WOW Sports
WOW Sports produces top-of-the-line towables and fun watersport items. A top pick from Marinalife is this two-person towable float. Kids will love the fun graphics and dog shape body built with reinforced tow system construction and can tow riders up to 340 lbs. ($149.99)
MALIBU BARBIE GOLF CART POOL FLOAT
Funboy
Come on Barbie, let’s go party — in this limited edition, 50th anniversary Malibu golf cart float! The two-person float is inflatable and includes a fringe-lined removable mesh shade and dual cup holders. ($139)
Rave Sports
This heavy-duty inflatable slide fits most pontoons and can hold up to 200 lbs. max weight. Made with durable vinyl and molded footsteps, it easily attaches to the boat for waterpark-style family fun. The slide comes with a 14v high-pressure inflator/deflator that can run off the pontoon’s battery. ($699.99)
WOW Sports
Bring the living room to the water with this huge inflatable lounger that looks like a comfy couch. Use the secure rope holders to tether to your boat, dock or shoreline. Perfect for big parties; up to eight people can kick back on the semi-circle-shaped sofa. ($299.99)
Yamaha
Whether you love to deep-sea dive, snorkel or swim around at high speed, the Seascooter is the ultimate gadget to grab ahold of this summer. Light enough to carry in one hand, it’s easily portable, and the buoyance control chamber is designed for seawater use, making it perfect for beach dives. ($612.99)
Foil
Crank up the speed on one of the most advanced efoils. It feels like you’re flying on water with this electric surfboard that comes in various models with various features, material design and horsepower. Try the Foil X, a lightweight board made from carbon fiber or do serious shredding on the powerful Foil R, designed for racing and performance. (Prices vary)
Force1
Kids will be occupied for hours with this mini stunt drone. The blue and red flashing LED propeller guards light up reflecting colorful hues with pristine night visibility. The four-channel remote control allows for perfect 360-flips and lots of flying fun. ($49.99)
Force1
Reaching up to a speed of 20+ mph, this powerful mini motorboat makes big waves in pools or lakes. Crank the controls at high-speed for racing or gliding along the water. The set includes a remote control, transmitter, charging cable, spare propeller and additional tools. Not for saltwater use. ($69.99)
Activ Life
If you’re looking for a new water party activity, this set is great for groups to play. When thrown, the floatable ball skips across the water for a fun aquatic game of catch. The set comes with two skip balls, one skip disc and a waterproof travel bag. Toss it around at a beach party or get competitive and keep score! ($15.99)
Wildwood, NJ
The historic 2.5-mile boardwalk boasts over 100 rides and attractions spanning three piers. Kids love the family-owned Morey’s Piers at Marnier’s Landing, Surfside Pier and Adventure Pier, plus two aquaparks, Ocean Oasis Water Park & Beach Club and Raging Waters. Wildwood’s beaches are the largest in New Jersey stretching 500 yards from the boardwalk to the ocean. Fortunately, a beach taxi is available to cart you to relaxation!
Ocean City, MD
Located on a barrier island that lies between the Chesapeake Bay on the west and Atlantic Ocean on the east, this vacation town offers the best of both worlds. The boardwalk’s historic wooden planks stretch about three miles from the Ocean City Inlet to 32nd Street beach and is lined with rides, arcades, shops, bars and restaurants. The briny smell of Thrasher’s fries instantly hits your senses as you stroll the inlet at Jolly Roger’s at the Pier. For more entertainment and two fun putt-putt golf courses, visit Jolly Roger’s second location at 30th Street bayside.
Wildwood, NJ
On the oceanside, Seaport Pier hosts a live music venue and family-friendly bar and grill overlooking the 22nd Street beach that features a tiki bar with fruity drinks. For top dock and dines, cruise lakeside to Boathouse Restaurant & Marina Deck or visit the south end at the foot of the Cape May-Wildwood Crest bridge to feast on seafood at Two Mile Crab House at Two Mile Landing Marina. On the other end in West Wildwood, sample fresh ceviche and tacos at The Dock.
Ocean City, MD
Choose between sipping cocktails on the lively boardwalk overlooking Atlantic waves or a calm dock and dine boater’s haven on the bayside. In West OC near the bridge into town, tie up at Hoopers Crabhouse & Sneaky Pete’s. Dock uptown at Seacrets main party hub for frozen drinks and dancing at multiple live music stages. For an escape off the beaten path, cruise to Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick just minutes across the Maryland-Delaware line.
