Virginia Beach
 

Any clubs or gatherings in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area? Just bought a Formula 292 and am looking for some boat buddies.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/p...orfolk-va.html

Come join us.

I'm new to the Virginia Beach area as well, actually just moved here about two weeks ago. How many guys are around here that like to go fast?

I'm boatless at the moment but have lived here for 10 yrs or so, we have a club that seems to have lost much of it's steam, best bet is to stop by Audio Connection (Bill Rippel)on Laskin or Harbor Marine (Bill Braun) in Ocean View, both Bill's can fill you in on what goes on around here. The website for the club is

http://hrpa.homestead.com/Homepage1.html


welcome to VB,

Welcome to the Beach! Lots of go-fast boating activity.

we usually tow down to Va beach 3 times a year, love it there!

Welcome guys - definitely a couple guys in the area.

Come out and meet eveyrone at one of 2 runs that come through this area.

Jammin' on the James
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/p...chmond-va.html

Powerboating for a Cure
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/p...save-date.html

The Powerboating for a Cure run is a little smaller and a little more localized.

Thanks guys, I'm definitely looking forward to the weather warming up so i can get out on the water. As for those poker runs, I'm planning on making it to the Powerboating for a Cure one for sure. For the Jamming on the James, I'm not sure my schedule is going to allow me to make it. but I would like to if I can.

I am still new to boating in this area. When do people usually start putting their boats back in the water? I'm assuming some time in March?

There is rarely more than 1-2 boats at our raft up before Memorial Day weekend.

I think most people (especially with kids in school) don't even pull the cover off the boat until Memorial Day Weekend.

I always plan to be in the water earlier than that but it just never seems to happen!!!

Jeez, I'm in NLT Apr. 15th and I'm 150+ miles north of VA. Beach.

Ill be getting out there sometime late in march as long as the weather is somewhat decent

Nlt ?

Common acronym for "No Later Than".

I was always out first week -second week in April, we get some 80-90 degree days by then

Definitely getting the boating itch. Looking forward to checking out the tiki bar this season.

Yeah - I wasn't saying it from the weather standpoint but more from the fact that I think there are other things in people's lives that keep them from focusing on boating until later than they should!!

Same here, I'm ready to be out on the water. Maybe we can a group of us to run out there when the weather warms up

Are you talking about the Tiki bar on the lower eastern shore? Where exactly is it? I've seen pics but never been there. I'm thinking it's not too far from Pt. Lookout.

Ive never been to the Tiki bar on the eastern shore. I hear you just have to follow the bay bridge north. Supposed to be a good time on Sundays?

It's about a mile or so north of where the Bridge meets the eastern shore. Always heard Sunday is the party day over there!!!

I have never been there but be careful - there are sand bars. I would suggest going in on a medium tide riding up the full tide and then getting out by a mid-tide. That's what my buddies told me I should do.

I had a great picture from a year or two ago of a 31' Grady White with NO water underneath it!!!

Hopefully ill follow someone who is familiar with the water up there. Or follow my neighbor in is 32' fishing boat, he'll hit bottom before me, ha.

There's some good info about the Tiki Bar in this link. They talk about the sandbars on pg. 3 but it doesn't sound too bad.

http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/show...-Eastern-Shore

Tiki bar is awesome, we go over a couple times a yr, it's best with a north wind since it's pretty exposed, just pay attention to the tides and you'll be fine, the sand bars change every year so who knows what it will be like this yr. It's the first building west of the bridge so you cant miss it from VB

Raft up
 

Where do you guys raft up.

I all depends Time of the year and the price of fuel, Chippokes ( Surry), Tiki Bar (Eastern Shore), The Cove ( Elizabeth River), The Narrows ( in between Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay) And the Redneck Riviera ( North Landing River @ Northlanding Beach Camp Ground):drink:

I'm assuming the Tiki Bar is seasonal, does it open around Memorial Day or is it before/after that?

I am thinking before that, But it is a chilli wade to shore early in the spring.

people dont usually get over there till the water warms up since you have to wade in, plus spring can be tough around here, it tends to be windy and the bay gets ridiculously rough, I hear Chippokes is the place, it was just too far for me (45 miles or so each way)

where did you move from?

On the Peninsula Side there are a couple raft up spots - one is the New Point Comfort Lighthouse, and one is what we all call "The Duckblind" - located right inland of where the Bay meets the Poquoson River and Chisman Creek. It is swimming distance from my house (no exageration since certain members of our group have done it) so I typically end up there.

New Point Comfort Lighthouse will often have 50-75 boats. The "Duckblind" is more in the 25-40 with July 4th being typically closer to 100.

You won't see many Go-Fasts on the Penninsula. Just me and one or two other fountains - everyone things my boat is a fountain knockoff!!

EDIT - I forgot to mention Factory Point - which is an inlet off the Chesapeake Bay that is just past Salt Ponds if you are coming from the Beach. Rumor is everyone just pulls right up on the beach there because the water drops off fast so your transom sits in deep water.

Good Time
 

I plan on getting down there to hit all the spots mentioned it sounds like a good time. I'm just back into the boat thing we did Kings Mill a few times end of last year and the Potomac out of Hopesprings Marina all good times...

Yea I can imagine its pretty chilly early in the spring. I moved up here from the Tampa area about 3 weeks ago.

There is a BUNCH of us local guys that boat in groups over the summer. The spots mentioned above are the common destinations. During the spring / fall we usually boat to a restaurant or the narrows as the water is too cold. Then we migrate to other locations as the water temps get better. It is always a good time/party when we get a bunch of us together.

Some of us are working on compiling a master email list of local boaters. This will be mainly used to announce Powerboating for a Cure poker run details. But we could also use it each weekend to say where everyone is boating the upcoming weekend. Don't need emails yet as we are still going through basic details of the poker run.

BTW - on Facebook?
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/p...13160285422795

Is it time for a boat ride yet ????????

im in!
i will bring the drinks :drink:

It was last Wednesday, but I was working. :eek:

I like to go fast

YES you do !!!!!!!

my F18 goes really fast!

is it a two seater?:evilb: