Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Big Boats Abound

Does it seem like there is an unreasonable amount of news about big boats lately?

really big cruise shipCelebrity launched its largest cruise ship ever, the Celebrity Solstice, at just over 1,033 (yes, one thousand) feet long, and with a beam of 121 feet. My ideal boat would be about half as long as the Solstice is wide, but let's get back to the Solstice. A half acre field of live grass on the top deck is a big deal, but I'm surprised it hasn't been done before. Same with the solar panels - nice touch, but it seems sort of obvious. If you're into cruises, here's a review from a cruise critic who already spent some time on the Solstice.

In other my-boat-is-bigger-than-your-boat-news, The Maltese Falcon, Tom Perkin's floating ego boost, made its American debut over the weekend, sailing into San Francisco at dead-low tide so as to fit under the Golden Gate Bridge. We pointed out two years ago that the MF has three masts that are nearly 200 feet high... each! Again, a third of that size would be a very comfortable boat length for yours truly.

Here's video from the day in the bay



Lastly, one of the biggest boats in NYC returns home this week after two years of repair and updating in New Jersey. You can see the USS Intrepid on the move here.

And if that's not enough, here's a list of the 50 largest motor yachts in the world, and the Sheikhs, Sultans, Princes and tech tycoons that own them.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Not His Yacht

This past week The Edge announced to the world that Bono's new yacht - CYAN - doesn't exactly belong to Bono. Turns out the yacht actually belongs to David Howell Evans, more commonly known to the world as "The Edge".

According to the Belfast Telegraph, The Edge stated, "It's not Bono's yacht at all, it's mine. Bono doesn't know a thing about boats."

I wonder if Cyan is still available for charter, as it's listed here as available for a mere 140,000 to 175,000 Euro per week.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Boating into Fall

Summer is officially over, but are you still boating?

Here in New England, many folks are starting to think about pulling their boats out of the water for the winter, cutting their losses on what was their most expensive boating season ever. Even in warmer parts of the country where people boat year round, it's harder to get out on the water for many families with school all week and soccer and football games all weekend.

Don't despair, justification is here. Here are my top five reasons why this is one of the best times to boat:

1) Fall Foliage. The sight of changing leaves draws people from all over the world to the northeastern states, as well as to states as far (from me!) as Colorado and New Mexico. Instead of spending your time in a car, take your fall foliage tour on a boat this year for an experience you'll want to do annually.

2) Fall Fish. The folks in the forums of BassReport.com are reminding us that it's just the beginning of the fall fishing season, so don't be too hasty in pulling out your boat.

3) Get your money's worth. You may spend a few grand on your seasonal boat slip whether you pull your boat out on Labor Day or Thanksgiving. Why not stretch out your investment and enjoy your boat a few more times instead of letting it sit idle in winter storage?


4) Less Crowds. Lake and river boaters can really appreciate the extra space they will have on cool autumn days when many boaters have already packed it in. Instead of playing bumper boats, fighting for fish, and endangering your water skiers, you will "own" the lake.


5) An excuse to get away. Is it getting to cold to boat where you live? Then why not boat where you don't live? Head south, west or anywhere that caters to boating year-round and you'll have a destination-vacation you won't soon forget. Plan your trip around a Washington Huskies football game and do some boat tailgating, or visit the Florida Keys or the coast of Texas.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Your Inner Buccaneer

Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Each year, September 19th is the only day that it's okay to end your sentences with "Arrrgh!", greet people with "Ahoy, Matey", and of course, my favorite, say "AYE" instead of "Yes".

Watch the wonderful wench Julie Perry (author of Work on a Yacht) as she describes the history of International Talk Like a Pirate Day here:



For more about the origins of this holiday, visit talklikeapirate.com

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Cancel your Turkey flight

The 2008 Istanbul International Boat Show has been cancelled, according to IBI News.

The event managers site delays in construction of the show's location.

It was scheduled to run from October 22nd to the 27th at Marinturk City Port in Istanbul, Turkey.

Just a few weeks ago, we told you a major New York area boat show was also cancelled. The NY show was cancelled due to the economy.

