Tidewater Boat Show coming to Hampton March 26-28

These days everyone is looking for ways to save money and boaters are no exception. Organizers of the 6th Annual Tidewater Boat Show say it’s all about one word this year: “SALE.”

The dealers are pricing boats to sell, with no reasonable offer refused, says Dave Body of Affinity Events, producer of the show coming to the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA March 26-28.

“The dealers will handle the financing for you, and we are seeing some signs that the banks are starting to cooperate. Trade-ins will be considered. If you are considering buying a boat, this is the time,” Body said.

Another ‘sale’ is the cost of admission itself. New this year are on-line ticket sales, with a savings of $3 off the adult ticket price of $7. Children 16 and under are free.

All types and sizes of boats will be on display: runabouts, saltwater fishing boats, ski boats, pontoon boats, deck boats and jet boats.

In addition, there will be exhibits of boat lifts, floating docks, marine electronics, water sports and safety equipment. Experts will be able to answer questions about a variety of topics: marinas, financing, insurance, boat maintenance and repair and boating safety.

And if you don’t see it all in one day, go to the Show Office and ask for a free return pass to come back!

Show Hours
Friday (3/26): Noon to 8 pm
Saturday (3/27): 10 am to 8 pm
Sunday (3/28): 11 am to 5 pm

Dealers include:
Lynnhaven Marine, Norfolk Marine, Bill's Marine, Centerville Waterway Marine, Master Marine of Williamsburg, Nautical Marine, Ed's Marine and Chesdin Boat Sales.

For tickets and more information, go to tidewaterboatshow.com

Hampton Clean Marinas

Several Hampton marinas are certified in the Virginia Clean Marina program. In fact, Hampton Public Piers was the very first in the state to sign up and pledge environmentally sound practices.

But just what does the certification mean?

“For an area like Hampton that is a boating destination for transient boaters, yacht clubs and seasonal boaters, a primary benefit is the recognition that the Clean Marina designation gives a facility,” says Anne L. Smith, of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, which administers the Virginia Clean Marinas programs.

“As Clean Marina programs develop and expand across the nation, boaters are becoming increasingly aware of what the designation represents,” she said.

For boaters, this designation means you can be assured the facility has adopted practices on recycling, boat cleaning, fueling, painting, sewage, fish wastes, and hazardous materials that prevent or reduce pollution to our waters and in turn, valuable fish and wildlife.

To be sure you as a boater are practicing clean boating measures, check out VirginiaCleanMarina.com for downloadable fact sheets on topics like petroleum, sewage and other waste.

Hampton’s certified Clean Marinas include Hampton Public Piers, Old Point Comfort Marina, Bluewater Yachting Center, Salt Ponds Marina and Southall Landings Marina.

Hampton Sailor David Taylor Featured in SpinSheet magazine

Hampton's own David Taylor is featured in the February issue of Spinsheet Magazine: Chesapeake Racer Profile.

It begins:

"Some sailors seem to have a more prominent give-back gene than others. A Hampton, VA native, David Taylor learned to sail at the Hampton YC (HYC) junior program and on his father’s Columbia 10.7 and J/24 (one of the first dozen made)..."

Click here to read the full Q&A with David (go to page 75).

Mid-Atlantic Boat Show in Virginia Beach

Got cabin fever? That’s the perfect excuse to get yourself to a boat show and dream about warmer weather to come.

The 56th Annual Mid-Atlantic Sports and Boat Show is coming to the Virginia Beach Convention Center next weekend, Feb. 12-14, with more than 100 exhibitors and boat dealers.

Russ Kostinas, General Manager, said all the big dealers are lining up to make deals on new 2010 boats and unused 2009 models.

“We will once again host the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Awards Friday night at 7 pm. We have a new state of the art Fishing Simulator and a saltwater tournament based on the simulator. We have a Fighting Chair Challenge and you can test your skill on the new way to drive a boat with a joystick,” he said.

There will also be face-painting for the kids, and angler clubs to teach tie-flying and net-casting.

Hours:
Friday (2/12), noon to 9 pm
Saturday (2/13), 10 am to 8 pm
Sunday (2/14), noon to 5 pm

Admision: $8 for adults, 12 and under are free, as is the parking. Complete this short survey and they’ll give you $3 off admission.

Boating on Facebook

If you are on Facebook, here are some pages and groups that may be of interest to you in the boating community.

First, join the Boat Hampton page to keep up with topics and events of interest in Downtown Hampton and at all our marinas.

If you're not on Facebook, and wondering why you should be, it's easy to sign in and take a peek at what this social networking is all about. It's fun, it's informational--and best part, it's FREE!

BoaterMouth: All boat talk all the time, written by top marine journalists

Boating!

Sailing

And here are some pages specific to Hampton:

Hampton CVB: Visit Hampton VA

Downtown Hampton

Blackbeard Pirate Festival: July 9-11 celebrating Hampton's 400th anniversary

Dining at Hampton Marinas

You won’t go hungry when you pull your boat up to one of these Hampton marinas. Step onto the pier and walk right in to refuel and quench your thirst. You’ll find no shortage of fresh local seafood, ambiance and friendly conversation.

Eat or drink overlooking the Downtown Hampton Public Piers in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Sip a cocktail or a hand-selected wine at Latitude 37, the hotel’s nautically-inspired bar serving lighter fare. Adjacent is Regatta Grille, offering fine dining on fresh seafood, steaks and pasta. In season, Oyster Alley serves up al fresco dining right on the pier. Live music fills the air on summer Saturday nights. Watch chef Matt Wilson make his Pan-roasted Grouper!

Surf Rider at Bluewater Yachting Center is known for its special recipe crab cakes and fun, jovial atmosphere with an open-view kitchen and surfboards on the walls. Can’t decide between shrimp, scallops, crab or surf and turf? There’s no need with one of their hearty combination platters. Cozy up in a booth for two, choose a large table for the family, or sit at the bar to tell the day's big fish story!

Old Point Comfort Marina at Fort Monroe: Dine

in the elegance of a bygone era and watch ships ply the Chesapeake Bay at the fantastically restored Historic Chamberlin. While the hotel rooms are now senior apartments, the grand dining room is open to the public. The Grand Sunday Brunch, served 10 am to 2 pm, is an event to build your day around with all-you-can eat omelet station, carving station, salad bar, raw bar, desserts, and more. Dinner is by reservation only, Monday-Friday.

It's a bird’s eye view of Buckroe Beach and the Chesapeake Bay from Waters Edge Bar and Grill at Saltponds Marina. Try the Drunken Clams, steams in garlic and beer and keep everyone happy with a Water’s Edge Bucket of snow crab legs, clams, shrimp, corn on the cob and potatoes.

Speaking of dining, don’t miss the 4^th Annual Downtown Hampton Restaurant Week Feb. 6-14 featuring Valentine’s Day specials and events. Participating restaurants are Brent's, Goodfellas, Grey Goose, Java Junkies, Latitude 37, Marker 20, Mary Helen's Southern & Creole Cuisine, Musasi, Regatta Grille and The Taphouse.

Hampton's 400th Anniversary Events

Hampton is celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2010, and lining up a full year of exciting events, highlighted by the 11th Annual Blackbeard Festival July 9-11. Come by boat! Any of these would be a great time to schedule a visit.

Don't miss a thing! Check out the anniversary website. Here are some of the feature events to whet your appetite:

March 6: The Hunt for Hampton History: From the Sea to the Stars
Help solve the mystery of Hampton's past! Describe 400 years of culture, entertainment, war, sports, and the legendary people who made Hampton what it is today. In addition to children’s activities, reenactors, and exhibits, take part in preserving history now by bringing your photographs and personal artifacts to be scanned and photographed, and returned to you on-site, for Hampton’s archives. Free. Hampton History Museum, 9 am to 3 pm.

April 25: A reenactment of Hampton’s first landing in 1607 and the peaceful meeting between the Native Americans and the European Settlers. Strawberry Banks, 3 p.m. Free.

June 25-27: Hampton will play host to two of its most popular events: the 20th annual Afrikan American Festival and the 43rd annual Hampton Jazz Festival. During the Hampton Jazz Festival, the world renowned Hampton Coliseum will come alive with the sounds of the nation’s top blues, soul, pop, and jazz performers. At the Afrikan American Festival, enjoy an alcohol-free family event with merchandise vendors, live music, and great food.

Signature Anniversary Event!
July 9-11: 11th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival – Celebrating Hampton’s 400th Anniversary & Hampton Founder’s Day
Set sail for Hampton’s Pirate Festival where living history and family fun goes hand-in-hand. Immerse yourself in early 1700s Hampton with Blackbeard’s Ball, live entertainment, pirate encampment, children’s activities, sea battles, fireworks and more, as Hampton reenacts and celebrates the demise of Blackbeard, one of the fiercest pirates ever known, and Hampton’s 400th anniversary.

Sept. 10-12: Hampton’s largest and best known festival, Hampton Bay Days will celebrate its 28th year of educating attendees on the importance of the Chesapeake Bay this September. The event will feature musical entertainment, an indoor juried art show, over 100 merchandise and craft vendors, GODSPEED, bay education area, fireworks, and more. In addition, world-renowned painter, sculptor, photographer, writer, SCUBA diver, and marine life conservationist, Wyland, will design this year’s Hampton Bay Days commemorative poster.

Sept. 18 Native American Festival: Thunder on the Bay is a drumming and dancing pow-wow, focusing on the continued Native American presence in our region and along the East Coast, with educational exhibits, food vendors, and craft vendors. Buckroe Beach Park. 757/726-5437.

Dec. 11 Hampton Holly Days Parade & 400th Anniversary Fireworks
Downtown Hampton. Join us for an evening of enchantment as you view the creative floats, listen to the high school bands, salute the military marching units and exciting drill teams, and wave at the beauty queens. Of course this parade is not complete without everyone’s favorite….Santa Claus. Televised live on WVEC-TV13. 7:00 p.m. With a grand finale of fireworks.

Find out more at www.hampton400.com