Re: 4th of July fireworks from your boat - Is it worth it?
Fireworks at the Louisville, Ky Ohio River waterfront, last night July 3rd. They'll be doing it again tonight. It was an absolute front row seat. Too much so. My boat got covered with tiny bits of burnt firework paper and cinders.
The water was pretty churned up with boats afterward, but the vast majority were responsible boaters-- lights on and reasonable speeds. Once past a couple of the big boat ramps, the water was much calmer.
Re: 4th of July fireworks from your boat - Is it worth it?
When living in Stuart Fl, we used to take the boats we maintained up the St. Lucie and anchor out for the night. For the first few years it was a blast and since you slept on the boats, you didn't have the wild crowd to fight on the way home. Came to a halt when same crowd started shooting 12 gauge flares at random in the air. A good many were still ablaze when they hit the water and I just couldn't jeopradize a boat I was responsible for. It's a shame but good old common sense and respect for others seems like a thing of the past these days.
Re: 4th of July fireworks from your boat - Is it worth it?
Our lake doesn't do them on the 4th, but they do have a major weekend party known as "Christmas in July" on the 3rd weekend in July. This will be my 18th year of attendance. My first 10 years was watching from the boat in the lake. Now that I have a cabin cruiser, we just watch from my slip. Same distance, different view, and just as entertaining watching all the navigation lights scattering. It seems like there is always one boat that has its bow light lenses reversed.
So, YES it is worth watching from your boat. Just abide by the normal rules of the water and be safe afterward.
Re: 4th of July fireworks from your boat - Is it worth it?
Just got back from watching 2 shows on the water this weekend! I would have to say that it was worth it without a doubt! I will be doing it again next year!
We took the needed precautions and had a great time. Both shows were great and we had front row seats! (Altough not close enough for ash, etc.)
I didn't think it was to bad getting back to the dock either. Have been in plenty of worse crowds on land! We took our time and were the last ones heading back our direction so all the "idiots" were well ahead of us. Altough I would say that it seemed like everybody was pretty well behaved.
I am waiting to hear if there were any accidents or not, but I did see one boat get grounded on a sandbar. Looked like a bunch of kids on thier dads boat. They were able to walk it off pretty easily though.
It was a great time and we will be doing it again!
Re: 4th of July fireworks from your boat - Is it worth it?
We watched HDG's display last night, and WOW, the slip we had had an incredible view, as we were basically under the fireworks, and the full moon was centered behind the display.
I took many pics and video and will post up ASAP.
Blue Crabber, I tried hailing you a few times this weekend, was looking forward to meeting you!
Re: 4th of July fireworks from your boat - Is it worth it?
Well the 4th of July is very much past and after reading all of your posts; it seems like the consensus is that watching the 4th of July fireworks from you boat is definitely worth it. In my opinion, outside of a trip or gathering that you may have with your family, friends or yacht club; this event ranks pretty high as something many of us look forward to doing every season. Thanks for the feedback, can't wait for next year.
