Things to do with your boat?

Daniel1980 · Jul 5, 2021

If 3 people tell me to shut up, I'll stop starting threads. Promise. No sarcasm intended.

After 5 outings with my family (of 4), I'm trying to think of things to do with the boat. We've gone to an island and parked off the beach to sit with other boaters playing in the water. Fun. We've traveled across a bay....to sit at another island and repeat. I ordered a very expensive tube only to return it because my kids said they weren't interested. Kind of discouraging, but ok no pressure.

I'm leaning towards fishing and crabbing using my bow rider. I haven't bought any gear yet. I'm trying to come up with a nice boat day that everyone enjoys every time out. Couple hours fishing, couple hours parked for a swim, enjoy a packed launch on board and maybe a little sight seeing.?

So what is it that you do? I love being on the water, but it occurs to me that I probably would because I do just about all of the driving and I don't want to make it a self centered boat day. I want it to be something to look forward to from everyone that joins me.

Any suggestions? I realize that responses vary based on perspective of the region and waters your in.

redlightning · Jul 5, 2021

My favorite thing to do is get a cocktail and either get in the water or sit on the boat and……
DO NOTHING! Just enjoy life. No agenda.

JHornsby3 · Jul 5, 2021

Here around the Portland Oregon area, we have some good rivers and a few lakes to visit. I am 24 miles from one Willamette River launch (Salem) and 45 miles from another down river. We will run from one launch to the sandbar in the middle and just cruise. From the furthest one we will run to the bar then cruise down river to the falls in Oregon City. About 65 or 70 miles. Every time out there is different things to see. Or we can pull to the Columbia (120 miles one way) and have many miles each way. We also go to the north coastal launch for crabbing and fishing in the bay(150 miles one way) or head down to Newport Oregon and crab fish or go out into the pacific(50 miles one way).

Every time out it's different. Wildlife. People. Wild people. As for being self centered, it's my pick up. I'm driving. And I am the only one with the boat license. So I go where I'm told.

ZZ13 · Jul 5, 2021

I’ve had several bow riders including a 2009 175 Sport. We enjoyed it for:

1. Water Skiing
2. Destination rides to restaurants with docks.
3. Rafting up with friends big cruisers and freeloading off of their hospitality.
4. Fishing
5. Sunbathing
6. Sand bar parties with other boaters
7. Taking non boater friends for rides.

Most of the time it was #1 or #2. Then #7. We were addicted to slalom skiing, of all things (showing my age).

Chip S · Jul 5, 2021

When my daughter was at home we would go tubing. She loved the sensation of speed, even if it was only going 20 mph. Now that its just me and my wife, we boat to different restaurants with friends, have a nice meal, and enjoy the company. We have an abundance of restaurants nearby, so we're lucky.

Daniel1980 · Jul 5, 2021

The restaurant angle sounds like a good one. Haven't considered that and I believe there are a handful in range that have docking. That would be nice.

In general, you drive your boat around and enjoy just being on the water with your boat being the ticket to see new things from another point of view. Got it. I must sound like I've crash lqnded from another planet and a bit lame. Just trying to get an idea of what others enjoy most. Reading a book is not my thing, but dropping a line in the water might make things a little more interesting while taking in the views. And bringing home dinner if lucky.

sbw1 · Jul 5, 2021

We lived on our boat for the month of July and into August. We have a few favorite places in northern Michigan and used the boat as our summer home.

lawndoctor · Jul 6, 2021

Chip S said:
When my daughter was at home we would go tubing. She loved the sensation of speed, even if it was only going 20 mph. Now that its just me and my wife, we boat to different restaurants with friends, have a nice meal, and enjoy the company. We have an abundance of restaurants nearby, so we're lucky.

Chip, do you boat on the Delaware near Bordentown? If so, could you tell me about the restaurants around there that are accessible by boat? We drove around that area today on our 225WE but we didn’t see any place where we could tie up for lunch. Curtin’s looked closed, and we didn’t see anything in Bristol, other than what appeared to be a municipal dock, which was deserted, and no signs of any restaurants where we could tie up. Any local knowledge around there appreciated.

