Southern Boating covers marina openings, boat shows, mergers and other events in the marine industry, and more. Southern Boating attends renowned shows and events and shares the experiences with you. Informative articles will keep you updated on everything from yacht auctions to fishing tournaments and industry charity events.
Thirty years of Swimsuit means we’ve seen some varying looks and style over the years. Since this is our 30th Anniversary, we wanted to show you how looks have (and haven’t) changed since 1987.
Coming soon to a mailbox near you: the 30th Annual Swimsuit Edition!
All photos were taken on-site at the Playa Largo Resort and Spa in Key Largo, Florida. You can visit their website and book a fabulous vacation to live like a model for a few days.
While you wait for the 30th Annual Swimsuit Issue, enjoy these EXCLUSIVE behind the scenes photos (and some silly outtakes as well!). All photos shot by Jim Raycroft. Boats provided by South Florida Performance Boats.
It ain’t easy being Clayton…
Bonnie, Shirley, and Anna show Clayton some love after a brief fishing tutorial. Bonnie wears Sinesia Karol, Shirley wears Montce, and Anna wears MANTA. Boat sponsor: Nor-Tech.
Gotta Stay Warm
Sometimes you just have to wear a cozy robe on a boat. Hey, it’s a tough job– but someone’s gotta do it!
Another Tough Job
Our talented photographer, Jim Raycroft, gets up close with his subjects. Lucky!
Our lovely models pose on the back of a Nor-Tech (South Florida Performance Boats). For those of you inclined to tell us this is unsafe– the boat was off and drifting!
S’more please!
You can buy a Smores Making Kit at the Playa Largo Trading Company. What could be better than that? Shirley wears Robin Piccone, Brooke wears Playa Largo Trading Co., Bonnie wears jewels by Michas Creations, Anna wears Sinesia Karol.
Shirley takes a sip from passion fruit. She is wearing a swimsuit by Sinesia Karol and jewelry by Lexi jewelry.
Here Fishy, fishy!
The girls put their angling skills to the test, with a bit of assistance from our trusty boat crew, aboard a Nor-Tech. Shirley wears Liz May and Abaco Sunglasses.
The crew moves boats to get the perfect shot. Boats provided by Nor-Tech.
Uh-oh!
Brooke blows out her *burned* marshmallow. The resort has smores making kits for purchase at the Playa Largo Trading Company, located just off the lobby. Suit by SwimSystems and Lexi Jewelry.
Just lounging around…
Lounging on unique round sun pads by the pool. Suit by MANTA. Choker by Lexi Jewelry, earrings by Sugar.
Too hot? Cool down in the pool
Taking a dip in the beautiful pool in the center of the resort. Suit by Sinesia Karol, earrings by Sugar.
Paddleboarding, sort of.
Anna takes a break from paddling (toys available for rent at the resort’s beach). Suit by Sinesia Karol, sunglasses by Abaco, choker by Lexi.
Don’t worry if you couldn’t make it to the Miami Boat Shows. We were there for all five days and documented all the highlights for you.
The Miami International Boat Show and Yachts Miami Beach shows took place all weekend throughout the city at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, where over 1,300 boats were showcased both on land and in the harbor’s 550+ slips, and Yachts Miami Beach debuted along Collins Avenue and Island Gardens Deep Harbour.
The 2017 Stuart Boat show was a great success for vendors, brokers and attendees alike. Sunny skies and balmy temperatures throughout the weekend, Stuart, FL was buzzing with visitors and locals.
View our collection of photos from the Stuart Boat Show by clicking the arrows left and right.
Bright Buoys Abound
These colorful baubles lit up the show with a burst of color.
Play Dress-Up with your Address
There were plenty of vendors selling marine-inspired decor for boats and homes!
Sea-Worthy Schooling
Visitors of the show were treated to a bevy of seminars to help training mariners on the skills they’ll need to be successful. Above, Captain Chris and Alyse Cadwell.
UV Protection
Who ever said sun protection wasn’t stylish?
Blue Skies Ahead!
Britt Point Marina becomes a welcome walk-about for Allied Marine.
Teak on Deck
This sportfish, offered by Allied, is a teak-lover’s dream.
When you think of the term “marine industry,” the first thing that comes to mind likely isn’t a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Summer Camp or a Black-Tie Gala.
But maybe it should be.
Next week, the Marine Industry Cares Foundation (MICF), a Florida non-profit, is hosting the 2nd Annual Chairman’s Gala—a black-tie event. The funds raised will help engage local students in STEAM-focused learning experiences.
Specifically, these STEAM experiences take shape in the form of The Marine Industry Immersion Summer Camp.
