Norwalk Boat Show Shines

With the weakening remnants of former-hurricane Jose stirring off the east coast, and Hurricane Maria still slowly churning through the Caribbean, the skies are all clear for our home state of Connecticut's biggest in-water boat show this weekend - the Norwalk Boat Show.

Photo © Daily Boater 2017

The 2017 Progressive Insurance Norwalk Boat Show, the Northeast’s premier in-water boating event, docks at Norwalk Cove Marina this weekend through Sunday, September 24, 2017, offering water lovers an all-access pass to discover why life is better with a boat. Thousands of boating novices and lifelong enthusiasts can check out the newest introductions and best deals of the season with exclusive show specials and competitive bargains on hundreds of boats, plus thousands of the latest marine accessories.

From luxury yachts and center console sportfishers to affordable family cruisers, the Norwalk Boat Show is the ultimate destination to shop and compare 300 boats side by side in a beautiful waterfront setting. In addition to boats and accessories, attendees can enjoy the last days of summer on Long Island Sound with kayaking at Try it Cove, boating lessons with seasoned captains and fun for the whole family at the new Touch-a-Boat event for kids, plus free boat rides, live music and much more.


WHEN: Thursday, September 21 – Sunday, September 24, 2017, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm daily

WHERE: Norwalk Cove Marina, 48 Calf Pasture Beach Road, East Norwalk, CT

TICKETS: Tickets are $15 for adults; children 12 and under get in FREE when accompanied by a paid adult.

INFO: For more information, visit BoatShowNorwalk.com.

Tampa Boat Show Rescheduled

Potential impact of Hurricane Irma forces organizers to postpone event. New dates are October 13-15, 2017. 

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) put out the following statement yesterday, and it was the right thing to do. Take a look at this image from the National Hurricane Center and you'll see the Tampa area could face over 60 mph winds on Saturday, which would typically be the boat show's busiest day. As of this post, the Category 5 hurricane, which some news outlets are saying is the most powerful storm ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, is delivering 185 mph winds across the Caribbean.The Florida Keys are currently being evacuated as the storm is on track to hit the Sunshine State this weekend.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Progressive® Insurance Tampa Boat Show® Postponed Due to Hurricane Irma

Out of an abundance of caution and to protect the safety of our exhibitors, partners, and attendees, NMMA has postponed the Progressive® Insurance Tampa Boat Show to October 13 - 15 as Hurricane Irma potentially threatens the Tampa region. The show was originally scheduled for this weekend, September 8 - 10, 2017.

“While we are disappointed to postpone the event, our main concern is for the safety of the boaters, manufacturers and dealers that attend our show,” said Kevin Murphy, show manager. “This decision was made to ensure attendees and exhibitors have time to adequately prepare for Hurricane Irma.”

NEW DATES:

OCTOBER 13-15, 2017

Friday: 10:00am–8:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am–8:00pm

Sunday: 10:00am–6:00pm

Note: In-water area closes at sunset

WHERE: 

Tampa Convention Center

333 South Franklin St.

Tampa, FL 33602

Pre-purchased tickets will be honored during the new dates. 

Please visit TampaBoatShow.com with questions.

Members, colleagues and stakeholders in the path of Hurricane Irma, please stay safe. You and your families are in our thoughts.

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Free Boating App Has Hurricane Heads Up

BoatUS released a timely new feature on its app to provide hurricane alerts in addition to many other useful tools for boaters. Details are provided in the following press release from BoatUS...

In addition to helping any recreational boater call for a tow or soft ungrounding; get tide, weather, and marine conditions; or share your location with friends and family, the New BoatUS App now offers a hurricane-alert feature just in time for peak storm season. To download the free updated app, go to BoatUS.com/app.

“Download the new app, sign up for a free account and you’ll automatically be notified with detailed storm information each time NOAA begins tracking one headed your way,” said BoatUS Digital Innovation Manager Mike Vatalaro. “As the storm nears, you’ll get more frequent updates, or you can choose to silence them. It all depends on your needs for implementing your boat’s hurricane plan.”

In addition to water dispatch, the app is the fastest way to summon roadside assistance for a flat tire or other troubles while you’re trailering your boat. BoatUS has more than 13,000 roadside-assistance service providers ready to safely handle boat-trailer breakdowns.

The app also helps BoatUS members find discounts on fuel, transient slips, and marine services, but now makes it easier to file an insurance claim, update policy or membership information, or pay bills.

As the Boat Owners Auto Club, BoatUS offers TowBoatUS on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for freshwater boaters and anglers for just $72 a year and $149 for saltwater, and both include BoatUS membership. The TowBoatUS towing fleet offers more than 300 locations and 600 towing assistance vessels across North America. BoatUS Unlimited Trailer Assist provides up to 100 miles of on-road towing for both tow vehicles and boat trailers for just $38 annually and includes BoatUS membership.

