Boat Show 2011

I attended the Newport International Boat Show the opening day in September 2011. We enjoyed beautiful Indian summer temperatures and blue skies along with good crowds at the show. The Newport Show is the first of the "Boat Show Season" so it was great to catch up with people that we see only during the shows. I stopped by to visit with the Richardson's Maptech team at their booth as well as many of our partner marinas including: Eric at Bimini Bay Resort & Marina; Scott at Kingman Yacht Center; Mike from The Marina at American Wharf; and the Loggerhead Group. I also had a chance to see Steven from Newport Marina who was busy dealing with boats coming into his marina. It was a great day in Newport!    ~Joy

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Debris in The Water on Our Way to St. Michaels

We braved the heavy debris in the Chesapeake Bay (including trees, logs, and lots of random floating objects including a floating football, and full picnic tables!) and dodged our way to St. Michaels for the night. It was beautiful out on the Bay – very little boat traffic which could have been because of the debris or just fall boating. At St. Michaels Marina we were greeted by Anne and Michael. We had a chance to visit briefly with member Charles Lindwall aboard his gorgeous vessel Angelina, a 49-foot custom yacht built by his grandfather in the 1940's California. We woke the next day to heavy fog which eventually lifted so we could rush home to watch the Baltimore Ravens beat the Pittsburg Steelers! And what a game that was ;)               Happy and SAFE Boating!

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Inaugural Grand Prix Races in Baltimore Continue!!!

The "traffic" sounds through Baltimore City this Labor Day weekend sounded more like race rockets on the streets. It was such an adreneline rush to be so close. Pictures and videos of people are floating around all over and the general theme I've noticed are the smiles that stretch across everyone's faces when the racecars zip by on the track. I actually had goosebumps from standing so close! Really no matter where you were around the course, you pretty much had an awesome view. I know, because I walked almost completely around that thing at least 3 times! It was good though and the humidity helped keep the cocktails at bay (for a few hours) and I felt like I was melting by the end of the day but it was all worth it. If you plan to attend next year, I recommend doing your accommodation planning very early as hotels, etc. will take full advantage of hiking the prices for attendees. You may also like to get a Grandstand ticket, although you can certainly get a general grounds ticket and see parts of the race as you walk around. There were several yacht and dock parties all weekend as well to culminate each action-packed day. To the right is the 164 ft Trinity Yacht, Norwegian Queen docked at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Marine Center for the races. There were yachts from all over, including, Washington, D.C., Annapolis, Miami, Boca Raton and more. Overall, it was a very positive turnout for the Baltimore area and I think most can agree the 5 year contract is promising.                                                                                    ~Vrrroooooommmmm, Yesha

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Grand Prix kicks off in Baltimore!

The Baltimore Grand Prix innaugural race event kicks off Labor Day weekend in Maryland this year and boy, oh boy, is this city excited about it. Dori and Bob Arrington are on their new Ocean Alexander 54 feet named Liberdad – docked at Baltimore Inner Harbor Marine Center for the Grand Prix weekend. Peter and Joy visited Bob and Dori and also ran into several other Marinalife members including Mark and Shelley Gaulin on Touch of Grey. There were lots of parties on the docks and on the boats at the marina including several race car drivers and owners.

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Where's Marinalife?

The Marinalife team likes to get out and about and touch base with the marinas and our members as much as possible. Here are some pics from recent trips. From Maine to Annapolis to Washington, D.C., we cover as much ground as we can, when we can. Lance got in on the fun while him and Joy toured all of Kennebunk and ate lunch at Arundel Wharf. They couldn't pass up the local clam chowder. Do you have pics wearing Marinalife gear, or holding a magazine? Send to info@marinalife.com or tag us on Facebook!

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Hurricane 'Irene' Alert

HURRICANE ALERT - Tuesday 23rd August 2011 Hurricane "Irene' is bearing down on the US Eastern Seabord with the potential to cause very significant damage from the Northern Bahanas to Florida and through to New England. "Irene" is a dangerous storm, located as at 11:00 EDT 23rd August due north of central Dominican Republic and tracking WNW at 12 mph. Sustained winds are 100 mph. Ccentral pressure is 980 mb. The Government of the Bahamas has changed the Hurricane watch for the Northeast Bahamas to a Hurricane Watch. "Irene" is forecast to come ashore mid morning on Saturday 27th August in the southern part of North Carolina at which time is is expected to have sustained wind of up to 115mph. For hints and tips to prepare for an impending Hurricane please click here to review the Hurricane Checklist on the Marinalife website (www.marinalife.com ) If you have specific concerns or would like to seek advice, please contact Peter Teuten on (443) 540 1740 or pteuten@marinalife.com   For detailed storm tracking, the NOAA's public access Website at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml?#IRENE provides valuable data and forecasting models that are frequently updated. As always, our members safety is always our concern!

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South Jersey Marina to offer up to 100% FREE dockage Two weekends in Sept!

South Jersey Marina in Cape May, NJ is offering 50% off transient dockage exclusively for Marinalife members during two weekends in September (9/16-18 and 9/23-25). Marinalife staff will be present during both weekends to meet members. In addition, if you purchase 2 or more passes to the new Cape May Forum (www.CapeMayForum.org) you will receive an additional 50% off dockage. Yes, 50% plus 50% equals free dockage in Cape May in September! Visit: South Jersey Marina Listing or call: 410-752-0505 to book now. *Must book through Marinalife in order to receive special offer.

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Need a tow? Sea Tow named official Marinalife Partner!