The MICF Marine Immersion Summer Camp started in 2015 as a two-week program that introduces high school students to the marine industry through field trips to local businesses, camp visits by industry professionals and hands-on STEAM projects. In 2016, the camp expanded to two schools with the goal of continued growth to more local South Florida schools.
These STEAM camps allow students to engage with marine industry professionals, create projects and provides an introduction to marine business, boatyards and training schools.
“We see youth getting excited about new opportunities, a better future and careers in the marine industry and have found that the hands-on engagement through our Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math programs – the Marine Industry Immersion Summer Camp and Creative Arts Contest – to be the most effective way to spark their curiosity and enthusiasm,” says MICF Executive Director Gordon Connell.
The future of the marine industry rests on its ability to promote innovation and growth. MICF teaches the upcoming generation that a STEAM education is essential in creating the new commerce opportunities and jobs that will be the heart of the marine industry.
The black-tie gala, themed “Masquerade Casino Night,” is a unique opportunity for both the marine industry and local community to unite in support the Marine Industry Immersion Summer Camp and the MICF Youth Creative Arts Contest.
Happy 2017! The start of a new year can mean many new changes. With the onset of the New Year, you may be tempted to plunge into boating to satisfy your resolutions. Maybe you want to spend more quality time with family on the water. Maybe you’ll start paddleboarding or kayaking to stay in shape. Or maybe 2017 is the year to achieve ultimate happiness by purchasing your dream boat.
If 2017 is the year you do take the plunge into buying your dream boat here are some questions you need to consider.
Type
What does your perfect day on the water look like? It may be heading off shore for some fishing. Maybe you dream of completing the Great Loop. Perhaps you’re keen on exploring the Caribbean. Maybe it’s enough to sit in the sun with some good friends on the ICW. Different strokes, different folks, different types of boats.
Size
Did you know that according to the NMMA, 95% of U.S. boats on the water are 26 feet or less? Think about space, size, and specifications. What are your needs and budget? How many staterooms, if any? Heads? Galley or will an on-deck grill suffice? How much space will you need for supplies like fuel or food?
Make and Model
This is the fun part! There are so many different makes and models on the market depending on your needs. Southern Boating has reviews of boats of all sizes. From inflatables to motor yachts, you can browse a wide variety of makes, models, and brands on our site.
New or used?
The best part about buying a new boat is that it can be customized to your exact specifications—truly a dream boat. Also, most new boats come with a warranty…just in case anything should happen.
But just like cars, buying a used boat can knock a big chunk of change of the original price. Boats depreciate the most during their first season of use, so buying used can greatly ease the strain on your wallet.
The Bottom Line
Buying your dream boat in 2017 can easily become a reality. Will you be making the plunge this year? If so, our team of experts will be here to help!
A round-up of our most popular web stories in 2016.
From gadgets and gear to destinations and DIY, SB&Y covered a myriad topics in 2016. It was a historic year for the marine industry: think Cuba, changing marine regulations, new boats, burgeoning technologies, record-setting boat shows and so much more.
Boats were king for Southern Boating this year. But destinations and a handy guide to rescuing a submerged outboard weren’t far from the top. Readers flocked to our stories on Bimini as well as our storied round-ups. Take a look back at the year’s most popular stories and remember why they made you read on the first time.
Happy New Year, from us to you! May the year be filled with warm days on the water, cold drinks, and that Southern Way of Life.