Wildwood, NJ
Lenni-Lenape Indians dwelled along The Wildwoods before the first-recorded European settlers arrived in the 1600s. On the north end, whalers and fishermen frequented the Hereford Inlet through the 17th and 18th centuries. The first boardwalk measured only 150 yards until it was extended in 1904 and eventually expanded into the 70,000 planks it holds today. Explore the arts scene with seasonal events at the Wildwoods Convention Center Oceanfront Arena or visit The Doo Wop Experience to travel back in time to Wildwood’s 1950s and ‘60s heydays.
Ocean City, MD
Algonquian tribes occupied these beaches before Europeans arrived in the 1500s, and colonists moved from Virginia to settle in what is now nicknamed “OCMD.” The town remained a sleepy fishing village until the first hotel was built in 1875 — The Atlantic Hotel — which still stands today. Though OCMD is just over 60 miles south of Wildwood, slang is the notable cultural difference between the regions. People who frequent Jersey beaches refer to it as “the shore,” whereas those who natively vacation in Maryland say, “the ocean.” Or if you’re from Baltimore, you say: “Goin’ downy ocean, hon!”
As we welcome the arrival of spring, boaters are eager to christen the new season with activities ranging from a fresh coat of paint on the hull to a thorough inspection or a bottle of bubbly with glasses held high. But across the country, some seaside communities celebrate their return to the water with The Blessing of the Fleet, a ritual that turns to the heavens to safeguard mariners, pray for a bountiful catch and remember those who were lost at sea.
The ceremony dates back to ancient times and finds its roots in Mediterranean fishing villages. European colonization spread the practice around the globe, and Catholic immigrants brought the tradition to America about 300 years ago. During the 20th century, it became more widespread along North American oceans, rivers, lakes and bays, and other denominations absorbed the rite into their services.
The basic elements of the Blessing of the Fleet are quite simple: a priest or pastor offers prayers and a sprinkling of holy water to a variety of vessels including working boats, rescue vessels, trawlers, recreational craft, tugboats and even dinghies. Often in attendance are members of the Coast Guard in uniform, Knights of Columbus with their pointy hats and sabers, church choirs singing hymns and other groups.
Most Blessings of the Fleet take place in spring to kick off the fishing or shrimping season. Others are linked to religious holidays such as the Epiphany or Easter. Some Portuguese and Italian communities celebrate on Mother’s Day to honor Our Lady of Fatima and decorate the base of her statue with red flowers for living mothers and white blooms for the deceased. An anchor made of red and white blossoms is tossed into the sea in remembrance of those who perished beneath the waves.
A mass often kicks off the festivities, followed by a processional of officiants and the faithful from the church to the waterfront where an armada of boats is waiting to receiveblessings. Colorful flags, lights, streamers, banners, pendants and more decorate the fleet as they parade through the water. Friends and family line the shore, waving, cheering, singing, drinking and feasting.
No two Blessings of the Fleet are the same. What makes them especially interesting and unique are the size of the seaside communities and the religion, culture, history, traditions and heritage of their people. Some small towns like somber, intimate ceremonies with only a handful of vessels and watermen receiving prayers. Others prefer a more boisterous celebration with thousands of well-wishers gathered for food, music, games, pageants, fairs, fish fries, races and lavish after parties. Many are attached to other regional maritime festivals such as seafood or holiday events.
If you’d like to witness a Blessing of the Fleet this season or join one and let your boat receive good thoughts for safe journeys, see the following list for some of our favorites across the country. Or contact your local marina to find out if a blessing event is taking place near you.
Tarpon Springs, FL
January 5
Every year on the day before the Epiphany, priests from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral bless the sponge boats and divers and remember those who lost their lives. Part of the ceremony includes tossing a cross into the water and young men jumping in and competing to retrieve it.
Detroit, MI
March 12 (second Sunday in March)
Hosted at this historic landmark and the oldest structure on the Detroit waterfront, Mariners’ Church has been a place of worship for seamen from around the Great Lakes since 1842. The annual ceremony invites boaters to bring their burgees, colors and pennants to receive blessings for safe passage, calm waters and fair weather on their nautical journeys.
Washington, DC
April 15
Since 1987 when the memorial was dedicated, waters from the Seven Seas and Great Lakes are ceremoniously poured into outdoor fountains at the memorial with a blessing to protect sailors, ships and crew.
Mount Pleasant, SC
April 30
As tribute to the shrimp and fishing industry, the event presents a boat parade, ceremonial blessing of the vessels, shad and shrimp eating contest, art exhibits, food and crafts vendors, and family activities in Charleston Harbor.
Put-in-Bay, OH
May 9
Sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce, with blessings from the clergy from St. Paul’s Church and Mother of Sorrows Church, this 34th anniversary event aims to shield from misfortune ships, planes, water taxis and other service-related boats and aircraft.
