Crazy 4th of July stories

[Russ]

So we've all seen 'em. Crazy boaters enjoying adult beverages too much. So what did you see this year?

We were anchored in a small quiet cove away from the usual crowds when a pontoon boat pulled in. The yahoo at the helm lost his hat overboard when a second yahoo promptly leaped overboard to retrieve it. Then other yahoos leaped overboard to join him. Meanwhile captain yahoo is buzzing around popping the throttle all over the place from full to reverse. I was quite expecting to see some injuries or someone run over. Of course the regulars at the marina which we had to leave for all the noise.

[jschrade]

I have to report it was uneventful at the Clearwater fireworks. Beautiful evening, steak and lobster, wine and great fireworks!

Jim

[K9Kampers]

Krazy? Four days on Casco Bay: 1st night, after making bed, one of the pups wets the comforter and both sheets. 2nd night, the anchorage at The Goslings is full and we are prepared for the dueling fireworks between residents of the main island and beach campers on opposite island. Next boat over starts shooting noise makers at 5:30 pm in full daylight so we give the pups each a sedative. Ten minutes later, on shore, Jib acts like she had a doggy-downer and just ambles along while Genny acts like she had a puppy-upper, darting around in the seaweed covered shoreline and jumping around rocks like a mountain goat! An hour later Genny got a second pill before she started to mellow out.

With darkness came the rain, but that didn't stop the fireworks duel - each island taking turns sending off a volley less than a half mile apart. At 9:30, across the bay, the town of Harpswell started their magnificant show amidst a now downpour! We were looking like trailer trash with fore & aft silver tarp rain flys, but we stayed dry with all hatches open.


Day 3 we were sailing while watching a major storm brewing, with motorboats scattering to ports. We made it back to the anchorage and buttoned things down to ride out the storm. Despite the warnings on the WX radio, we only had a short mild rain without wind.

Day 4: no wind, HOT, HOT, and great ocean swimming @ 63 degrees!

[Chinook]

A few years ago we sailed from Bridgeport Connecticut to Maine with some friends on board their 32 foot Caliber. July 4 was extremely rainy throughout Long Island Sound. On July 5 we were headed for Fisher's Island, arriving around 10 pm and very dark out. We were having trouble spotting the navigation buoys as we headed in to the anchorage. All of a sudden, the sky lit up with fireworks, and we easily saw the markers we were looking for. It seems their fireworks show got rained out the night before, and they lit off their skyrockets on July 5. We thought it was very considerate of them to welcome us in that fashion. Looking across the Sound, we could see that Mystic was similarly celebrating on July 5.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

This 4th was a "stay-home" with chores and "honey doos" -- sigh ! I sure missed getting out on the water aboard our Mac-X, and watching the Kemah, Tex. fireworks.

Kemah, Texas is a fine boating area on holidays...Jan 1st, and July 4th Fireworks displays are awesome.

[rtrinkle]

I had some idiot cut me off by crossing my bow from port side. At night, we were navigating the channel and watching out for crab pots as well. The idiot came within 15 feet of us throwing his wake, and I guess his buddy in another boat pulled up right behind us, making the heave to we had to do to avoid the crackerjack in the first boat somewhat hairy. Luckily, there was no collision.