(Use the arrows left and right to see the Top Ten Stories of 2016)
Bimini Weekend
This takes it back (throwback!) to an article published in the 2014 magazine. No matter how much time passes, Bimini never loses the allure of it’s blue waters, warm winds and unparalleled possibilities for exploration. One destination, two islands: no wonder the magic never wears off for our readers. southernboating.com/bimini/
Grand Banks’ GB60
A short, sweet and simple review of this Grand Banks’ was immensely popular. This 65-foot cruiser has a wide beam and shallow draft– perfect for any cruising adventure! southernboating.com/grand-banks-gb60/
Downeast Buyers Guide
The first of two round-ups to make it into the top ten. Our Downeast Buyers Guide featured 16 stunning “downeast” style boats. These classic beauties are definitely a must-see. southernboating.com/downeast-buyers-guide/
Bimini: where folklore meets luxury
Bimini part II. A mere 50 miles from Florida’s coast, this Bahamian Island is a unique blend of natural beauty, strange mystical tales, and new luxurious resorts. The lure and lore of Bimini clearly never disappoints! southernboating.com/hilton-at-resorts-world-bimini/
Small Generators
Small but mighty! This was our most popular technical article in 2016. A true testament to the power of generators and a handy guide that was revisited (and revisited and revisited). southernboating.com/small-generators/
Find Your Center (Console)
Round-up number two. Arguably the most popular boat model on the market right now, the center console style is taking boating by storm. Varying sizes, shapes and style make center consoles versatile and customizable. We’ve made it easy to find your center console with 28 different models. Find your center. southernboating.com/find-your-center/
Marlow Mainship 37
The Marlow Mainship 37 is a speedy and seaworthy trawler. Innovation, classic lines, and a dash of David Marlow-esque influence make this trawler a can’t miss. A hit with readers then and now. southernboating.com/marlow-mainship-37/
Dunked Outboard Rescue
Once in every boat owner’s life, it’s likely to happen. You dunk the outboards. But don’t fret– it can be saved. Readers flocked like seagulls to this DIY story about fixing a common mistake. southernboating.com/dunked-outboard-rescue/
Swimsuit 2016
No surprises here. Consistently a cruiser favorite, our annual Swimsuit issue was a hit online too. southernboating.com/swimsuit2016/
Hatteras 45 EX
Taking the top spot for 2016: The Hatteras 45 EX! The readers have spoken– Hatteras has created a fun, easy to operate, great handling boat. Cruise with the family, drop a fishing line with the guys or gals, or just lie at anchor with your favorite book/movie/sunset view, etc, etc. This boat delivers. southernboating.com/hatteras-45-ex/
Coming soon: the St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show. The show runs November 29th through December 2nd at two locations: Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg, Florida. A varied selection of power boats and sailboats will be on display in water and on land.
St. Petersburg, home of the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) and The Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL), has a rich history of maintaining an equal balance of nature, culture, sport, and leisure.
In 1875, Detroit native General John Williams bought 2,500 acres of land in Tampa Bay. His vision was a grand city with graceful parks and broad streets, both of which remain in modern St. Pete. The 1920s brought an influx of tourists by auto, railroad, and yacht—making St. Petersburg a resort haven through the 1930s and 1940s. The 1950s brought retirees and snowbirds. In the mid-1970s St. Petersburg admirably built the world’s largest reclamation system and remains committed to water reclamation today.
Since the early 2000s, St. Petersburg has emerged as a top destination for the arts–the new Dali Museum opened in 2011, as well as six art districts. Numerous bars, restaurants, cafes, and breweries have popped up in the city as well. Cage Brewery is one of the best local breweries in town (known for their Mango IPA).
St. Pete is one of those rare places that has both outstanding, and slightly quirky, attractions.
Get historical with a visit to pre-Columbian Indian shell mounds, called middens, which you’ll find throughout the area. Ten thousand years of local history are on display at the Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History. A moving afternoon awaits at the Florida Holocaust Museum.
And now, the unusual: Strap on a jetpack and try your hand at JetLevin the Gulf of Mexico, exclusively at TradeWinds Island Resort. How about zip lining 60-feet above a natural preserve, spotting wildlife along the way at Empower Adventures Tampa Bay? Party like a pirate on a pirate cruise out of Clearwater or John’s Pass. And at Pier 60 in Clearwater, come to say hello to our quirky street performers at sunset every single evening.
St. Petersburg is surrounded by 244 miles of shoreline, making it prime for boat shows—which is where we’ll be this weekend! If you happen to be attending the show, be sure to stop grab a copy of Southern Boating. We’ll be on the racks!
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is always an incredible time. You’ll find everything there–superyachts to tenders; electronics to décor; fuel injectors to galley supplies; FLIBS is a completely different experience than any other show.
Photos cannot always do the event justice. But we’ll do our best to try. Here’s the Best of FLIBS. Enjoy!
First Stop: Formula One
The stern of this boat boasts ample space on the swim platform for water activities.
Crisscross, oh my gosh
This Sportfish trio stays tight to the dock with crisscrossed lines.
Megayachts, Mega Swim Platforms
Here’s a neat trick: push a button, get an enormous swim platform.
I spy with my little eye…
This section of boats explains why Fort Lauderdale is the Yachting Capital of the World.
Tender Storage
It’s just my boat’s boat.
Boat Shows: not just for boats
Lions, Jaguars, Lamborghinis, oh my!
More is More
If the yachts weren’t enough for you.
Another day, another $256,445.
This Bentley Bentayga is a pricey beauty.
SB&Y interviews Pershing
Southern Boating’s writer Doug Thompson conducts an interview.
It’s a Luau Party
Some boats really get into the festivities!
Big and Beautiful
Stunning from all angles.
Members of the media enjoy the show
Members of the media walk the docks and see the sites.
Home gyms, I mean… yacht gyms
I guess there’s no excuse for not working out on board.
It’s On My Radar
You’re coming in loud and clear.
Exhibitors Walk the Show
Exhibitors get a much needed break with some frozen lemonade.
