Four centuries ago Henry Hudson discovered the river that bears his name. What better place to kick off the quadricentennial celebration of that event than near the shore of that very same river.
That's happening this month at the 104th annual New York Boat Show at the Javits Center on Manhattan's West Side. In a departure from previous years when the show ran in January, the Dec. 13-21 dates give boaters a head start on holiday shopping. Some 1,000 boats, mostly power, will be on display.
Post a comment | View comments (0)This is not exactly about boating, but should be of interest to all who love the marine environment.
Seals: New Jersey's Winter Visitors
Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JC NERR)
Tuckerton, NJ
Join us at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, at 130 Great Bay Blvd. on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 1:00- 2:30 pm for a program on Seals.
You might not be interested in visiting New Jersey's beaches during the winter, but a variety of seals are undaunted by the cold weather. Discover which seals come to New Jersey, why they are here.
Learn the difference between sea lions and seals, where our seals are coming from and how they are adapted to life in the cold. This interactive presentation with hands on activities is fun for the whole family!
The program is free, although pre-registration is requested. For more information or to register call Melanie Reding, Education Coordinator, at 609-812-0649 ext. 206 or email reding@marine.rutgers.edu.
Keeping cool at the mooringThe New York Boat Show, typically a January event, is coming early this year, giving boating shoppers a chance to treat themselves before the holidays. The 104th running of the event is Dec. 13-21 at the Javits Center in Manhattan. Hours are Saturdays 10 a.m. -8 p.m., Sundays 10.a.m. -5 p.m., and weekdays noon - 8 p.m. Prices are $15 for adults, $8 for ages 13-15, children 12 and under are free.
Click for more info.
Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 4-2 in Union is offering a three-evening boating safety course Dec. 2, 4, and 9, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Lincoln Technical Institute, 2299 Vauxhall Rd., Union. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 908-756-2140 or 973-762-9351. Course completion provides the required state boating certificate.
Here's a bit of video from the Vendee Globe:
That's Sam Davies--(that's Sam, for Samantha...)
Click to follow the race.
There's a chill in the air, and the boat is tucked away for the winter. What to do to make the time fly until next boating season?
Build a boat maybe. If that idea sounds enticing, Tim White would like to hear from you. He is establishing a boatbuilding school at the Tuckerton Seaport Museum in Tuckerton.
White envisions programs for both children and adults. The seaport shop currently welcomes wooden boat repair and restoration, and hopes to set up a teaching program in this aspect. "This is something we are very eager to do," White said.
The new York Boat Show, marking it's 104th year as a Big Apple institution comes early this year--Dec. 13 to 21.
Here's a preview of what's in store:
WHAT: The 104th New York National Boat Show cruises into the Javits Center December 13-21, 2008, featuring more than 1,000 of the newest and best in luxury motor yachts, cruising yachts, sport fishers, bass boats, performance boats, pontoon boats, personal water craft, inflatables, fishing gear, engines, and marine accessories at the best deals of the year.
WHERE: Jacob K. Javits Center, Eleventh Avenue & 35th Street, New York, NY
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 13 - Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008
Show Hours: Weekdays Noon-8pm; Saturdays 10am-8pm; Sundays 10am-5pm
SHOW FEATURES:
• New! Deadliest Catch - Meet the stars of Discovery Channel's Emmy-award winning series Deadliest Catch, Captains John and Andy Hillstrand, Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 ONLY at the NY National Boat Show. Just back from taping their fifth season on the Bering Sea, the Hillstrands will be at the show to meet fans and sign autographs.
• New! Twiggy, the Waterskiing Squirrel - She's back! Starting Wednesday, December 17, Twiggy, the world's first and only waterskiing squirrel, will be at the NY National Boat Show. After starring in hit movies including Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story and Anchorman: the Legend of Ron Burgundy, Twiggy is returning to New York to dazzle audiences of all ages with her waterskiing skills.
• New! Hudson River Quadricentennial Celebration - The official kick-off of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of the river that bears his name will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13, with a special exhibit continuing through Dec. 21.