Golfman25 · Jul 6, 2021

redlightning said:
My favorite thing to do is get a cocktail and either get in the water or sit on the boat and……
DO NOTHING! Just enjoy life. No agenda.

This is us as well. I'll take it out a few times to cruise "the loop" -- basically to the next town and back. But we spend a lot of time chilling at the dock with the neighbors. And now that the put in a brewery, with live music on Sat/Sun, it's too much effort to go out. (we can sit in the cockpit and listen if we are too lazy to walk up there as well)

ErikE · Jul 6, 2021

Grab some food and drinks. Go anchor some place shallow...or not. Get the music going, let the kids do the DJ'ing. Alternate between taking a quick jump in the water, sit and try to tolerate the music, have some snacks or lunch, jump back in the water. A few hours of fun will go by in a heart beat.

Also, if the kids take a break to exercise their thumbs on their phones, so be it...at least they're out on the boat with you.

Chip S · Jul 6, 2021

lawndoctor said:
Chip, do you boat on the Delaware near Bordentown? If so, could you tell me about the restaurants around there that are accessible by boat? We drove around that area today on our 225WE but we didn’t see any place where we could tie up for lunch. Curtin’s looked closed, and we didn’t see anything in Bristol, other than what appeared to be a municipal dock, which was deserted, and no signs of any restaurants where we could tie up. Any local knowledge around there appreciated.

Curtain's is open Wednesday through Sunday. Since the observed holiday was a Monday they were closed.

The municipal dock in Bristol is free for day docking but does not allow overnight stays. We dock at the Bristol municipal dock and walk into town. Bristol has many restaurants to chose from. King George Inn is our favorite, but Mill Street Cantina, Cindy's Cafe, and Itri Wood Fired Pizza are good too. There's also Akia Japanese Fusion and Jules, but we haven't tried them.

About 1 mile up the Neshaminy Creek is Waters Edge restaurant. The lowest bridge has 9 feet of vertical clearance at high tide. Our 200 Overnighter makes it under with the bimini top up but the radio antenna down. I'm not sure what the bridge clearance of your 225WE is.

There is normally a cafe at Dredge Harbor Marina, but it is closed this year. Hopefully it will open again next year.

Since I'm a member of the Delaware River Yachtsman League (DRYL), I can also dock for the day at the various yacht clubs on the river. Anchor Yacht Club is 2 blocks from Cesare's Ristorante. Wissinoming Yacht Club also has a restaurant on-site. You need to be a DRYL member to dock at these clubs, but since I am its two more places we can go.

With 11 different restaurants available we rarely get to all of them in one season, but its fun trying!

Pirate Lady · Jul 6, 2021

Fix stuff thats broke?

Daniel1980 · Jul 7, 2021

^ Haha. I'm right there with ya. Have a couple buddies that were out last weekend on their bowriders and asked me to join. I didn't have the heart to tell them it's broke....i said I had plans.

Man, i can't imagine living on a boat. Even if had the coin to afford something plus 30', I'd imagine the bed can't be that comfortable.? That must be quite an experience for a voupleof months. But can you honestly say it wasn't good to be home on land at the end?

El Capitan · Jul 7, 2021

Damn all you guys do is eat, drink, and lay around (LOL).

Nobody wet a line?

Charlesoceanone · Jul 7, 2021

Daniel1980 said:
^ Haha. I'm right there with ya. Have a couple buddies that were out last weekend on their bowriders and asked me to join. I didn't have the heart to tell them it's broke....i said I had plans.

Man, i can't imagine living on a boat. Even if had the coin to afford something plus 30', I'd imagine the bed can't be that comfortable.? That must be quite an experience for a voupleof months. But can you honestly say it wasn't good to be home on land at the end?

Nope. I just got home from the boat after several days aboard and I’m ready to go back. We plan the next trip on the way home.

Creekwood · Jul 7, 2021

When my kids were young I would take them out fishing early in the AM on Georgian Bay (usually salmon and trout but sometimes bass). Then about 10:30 or 11:00 we would head to a beach and anchor up for a few hrs of splashing swimming and beach combing. Then back our summer cottage for a late fish fry lunch. Wife would stay home and sleep in.