Marinalife Annual Boat Cruise

Each year, the Marinalife team takes a break and gets out on the water by way of the Marinalife yacht, owned by Joy and Doug McPeters, to celebrate another year passed, new additions to the team and to just relax (and maybe get a little crazy). This year, we headed out of Harborview Marina in the Baltimore Harbor, cruised around for a couple hours, into the Inner Harbor (where the John Brown happened to be) and headed back to the dock to continue our fun. Personally, I liked the canoe races the best. This may or may not be due to my team winning overall. Originally, we thought Joy and Yesha would make the best captains for teams. We quickly realized in order to pulverize the newbies we would be on the same team and show them how it's done. (haha) Each team did have a "handicap" player to even things out, although our youngest was not thrilled about the beer chugging. This came much to our surprise as we figured that would be her strong point. Never fear, the older, wiser and more experienced beer drinkers schooled the youngens' on how to chug beer for a relay race! ;)   ~Safe Boating Everyone, Yesha

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Marina Reviews Prove Helpful

Barb and Joy Do The Eastern Shore, MD... again!

Barb and Joy took to the road for visits to marinas from Tilghman Island to St. Michaels to Kent Narrows. It was a busy day with visits to more than 6 marinas. Matt, the dockmaster at St. Michaels Harbour Inn was spotted wearing his Marinalife hat!  The trip could not be had without a nice lunch at the Big Pickle, the new restaurant in St. Michaels and quickly becoming a favorite of our crew. Any three of the above locations are a fantastic choice for a weekend getaway -- whether by boat or car. Each boasts a small town feel with a quaint setting and a party just around the corner and restaurants you hear about from others

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Joy McPeters speaks at Conference in New Bedford.

Joy McPeters was asked to speak at the ABBRA conference in New Bedford, MA on July 19th, 2011. ABBRA stands for American Boat Builders & Repairs Association and focuses on strengthening and encouraging the professionalism of the marine service industry through the sharing of knowledge and the search for solutions to common problems. Just like with the clean marina certification program that has been widely successful, ABBRA strives to do the same model with service boatyards, etc. for mariners. When you see an ABBRA logo, you will know that marina had to qualify for that certification by meeting specific requirements dedicated to top-level service.

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So you say you want a faster dinghy, eh?

We all love the dinghy concept: being able to leave the larger boat behind to zip around from stop to stop easily. However, there are many times we wish the dinghy was a bit faster. We ran into Marinalife member Brett Austin on the water in Rock Hall on Swan Creek, who tried to power up his dinghy by adding a 2nd outboard motor. Brett reports that although it did not double his speed it got them to Waterman's for crabs and live music a little faster. Mission accomplished...                           Boat on!                              ~Yesha

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Marinalife in Key West - then St. Michaels and Oxford!

Lucy hits Key West and loved riding around in the basket of my beach cruiser. She visited the site and stopped by to see several of the marinas including Oceanside Marina and Conch Harbor. She also ate at her favorite dog-friendly restaurant – Salute on the Beach. This past weekend I visited St. Michaels and Oxford with friends and enjoyed perfect weather. We stopped by to say hello to Michael and Ann at St. Michaels Marina and drop off the latest Marinalife Magazine. The marina was hopping as usual. We also stopped by to see the newest hot spot in St. Michaels – The Big Pickle Food Bar – which just opened a few weeks ago by Jack Antwerpen. (209 S. Talbot St.; 410-745-8011). Don't miss the fried pickle. The next day we cruised to Oxford to have lunch at the Masthead Restaurant at Pier Street where we had a variety of seafood - clams, crab cakes, fish and chips and mussels. We also visited our friends at Mears Yacht Haven to get some fuel!

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CPM adds THE CRESCENT MARINA, Fells Point, Baltimore Maryland, to its MGMT portfolio

Coastal Properties Management hires Timothy Dowling to manage Fort Washington Marina

Lucy's Boating Adventures

We took our new cockapoo Lucy on another cruise – she is really becoming a great boat dog. She proudly wore her new bright yellow pet vest. Her favorite position while cruising was on the flybridge with the wind in her face (being held by me). She also went on her first dinghy ride with myself and my friend Sarah. This was right up her alley because she could sit in the front and easily look out to see all the action. Stay tuned for more Boating With Lucy stories.     ~Joy McPeters

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Marinalife Love

Send us pics of you showing your Marinalife Love! Our good friends over at Old Port Cove Holdings Inc. sent this great shot over the other day of a rain drop that just landed on the bill of Rick's Marinalife hat. Rick is the President and COO of OPCH Inc. in the sunny state of Florida. View more of love in the Marinalife Spotted! photo album on Facebook. And have a fantastic and safe Fourth of July weekend!

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Boating Tips from the U.S. Coast Guard

Visiting Rock Hall, MD

I visited Haven Harbour Marina in Rock Hall, MD over the weekend and enjoyed the first class service and great amenities that Haven Harbour is known for. Our visit started with Mike Mum, the expert dockmaster at Haven Harbour, helping us tie up and get all settled with electric and water. We then explored the grounds to see what was new since our visit last season. It seems like every year they are adding a new amenity or service based on their customers feedback. This year we found an amazing new jungle gym for kids that looked like Disney World. I was a little too big fit down the slide but I did try. They also have my favorite game – Corn Hole (some people call it Bags) – nearby the jungle gym. The highlight of what is new at Haven Harbour is the new Inn – The High Tide Inn located next to the marina. The next morning we jumped on bikes to explore the town of Rock Hall to see what was new. In the center of town, we saw the foundation for Rock Hall Village Shops that is being built by the Brawner Family (they also own Haven Harbour Marina). The new foundation will later support 11 small office or shop buildings that are surrounding the park.  We are looking forward to the opening! We went towards Waterman’s Crab House and saw a sign for the Dockside Café Grand Opening. We can remember eating breakfast here many years ago before it was destroyed by Hurricane Isabel. We could not pass up a visit to the café where we remembered the famous breakfast pizzas. We were not disappointed. We decided to sample one of each – the Peasant Pizza topped with Sauteed red and white potatoes with vidalia onion in olive oil, topped with red and green bell peppers, herbs and spices and ham. And the fruit pizza – yum – fresh fruity pastry with fresh seasonal fruits. We had a chance to say hello to the friendly staff – Mary, LB, and Liz (the Queen of England). Make sure to stop by and check out this great new café (410-708-9222) or Black Duck Inn.