• New! Green Boating Zone - Check out the latest eco-friendly boating tips and technologies, including Hybrid boat introductions, environmentally conscious boating accessories and "Boat Green" seminars. Plus enter to win a Scout 145 Hybrid Boat ($16,995 value) and other great green prizes.
Here's the 2009 schedule from the New Jersey Performance Powerboat Club:
Toms River, NJ, November 21, 2008 - The New Jersey Performance Powerboat Club (NJPPC) Planning Committee met last month to review the 2008 Season as well as develop the upcoming 2009 Season schedule.
Last month the Planning Committee decided on the following events for the 2009 season:
Saturday February 7th 2009 - Atlantic City Boat Show Winter Party
Our 10th year for this annual event allows members old and new to get together for the first time since the end of the boating season the previous year. It is a casual evening with elegant dining where we celebrate friendships and honor a few special members from last year's season.
Sunday May 24th 2009 - Memorial Day Weekend Social
This annual event has proven to be a fun and relaxing one. It is also the first event of the boating season! No pre-planning and no advance registration is needed. Members come together at the Captain's Inn in Forked River for an afternoon of good food, good times and some "busting chops."
Friday June 26th 2009 - Atlantic City Overnight Poker Run
This annual event has been the epicenter of the NJPPC schedule since it's inception back in 1998. Two years ago, we moved this event to a Friday instead of Saturday. The result? A 95% approval rating from the attendees!! Half of the participants went home on Saturday. The other half spent the weekend at Trump Marina and had a "Lunch Fun Run" to Lamberti's in Margate. This year we will repeat 2008's event. POWERBOAT MAGAZINE WILL BE ATTENDING THE EVENT THIS YEAR! We will also have Tim Sharkey hanging out of a helicopter once again to cover all of the action with his ZOOM lens!
Saturday July 4th 2009 - Wave Runner Poker Run
This past year we had over 40+ Wave Runners at each NJPPC Wave Runner event. These events have been a huge success and have grown every year. This event is the first of two Wave Runner Poker Runs for the 2009 season.
Time is running out to nominate for the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards.
The annual honorees are chosen from a short list of candidates cited for outstanding on-the-water performance during the year. Initial selections are nominated by the general membership of US Sailing, so if you are a member you can propose someone.
The final selections are made by a panel of sailing journalists.
As the name implies, the winners are given a Rolex watch, but more important is the honor implied.
Click for the announcement from US Sailing.
An interesting take on the Volvo Ocean Race, from a Russian who's been there.
Click for Sailing World article.
Lot's of canvas and a streamline hull are the hallmarks of a sandbagger.Two of the more interesting boats I've seen in recent years are the Bull and the Bear, replicas of "Sandbaggers," classic, streamlined, heavily-canvassed replicas of vessels race in New York Harbor in the 1800s.
In the originals, sandbags were used for ballast, tossed from side to side by the crews as needed. The modern replicas use water-filled bags, but the effect is the same.
The Bull and Bear are used to spark a love of sailing and appreciation of our nautical heritage.
Click for a video of these fascinating boats.
I had the pleasure of hopping on for a ride several years ago on Lake Hopatcong. The ride was memorable.
New York City is just down the river. Where is everybody?
Not much wind, but you can't beat the local color.
Why aren't there more boats on the Hudson River, north of the Tappan Zee Bridge? Not that I want there to be, but it's such a beautiful stretch of water, a short distance from a major population center, you'd think more boaters would take advantage of the resource.
Early this month, November, I went along for a short jaunt from Haverstraw north to Newburgh and back on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It was late in the season, and many boaters have no doubt packed it in.
Each turn in the river offers a new vista, and it seemed at times like we had it all to ourselves. Here are some photos I took.
There's history here. This is the site near West Point where a chain was stretched across the river to block British ships.
It's not all fun and games. A tug and barges head south under the Bear Mountain Bridge.BOATING COURSE
Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 4-2 in Union is offering a three-evening boating safety courses Dec. 2, 4 and 9, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Lincoln Technical Institute, 2299 Vauxhall Road, Union. Space is limited and registration is required. Call (908) 756-2140 or (973) 762-9351. Course completion provides the required state boating certificate.
