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Buying the right holiday gift for the boater in your life is always a challenge. And we all have a few gifts from family and friends who aren’t boaters but mean well. Which is a shame, when there are so many great gift ideas that could really enhance our time out on the water. That’s where a good wish list helps the people in your life.
So what makes an accessory worthy of your wishlist? What we’re looking for is something that you could get by without, but enhances your boating experience when you have it. Whether it’s by adding comfort and enjoyment, increasing safety, or cutting down on the work you need to do, you’ll be happy to unwrap it.
Dinghies operating at night are supposed to be lit. The rules are very specific – boats moving under power must have red/green lights on the bow, and an all-around white light. Unpowered boats should have a white light. But unlit dinghies zipping between boats on the way back from shore at night is a common sight.
A quality set of portable lights is easy to put on and off the boat, works off standard batteries, and are waterproof and rugged. Several portable light kits, such as the systems from RailBlaza and NaviSafe, have permanent mounts to install on your inflatable tubes or transoms with glues and brackets. Putting them on when you need them is a snap.
Other lights rely on suction ups or clamps to hold them in place. They’re less expensive and don’t require modifications to the boat. But dirt and moisture on tubes coupled with engine and wave vibration may loosen suction cups and clamps.
Any time you step off your boat, there’s a chance what you’re carrying ends up in the water, gets splashed with spray, or gets rained on.
Welded tough rubber dry bags with sealed tops that roll down and clip have set the new standard for keeping gear and belongings dry. Options include a range of sizes, shoulder straps for backpack style carrying, and different connects and snaps to seal the bag.
Dry bags aren’t ideal for delicate items that can’t take being stepped on in the bottom of a dinghy. For cameras, phones, tablets, and other fragile gear, look for hard sided cases with waterproof seals and firm clasping latches.
Permanent fenders are filled with air, but they don’t deflate well and they take up a lot of room. You want only what you need to secure your boat in the slip. But when you pull in a different slip with more scary pilings than you’re used to, or you want to raft up with some friends, you may find yourself a few fenders short.
That’s where proper inflatable fenders give you options. Quality double-walled PVC fenders take the weight of your boat and are tough enough to give you that extra protection to keep your boat safe. When you deflate them, they take up a fraction of the space of a regular fender. You can carry several extras without filling your lockers.
Good companion gifts are a 12V air pump to inflate them and suck the air out when you’re done, and fender covers to protect the fender and your hull.
While every boat should have binoculars on board, image stabilized binoculars have truly arrived and are great for use on a moving boat. You can spot things at a distance with conventional binoculars, but you can’t easily see the *detail* from a bouncing and shaking boat. It’s the difference between seeing a boat on the horizon and being able to read the name. Or spotting a buoy and seeing the number clearly enough to mark it with confidence.
They’ll also give an enormous boost to your nature watching and sightseeing. Whether it’s seabirds or whales, you’ll see stunning detail when the lenses aren’t shaking. Once you’ve used image stabilized binoculars from your boat, you’ll never want to go back.
You want binoculars which are all-weather, water-proof, and fog resistant for use on your boat.
Most folding chairs and camp chairs aren’t great on boats, with feet that are pressure points on fiberglass that can mark and scuff. Folding boat chairs have teak legs, or thick and cushioned caps on the feet to protect the deck. Folding cushion and floor chairs with sun and moisture safe covers are great for sitting up on decks anywhere on the boat. And you can throw them in the dinghy and bring them to the beach or an on-shore BBQ or picnic.
Closed cell foam cushions and pads are also great additions for the cockpit, the decks, and on shore. Closed cell foam doesn’t admit or hold ANY water, so they can get wet and all you need to do is wipe the surface clean. They’re available in custom sets for your cockpit, or in standard sizes you can use like throw pillows anywhere on deck.
As the leaves fall and turn to brown, our palette changes from strawberry and watermelon summer flavors to more autumnal pumpkin and apple-flavored treats. Spiced rum is a perfect spirit to enjoy this season, so we chose Captain Morgan as the main ingredient for two cocktail variations. Whether you wrap up in a cozy blanket or entertain friends on your boat, you can drink like a ship captain with the following fall recipes.
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
1.5 oz Cranberry juice
1.5 oz Hard apple cider
Instructions:
Fill a rocks glass with ice and combine all ingredients. Gently stir and garnish with a cranberry and apple slice.
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Ingredients:
2 oz Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
6 oz Fresh apple cider
Instructions:
Combine the rum and apple cider in a small pot and microwave or heat over a stove. Carefully pour drink into a mug and garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice.
SPRINGFIELD, Va., Nov. 8, 2022 -- Now that recreational boating is coming to a close in much of the country, BoatUS takes a look back at the Top 10 boat names ordered this season through its online boat graphics service and provides some commentary.
For a look at all of the BoatUS Top 10 Boat Names lists over the years, go to BoatUS.com/BoatNames. The BoatUS Graphics service offers an online design tool that allows you to easily create custom boat graphics with fast turnaround times. BoatUS also offers simple step-by-step video instructions on how to install your new graphics yourself.