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Our partner Island Global Yachting (IGY) anounces the addition of Marina Papagayo

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL; COSTA RICA - JUNE 1st, 2011 -- IGY Marinas announces the addition of Marina Papagayo to its global network of premier yachting destinations. Marina Papagayo, located on the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica is part of the acclaimed five-star residential resort community of Peninsula Papagayo. This state-of- the-art, full-service marina offers a wide array of nautical services along with award-winning accommodations and amenities at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, including an Arnold Palmer Golf Course, spa, and multiple dining options. This exotic, yet accessible escape is situated just 20 minutes from Liberia International Airport offering daily and frequent services from major US gateway cities. For more information about the marina visit Papagayo. To book a reservation visit Marinalife.

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Marinalife at the Art Dimensions Baltimore Art Exhibition

Our Marinalife staff not only loves being on the water, in the sun and assisting others in doing the same; but we also love supporting locally born organizations, like Art Dimensions Baltimore. It just so happens our staff is heavily involved in the art scene of Baltimore! Yesha Hayes, Marinalife staff member and COO of Art Dimensions Baltimore (a non-profit organization) hosted their inaugural event, That's Awesome! at the Silo Point development. Over 400 people came out in support, including the entire Marinalife team. Not only that, we have an actual arteeeest amongst us: Noelle Kokinakis, a new staff member and extremely talented. This event (and the Art D's mission) is to support local art. "We aim to build bridges between local artists & buyers, allowing each to learn from the other while encouraging local art to be used for community betterment. The spark you see when an inspired artists meets an interested buyer is impossible to duplicate, and the resultant inclusion of a local artist's work into the community make Baltimore a more beautiful place." says Chris Alder, Art Dimensions CEO. You've seen our staff hard at work in the office, on the docks, and discussing your voyages over the phone. But now see our crew in nightlife fashion, at an art event. Supporting organizations like this that make cities more viable and interesting for visitors like you!    ~Support your local organizations!

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National Marina Day coming to Baltimore

Pet's First Boat Trip

We all love to take our pets with us when cruising on the boat. More and more you see people with dogs, and other pets, along for the ride. Our newest addition to the Marinalife family, Lucy (nicknamed Lucy Lou or Lucy Goose), boarded the Marinalife vessel for her inaugural trip over the Memorial Day weekend to Rock Hall with owners Joy and Doug McPeters. Their new rescue puppy is a 10-pound cockapoo who is about one year old with lots of energy. Joy says, "We were used to our former chocolate lab, Cally, who lived for the water so we were not sure what to expect with Lucy who seemed intrigued by water but not very interested in swimming. We set off for Rock Hall and took her up to the fly bridge with us because she loved the wind in her face. In Rock Hall we realized how nimble she is as she easily sprang from the cockpit onto the dock (no need for stairs or any help). She loved cruising the docks with me saying hello to every single person and dog along the way. We watched the sun set on Swan Creek from the bow of the boat – Lucy with her bone and Doug and I with our Mount Gay and tonics – happiness."                                                               ~All Paws on Deck

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Shackleford wins Preakness 2011 in Baltimore!

Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby but Shackleford pulled through in Baltimore at the Preakness race on May 21, 2011. Spectators watched from the stands, as well as the wild infield bunch, as the horses raced across the finish line. It was a hot day filled with Black-eyed Susan cocktails and crab cakes.                                    ~Giddy up!

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Marinalife at the Hyatt River Marsh in Cambridge, MD For Meetings

The Marinalife crew likes to keep things fresh and familiar. Each year we take a short trip to one of our partners' facilities to peruse the grounds and have our off-site meetings for a full day. These meetings are beneficial not only to the efficiency of our team but also how we can better assist you. With added members to our team, we had lots of ideas floating around and culminated things with smores and laughs by the giant fireplace outside. The marina is a great facility with it's own outside bar and inside bar and restaurant, a convenience store with a range of items from basic provisions to transportable games to keep the kids at bay and provides plenty of docks to walk for the views. Click here to book a reservation at the Hyatt River Marsh Marina now!     Check out more photos on our     Facebook Fan Page

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First Annual Cruisers University Held at the Baltimore Inner Harbor

The first ever annual event is being held right now at Rash Field at the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, MD. United States Yacht Shows launched Cruisers University May 12 – 15, 2011. The mission of Cruisers University is education. The comprehensive curriculum was developed by cruisers to address the issues of cruising and features both power and sail; both mono and multi-hull. The Marinalife crew enjoyed seeing all those that came out and stopped by our booth to say hello.

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Marinalife in Ft. Lauderdale to visit IGY and Luxury Resorts

I went to a resort called Acqualina in Sunny Isle Florida located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami to meet with some of our investors. We enjoyed great food, a great view and good company.  In Fort Lauderdale I met with Island Global Yachting's – great partners with Marinalife for years – Bert Fowles and Sarah Bensimon. Then to Bahia Mar to meet with Kevin from Luxury Resorts. The marina was packed with mega yachts that were provisioning and getting ready to head to the Mediterranean. Bahia Mar’s entire Facedock was filled with these megas. I met Paula who works with reservations in the dock office and Charles Walker                                                               was visiting from Pier 66. Bahia Mar also has a new line of branded clothing in the marina store – great baby tees for women and cool new shirts and other clothing.     ~ Joy

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Yesha visits Cape May

As part of my research for an upcoming article, I visited Cape May, located in South Jersey. It just happened to land during the Stricly Jersey Boat Show! I can't wait to go back. Stay tuned for the article on what you're missing in Cape May in our next Marinalife Magazine issue this summer! Many thanks to Mark Allen at the South Jersey Marina for taking the time to show me around even during the hustle and bustle of the Boat Show.       ~Yesha