When we got a bigger boat all of us would stay out for a few days at anchor, often rafting up with friends with kids the same age. Kid played, parents chilled. Beautiful scenery and good fishing.

The trick is to find what everyone will enjoy and your bow rider may or may not be the right boat for what they want to do. But the fun often centres on sharing the time with good friends.

liv2ryde100 · Jul 8, 2021

not sure where u are located, but maybe u could find some destinations that u could stay over night at. where i am there are several marinas u can overnight at which is what we love to do. u have a bowrider so u would need to find a hotel with an attached marina. that could be fun. we are staying at a place that has rooms available and a pool and an outdoor bar attached this coming weekend. sometimes we have family that will stay in the rooms while we stay on our boat. lots of fun. those docks are always full of life at night with people partying and kids crabbing

OllieC · Jul 8, 2021

Curse and swear - that’s been my MO this last week with the boat not running. However I’m lucky enough to go out today on my buddies Amberjack for a little fishing.

I enjoy wetting a line but it is usually by myself because the rest of the family gets bored.

We island hop, raft off, break out our inflatable SUP and explore a sea cave, or better yet turn the SUP into party island for drinks and snacks with family and friends.

lawndoctor · Jul 8, 2021

Chip S said:
Curtain's is open Wednesday through Sunday. Since the observed holiday was a Monday they were closed.

The municipal dock in Bristol is free for day docking but does not allow overnight stays. We dock at the Bristol municipal dock and walk into town. Bristol has many restaurants to chose from. King George Inn is our favorite, but Mill Street Cantina, Cindy's Cafe, and Itri Wood Fired Pizza are good too. There's also Akia Japanese Fusion and Jules, but we haven't tried them.

About 1 mile up the Neshaminy Creek is Waters Edge restaurant. The lowest bridge has 9 feet of vertical clearance at high tide. Our 200 Overnighter makes it under with the bimini top up but the radio antenna down. I'm not sure what the bridge clearance of your 225WE is.

There is normally a cafe at Dredge Harbor Marina, but it is closed this year. Hopefully it will open again next year.

Since I'm a member of the Delaware River Yachtsman League (DRYL), I can also dock for the day at the various yacht clubs on the river. Anchor Yacht Club is 2 blocks from Cesare's Ristorante. Wissinoming Yacht Club also has a restaurant on-site. You need to be a DRYL member to dock at these clubs, but since I am its two more places we can go.

With 11 different restaurants available we rarely get to all of them in one season, but its fun trying!

Great info - Thanks!

El Capitan · Jul 8, 2021

Daniel1980 said:
If 3 people tell me to shut up, I'll stop starting threads. Promise. No sarcasm intended.

After 5 outings with my family (of 4), I'm trying to think of things to do with the boat. We've gone to an island and parked off the beach to sit with other boaters playing in the water. Fun. We've traveled across a bay....to sit at another island and repeat. I ordered a very expensive tube only to return it because my kids said they weren't interested. Kind of discouraging, but ok no pressure.

I'm leaning towards fishing and crabbing using my bow rider. I haven't bought any gear yet. I'm trying to come up with a nice boat day that everyone enjoys every time out. Couple hours fishing, couple hours parked for a swim, enjoy a packed launch on board and maybe a little sight seeing.?

So what is it that you do? I love being on the water, but it occurs to me that I probably would because I do just about all of the driving and I don't want to make it a self centered boat day. I want it to be something to look forward to from everyone that joins me.

Any suggestions? I realize that responses vary based on perspective of the region and waters your in.

We love going offshore and drift diving. You just turn off the enginr(s) and drift. Everyone except 1, jumps in the water and free dive.

We deploy 2-3 float lines about 50ft long when the stream is ripping.

We’ve seen sail, marlins , dolphin (mahi) and porpoises, sharks, tuna, bait balls, all kinds of cool stuff.

Things to do with your boat?

Daniel1980

redlightning

JHornsby3

ZZ13

Chip S

Daniel1980

sbw1

lawndoctor

Golfman25

ErikE

Chip S

Pirate Lady

Daniel1980

El Capitan

Charlesoceanone

Creekwood

liv2ryde100

OllieC

lawndoctor

El Capitan

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