Thunderbolt, GA
April 29
This festival celebrates the regional shrimp and fishing industry by offering prayer to safeguard local vessels and fishermen. Festivities include a morning boat parade, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, beer garden and other activities along the Wilmington waterfront.
Provincetown MA
June 22-25
Four days of music, parades, food, dancing, games and more celebrate Portuguese culture and seafaring heritage and offer a blessing by the bishop to decorated boats and their crew.
Gloucester, MA
June 22-25
The local Italian-American fishing community’s annual celebration honors the patron saint of fishermen with a parade, live music, road and boat races, Blessing of the Fleet, children’s activities, mass and a greasy pole contest (costumed contestants try to pull a red flag off the end of a heavily lubricated pole before falling into the water).
Boothbay Harbor, ME
June 25
Part of the Windjammer Days Festival, local residents remember those in the maritime industry who lost their lives to the sea and others who still earn their living on the water. The boat parade honors commercial fishing vessels.
Narragansett, RI
July 27-29
Attended by almost 30,000 people annually, this three-day festival includes a parade of boats, 10-mile road race, music, beer tent, food vendors, rides, and more.
Morgan City, LA
August 31 to September 4
To toast the shrimping and oil industry, this huge celebration features boat and street parades, blessing ceremony, a pageant to coronate the festival king and queen, a children’s village, 5k run, art show, carnival rides, fireworks, food and more.
Coltons Point, MD
October 7-8
Near the point where the Arc and Dove ships landed in 1634 carrying Catholic passengers avoiding persecution in England, the blessing of the boats of Southern Maryland’s watermen takes place with festivities such as exhibitions, food and craft vendors, boat rides, music, and fireworks.St. Clement’s Island Museum Blessing of the Fleet Coltons Point, MD October 7-8 Near the point where the Arc and Dove ships landed in 1634 carrying Catholic passengers avoiding persecution in England, the blessing of the boats of Southern Maryland’s watermen takes place with festivities such as exhibitions, food and craft vendors, boat rides, music, and fireworks.
Lake Superior whitefish. Beef on weck. Poutine. Cheese curds. You’ll find these regional favorites and more on the menu at seasonal shoreline spots, laidback lakeside destinations and white tablecloth waterfront restaurants throughout the Great Lakes. Here’s a sampling of our must-go places to eat like a local.
Iron Bay Restaurant & Drinkery
Look across Lakeshore Boulevard in Marquette, MI, to the bay beyond. This eatery is based in an 1872-built foundry, with its original brickwork and flooring and old-time photos that tell the story of this once booming industrial town. It is the place for fresh Lake Superior whitefish. The mild-flavored fish with its big meaty flakes is featured in appetizers like whitefish tater tots with a remoulade dipping sauce and entrees such as fried whitefish and black-pepper chips. “Our prep cooks cart fish down the block daily from Thill’s & Sons Fish House to create fan favorites like whitefish chowder and whitefish tacos,” says Andrew Hillary, executive chef and general manager. Most of the 32 beers on tap are Michigan-sourced. A covered patio offers outdoor dining with gorgeous views of one of the town’s original ore docks, the Marquette Yacht Club and Cinder Pond Marina beyond.
Where to Dock: Cinder Pond Marina
The open-air Miller-branded beer garden, part of a 1930s bathhouse building, offers spectacular views of the lake and Milwaukee skyline. A taste of Wisconsin is an appetizer of hand-breaded, deep-fried cheese curdspaired with house-made ranch dressing. Cheese curds are bite-sized pieces of curdled milk. “Our cheese curds have an amazing story,” says Luke Román, interim marketing and communications manager for the Milwaukee County Parks, which operates the restaurant with proceeds plowed back into the local community. “We utilize Clock Shadow Creamery located in historic Walkers Point. Some of the milk is also from the cows at the Milwaukee County Zoo.” Milwaukee’s German heritage shows on the menu, too. The Munich burger features a beef patty, topped with grilled bratwurst, beer-braised onions, red cabbage, muenster cheese, and Leinenkugel’s mustard sauce on a pretzel bun. Take a post-prandial stroll on the paved Oak Leaf Trail along the lake and back to the South Shore Park boat launch and South Shore Yacht Club.