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Attention Boaters - Houston Still Needs You

From the Houston Police, this message is still pinned at the top of their Twitter feed:
Anyone with a boat who can volunteer to help please call 713-881-3100 #HurricaneHarvey

From the U.S. Coast Guard, this message includes ways you can call for help if you need rescuing and can't get through on 911:

Rolex Fastnet Race Off To A Perfect Start

We received the following presser from Cowes after the kick-off of the Rolex Fastnet Race...It's an exciting, historic, competitive international race, but basically we really liked the pictures (courtesy of Rolex.com).
 
Following months of meticulous preparation for crews and organizers alike, a record-breaking edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race is underway and in some style. The largest fleet in the race’s 92-year history, comprising 368 yachts from 29 countries, were treated to kind conditions, blue skies and a consistent, building westerly breeze as they were divided across seven start sequences in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron’s clubhouse in Cowes.

The 2017 Rolex Fastnet Race fleet is truly diverse, a quality clearly evident to all of those watching on the shore in Cowes or the thousands following the live start of the race on the internet. First away were the nine multihulls with the MOD70 Concise 10 immediately asserting her status as favourite to arrive first in Plymouth. Speaking before the race skipper Ned Collier Wakefield was comfortable with this prediction, less so of setting a new race record. “The forecast has got a little slower. It’s not looking like record breaking conditions. We are expecting a 48-hour race.” The current multihull line honours record stands at 32 hours, 48 minutes.

Following the departure of the multihulls, the subsequent starts provided a showcase for a range of boats from cutting-edge to historic, professionally-sailed to family-crewed, the IMOCA 60s, Class 40s, through to the bulk of the fleet embodied by yachts in the 30-50-ft range including a large number sailing double-handed.

The final start was reserved for the largest and fastest monohulls. In this class, the range of designs and size of yachts is remarkable. At 115-ft Nikata, a high-performance cruising yacht, has become the largest monohull to ever compete in the race. Her nearest rival in size, Ludde Ingvall’s 100-ft CQS, was built with the more single-minded objective of racing fast. “CQS consists of a lot of different and radical ideas at the same time,” explains Ingvall. “It’s a very interesting boat and we are still learning a lot.” Ingvall was the last skipper to claim line honours and overall victory in the same year. That 1995 success is one he self-deprecatingly puts down to ‘getting lucky with the weather’. George David’s Rambler 88 is an offshore racing yacht par excellence and has the added experience of finishing the last edition of the race. The final starting group also comprised the seven competing Volvo 65s.

The general consensus among weather forecasters points to a ‘big boat race’, with good breeze on the upwind leg to the Fastnet rock before a cold front sets in heralding lighter conditions which may thwart the ambitions of the chasing fleet in their quest to claim the Fastnet Challenge Trophy and Rolex timepiece awarded to the overall race winner on IRC handicap.

Shortly after the race start the fleet converged in the Solent to offer one of sailing’s most iconic vistas. Safely negotiating the first congested few nautical miles of the course is a challenge in itself. The 605-nm race is a constant and genuine test of seamanship, resources, tactics and navigation. “The course is fantastic,” explains Pascal Loison, race winner in 2013 on Night and Day. “There are several headlands, and at each headland you have a new challenge. This is unique to the Fastnet course. Other offshore races are more direct, less complicated.”

The Rolex Fastnet Race, organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), is considered the world’s largest and most diverse offshore race. It is one of three 600-nm offshore races partnered by Rolex. The others are October’s increasingly popular 608-nm Rolex Middle Sea Race and the legendary 628-nm Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race held annually at the end of the year.

To follow the Rolex Fastnet Race please visit www.rolexfastnetrace.com

RBFF: 1.5 Million More People Fishing

Fishing Participation up 1.5 Million According to 2017 Special Report on Fishing. Report also reveals participation trends and motivating factor.

Photo Courtesy of Take Me Fishing

We received this brand new data from the he Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today and thought it was exciting enough to share. Earlier today, the RBFF announced the release of its 2017 Special Report on Fishing. Most significantly, the report shows fishing participation has increased by 1.5 million over the previous year. Additionally, several exciting trends and participation increases among key segments are highlighted in the report.  

KEY FINDINGS -

• Fishing is still the number two adult outdoor activity, but it's gaining ground on jogging
• 2.5 million participants tried fishing for the very first time
• New participants accounted for 5.3% of the total participant base and tended to be young and female
• 3.8 million Hispanics participated in fishing (an 11% increase)
• Hispanic anglers go on 6 more outings per year than their general market peers
• Youth participation increased 3% to 11 million total participants
• Americans took 855 billion total fishing trips, equating to 18.8 trips per participant 

"These findings energize us and provide some validation for the work we are doing on a daily basis," said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. "Our efforts to recruit new audiences and bring families to the water are certainly paying off. 60 in 60 is off to a great start, and effective R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation) programs will only grow the participant base and secure funding for conservation programs for years to come."  

