Ever walked up to a stranger in a marina with the same make and model of boat as yours and asked if you could take a peek inside? Most boat owners know they can learn a lot about their own vessels by sharing tips and stories with people who own similar boats. Cruising and partying with those owners can also be a lot of fun.
SEA RAY CUSTOMER ALEX KENTMembers gather during Sea Ray's AquaPalooza event, held on Navarre Beach in Florida. A number of boat owners' groups in the United States have been around for years. The Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club, for example, is more than 35 years old and supports a brand that has celebrated its 100th anniversary. Other groups are just starting out. All can be a powerful addition to your boating life, providing expert advice and a ready source of kindred spirits who enjoy the water the way you do.
If you are buying a new boat, or if you haven't examined the support groups available for your boat in the last few years, it may be worth a look. Owners' groups, associations and clubs come in several flavors. Some are organized by individual enthusiasts, who maintain their independence. Others are sponsored by your boat's dealer or manufacturer. Each has its advantages.
But no matter how they are organized, the rise of the Internet has launched owners' groups into a new, more vibrant era. Most groups have websites and e-mail newsletters that alert members to upcoming rendezvous and other events, as well as classified ads for parts, service and used boats. Some provide a bevy of source material, such as the history of the boat manufacturer, copies of manuals, original brochures and specifications sheets.
Better still, many of these sites are interactive, allowing you to join forums for discussions on topics directly related to your boat, from bilge pumps to burgees. Through the Web, owners' groups and associations can extend your boating community beyond your local marina and cruising area to the whole country, even the world.
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SEA RAY CUSTOMER JUDY MITCHELLA Kodak moment captured during a Sea Ray AquaPalooza event on Peddock's Island.
Many boat dealerships have customer loyalty programs that provide social and cruising opportunities for people who purchase new boats from them. These events can range from a single holiday cocktail party to regular owners' rendezvous and cruises.
The Grady Bunch, organized by Grady-White dealership Vero Marine Center of Vero Beach, Fla., is among the best-established dealer groups in the country. The 20-year-old club takes monthly trips to destinations in Florida and Georgia, and makes a cruise to The Bahamas each summer. The dealer organizes the trips, creates the itineraries and books the slips, letting the owners focus on having a good time.
"It's an adult kids' camp, is what it is," says Vero Marine Center owner Bruce MacIntyre, who adds, "We always have somebody in the group that's handy, in case someone has a problem."
Owners find a safety advantage to traveling in a "bunch."
"I feel more comfortable in a group," says Grady-White 33 owner Bobby Lindsey of Vero Beach. "It has allowed me to be very relaxed in making a crossing. Just the security of knowing that if something were to break, there's the support there."