I hope this doesn't become a trend, as I like going to boat shows.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Southampton Boat Show

If you thought the only boat shows going on this weekend were in Cannes and in Newport, you were wrong. There's also a fairly large show in the UK, the PSP Southampton Boat Show.

The show opened on Friday September 12th and runs through Sunday September 21st 2008.

Watch the wacky opening celebration on DailyBoater.com.

Warning: This video is about 2 minutes long, and you can't have them back.


Mr. Ike

Stumbled upon an intense "live" image of Mr. Ike at Accuweather courtesy of a blogger in the storm's path.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Ike to be another Isaac?

If any of the folks in the Galveston area read Isaac's Storm and heard the national weather service's "certain death" warning about Hurricane Ike, they'll be sure to heed any and all evacuation warnings.

As for boating, I suspect and hope that the entire Gulf of Mexico is empty of boaters over the next 24 hours.

Click here for the AP story from just before midnight on 9/11 2008.

Click here for an up-to-date Google News search.

National Hurricane Center

Can't make it to Cannes?

How about Newport? One of the four largest in-water boat shows in the country is going on right now, right here in New England.

The 38th Annual Newport International Boat Show, September 11-14, 2008, will feature new sailboats and powerboats, and thousands of products and services from both domestic and international exhibitors.

On the web: newportboatshow.com

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Countdown to Cannes

If you had your choice of boat shows this weekend, where would you rather be, Newport or Cannes?

The Cannes International Boat & Yacht Show is just a few hours away. If you're going to this, let me know, as I totally want to talk myself into going next year.

On the web (in French): salonnautiquecannes.com

Abandoned Boats

The Agitator, a blog by a writer who calls himself a "small-l" libertarian, has a photo-log of the most amazing shots of abandoned and run-down boats in Alaska.

If you appreciate old boats, bright colors and beautiful landscapes, then check out Alaska’s Ghost Boats

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Ike is looking for his Keys

Hurricane Ike is raging across the Carribbean as a cat 4, and Geraldo (on Fox News) just told me Ike is already forcing an evacuation of the Florida Keys.

After a quick google search, the AP clarified for me that the evacuation order is currently only in effect for non-residents of the Keys.

Either way, if you are in the keys and own a boat, it's probably an understatement to suggest you tie up an extra line or two. And maybe head to terra firma.

Tampa Boat Show THIS Weekend

In case you missed this, the 43rd annual Tampa Boat Show, the Bay Area’s largest and longest running boat show, has been going on all this weekend.

You can still catch it on the last day - Sunday, September 7th.

How to get there and all that jazz from the Orlando Sentinel here.

Here Comes Hanna

Channel 8-WTNH TV's website from New Haven has a great headline this afternoon about the tropical storm presently spinning up the east coast:

Batten down the hatches for Hanna

It's a nice little story that shows some of the prep boat owners and marinas are doing on the Connecticut shoreline, from adding a couple of extra lines on their boats to hauling the boats completely out of the water.

If reading's not you're thing, you can watch the latest news about Hanna from the AP here.

Friday, September 05, 2008

AC is happening now


I didn't realize that the Atlantic City boat show was the second largest in the US behind Ft. Lauderdale. I thought for sure that either Miami, San Diego or New York were larger.

But the Press of Atlantic City tells me otherwise, so it must be true.

In any event, the event is happening NOW through Sunday, September 7th 2008, at Farley State Marina in Atlantic City, NJ.

Who knows, maybe the Boss and Bon Jovi will show up for a little end of summer show.

For more info on the show, including hours and directions, visit acinwaterboatshow.com

If you want to look cool at the next boat show you go to, order a polo shirt with your boat name and hailing port embroidered on it from BoatNameGear.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Skipping Liberty because of the Economy

The organization who runs the Liberty Boat Show, originally scheduled for later this month (September 25 - 28, 2008) has cancelled the event.

The NMMA says they are postponing the 2008 Liberty Boat Show until October of 2009, choosing to "wait to host the event in a more suitable economic environment".

The show will still be held near NYC at Liberty State Park’s Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, NJ.

More info here:
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=42031