The Special Report on Fishing is the product of a partnership between RBFF and the Outdoor Foundation and looks into participation trends, barriers to entry, motivating factors and preferences of key groups of anglers. 

"Research shows that fishing is an essential piece of America's outdoor tradition, and it often leads children to pursue outdoor activities and healthy living into adulthood," said Ivan Levin, deputy director of the Outdoor Foundation. "This report aims to help the fishing industry, and the entire outdoor industry, understand fishing participation in order to engage even more people in recreational fishing and create the next generation of lifelong anglers and outdoor enthusiasts."  
                

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic resources. RBFF's recently announced 60-in-60 effort strives to attract 60 million anglers to the sport by the end of 2021. To help recruit, retain and reactivate participants, RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns creating awareness about boating, fishing and conservation, and educating people about the benefits of participation. These campaigns help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org, and VamosAPescar.org, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.   About The Outdoor Foundation The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Through groundbreaking research, action-oriented outreach and education programs, the Foundation works with partners to mobilize a major cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. In 2010, the Foundation launched Outdoor Nation, a pioneering initiative that aims to empower young leaders to champion the outdoors on campuses and in communities across the United States. For more information visit: OutdoorFoundation.org and OutdoorNation.org.   ###

Orca Whale Attacks Alaskan Boat

NPS photo / Jim Pfeiffenberger

According to several news reports, a man from Sitka, Alaska, claims his 33' aluminum boat was attacked by an orca last weekend.

Full story available from The Seattle Times, as well as a local CBS affiliate which is sharing the man's teenage son's video footage from the event  ("... dang")



 




Video courtesy KTUU

Nautical Gifts for Yacht Mamas

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Women with a Nautical Spirit

With Mother's Day approaching quickly, we thought we'd share some great nautical gift ideas from our friends at Boat Name Gear - the leading source for personalized boating gifts and gear. 

We found several great gifts for under $40, and highlighted a few of them below. Read on to check them out, or jump straight to their Mother's Day Boutique . With hundreds of items available, most including personalization, you are sure to find the perfect boat name gift for the yacht mama in your family. 

Looking Forward to CT's First Boat Show of the Spring

We're excited to share a little local flavor with you here at the Daily Boater. The first spring boat show in our area is coming up in two weeks - the Connecticut Spring Boat Show. And we can't wait to get back to the island where it's held each year (actually, this is only the 2nd annual, so we're maybe we're being optimistic!)

There's nothing like an outdoor show to kick off the boating season. This one is especially unique - it's a boutique show, featuring a mix of new and brokerage boats of virtually all sizes and styles. Unlike a lot of boat shows in the area not located in Newport, this event actually includes sailboats among its exhibits. And did we mention this show is located on an island?

Below is the full press release about the show courtesy of WindCheck Magazine. We really hope you get the chance to experience this show.

A scene from last year’s CT Spring Boat Show. Photo © DailyBoater.com

Location 

• Brewer Essex Island Marina in Essex, CT

Dates and Times

• Friday, May 5:  1 pm to 7 pm
• Saturday, May 6:  10 am to 5 pm
• Sunday May 7:  10 am to 5 pm

Regional Boat Dealers Gear Up for the 2nd Annual In-Water Connecticut Spring Boat Show in Essex, CT May 5-7, 2017

The Connecticut Spring Boat Show has announced the 2^nd Annual 2017 in-water show dates of May 5-7, 2017 at Brewer Essex Island Marina located in Essex, CT.    The Boating Industry has come together to unveil some of the latest innovations in boating, offer purchase incentives and give consumers an ideal opportunity to compare different boats, dealers and options in one convenient location. Interested boat buyers will enjoy select opportunities for sea trials throughout the weekend; thus giving prospective buyers a unique ‘try-before-you-buy’ experience.  We expect more than 3000 people to attend the free show, rain or shine.

Visitors attending the boat show will enjoy seeing a wide range of new and brokerage, power and sail models of all sizes, 10ft to larger than 60ft including family cruisers, performance boats, downeast trawlers, day sailers, picnic, center consoles, runabouts, pontoon and inflatables.  Boat lines from American Tug, Beneteau, Bennington, Catalina, Chris Craft, Comitti, Cutwater, Defever, Dufour, Eastbay, Elan, Ferretti, Fortier, Grand Banks, Hinckley, Hunt, Legacy, Nordic Tug,  Novatec, Ocean Alexander, Post, Rossiter, Sabre, San Juan, Sea Ray, Southport, Tiara, True North, Velasco,  Windy, X-Yachts, and more will be represented.

