Falmouth Open House with Boston Yacht Sales at MacDougalls

On May 18 – 20, 2012, Boston Yacht Sales held an Open House at MacDougalls in Falmouth, MA. During these three days, boaters toured Boston Yacht Sales exclusive line of Back Cove, Sabre, Hatteras, and Vanquish boats. Vendors were also on site, mostly under the tent, to talk with boaters about first aid, navigation, insurance, finance, concierge services, gplink, electronics, towing, Coast Guard, and yours truly with my book: Boating Secrets.  A few of these photos are from inside Falmouth Harbor as I took a tour on the Vanquish. A fly fishing demonstration also took place in the parking lot.

Halifax Harbor Marina – Daytona, FL

Heading South from Palm Coast Marina, Halifax Harbor Marina is located in downtown Daytona Beach, Florida, or on the IntraCoastal Waterway at Channel Marker 39A.

This marina has capacity for 550 slips on 60 acres. Unfortunately, due to what’s happening with this downturn in the economy, only half of the slips are full. According to Marc Phillips, Marina Manager, what makes this marina unique from others in the area are their floating docks. They have free pump-out at their fuel dock or on Wednesdays and Thursdays a boat will come to your slip.

Boaters here range from transients staying for the night to liveaboards.  As for what there is available to entertain youngin’: a skate park 1/4 mile down the street and Jackie Robinson Ball Park down the street in the opposite direction.

Pictured below is: Marc Phillips, marina manager, and Pam Means, assistant manager. For more information about Halifax Harbor Marina go to: http://www.halifaxharbormarina.com/

Palm Coast Marina Book Signing ~ Palm Coast, FL

Palm Coast Marina is in between St. Augustine and Daytona on the Intracoastal Waterway at Mile Marker 803. You’ll find this place clean and friendly, especially Harbormaster Deb Hogan and her assistant Ro McCauly (1st photograph below). Across the street, walking distance, is the European Village with a few restaurants, florist, pub, shoe store, health store, and gift shops.

A few of us got together for Happy Hour, a book signing, and a birthday celebration. The food in the photograph below is compliments of Chef Josh at La Piazza Cafe (aka my son who works in the European Village). For more info regarding Palm Coast Marina go to: http://www.palmcoastmarina.net/

Congratulations to Pauline Berk, winner of our raffle drawing. Pauline won a complete set of 11 interviews recorded live on downloadable mp3 ($157 value).

Southeast US Boat Show – Jacksonville, FL

This was my first time to a boat show in Florida. It took place in Jacksonville, FL on the St. John’s River. Across the street is Everbank Field, home of the Jaguars – Jacksonville’s Football Team. Down the street is Maxwell House. Since I don’t have anything to compare it to, there’s really not much I can say in the way of good or bad. I will say, however, that we had thunderstorms and dark clouds most days. People came out for the entertainment at the show such as: bikini contest, kids rides, and to climb on boats. All in all, it was an experience. There wasn’t any program available so I can’t tell you who was there, but here’s some photographs from my walking around.

This was also my first out-of-state book signing.  Congratulations to Michelle Prosje who won our raffle drawing of a complete set of 11 interviews on downloadable mp3 ($157 value).

Maine Boat Builder Show 2012 Celebrates 25 Years!

A smaller boat show than New England (Boston), this show runs for three days, sponsored by and held at Portland Yacht Services.  It doesn’t matter, though, 2012 marked 25 years for this show with 195 exhibitors; a 20% annual turnover. It’s a great show to talk with various boat builder’s and learn what little tweaks they’ve done to their boats since the previous year’s show.

Chris Webber, owner of The Black Tie Company, also celebrated 25 years of running the food court. “Everything is homemade”, says Chris, “we started with just popcorn and two workers a day. Now we have 20 people a day and do this show for the relationships.”

According to Phin Sprague, owner, all the exhibitors were upbeat, customers more positive and getting into the buying mood. “It was a solid show, quality people,” says Phin, “and we’ll be back in 2013!”