The most explosive week in boating

[Phil Herring]

Its July 4th week, everybody! And that means everyone who owns an object that floats will be on the water with 40 pounds of explosives!

What could go wrong?

But sulfur, saltpeter, and black power aside, what are your plans for the 4th? Cruising, day sailing, anchoring for fireworks, or hiding under your bed?

Share your patriotic plans here!

 

[JamesG161]

Always a great weekend to watch the Coastal Fireworks.
No moonlight, so the contrast along the coast should make them more brilliant.
Looks like great sailing too.

Happy 4th
Jim...

 

[Ward H]

Spending the day sailing, then back to the slip for grilling dinner, then fireworks.
They launch from a barge about a 300 yards out from our end slip. Great View!

 

[plenny7]

Our two boys and their girlfriends will be joining us for a couple of days. Day sail will likely consist of sailing, anchoring, grilling, eating, swimming, sailing, then anchoring for the fireworks show off the point. When it was just one son and his GF we were going to anchor overnight but sleeping arrangements would be awkward with all six of us, and crowded, particularly if we get rain, so we'll come in after that.


From last year:

 

[Knot Stressin']

Gonna spend all day at one of Michigans inland lakes. My parents live on a lake. So we can speed boat, swim, ski, tube, wakeboard all day. Plus have the benefit of a yard, house, kitchen, bathrooms, etc. Makes it a little easier for everybody since we dont HAVE to be on the boat. Plenty of Fireworks over head when the sun goes down. Seems every year there are several yards that launch 1000s of dollars worth. Crazy to me....but they do. I will go get a few to join in. But I aint spending thousands.

 

[Rick Webb]

Still Waiting to hear what we'll be doing


Kinda like

 

[LeslieTroyer]

Spending 5 days leading up to the 4th sailing with my Son - for the 4 I’ll be on Lopez Island - Fisherman’s Bay for their fantastic display. No pyro expended.

 

[Serenity on Hudson]

Arrive at my Fl house in the early evening of the 4th. Will go out to the dock, pull up a chair, have a beer and the Redington Beach fireworks appear over the homes on the other side of the canal. No travel.

 

[Rick486]

On the mooring. Not a good weekend to go to any crowded harbor. Hot dogs and fireworks. Show my dad's flag.

 

[Mark Maulden]

Start a one month cruise. San Juans and BC gulf Islands

 

[sailcapt340]

On our mooring watching the towns display. We’re looking for repeat performance of a couple of years ago…..

 

[MikeHoncho]

At the lake cabin and got to sail my Laser for the first time with my first personally sewn sail. It was a great time. Going to do it again today.

 

[WayneH]

We'll drive over to the bay and watch the fireworks then back to the boat to set up chairs on the dock and watch the drunks try to load thier boats back on the trailers. Lots of moments.

 

[jssailem]

Take videos. They may go viral.

 

[DArcy]

Us Canadians just can't wait to celebrate so we do it on the 1st Friday evening we rigged up the lights and went out just off the harbour to watch the show. There must have been over 30 different fireworks displays being set off within view, including the big ones downtown we could see in the distance.

 

[Will Gilmore]

We invited my mother to dinner. The grilled burgers and corn were almost as good as the company.

-Will

 

[stickinthemud57]

We invited my mother to dinner. The grilled burgers and corn were almost as good as the company.

-Will

This could be taken two ways...

I actually try to avoid the lake on weekends and holidays because wakeboarders/surfers.

When we got our slip at the marina we realized we had a front row seat for fireworks. What I didn't realize is that even though the marina restricts parking to members on the 4th, you still have to come out around noon to have any hopes of getting a parking space, so last year we shot off fireworks in the back yard.

This year we had no plans to do anything, with our aging father-in-law staying with us and my having an inspection to perform that afternoon. Around 8:45 he suggested we drive around and see if maybe there was somewhere we could watch from. My wife suggested the parking lot by the animal shelter, and while we all agreed we were not the only people this might have occured to, off we went. The lot looked full, but we lucked into a parking space near the entrance, watched the show, and made it to the exit ahead of the rush. Total time from front door to front door, 40 minutes. Easiest 4th EVAR!

 

[Scott T-Bird]

We literally started off the 4th with an explosion! Luckily for us, it was across the fairway in a cuddy cabin moboat (which happened to be sandwiched between 2 sailboats. Our friend on a Catalina 30 was anchored out for the night, so it was a good thing they weren't in their slip.
So, Sue was up making coffee and I was dozing in bed when we heard a loud BANG! Sue called out that the boat across the fairway was on fire! It seems it took 3 fire extinguishers and finally was hosed down with water to put it out. I don't know the full story, but it seems that it was a vapor explosion as the owner was attempting to start the boat. With quick action, the neighboring sailboat was not impacted and the boat that was on fire was still floating without any apparent outward damage at the bow end (the end we can see).

As for us, we watched fireworks on Friday the 1st on Lake Hopatcong from son Cory's boat. Sue and I sailed our boat in the Atlantic with flag waving to commemorate our 4th followed by dinner out and a good live band. But we were exhausted by the time it was dark and we just slept on board.