An Engineering Marvel
Miles of additional floating docks make this many boats possible.
The Super-est of Superyachts
At 273 feet, the M/Y Savannah was the largest at the show.
More is More
This center console boasts FIVE, yes FIVE, outboards.
Coming in for a Landing
Panorama
Boats, beaches, city, and sky: The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Keep your family learning all summer long and explore maritime museums across the country and around the world.
Maritime museums bring centuries of boating to life. Whether you’re interested in a bit of culture while exploring the ICW aboard your own vessel or flying cross-country with the kids and want to develop their nautical interests, a maritime museum visit is sure to educate and entertain. (It may even spark some lively debates that could reduce the amount of time the kids spend on social media!)
Here are a half-dozen museums our editors love. Share your favorites with us on Facebook or email the editor at sbletters@southernboating.com.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum St. Michaels is a charming historic town 26 nautical miles from Annapolis. Here, the spectacular 18-acre Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum stretches across multiple buildings with outdoor models of typical Chesapeake boats scattered about the grounds, including the bugeye Edna Lockwood, the skipjack Rosa Parks and the buyboat Mr. Jim.
The museum is composed of exhibits dedicated to the maritime heritage of the area—waterfowl hunting, boatbuilding and seafood processing. Enjoy a lighthouse tour or learn about oyster tonging—digging oysters off the bottom with long-handled tongs—which couldn’t have been an easy job.
The Hooper Strait lighthouse is a typical Chesapeake screwpile lighthouse that was decommissioned after 75 years of service in Tangier Sound and transferred to its present location in 1966. These region-specific, cottage-style buildings formerly housed lighthouse keepers and were anchored to the muddy bottom of the bay on pilings that were screwed in, thus the name “screwpile lighthouse”. cbmm.org
Calvert Marine Museum The Calvert Marine Museum on Solomons Island is a southern Chesapeake gem. Its mini estuary and extensive permanent exhibits include a Fresnel lens and another screwpile lighthouse, this time characteristic to Drum Point. The main facility houses nearly 30,000 square feet of exhibits containing many types of bay boats, fishing equipment and old-time outboard engines that make you ponder the humble beginnings of your own tender’s motor. A 6,000-square-foot outbuilding houses a small craft collection, putting the various styles of bay boats in perspective and could qualify as a museum in its own right.
A half-mile south of the main museum is the Lore Oyster House. Built in 1934, this restored seafood packinghouse displays exhibits having to do with shucking, storing and shipping oysters, which was a mainstay industry of the area for a period of time.
Neat and tidy, this facility can be completely explored in one afternoon, keeping short attention spans happy. calvertmarinemuseum.com
The Hooper Strait lighthouse, a typical Chesapeake screwpile lighthouse, served on Tangier Sound for 75 years before being decommissioned and moved to it’s present location at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Photo: Zuzana Prochazka
Norfolk has enjoyed its 80,000 square foot National Maritime Center, better known as the Nauticus Museum, for the past 22 years. Photo: Zuzana Prochazka
The Vancouver Maritime Museum in British Columbia has preserved maritime history of the Pacific Northwest since 1959. Photo: Zuzana Prochazka
Duluth, Minnesota’s Canal Park offers a great view of Lake Superior and the aerial lift bridge, as well as dining options such as Grandma’s Saloon, a visitor favorite. Photo: Diane Hilden
Guests can tour numerous ships at the Maritime Museum of San Diego from the steam-powered ferry Berkeley, to the HMS Surprise, a 1970 replica of the 18th century frigate Rose that was also featured in the Academy Award-winning film Master and Commander. Photo: Zuzana Prochazka
Nauticus This maritime-themed science center and museum in Norfolk, Virginia, often goes by the name National Maritime Center. The 80,000-square-foot, multi-story facility is located in the commercial and military maritime heart of Norfolk. Opened to the public in 1994, the property features interactive theaters, a weather station and even touch tanks.
Docked next door to Nauticus is an exhibit you simply cannot miss. The USS Wisconsin (BB-64) is an Iowa-class battleship and sister to the USS Iowa (BB-61) on display in Long Beach, California. She launched in 1943, two years to the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and opened for public tours at this center in 2001. The imposing ship even dwarfs the formidable building to which she belongs. nauticus.org
Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center If the northern leg of your Great Loop summer excursion includes Lake Superior—the greatest in size and depth of all the Great Lakes—take advantage of the free admission at this museum located near the aerial lift bridge at the historic Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota. Learn about Lake Superior’s rich maritime heritage as well as the heritage of the lower Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway System. Exhibits include the historic Fresnel lens, which was originally installed in 1901 and replaced in 1995.