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Cleaning the boat

Baltimore experienced great weather this weekend and many people took advantage of it by beginning their de-winterizating of their boats. I know everyone is quite anxious to get out on the water. Don't forget this general check-list  while preparing for sun in the sun this season: -- Do a general cleaning of hull, deck and topsides using a mild detergent -- Make sure drains and scuppers are clear -- Put on a good coat of wax -- Clean and polish metal with a good metal polish -- Clean teak and oil -- Clean windows and hatches -- Clean canvas, bimini and dodger -- Clean interior including bilges -- Check spare parts and tools and replace as         necessary -- Make sure registration is current and onboard -- Check and replace wiper blades if necessary -- Make sure you have all the required safety equipment. You can never be too safe. Also, pay special attention to the hull, deck, fittings and safety equipment, electrical systems and components, water system, head system, below deck, galley, inboard/outboard motor and trailer.       ~Happy Boating, Yesha

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Stamford Harbor in Connecticut Hosts First Annual Event

Chesapeake Bay: Nation’s Largest Rockfish Tournament and In-Water Boat Show at VMG

Opening Day in Baltimore

Opening Day in Baltimore is the largest attended Orioles Baseball game of the season. Most residents of the metropolitan area will agree it should be deemed a state holiday and everyone should have off work. During the National Anthem, visitors can experience a long-standing Baltmore tradition of carrying out the "OH" during the line "Ohhhhhhh, say does that star-spangled, banner let be." You may have noticed it has caught on in many other cities nowadays. Joy was able to get out of the office briefly to enjoy a few hours in the sun and support our baseball team.                           ~Play Ball!

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Visiting The Keys and SCYC Renovates!

The Marinalife team made an appearance in The Keys over the weekend, visiting Larry at Banana Bay, Judy and Shana at Marathon Marina, and Beverly, Jose and Ashley at Hawk's Cay. It was an eventful weekend, with some forced relaxation (but we were in a hurry to get back to helping you all with your cruise planning!). Be sure to swing by any of the three as they each have great amenities and staff. In other news, Staniel Cay Yacht Club has completed their final stage of refurbishing the docks. Not only are all the electric boxes brand new but the overall electric capacity has quadrupled. High-speed pumps and a new fuel dock has also been put into place. The new dock has a 12ft. controlling depth. This new fuel facility will be operational by June 2011. Stay Tuned: SCYC will begin phases for a six cottage expansion, to be located along the hillside just north of the clubhouse, overlooking the water. The new cottages will feature an octagonal shape, large shaded balconies facing west over the water and marina (perfect for the famous sunsets), and a fresh tropical décor. These first six cottages are expected to be complete in the first half of 2012. So gear up and experience one of Jimmy Buffett's self-proclaimed "Top 10 best Waterside Bars."       ~Yesha

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NEWS

The Spring 2011 issue of the Marinalife magazine will be out soon -- pick up your copy at a nearby marina or Subscribe HERE. Generate ideas for your next voyage from tips and stories shared by Marinlaife members on places like Alaska, Hampton Roads, Cape Fear, Grand Bahama Island and more. Current and archived Marinalife issues can be found here. More and more we are beginning to see marinas taking notice of the importance techonology plays in this industry, like making online marina reservations for example. With techonology being such a central focus in our everyday lives, the benefits of such things as online marina reservations, and real-time inventory data (aka available slips) can launch us all to a more savvy way of dealing and reserving. Marinalife has recently anounced a partnership to provide the Hercules Marine software for marinas to stay ahead of the game, or join us. View the complete Press Release here. Like sharing your pictures and stories? Well, we love to hear them and pass along! Submit your ideas to info@marinalife.com  Here, a Marinalife member traveled to West End, Bahamas and beyond for a 2 week voyage and caught this fish.... can you name the fish?                Happy Boating out there! ~Yesha

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Updates: End of March 2011

SPRING is in the air!! (sing it: unrequired requirement of the saying) At least we hope it is! Click on the link to view our Spring membership special rates.The Northeast has been bearing some very fluctuated weather lately. Last week we were in short sleeves (well, some of us/them) and this week bundled up once again with snow and sleet on the ground! Still, keep thinking about getting on the water and planning your next boating voyage! Check out some of the pre-planned itineraries for cruising OR create your very own. HELPFUL HINT: you can choose a pre-plannned itinerary and amend as needed so you don't have to create a completly new one if it is rather close to your plans. ENJOY!        The West Palm Beach Show will finish up this weekend. Marinalife was lucky enough to set up with Beacon WiFi this year so boaters were able to pick the magazine up. If anyone has pics they'd like to share, post them on our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!                                                                                    The Penobscot Bay Rendezvous has been announced: August 18-21. Super yachts, to classics to performance racers, Picnic Boats and lobster yachts are invited to enter. The Penobscot Bay Rendezvous is a celebration of boating and boatbuilding. Click Here for more information.

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HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY from Marinalife!!!

Although we realize St. Pat's Day was originally started as a "feast day" to celebrate the Apostle of Ireland, Saint Patrick, it has turned into one of the most popular drinking days in America, with NYC having the largest St. Pat's parade in the WORLD! Another rare-known fact: BLUE was the original color associated with this holiday. Strange, right? Shades of blue are associated with the Order of St. Patrick. The day began to be identified with the color green because of the 3-leaf clover. Enough history. We hear there are some great St. Pat's parties all over, notably Chicago, Naples, Savannah and of course, our home port: Baltimore! I swear this city will have been celebrating for 3 weeks by the end of this weekend! Send your St. Pat's pics to info@marinalife.com Also- keep an eye for the MarineMax Getaways, Click Here for St. Pat's Getaway info! CHEERS!!!! And be safe out there ~Yesha

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Lake Okeechobee Water Levels

