PropTalk Magazine

For many people, buying a powerboat is about freedom—the freedom to cruise new waterways, spend weekends on the water, entertain family and friends, and enjoy a lifestyle that’s hard to match. But what surprises many first-time buyers is that, under the right circumstances, owning a boat in a professionally managed fleet may also come with valuable tax advantages. What every prospective boat owner should know about professionally managed ownership programs like PowerTime.

There are two big boat shows coming up this fall in the Chesapeake region: Baltimore Trawlerfest and the Annapolis Powerboat Show. Let's get a sneak peek. Trawlerfest features an in-water boat show and a full slate of seminars. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Trawlerfest, three weekends of in-water boat shows around the country celebrating the cruising lifestyle.

As I make way into the semi-submerged cavern, beams of light dance along the multi-colored stones of the cave floor, very reminiscent of Ariel’s grotto in “The Little Mermaid.” Just outside the entrance, cerulean water stretches as far as the eye can see. Off to the right, a passage appears; it’s narrow but passable, and the current flows swiftly through the boulders, pulling you along to an unknown destination. Perhaps a hidden beach or a pirate’s lost lair?

We know that all boats can’t be all things to all people, but some boats have a vastly wider appeal than others. And if you want a boat that has a flying bridge but is still thoroughly sporty, one that has gobs of cabin space with berths for three couples, one that offers a cockpit you can go fishing from, and one that includes a healthy dose of luxury, you’ll find the Solara S-310 SB widely appealing, indeed.

Downtown Norfolk, VA, perhaps more than any other Chesapeake Bay port downtown, is a story of investment and rebirth. That investment and the resulting revitalization had many contributors, none more important than the boating public, who encouraged and latched on to the building of a downtown marina, Festival Marketplace, a seven-acre waterfront park and an outdoor festival program to activate that park (see “Harborfest” sidebar for more on this). Tall ships in Norfolk for Sail250 and Harborfest.

A new Chesapeake Bay tradition is coming to the West River this fall as the inaugural Galesville Maritime Heritage Festival launches on Saturday, October 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the historic waterfront village of Galesville. Presented by the Galesville Heritage Society (GHS), the free, family-friendly festival will celebrate the rich maritime traditions, boatbuilding heritage, and waterfront culture that have shaped the village for generations.

You’ve taken guests on your boat to a waterfront restaurant and enjoyed sharing a nice relaxing dinner and a wonderful sunset. But now you realize that you’ve let time slip by and it’s getting dark. How do you safely get everyone back to your home slip? Boating at night is significantly different than daytime boating. Shoreside lights can mix with navigational lights of boats and buoys. It’s impossible to determine distances to objects. Boating at night is significantly different than daytime boating.

In a bold move to preserve a relationship-driven approach to business, rigorous focus on quality, and generous community giving, Eddie Smith, owner of Grady-White Boats, has gifted control of the company to a perpetual purpose trust. In addition, a nonprofit organization will be created that will grant the company’s profits to charities. Eddie Smith, the owner of Grady-White Boats.

This classic Donzi is becoming Maryland's first electric boat conversion prototype. This 1989 Donzi Regazza R25 will become the Chesapeake Bay’s first full-scale gas-to-electric conversion prototype. On a warm spring morning in Millington, MD, a 1989 Donzi Regazza R25 sat high on its trailer, its deep V hull gleaming under the warehouse lights at Wooden Boat Restoration (WBR). The boat looked every bit the classic Chesapeake runabout—wide shouldered, fast, and built for the chop.

If you've ever dreamed of spending weekends exploring the Chesapeake Bay or taking long trips along the Intracoastal Waterway, a trailerable cabin cruiser may be the perfect fit. Unlike many day boats, a cabin cruiser is designed for overnight stays. Photo courtesy of Pocket Yacht Think of it as the boating equivalent of a tow-behind camper.