Just Opened: Climb aboard the all-new Hampton Queen for a ride fit for royalty! Take a tour through the world’s greatest natural harbor aboard the gorgeous vessel, operated by Hampton Roads Harbor Tours. Cruise through the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton River to discover historic sites such as Fort Monroe and Fort Wool while spotting navy ships and maybe even a dolphin or two. Learn more at visithampton.com
This past July, Atlas Restaurant Group opened The Choptank Annapolis located at Oasis Marinas’ Annapolis Town Dock, which overlooks Ego Alley. Dock your boat at the marina and enjoy a fresh seafood meal along this historic waterway.
After almost a decade of construction, The Wharf Marina in Washington, DC, welcomes its highly anticipated completion that presents more green space, restaurants, accommodations, office space, shops and events. You can now grab sundries and supplies at the new dock shop, relax at The Clubhouse boaters’ lounge and gas up at one of the few fuel stops along the Potomac.
Cruise to Key West this fall to stay and play at The Perry Hotel & Marina in the heart of Stock Island. The marina hosts events such as the Duck, Duck, Booze Pool Party in October featuring a DJ and a pool full of rubber duckies, as well as the Live from the Lawn concert in December. View events at perrykeywest.com
Annapolis, MD
October 6-9, 2022
Annapolis, MD
October 13-17, 2022
Fort Lauderdale, FL
October 26-30, 2022
St. Petersburg, FL
January 19-22, 2022
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LOOKING OUT ONTO LONG ISLAND’S GOLD COAST, Danfords Hotel, Marina & Spa is a hidden treasure found along the North Shore in a cove off Long Island Sound.
The convenient location lies in the heart of Port Jefferson’s historic shipbuilding hub and is the only resort marina along the island’s North Shore. The boutique hotel offers 86 luxurious nautical-themed guestrooms with white colonial-style waterfront balconies and upscale amenities. With a gorgeous ballroom and grounds lined with trees and flowers, it’s an ideal venue for weddings, private parties, business conferences — or simply a tranquil escape.
The spacious property boasts more than 100 slips and 730 feet of linear dockage, as well as a 14-slip yacht dock accommodating vessels up to 120-300 feet. Floating docks make up most of the marina with several fixed linear options available. The full-service fuel dock offers two gas and diesel pumps and another private diesel pump at the yacht dock.
Marina guests can enjoy newly renovated showers, access to laundry drop service and free Wi-Fi. Treat yourself to a relaxing session at the hotel’s Butterfly Salon & Aesthetic Spa open Wednesday to Saturday.
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Connected to the marina, Wave Seafood & Steak restaurant serves juicy NY strips and everything from the land and sea in an elegant setting. The Wave Lounge bar is open late during summer for guests to unwind in the evenings.
As soon as you leave the parking lot, you’re just steps away from downtown Port Jefferson’s historic village where you can find entertainment, shops and dining nestled along the water’s edge. Check out Port Jefferson Village Center and Harborfront Park for social activities, historic exhibits, and outdoor movies and concerts. Take the kids to the Long Island Explorium and Bayles Boat Shop to learn about wooden boat building and restoration.
Seasonal members can enjoy a private- gated entrance with direct access to lower floating docks from the parking lot. New shower facilities and electrical system upgrades are soon to come.
“In 2022, we’ve re-recruited our top dockhands from the past five years to bring our marina guests the best and most experienced team we’ve ever put together,” says James Dunn, dockmaster and marina general manager. “I have to say, this quaint, seafaring Long Island town makes a wonderful boating experience.”
Be sure to catch the weekly farmers’ market through the summer, Harvest Fest in the fall or the internationally recognized Charles Dickens Festival in the winter.
This year, Danford’s Marina began a three-year renovation plan that will culminate in 2024. Stay tuned for updates at danfords.com
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For those of you who just celebrated Navy Day, do you know the origins behind the nationally recognized holiday?
Every year on October 27, we salute all military personnel in the U.S. Navy, both veterans and active. As October is full of notable celebrations, this holiday is not to be confused with the Navy’s birthday celebrated on October 13. Rather than commemorating on the Navy’s actual day of birth, America decided to honor President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday on the October 27, as he was a major force in elevating the Navy to what it is today.
On top of that, October 27 is also the anniversary of a 1775 report issued by a special committee of the Continental Congress favoring the purchase of merchant ships as the foundation of an American Navy. It was later suggested in 1922 by a civilian organization, the Navy League, to honor this date in celebration. Thus, National Navy Day was born.
Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt served as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy and spent his term focusing on building the strength of that branch of the armed forces. Many credit Roosevelt’s support as the foundation of the Navy’s power and success. He was the first president to both fly in an aircraft and be submerged in a submarine.
Historically, celebrating National Navy Day on Roosevelt’s birthday came first, because it wasn’t until 1972 that the country confirmed and began to recognize that the Navy’s birthday was actually on October 13, 1775. Then, the 19 Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, initiated the official observation in 1972, separating the two days into their own special celebrations.
Though it is not recognized as an official federal holiday, you can find annual events across the nation such as fundraisers, open-sea swimming competitions and more.
Check out the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society to learn about unit-sponsored, fund-raising and other important activities held throughout the year.
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