2011 Upcoming Events on the Chesapeake

I know we are all just itching to get out on that water! Just a few more weeks and the northeast can splish-splash again! Here are just a few to plan ahead for: May, 2011 Maritime Model Expo*     Saturday, May 21 & Sunday, May 22 Sat., 10 am-4 pm & Sun., 10 am-3 pm      CBMM, St. Michaels, MD Hosted by the Museum’s Model Guild and the North American Steamboat Modelers Association, this expo includes radio-controlled models powered by steam, battery, and wind. Static displays of highly-detailed and realistic models by the Washington Ship Model Society and others will be featured, as well as activities for children too. ------------------------------------------------------- Inaugural Elf Classic Yacht Race    Saturday, May 21 Eastport Yacht Club, Annapolis, MD to CBMM, St. Michaels, MD Participant registration required. Organized by the Classic Yacht Restoration Guild to recreate the sensibilities of yacht racing of the 1880’s when the races began on shore, included the row to the boat on mooring or anchor, making sail and reversing the process at the finish, in this case signing the race log at the Tolchester Bandstand on the grounds of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Please consider joining or sponsoring this inaugural event, which will raise funds for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, ELF’s homeport on the Chesapeake. Interested yacht owners or sponsors should contact Rick Carrion at the CYRG. Email elf1888@earthlink.net or surface mail CYRG, PO Box 237, Earleville, MD 21919 for more details, sign up information and updates. -------------------------------------------------------                                                                                June, 2011 24th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Festival* Friday, June 17, Saturday, June 18 & Sunday, June 19 Fri. & Sat., 11 am-5 pm; Sun., 10 am-2 pm CBMM, St. Michaels, MD Largest of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region: Features live music, food, and more than 100 antique and classic boats, boat building demonstrations, maritime artists and craftsmen, craft vendors, classic used boats, motors, and a nautical flea market. Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society International in cooperation with CBMM. Visit www.chesapeakebayacbs.org for more info. September/October, 2011 14th Annual Boat Auction Fundraiser*     Saturday, September 3 10 am- 4 pm, auction begins at 1pm     Fogg’s Landing, CBMM, St. Michaels, MD Preview the boats for sale starting at 8am. Flea market opens at 10am. Offering everything from wooden rowing skiffs to classic sailboats and modern power cruisers ------------------------------------------------------- 29th Annual Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival* Friday, September 30, Saturday, October 1 & Sunday, October 2 Friday check-in for participants, cookout begins at 5:30 pm Sat. & Sun., 10 am-5 pm     CBMM, St. Michaels, MD Hundreds of amateur and professional boat builders and enthusiasts come from all over the region to display their skiffs, kayaks, and canoes. Take part in demonstrations and workshops, or simply chat with the owners and watch these one-of-a-kind vessels race. November, 2011 OysterFest *  Saturday, November 5    10 am-4 pm     CBMM, St. Michaels, MD Come celebrate the Bay oyster with live music, great food, family activities, skipjack and buyboat rides, oyster aquaculture and restoration demonstrations, oyster tonging, and cooking demonstrations. December, 2010 Antique & Classic Boat Display*   (As part of Christmas in St. Michaels)    December 10, 2011    10am – 4pm CBMM, St. Michaels, MD    www.visitstmichaels.org for more info ------------------------------------------------------- *These events are free for Members or with Museum admission. Call 410-745-2916 or visit www.cbmm.org for more info. ** CBMM = Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum                                                                                        Enjoy! ~Yesha

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Marinalife at the Miami International Boat Show 2011

Marinalife had a very exciting Miami 2011 Boat Show tour this year. Mingling with business partners and clients proved to be fun and productive at the same time. We had several boaters stop at our booth and ask for cruise-planning  help as well as inquiring on membership. Things have REALLY picked up over the course of just a few years. This REALLY proves the upturn for the boating industry: not only are people buying boats, but current owners are USING them again (yey!)                                                                                   Marinalife also participated in a press conference along with MarineMax and Sea Tow to announce our partnerships in making the entire boating experience easy and centralized. Need to buy a boat, know where to go, make your reservations, tow in from a malfunction (daily it seems with boats)- We are here for you!                         GenConnect hosted a global web event at the Miami International Boat Show aboard M/Y Zoom Zoom Zoom. The topic, "Following Your Passion: A Life In Yachting" was discussed by a panel of key leaders in the yachting industry, including Marinalife's very own Capt. Jeff Werner. Other participants include: Jill Bobrow, Editor At Large for Yachts International magazine William Smith, VP of Sales and Marketing of Trinity Yachts Claudette Bonville, Interior Designer Yacht Chef Brennan Dates

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Marinalife visits the Florida Gulf Coast

Jeff Werner, Marinalife's West Coast sales representative, poses with John from Naples Bay Resort (left) and Neil from The Marina at Factory Bay during a recent trip from Fort Myers to Naples to Marco Island.

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Barb hits Atlantic City Boat Show 2011!

The 32nd Annual Atlantic City Boat Show was held Feb 2-6th at the Atlantic City Convention Center. There was a good crowd at the entrance when the show opened at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday and attendance increased througout the day. Boaters were eager to see the huge display of new and used boats and visit the Marine Marketplace that features 93,00 sq. ft. with 440 booths offering the latest marine accessories, gear and services. The Discover Boating Center was a great stop for new and potential boaters to get unbiased, expert advice on boat buying and to offer great ideas to get families interested in the boating lifestyle. To see all the features from the show, follow this link: Atlantic City boat Show Features at a Glance

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Miami Boat Show App!

Bruce Grout, GM of New Port Cove Marine Center NEW CMM

International Marina Institute Certifies Local Marina Manager Richard Morgan, President of Old Port Cove Holding’s, Inc., is proud to announce that Bruce Grout, General Manager of New Port Cove Marine Center in Riviera Beach, Fl. has been approved as a Certified Marina Manager by the globally recognized International Marina Institute. CMMs represent the elite in the marina and recreational boating industry and have a deeply rooted respect for the environment. They recognize their role in keeping it safe for boaters and the communities that support them. In an interview following his acceptance, Grout stated, “It was a lot of hard work but I am extremely pleased to represent this very prestigious group of marina industry professionals.” Grout is responsible for the management of New Port Cove Marine Center, which features storage for 350 boats. 50 boat slips to 70’, as well as dry dock facilities for 300 vessels up to 38’ in size. He has many years of experience as a Maritime Industry manager as well as campaigning winning race teams, both on track, and on the water. He holds an advanced degree in marina management and is a champion of the Clean Marina program. Grout also sits on the Board of Directors for the Marine Industry Association of Palm Beach County, and is Chairman of the Marina Council of Palm Beach County. Old Port Cove Holding’s, Inc., headquartered in North Palm Beach, Fl., is also owner/operator of Old Port Cove and North Palm Beach Marinas. For more information contact Sue Morgan, 561-296-1863 or visit the website www.opch.com.