In addition to boats on the docks, the show will have SUPs and kayaks, gear, accessories and service companies on site from Action Sports, Boaters Buddy, Boatique USA, Boat Name Gear, Brewer Essex Island Marina, CermaLube, Coolermate Insert, Freedom Boat Club, LeafFilter, NMI-Permateek, Pantaenuis America, Connecticut River Museum, Sails UP for Cancer, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, WindCheck Magazine and more to be announced soon.

Brewer Essex Island Marina is located on a 13-acre private Island, accompanied by a complementary ferry service, and offers 125 slips accommodating vessels up to 200’. The resort marina is family friendly and the popular Marley’s Café will be open for the weekend offering food and beverages with a portion of sales proceeds to be donated to Sails Up 4 Cancer.  In addition to the general event, a lively ‘Cinco de Mayo’ celebration is planned for May 5^th from 5-7pm and will feature live Caribbean music and fare.

Historical Downtown Essex is located on the Connecticut River, a few short miles from Long Island Sound.  The small waterfront town is a boating, sailing and tourist destination featuring quaint shops, markets, and restaurants.   Bring your family and friends out to enjoy this boat show.

The show is a production of WindCheck Magazine and is sponsored by Brewer Essex Island Marina, Essex Boat Works, Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA) and YachtWorld.

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Visit www.ctspringboatshow.com for specific event details.

Retire Like A Parrothead

The man who has provided a soundtrack to our nautical lifestyle for much of our entire lives is now opening a housing resort for adults of a certain age. That's right, Jimmy Buffett is opening a retirement community.

Here's the official Margaritaville press release with all the details they have so far...

Margaritaville Holdings and Minto Communities announced a partnership that will develop new active adult communities in some of the nation’s most popular destinations. The first location of the all-new residential concept will open in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Sales Center at LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE, Daytona Beach has already broken ground and is slated to open in Fall 2017.

Photo courtesy of margaritaville.com

“We are excited to partner with Minto and believe this relationship will redefine lifestyle destination living in Daytona Beach,” said John Cohlan, chief executive officer of Margaritaville. “With Minto’s expertise in creating master planned developments and Margaritaville’s inherent ability to deliver fun and escapism, Latitude Margaritaville has the exact coordinates for those looking to live the Margaritaville lifestyle as they grow older, but not up.”

Featuring world-class amenities and design, LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE, Daytona Beach will reflect Margaritaville’s authentic, “no worries,” tropical vibe, offering an immersive brand experience. Current plans call for walkable neighborhoods and a Town Center featuring a fitness center with an aerobics studio, indoor lap pool, spa, and group fitness classes; indoor and outdoor dining with signature Margaritaville food and beverage concepts, as well as others; arts and learning programs for residents and guests; and a resort pool area with beach entry. In true Margaritaville fashion, music will also play an important part in the community, with a band shell for live entertainment in the Town Center. A private beachfront club with breathtaking views and beachfront amenities will be set on the Atlantic Ocean, which residents can access via a continuous loop shuttle service.

“For over 60 years Minto has focused on providing incredible lifestyle in the communities we create,” said Bill Bullock, senior vice president of Minto Communities. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Margaritaville to put the exclamation point on fun living for active adults!”

With an ideal location in Daytona Beach at LPGA Blvd. and I-95, the destination offers access to the area’s world-famous beaches; championship golf at LPGA International; Daytona International Speedway; Daytona Beach International Airport; the new Daytona One entertainment, dining and shopping destination; and much more.

Additional details on plans are expected later this year. For more information please visit www.LatitudeMargaritaville.com.

Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year

Last week at a luncheon that took place at the New York Yacht Club in Manhattan, Caleb Paine and Daniela Moroz were presented the US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards, respectively, for 2016.

For the second consecutive year both Paine (26, San Diego), an Olympic medalist, and Moroz (16, Lafayette, Calif.), a prodigy in an up and coming sport, were first-time winners of the coveted awards that have been presented since 1961. The winners were selected by a blue ribbon panel of sailing journalists and media and each was presented a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master timepiece and a framed print of them from US Sailing.

Moroz went one step better by becoming the youngest to ever win the male or female award. Moroz was 15 years old last year—she turned 16 last month—when she burst onto the kitesurfing scene and ascended to the top step of the winner’s podium.

The awards celebrate the accomplishments of the winners from the previous calendar year. Moroz and Paine were among 18 nominees for both awards who reflect the variety sailing offers as a sport for the ages.

Source: The United States Sailing Association