Schedule your visit to coincide with the arrival or departure of big ships by visiting the museum website at duluthboats.com. And when the time comes to cast off the lines to leave Duluth for the next stop, keep an eye on the port by visiting lsmma.com to watch the live webcam of ship traffic.
Maritime Museum San Diego Whether you’re interested in the age of sail or the age of steam, chances are there’s a vessel on display at the Maritime Museum of San Diego that will enchant your imagination. The crown jewel of the fleet is the Star of India, a bark launched in 1863 just five days before Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. She’s sailed around the world 21 times, has no auxiliary power and still sails a few times a year with a volunteer crew. Also on display is the steam ferry Berkeley (first propeller-driven ferry on the West Coast) and the steam yacht Medea (served in two World Wars under three navies and six national flags). The museum is even home to the USS Dolphin, a submarine renowned for her deep diving capabilities.
Some of the ships and boats at this museum tour the harbor, so in addition to perusing the permanent exhibits on everything from fishing to charting the oceans, there’s a chance to get out on the water. sdmaritime.org
Vancouver Maritime Museum If your summertime cruising itinerary includes the northern U.S. Pacific coastline, consider crossing the border to Canada and visit the Vancouver Maritime Museum. This location has worked tirelessly since 1959 to preserve maritime history of the Pacific Northwest and the Arctic. Located in Vanier Park just west of False Creek on the Vancouver waterfront, the facility rests in a beautiful location and is actively seeking to expand.
Executive Director Captain Ken Burton, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) retiree, heads up the growth and jests that the light bulb replacement budget of the maritime museum in Sydney, Australia, comprises his entire budget in Vancouver. Burton has close ties to the museum’s main exhibit, the wooden St. Roch, an Arctic exploration vessel that charted the Northwest Passage just after the start of WWII. In 2000, Captain Burton commanded the RCMP Patrol Vessel Nadon during the Vancouver Maritime Museum’s re-creation of the original St. Roch voyage, a 24,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation that took 169 days.
Visitors may board the St. Roch (now housed indoors) to get a taste of what life was like aboard the ship, where sled dogs shared the deck with the working crew and even an Inuit family. Kids can also enjoy the St. Roch simulator, which allows them to navigate the St. Roch among icebergs and polar bears. vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
Celebrate the National Park Service Centennial in a boat-friendly park.
National parks are woven into the history of the United States, and it’s hard to imagine the national landscape without them. One of the national parks’ most enthusiastic early supporters was President Theodore Roosevelt, whose experiences in the Dakota Territory shaped his conservation policy and appreciation for protecting the country’s greatest natural treasures. While in office, Roosevelt approved the creation of 5 new parks as well as over 100 million acres of national forest allowing future generations the opportunity to enjoy these pieces of national heritage. As the number of parks gradually increased, government officials saw the need for a federal management program that could provide the parks with much needed protection and funding. With the signing of the Organic Act in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established the National Park Service with the goal of preserving and maintaining designated national parks. The birth of the National Park Service marked a turning point in American ecological conservation, and the National Park Service now oversees the preservation of more than 400 individual parks and preserves.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona and Nevada
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
The National Park Service commemorates its centennial on August 25, 2016—Happy 100th birthday, National Park Service! While the park landscapes range from dynamic glaciers and rugged mountains in Glacier Bay National Park to the desert canyons and prairies of Glen Canyon in Arizona, many parks are easily accessible by boat. Hitch up the trailer and celebrate at one of these boat-friendly national parks in regions across the country. nps.gov
East:
• Fire Island National Seashore, New York
• Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee
• Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Georgia
• Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
• Biscayne Bay National Park, Florida
• Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Central:
• Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Minnesota
• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
• Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri
• Amistad National Recreation Area, Texas
• Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Texas
West:
• Curecanti National Recreation Area, Colorado
• Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona and Nevada
• Channel Islands National Park, California
• Olympic National Park, Washington
• Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska
—By Susanna Botkin, Southern Boating Magazine August 2016
The 2016-17 boat show season kicks off September 15-17 along America’s Cup Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island, at the 46th Annual Newport International Boat Show (NIBS). This year’s education series has been greatly expanded from previous years with courses, seminars and demonstrations that offer showgoers multiple learning options in addition to new boat debuts ranging from 15 to 85 feet and thousands of boating products and marine gear. “Every year we aim to expand and diversify our education programs at the show,” says Nancy Piffard, show director at Newport Exhibition Group in a press release. “By partnering with industry publications and associations, we are able to offer more courses and seminars that are of interest to our attendees.”