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Baltimore Boat Show and IMBC in Ft. Lauderdale

Marinalife likes to maintain a presence at as many boat shows and marine trade events as possible. Every year, there are more people and partnerships we'd like to build upon. Sometimes we just like to have a laugh with industry friends. Click HERE for more photos! And "Like" our fan page for marine info: updates in the industry, recommended cruises and destinations to consider!

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Marinalife and Marina Reservation Services, LLC, Announce Exclusive Partnership

Tollycraft founder, R.M.(Tolly) Tollefson celebrates 100th Birthday

On Saturday, January 22, about 175 of us from three Tollycraft clubs in Seattle, Portland, OR, and British Columbia got together with Tolly and about 8 members of his original staff to celebrate his 100th birthday. Tolly began his career in 1945 and dedicated his life to a labor of love building quality boats. His work effected the lives of thousands of people including friends, employees, industry partners, and owners of his wonderful Tollycraft Yachts. He received letters of congratulations and appreciation from the three Tolly clubs, Secretary of the U.S. Coast Guard, Seattle, Washington Governor, Christine Gregoire, and U.S. Senator, Patty Murray. The Port Townsend, WA Maritime Center is holding an exhibit through April honoring Tolly’s achievements.                                                                               -Dave Rasmussen, Tollycrafters Club

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Marinalife and Nantucket Boat Basin Sweepstakes!!!

Entry to the Sweepstakes is free and the winner plus three of their family or friends will win a weekend experience on Nantucket valued at $5000. The prize includes:           Two-night slip stay for one boat           Dinner for four at Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant           Four 60-minute spa treatments           Four tickets to The Whaling Museum           One fishing or sailing excursion with a local Nantucket captain Sweepstakes entries will be accepted through the end of February and Marinalife will announce the winner on March 4, 2011. Anyone who enters also receives a free subscription to Marinalife magazine. REGISTER NOW ONLINE AT: http://www.marinalife.com/sweepstakes/.

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Key West Calls....

In early January I visited members Chip and Connie Lacy aboard Ann Warrick, a beautiful 76-foot Paul Mann Custom Sportfish docked in Key West, FL for a month. We had a great visit and met other boaters staying at A & B Marina. We watched a gorgeous sunset over the Key West Bight from their tuna tower (but Chip only let us go up to the 2nd tower). I set out for a Keys sales trip and visited 5 marinas along the way. Including Plantation Yacht Harbor where I met Lisa and Tim – it was a windy and cold day for the keys (60’s). Then on to Gilberts Resort in Key Largo where I met Dave. On way home I visited Holiday Isle and met Stephen Donahue who gave me the grand tour and explained all the amazing enhancements they are planning or have completed (the fuel dock has been completely rebuilt and parts of the infamous Tiki Bar have been renovated). Then to Marathon Marina annd Boat Yard where I met with Shauna, Judy and Dennis Zecca. They are building a pool on site as we speak (expected to be done by early April). The restaurant on-site – called Lazy Days is getting rave reviews.                                                    ~Joy, CEO

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Updates in the Industry from Marinalife

As many of you have probably heard, Larry Page (Google co-founder) bought a yacht. Not just any old yacht, however. This SUPERyacht is 193 feet, has a helicopter pad, 10 grandiose state rooms (do you even refer to them as "state rooms" at this point?!), cost $45 million, and an estimated $400,000 per WEEK to maintain. Look for Larry, aboard Senses in or around Sag Harbor, NY. Let's give him a nice welcome to the yachting world. ;) Wayfarer Marine Announces the Penobscot Bay Cup The Penobscot Bay Cup will be held the weekend of August 20-21, 2011. The regatta is going to be based in Camden, Maine on Penobscot Bay, world renown cruising ground, where the mountains truly meeting the sea. Those interested in participating either as a sponsor or competitor should contact the Fleet Captain of Camden Yacht Club or Ben Cashen at Wayfarer Marine, bcashen@wayfarermarine.com

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Ionian Islands, Greece!

With the newest issue of the Marinalife magazine on it's way to your doors as I type this, I wanted to share this adorable picture of Nadine Slavinski's son playing in the water off Cephallonia. Nadine is one of our precious contributing writers and we really enjoyed her sharing tips on sailing around the world with a child. Cephallonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece and has many different spellings. Check Nadine's article about sailing with children here: Ten Thousand Miles of Summer. See more of these photos in the album: Different Places, Friendly Faces                                                                                                                                                Happy Boating! ~Yesha

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Winter Wonderland (on a yacht)

Some photos sent in by Marinalife members. Become a Marinalife fan on Facebook to view more pics! Become a Marinalife FAN!! Marinalife members tend to have a lot of fun no matter where they are. The DeGroots show their love for boating even in snowy conditions, seen here in New Bern, NC over the Christmas 2010 holiday! Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/marinalife Become a Fan on Facebook: Marinalife Fan Page Tag Marinalife in your photos or send to: info@marinalife.com

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Celebrate the holidays with Marinalife!

The Marinalife Team gathered for a nice dinner overlooking the Baltimore Inner Harbor this past week to celebrate the holidays. It was nice to get together as a group along with spouses and friends. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and we look forward to 2011!

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Marinalife Treks National Harbor in D.C. for the lights!

