Marinalife Blogs About the Boating World

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?

---

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.

---

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

---

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).

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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.

---

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?

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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)

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.”

---

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.

---

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.

---

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!

---

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!!

---

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

---

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

---

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!

---

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.

---

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

---

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!

---

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

---

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.

---

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!

---

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!

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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

---

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!

---

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

---

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!

---

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.

---

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.

---

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!

---

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

---

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!

---

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

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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!

---

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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!

---

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

---

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/.

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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!

---

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

---

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!

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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:

---

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!

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

Featured Advertiser