Watching fireworks from the boat?

[newberryfam]

I live in Chesapeake VA and I was hoping someone could provide some advise on some good places to watch fireworks from the boat on the 4th of July.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

I live in Chesapeake VA and I was hoping someone could provide some advise on some good places to watch fireworks from the boat on the 4th of July.

Ayuh,... I'd suggest ya look to where you normally go boatin'...

There's nothing more intimadatin' that bein' on unknown waters, after dark, with another 1000 idiots in boats out there....

I've done it a few times,.... after nearly gettin' T-boned a few times,...

Now-a-days, I keep a couple of Miles 'tween myself, 'n the rest of the idiots...

The fireworks are Just as pretty from 2 or 3 miles away as they are when yer directly under 'em,...
'n,... ya don't have to worry 'bout the burnin' embers fallin' on yer canvas...

 

[etracer68]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

Anywhere you have a clear view of them, while the boat is still on the trailer. Trust me, here in the Milwaukee area, on Lake Mich. there will be at least, 1000 IDIOTS, that dont have a clue what there doing, on the water, and on land.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

We thought about going to the fireworks in Charleston a few years ago when I had my other boat. We opted not to take the boat and just go sit on the riverbank and watch. After the fireworks were over, we stuck around for a little while to watch the other show (boats trying to get back to their launches). The "boat" show was more entertaining to me than the fireworks. You had a couple that wouldn't start, some small boats I wouldn't have taken on the river on a nice clear day with no traffic and of course you had your local drunks. Many of the boats out there looked overloaded to me. I don't know how they all got out of that mess, especially in the dark. Didn't look worth it to me, but that's just me and you might take your boat to the fireworks and have a great time with no problems. Good luck. If you go, snap some pics and put them on here. We all love pictures!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

I have had the chance to watch fireworks while on my boat once and it is something I cherish, it was truly something special to enjoy the show with my wife and kids Lake Powell 2010 in Bullfrog.


And then the real show started LOL be patient there is no reason to be in a hurry and keep your head on a swivel, I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my life, not that I was worried about my skills but the realization that there were 1000 other boats out there and its pitch black, red, green and white everywhere, my situational awareness was in OVERDRIVE but we survived without any serious incident.


Sorry I have no idea where you should go to view the show in your area but don't be so ramped up to get close you should have no problems seeing the show from the back when your on the water.

 

[countryboy26047]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

Not to side-track the thread more, but my wife and i had talked about going out on the Ohio River this year to watch the fireworks, however two big things turned me off of the idea.. 1) the river is only maybe as wide as a 4-lane highway, 2) There's only two launches in the area, and their about 10 nauty miles apart, so you end up with hundreds of boats, most of which have drunken captains, all vying for a "spot in line".. only way i would go out is if I had my own dock, or a big enough cabin cruiser to just anchor and stay the night on the water.. if you do head out to watch, be careful, and best of luck!

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

We make a point to take the boat to the fireworks. Our club usually rafts 15+ boats up and we have a big party. At night just take it slow and keep an eye out around you.

 

[Restless22]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

We thought about it, but the channel back to the dock isn't wide enough for my skill level to compete with everyone else. We will either watch from the tailgate of my Tahoe in the boat owners private parking lot or from the stern in the slip.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

Tom the real show is at the St Albuns boat launch.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

to the OP--sorry I have no clue of your area--At Grapevine Lake we have Fireworks show every Friday nite at 930PM Memorial Day thru Labor Day and a monster show on the 4th---Been doing it for 4 or 5 years--and on the 4th for ever. The lake in 3miles North of DFW Airport between Dallas & Ft Worth,TX... there are a few idiots and do not know of any boat crashes or drownings ever. We go every week.

The Lake is 2 miles wide & 8 miles long--there is enough light from towns & DFW that you can always see the horizion. On the 4th you can see several Firework shows from other cities from the lake. You need to be comfortable driving and navigating the boat at night .

There are (3) 800+slip marinas on the lake plus 20+ nice concrete boat ramps & dock. There is a crowd.

The 4th is amature night and can be crazy. Long ramp lines. Every rotting, barely running, improperly lit , overloaded drunk idiot is out there. My self included! **** NOTE :the photo is kinda cool--over exposed

 

[180shabah]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

I live in Chesapeake VA ...

I grew up in Williamsburg and we always went to Yorktown for the 4th. There were always a bunch of boats in the river. Unfortunately, I didn't get a boat untill we moved, but did get to lakefest in Clarksville a few times. We just never got in a hurry after the fireworks were over. Usually found a quiet spot near the ramp, dropped the anchor and watched the "show after the show"

Think ahead, be safe, have fun....

 

[ckalupa]

Re: Watching fireworks from the boat?

Anywhere you have a clear view of them, while the boat is still on the trailer. Trust me, here in the Milwaukee area, on Lake Mich. there will be at least, 1000 IDIOTS, that dont have a clue what there doing, on the water, and on land.

Ya - no kidding on the Lake Michigan observations. I made sure my slip at McKinley is one where I do not need to leave shore on the July 3rd event to see them. Then I don't need to be out there with the other 1000 boats trying to get back to my slip afterward. Incredible how many people demonstrate their lack of boater safety instruction and navigational knowledge on that night.