Our team recently scoped National Harbor in Washington, D.C. for the holiday season. We went down there with hopes of seeing "Ice," not realizing just how huge an attraction it is: 200,000 people went last year and they have a huge tent set up, just for the show....the place was crawling with people and strollers! Enjoy some of the pics and have a safe and happy holiday season!  ~Marinalife Team

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Marinalife Board and Shareholder Meeting

Marinalife held their annual Board and Shareholder Meeting on December 8th. We presented a summary of our 2010 accomplishments and all of our exciting plans for 2011. We also had time to share some holiday cheer!

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Marinalife's New Website Has been Launched!

The new Marinalife Website design is now live! The newly designed site was created to make it even easier to find all of the useful content on our site. Searchable magazine articles and enhanced cruise templates are just some of the new features. As a Marinalife member you have access to over 1,000 great discounts on dockage, fuel, services, and at restaurants. We will continue to focus on adding more discounts and special offers to provide greater value and save you more money when you boat. Don’t forget to sign up for special offer e-mail alerts for your cruising region – visit: www.marinalife.com/specialoffers.

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Marinalife visits Key West Harbour

We went by for a visit to Key West Harbour, located on Stock Island in Key West, to check out the latest developments at this new facility. The ships store is now open and you will be greeted by Buddy, the friendly retriever who loves to swim nearby. The fuel dock was busy with fishing boats and the indoor storage facilities are impressive. ~Marinalife

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Exploring the Lower Keys

The weather is fabulous in the Keys with a nice breeze and plenty of sunshine. I am lucky enough to be spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Key West so I figured it would be great to visit some of our partner marinas in the area. We stopped in Duck Key at MM 61 to visit Beverly and Jennifer at Hawks Cay Resort & Marina. This is a great resort with everything for the visiting boater you could imagine and to top it off they have a program where you can swim with the dolphins - it is amazing. Look for more Keys adventures soon. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Joy

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Key West Powerboat Races 2010

The 30th annual Key West Powerboat Races have ended with WHM Motorsports as the overall winner. Bringing nothing but fun to the area while onlookers enjoyed the exciting races. The weather was perfect, over 50 teams competed in 3 days of racing and partying. Here are some pictures to recap. Share your pictures with Marinalife (blog, Facebook). Send to info@marinalife.com.                      Boats, Planes, Parties, Oh My!    ~Yesha

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Marinalife Visits Northeast Coast

My recent trip to NJ took me to Wildwood where I stopped at Schooner Island Marina to visit marina manager Tony Sandora.  This photo was taken from the balcony of the marina office. The boating season is winding down under Fall skies but Tony is looking forward to a great Spring at this beautiful facility. - Barb, Sales Rep for Marinalife

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FLIBS Wrap-Up, New IGY Marina, New BVI Yacht Club!

The culmination of the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show proved to be an encouraging turnout: Dealers were selling, attendance was up, business to business increased. I think people are really starting to realize the importance of partnerships, something Marinalife has always prided itself on within this industry. So, rest up and be ready to visit us in Miami when February rolls around! There were some big ol' yachts at the show, inlcuding Cakewalk, 281 feet of amazing yacht, built by Derecktor Shipyards in Conneticut. This makes it the largest yacht built in the U.S. since the 30s! We also met some great people on the docks and attained further information on developments in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and British Virgin Islands. IGY acquired Palmas del Mar Yacht Club in Humacao, Puerto Rico. The marina can accommodate vessels up to 175 ft and has 2,700 acres of resort activities and community. More Info. Another exciting discovery, and personally one of my favorites since I just returned from BVI, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda will be opening on the island of Virgin Gorda by the North Sound. The marina will accommodate up to 38 slips for mega yachts up to 328 feet! More info. 2011 is around the corner and we hope there's only one way to go from here: UP! Or on if you're on a boat, or on the water.                                                    Happy Boating Everyone as FLIBS kicks it off to a good start!  -Yesha

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Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show 2010

Hello Boating Enthusiasts! This year at FLIBS, it has been an exciting ride meeting our ever growing member base. We've had so many members swing by the booth -- it really is a pleasure to meet each of you and exchange some chuckles. After working so closely and so often with many of you, it's nice to match your faces with the names and voices. We've also met and reuinited with a lot of our great marine industry partners. Below are some pictures from the show thus far. Joy McPeters and Peter Teuten working the Marinalife booth our first day at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show 2010.                                                                                                                                                       Members Lou Sulla and friends stopped by and we made a party of it.                                                Mega Yachts on the docks provide not only beautiful layouts but also fun cocktail parties. David Pranzini of Yachtique and Yesha Hayes with Marinalife at the Fraser Yachts Champagne party.

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Sailing the British Virgin Islands

First, I'd like to say, 'WOW!" Sailing the BVI was an amazing experience. I had the chance to meet a lot of great people from all over the world, learn new things and see some of the most beautiful sights on this earth. I'd have to say The Baths and Jost Van Dyke were my favorites. Not only are the dives and snorkeling great, but once you reach the beach, they have plenty of spots to keep your taste buds wet with rum! The locals are incredibly nice and helpful and the salt water is even more helpful for a rough morning before you shove off.  If you get a chance to island hop in the British Virgin Islands, I suggest hitting some of these spots: Soper's Hole and Cane Garden Bay on opposite sides of Tortola, the infamous Willy T Bar at Norman Island- literally a ship made into a bar on the water! Sandy Spit where the first Corona commercial was filmed, Soggy Dollar Bar at White Bay on Jost Van Dyke (you can see their live Web cam here: SoggyCam). Trellis Bay on Beef Island is home to Aragon, the well-known artist who throws the Fireball Full Moon parties toward the end of October each year. I had the chance to meet him as he brought his larger dingy around to all the catamarans early one morning full with fresh breads and crafts. No matter where you go, there's sure to be a party- whether with your own crew or new pals. This is one of the most relaxing and exciting trips and there are plenty of charter companies to choose from depending if you need a captain or you can captain yourself. You could probably sail for a month, hitting different spots, and still feel like there are some wonders of the world in BVI you are missing. Though these pictures do no justice for the beauty of the BVI, I wanted to share a few.                          "Rum is the answer. What is the question?" -Yesha

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Annapolis Powerboat Show

The Marinalife booth (and staff) at the Annapolis Boat Show is finally starting to dry out after Thursday's torrential rain and flooding in the booth. Friday has been very busy with abundant sunshine and lots of people at the show. We have seen many members and old friends - thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth. We are here all weekend - Booth F2 on the main promenade stop by to say hello. The Marinalife team poses for a shot at our booth. The rainy conditions on Thursday provided plenty of time to visit our partner businesses and take some fun snapshots of their smiling faces while they worked in the rain. Here are a few of the exhibitors we caught at their booths.