Course providers include Confident Captain, one of the largest powerboat and sailboat training groups in the country. Their hands-on powerboat courses include Become a Power Boater, Powerboat Docking and Maneuvering, Advanced and Twin-Engine Powerboat Docking and Maneuvering, and new for this year, Joystick Controls and Piloting, a Beginner Women-Only Powerboating course, and Youth Powerboating Outreach. For sailboat owners, courses include First Sail for beginners, Sailboat Docking and Close Quarters Maneuvering, Advanced Sailboat Handling and Sail Trim (includes spinnaker work), and Sailboat Crew/First Mate Skills. To learn more or to register for the Confident Captain At The Helm program visit newportboatshow.com/newport-boat-show-exhibitors/at-the-helm.htm.
Returning again this year is CruiserPort University, with seminars presented at the Newport Blues Café located across the street from the show entrance. Presenters include author and researcher Nigel Calder, Jeremy Davis, Peter Swanson, Bob Sweet, Kim Russo, naval architect Lou Codega, and Paul Comyns.
History buffs attending the show, especially those interested in the history of wooden boat building, will enjoy the hour-long film Wood, Sails, Dreams at the Jane Pickens Theater located just outside the show grounds on Saturday, September 17th at 7:00PM. The film by Joe Stanton—he’ll be available for questions following the screening—explores the resurgence of wooden boats, the restoration of American maritime history and the lessons to be learned from the ancient craft of traditional boat building. Tickets are available at janepickens.com/coming-attractions.
Now in its 11th season, the 2016 Newport for New Products (NFNP) recognizes the best new powerboat, sailboat and multihull, best new navigation product, and best new product for boat operation, maintenance, and safety. NFNP is open to all products launched after April 1, 2016, making their official boat show debut at the Newport show. (Foreign boats and products that have been shown and sold outside the U.S. are still eligible.) Entries are judged by marine industry experts on the basis of innovation, value to the consumer, safety, and aesthetics, with awards presented on Friday morning, September 16th at the Industry Awards/Press Breakfast. “Manufacturers from around the world see the Newport International Boat Show as the ideal venue to unveil new products to the North American market,” Piffard adds. “Our show attracts visitors who want to view a diverse selection of powerboats, sailboats and marine products on display. Exhibitors recognize the show is perfectly timed to present their latest boats and products to a truly discerning audience.”
Each year, the Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the boat show, partner with both a charitable and environmental organization. For 2016, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Leukemia Cup Regatta is the official Charitable Partner and Sailors for the Sea is the Environmental Partner. Both nonprofit organizations receive complimentary exhibit space at the event. “Both of these wonderful organizations have linked the love of boating to their very vital missions,” Piffard explains. “Finding a cure for cancer and ocean conservation are two causes that are very close to the Newport Exhibition Group. We are thrilled to support The Leukemia Cup Regatta and Sailors for the Sea at the Newport International Boat Show this year.”
Though showgoers will find a myriad of sights within the showgrounds, first-time visitors will enjoy the numerous scenic landmarks in the historical New England town during this beautiful season. The Cliff Walk is a 3.5-mile-long walk along Newport’s eastern shore that provides a glimpse of Gilded Age-era mansions. If lack of time or stamina precludes you from walking, drive the well-marked route instead. cliffwalk.com
After your invigorating walk, delectable seafood abounds at Scales & Shells (scalesandshells.com) on Thames Street. Walk a half-mile to Smoke House (smokehousecafe.com) on America’s Cup Avenue for barbecue and late summer cocktails. For beef and wine lovers, take a three-minute stroll over to 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille (22bowens.com) downtown. Bowen’s Wharf is a hub for shopping and eating and claims to offer some of the freshest seafood in New England.
Boat Show Dates & Hours: •Thursday, Friday & Saturday, September 15th, 16th & 17th: 10AM to 6PM
•Sunday, September 18th: 10AM to 5PM newportboatshow.com
Ocean Reef Club’s annual Vintage Weekend glowed with perfect weather, shiny hardware, and thrilling aerobatic aircraft.
Wow! The 23rd Annual Vintage Weekend at the Ocean Reef Club was so impressive that from the outset, those visiting couldn’t stop talking about what they saw. Fortunately, for two full days, they could go back for another look at the incredible display of vintage automobiles and yachts at the show’s center and vintage aircraft at the Club’s airport just a golf cart ride away.
The Ocean Reef Club is a 2,500-acre private, all-inclusive, resort-style community that provides property owners and members an escape to a world where relaxation is the primary goal. It’s a unique way of life rarely found in such a bustling world. Situated next to the Key Largo Hammock State Botanical Site to the west, Card Sound to the north, mangrove waterways and islands to the east, and the Florida Straits to the south, it’s a fishing and boating paradise.