Where to Dock: McKinley Marina
Seafood is the draw at this Harbor Springs, MI, dining spot whether you eat on the outdoor lakefront deck or inside, especially in the 12-seat, hull-shaped captain’s table illuminated by sailcloth light shades. “We are the only restaurant in town right on the water,” says Cristen Smith, general manager. “Whitefish and walleye are regional favorites.” Firm, flaky textured walleye is mild-tasting and ready to take on a variety of flavors. Stafford’s serves its flash-fried walleye with a tomato caper butter sauce. The chef also pairs it with a Great Lakes oak- planked serving of whitefish, with veggie sides such as duchess potatoes, julienne carrots, squash and grilled asparagus. The restaurant sits at the head of the municipal marina, where there are more than 40 slips for transient boaters available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where to Dock: Stafford’s Pier Marina
Combine a silver- and china-set table next to floor-to- ceiling windows overlooking the Straits of Mackinac with classic American cuisine, and it’s a recipe for fine Great Lakes dining. The menu at this hugely popular Mackinac Island restaurant, located at the Hotel Iroquois in Michigan, features fresh local and regional ingredients, says Suze Oostendorp. “Our whitefish is sourced from Lake Superior, our produce comes from Presque Isle farms, proteins from a Detroit family butcher, and Detroit City Rye features in our signature Old Fashion Rye.” For lunch, try the Mackinac whitefish sandwich on homemade cheese-dill bread, or the smoked whitefish cakes with mustard vinaigrette as a pre-dinner appetizer. Call the hotel for reservations in advance to tie up at its private dock to dine. carriagehousemackinac.com
Where to Dock: Mackinac Island State Harbor
The sign outside of this Port Clinton, OH-based eatery says it all: Lake Erie’s Finest Perch & Walleye. Every room in the restaurant offers a lake view, plus a large outside patio dining area is scenic, especially at sunset. “We offer a fast-casual dining experience and specialize in fresh lake fish,” says Edmond Hoty, owner. “You can get yellow perch or walleye as a sandwich over a bed of waffle fries, or as a dinner with your choice of homemade onion rings, waffle fries, or fresh breaded mushrooms, with a side of coleslaw, roll and house-made tartar sauce. We have a breading pit where we bread to order in front of you while you’re waiting in line.” The Port Clinton Yacht Club, with limited guest dockage, is 1.7 miles to the east, with the Portage River Marina a mile and a half farther east. facebook.com/jollyrogerseafoodhouse
Where to Dock: Portage River Marina
From the lakefront patio at this family-owned, Hamburg, NY, restaurant (opened in 1949), the views stretch to the Buffalo skyline, Peace Bridge and Canada beyond. Three special sandwiches are best sellers. the Hoak’s Famous Fish Sandwich (featured at Friday night fish fry), the Original Buffalo Chicken with house-made buffalo sauce and a side of blue cheese, and, as Aileen Hoak-Lange (who owns the restaurant with brother Kevin) calls it, “Beef on Weck. It’s thin sliced and au jus dipped prime rib served on a Kimmelweck roll.” Kimmelweck rolls — hard, crusty and topped with caraway seeds and coarse salt — are a New York State signature. Sandwiches come with a choice of sides, including Hoak-Lange’s great-great grandma’s potato salad. It’s still the same recipe and only a few people have been able to detect the secret ingredient, she says. Dock at the 1,100-slip Buffalo Harbor State Park marina and drive 6.3 miles south on Route 5 to Hoak’s.
Where to Dock: Buffalo Harbor State Park Marina
Black North Inn Bar & Restaurant
In business for over 150 years and known for its breathtaking backyard lake view, visitors set their GPS to Point Breeze in Kent, NY, to dine here in the summer. “The menu offers local favorites like a beer batter fish fry served with coleslaw or applesauce, and Ritz Cracker breaded deep fried lake perch with basil pesto,” says Kristin Rowell, the owner. “Our beef on Kimmelweck, French dip, and hand-pressed burgers are also specialties.” While here, walk some 30 yards north to the replica Oak Orchard River Lighthouse to find a museum and gift shop. Climb the lighthouse keeper’s ladder to the third floor for a birds-eye view of the lake. A half-mile south on the Oak Orchard River, and a quarter-mile from Lake Ontario, Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina offers 80 slips. Several charter fishing operations are based here for those who want to catch their dinner.
Where to Dock: Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina
The early April opening of this nearly 80-year-strong, family-owned lakefront landmark is an annual rite of passage. It signals warm weather and eating outside on warm picnic tables is on the way for Oswego, NY. Seafood, fried chicken and burgers are mainstay entrees. Two appetizers offer something different: New York salt potatoes and poutine. The former is bite-sized white potatoes boiled in such briny water that the spuds emerge with a white crunchy coating. “Poutine is a Canadian delicacy, made of French fries topped with cheese curds and covered in brown gravy. We’ll often add some of our house-made Texas Hot Sauce, too,” explains Douglas Appleman, general manager. When the lake is calm, Appleman says many boaters drop anchor in the bay and wade in. Wright’s Landing Marina, three miles to the southwest, provides more than 200 slips, including for transient boaters.
Where to Dock: Wright’s Landing Marina
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