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Annapolis Sailboat Show 2010

The United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, MD is in full swing today and the crowds are streaming into town. The weather could not be more perfect for the show, the largest sailboat show in the world, which attracts visitors and vendors from all over the world. Although Marinalife does not have a booth at the sailboat show (but we will be at the powerboat show next week – Booth #F2), we have been walking the show and visiting with several of our partners including Tim at Coastal Properties, Sherwood from River Dunes in Oriental, NC, Bob from Bennett Brothers/Cape Fear Marina, and Ben and Carol from Baltimore Marine Center. We look forward to seeing many of you at the Annapolis Powerboat Show next week (Thursday October 14- Sunday, October 17th). Enjoy some pics from the Annapolis Sailboat Show 2010:

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Marinalife Magazine Fall 2010 Issue Released!

The 2010 Fall issue of the Marinalife Magazine has been distributed. You should be able to pick up in marinas any day now. Included are articles ranging from British Virgin Islands to Fernandina Beach to Kentucky Lake and so much more! Get a sneak peak online at Marinalife Fall 2010 and send any feedback to contact us.                                                          -->  Also, download the new FREE Marinalife App HERE!

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Off-site Strategic Meeting in St. Michaels, MD

Marinalife recently got out of the office and got our toes wet- literally. But the rain didn't stop our team as we came together at The Inn at Perry Cabin for our annual off-site strategic meeting. This year, we visited beautiful St. Michaels, MD to discuss feedback and ideas to continue to grow as the industry leader. Thank you to Brian from The Inn at Perry Cabin for hosting our group and feeding us-- the food was amazing, the service was impeccable, and our ideas were flowing!  -Marinalife Team

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Trawler Fest 2010 Wrap Up

Wrapping up the Trawler Fest proved to be a great gain of friends and members this year. We were lucky enough to have the convenience of walking to the show each day from our headquarters. With volleyball tournys, boats, people and the Baltimore skyline behind, the weekend was an amazing turnout. AND we were able to experience all levels of weather: from hot and humid to cold and rainy! Baltimore Inner Harbor has been a major seaport since the 1700s and is continuously growing into a cultural city full of activities for any visitors. With the nautical background in this area, many Trawler fans flocked from all over the country -- even had some international visitors -- to see the Trawlers lined up on the Baltimore Inner Harbor Marine Center docks. Quite a few existing members swung by our booth and even allowed us to  get a breather while they spoke with fellow boaters. The DeGroots also keep a great blog: DeGroot Blog that we like to check out once in awhile. We like to know where our boaters like to go so we can suggest ideas in the future. The DeGroot's were in Baltimore for a month and even though they saw a lot and experienced many events and people, they still commented on how they felt they didn't get to everything. If you're looking for trip ideas, you can check our magazine Web page at Marinalife Magazine and sign up for a free subscription for one year! If you're looking for help with your cruise planning and marina reservations, you can also compare our different levels of membership to suite all your cruising needs and receive discounts on many things such as dockage, fuel, service and more.                                                                                                                                                                                               Happy Boating! -Yesha

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TrawlerFest Baltimore Day 2

It is another hot and sunny day at TrawlerFest Baltimore. The docks and tents are crowded. TrawelerFest combines the boat show experience with educational seminars. Boaters can meet and speak directly with boat builders and attend seminars about everything from "Finding Your Cruising Style" to "How to Set Up a Mobile Office." And, of course, it is a great way to share stories and experiences with fellow cruisers. Since this is the first year that Baltimore has been the host of TrawlerFest (it was in Solomons Island for many years) we asked the exhibitors and attendees what they thought of the Baltimore location. So far the responses have been overwhelmingly in favor of Baltimore - the reasons we have heard over and over have focused on how easy it is to get to Baltimore. The airport is only 15 minutes away and we have met people from all over the United States and even some international locations. We just heard from one of our members who is working on one of the trawlers that the docks look like the Annapolis Power Boat Show - they are so crowded - great news!  We have had many members stop by our booth to say hello. Members, Charlie Hodge and Sarah Sullivan, stopped by the booth for a cold refreshment. Charlie, who has been to 3 TrawlerFests, says that the only thing he missed is having more pre-owned trawlers at the show. He was dreaming about a 62 foot Nordhavn which he could not find (he only found a 47 foot Nordhavn which is just not big enough). Sarah offered to help work the booth for us - we might take her up on her offer so that we can get to the docks and see firsthand what is going on.  Come join us tomorrow for the last day of TrawlerFest (10-4 pm). Happy Boating! Joy

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Trawler Fest in Baltimore

It is a great thrill to open our blog on the Trawler Fest weekend, held in Baltimore, MD this September 24-26, 2010. Marinalife has many members that own and cruise on Trawlers and we even had a chance to meet a lot of them at the MTOA event last week at Bay Cafe in Baltimore. They shared some wonderful and funny stories about living aboard and traveling the Great Loop. Below is a picture of two new Marinalife team members that are working hard to bring our members quality service and continued benefits. We are adding new discounts every day and the reservations service is growing along with them. Browse our site Marinalife Yachting Concierge to view the many benefits a Marinalife membership can bring you.                                                               Happy Boating! -Yesha

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