Island Paradise
Add to that two meticulously maintained, 18-hole championship golf courses, a full-service marina for yachts up to 175 feet, tennis courts, a full-service spa and salon, 12 restaurants, a gas station, shops and boutiques, a medical center and public safety department that provides 24-hour fire, security and medical services, a private airport with a 4,456-foot runway, and Buccaneer Island beach that surrounds a saltwater lagoon (and has two oceanfront freshwater infinity pools, restaurant and bar). It’s no wonder that once you’re there, you can stay busy or do nothing at all and never have to leave.
The Club hosts a variety of events all year long, from holiday festivities to Lobstermania in July, and this year’s Vintage Weekend was a special one. More than 20 inches of rain soddened the event in 2015 and last years was canceled due to the enormous destruction created from Hurricane Irma. It was mentioned that “the weather gods owed us one,” and they came through.
Classic Cars
The sun shone and the tops were down as the classic cars took a little road trip over the bridge to Alabama Jack’s—a classic, open-air joint on the water surrounded by mangroves—for lunch that included the “best conch fritters around.” Back at the Club, early evening cocktails and dinner on Buccaneer Island, hosted by Vicki and Alan Goldstein, was the perfect location for the AeroShell Aerobatic Team’s night show. This was the first wow factor that sent chills through most everyone’s cocktail. The sound of four Pratt & Whitney engines in the North American T-6 Texans thrilled the crowd as they screamed through the darkening skies with their lights appearing like ships in formation from outer space. Their smoke tails billowed from the red-hot exhaust flame, the deafening sound piercing the night air. It was truly something to behold.
Classic Awards
The crowd gathered in force the next morning to see some of the most sought-after automobiles as they made their way across the red carpet. From a 1912 Ford Model T, winner of the Most Significant Early Brass Award, to a 1952 Cunningham, winner of the Best Closed Grand Touring Car Award, to the Most Elegant Early Brass Award winner, a 1909 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, the glimmering brass, silver and wood highlights on vintage Pontiacs, Corvettes, and many more shone like Hollywood stars. The Most Historically Significant Award winner was a 1958 Bentley, and for the first time, two Stutzs appeared. Best in Show was awarded to a 1939 Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet, an exquisite, silver “Coupe des Alpes.”
Classic Yachts
Along the Ocean Reef Channel face dock, vintage yachts floated regally and showed off their polished hardware, and the first impression by most was, “Wow. Imagine all the care and effort that went into the woodwork.” The 1926 104-foot Mathis-Trumpy motoryacht Freedom was a perfect example of fine, detailed joinery. Winner of the John Trumpy Award, Freedom’s sister ship is the presidential yacht Sequoia. The Best Restoration Award went to the 1930 43-foot Stephens Brothers Trunk Cabin motoryacht Cielito, which was restored at RMK Merrill-Stevens in Miami, Florida.
The 37-foot Rybovich Legend was awarded Most Original and is the last four trunk cabin, flybridge, straight sheer sportfisherman of her kind. Her exterior and interior are fitted with varnished Honduran mahogany. When the owner was asked how long he spends maintaining the boat he replied that he drives the boat about five minutes over to Michael’s (Rybovich) place, waits for a call, “goes back to review the bill and drives the boat back—so about 10 minutes.” It was a good laugh.
The largest at the dock this year and winner of the Spectator’s Choice Award was Blackhawk, a 123- foot Feadship built in 1971. It wasn’t hard to determine who owned the yacht when the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team logo was on the welcome mat and the two tenders were named Slapshot and Powerplay.
As lunch was being served back on Buccaneer Island, the crowd was treated to another exemplary air show that began with the C-47 Placid Lassie, a WWII veteran who flew many missions in Europe, including D-Day. The Crowd Pleaser Award went to Gene McNeely and his aerobatic flying 1950 AT-6G, and the Spectator’s Choice award was easily decided as the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, once again added icing to the cake.
Classic Air
The aircraft Best of Show Award went to the recently restored 1914 Curtiss Model F Flying Boat. The biplane hull is made of spruce and is covered with 5/16-inch thick African mahogany planking with multiple coats of marine spar varnish. The Flying Boat doesn’t fly anymore, although it could with the Curtiss OX-5 V-8 engine. It’s headed to the Collings Foundation in Hudson, Massachusetts, as part of a
Navy exhibit at the American Heritage Museum.
After a night of dancing “Through the Decades,” it was time to power up to the next rally, but plans for the 2019 Ocean Reef Vintage Weekend are already underway.
It started off as a bold idea 45 years ago—an in-the-water boat show, one of the first to be held in the Northeast. Today, the brainchild of visionary former naval officer Paul Dodson is among the most celebrated venues for boat enthusiasts in the U.S. and kicks off the east coast boat show season. Scores of vessels, sailboats and powerboats from small crafts to 100 footers along with thousands of products and accessories are due to delight visitors in the City by the Sea.
The Newport International Boat Show (NIBS) is set to take over more than 13 acres of historic Newport Harbor September 17-19. “[We’re looking forward to] delivering a great experience for exhibitors and attendees by bringing in prospective buyers and having even more brands and models of powerboats, sailboats and innovative products on display for all,” says Nancy Piffard director of the Newport Exhibition Group, which owns NIBS.
More than 600 domestic and international exhibitors will showcase and sell their products and services, while never-before-seen boats will make their debut. “All of the ‘Newport For New Product’ entries are a must-see,” says Piffard of the popular program that gives attendees a chance to vote for vessels and marine products being launched this year in the U.S. market between April 1st and September 1st. (International products making their first official appearance in the U.S. at NIBS can also participate.) “Last year people swarmed the docks to see the new Gunboat 55, the 34 Outboard Express from True North and B&G’s ForwardScan sonar as well as dozens of other innovative products. This year we will have even more!”
NIBS is partnering for a second year with Confident Captain/Ocean Pros for yet another exciting “At The Helm” program to provide sailors and powerboaters of all experience levels the opportunity to take to the water. New shore-based courses—iPad Navigation and Boat Systems to be held in the Confident Captain/Safe-Sea Mobile Seamanship Lab at the show site—will add to the existing six classes available for powerboat and sailing. The program includes Powerboat Docking and Maneuvering, Advanced & Twin Engine Powerboat, Become a Power Boater, Advanced Sailboat Handling and Sail Trim, Sailboat Docking and Close Quarters Maneuvering, and Sailboat Crew/First-Mate Skills. Online pre-registration is required.
The Educational Seminar Series is also back this year and set to take place at Forty 1° North Marina Resort located within walking distance of the show. “After a hiatus of offering seminars last year, we have brought back a lineup of exciting speakers and topics,” says Piffard (the seminar schedule was not available at press time). Salty Dawg Rally—a non-profit organization with an emphasis on safety, communication and camaraderie—will host its own Seminar Series on September 16th at the Edward King House. Running from 9AM to 4PM, the seminars will cover topics such as blue water passage preparations, selection and care of emergency equipment, getting to know your steering and pump systems, and more. saltydawgrally.org
NIBS selected Clean Ocean Access as its 2015 charity partner. The organization, which conducts marine debris removal efforts, water quality monitoring and safeguards public access, focuses on the restoration and protection of natural resources. “Clean Ocean Access does such important work eliminating marine debris for the shoreline and improving overall ocean health—a task every boater should embrace,” says Piffard. “This partnership gives us the opportunity to remind the tens of thousands of people who attend our show that if all of us do seemingly small things locally, we can make a big difference globally.”
More than a boat show, NIBS is a destination event. “Newport is the quintessential New England seacoast town with great shops, award-winning restaurants, a vibrant night life, and many historic attractions,” says Piffard before adding, “[it’s] a venue that is unparalleled.” Southern Boating thinks so too—come and see us at the NYC Tent C, booth 60. newportboatshow.com
By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Boating Magazine August 2015
Scouting each year’s photoshoot location for Southern Boating’s Annual Swimsuit Issue begins nearly immediately after the magazine arrives in your mailbox. This year was no different. Last spring we started our search for the ideal location and considered dozens, all of which are spectacular in their own right. When it came down to the shortlist, the decision was unanimous for Cat Cay, Bahamas, located just 50 miles east of South Florida.
Clear, turquoise water and silky, white-sand beaches are just part of what has attracted both the famous and infamous to Cat Cay throughout history, including fearless pirates, Hollywood starlets, British royalty, and American presidents. Even before the small island was converted to a members-only club in 1935, Cat Cay offered protection and privacy—and a dreamlike escape from daily life.
For a few short days in early February, Southern Boating crew and models reveled in the luxury of Cat Cay—an oasis that is so close yet feels so remote.
SB Swimsuit 2014 Sarah Rafting from Southern Boating on Vimeo.
WANT MORE??? Don’t miss the outtakes of the 2015 Swimsuit Photo-shoot – HERE
CREDITS
Sponsored by:
Horizon Power Catamarans
To learn more see our review: Horizon PC60 Skylounge
Producer: Paige Conlan Assistant to Producer: Kimber Andrews Photographer: Jim Raycroft Assistant to Photographer: George Panagakos Makeup Artist: Michele Winters Models: Ashley, Sarah, Natasha, and Stevie Boat Drivers: Michael Allen/Clayton Therrien Accommodations: Cat Cay Yacht Club catcayyachtclub.com
