Living on the Eastern Shore in Maryland means that we’re thinking about the water year-round. Our town is actually a water town and my husband works at a boating supply retail store. During the summer months, our cute little town is filled with tourists and boaters that travel down from Pennsylvania. Boating is just a way of life around here and I do miss being out on the boat.
Growing up, we were on the boat often. My grandparents had quite a few boats throughout the years because you use different boats for different things. They had boats for crabbing and boats for cutting loose on the water. To find out which boat is perfect for you, check out this boat selector.
When my grandparents had a condo in Ocean City, MD, they also had a dock slip, meaning their boat was in the water pretty much all summer long. Most of my boating memories are from those summers and boy do I wish they still had that place. We would climb onto Poppop’s boat with our lifejackets on and yell for him to “go fast”. He would, but then we’d cry for him to slow down.
Crabbing with Poppop almost always meant a crab would wind up loose on the boat. This was generally on purpose because he thought it was hysterical to watch us freak out about a crab eating us. I still don’t find this especially funny.
After my grandparents moved to Kentucky, Poppop’s boating habits changed a bit. They’re now near more rivers and lakes than the Ocean, so things have slowed down for him. There are a lot of pontoons and yachts instead of speedboats out there. On a trip before we got married, we took the boat out with Poppop and just enjoyed being on the water. He always looks so happy sitting on the boat.
And of course, my husband never has time to get on the boat during the summer here since that’s his prime work season. He really does enjoy it though!
Sadly, I think this was the last time I was on a boat and that was back in 2009. Goal for this summer: Get on a boat!
To me, my ideal day on the boat is just hanging out and enjoying the sun and splashes of water. Good snacks and a couple of sodas are always a plus! I’m not into fishing so much anymore, but Charlie would love it just like I did with my Poppop when I was his age!
If you’re unfamiliar with Discover Boating,  it’s a national program to help people get on the water to experience the fun of boating. For those looking to get their feet wet, Discover Boating is an unbiased online resource packed with easy, interactive features on all things boating, including a boat selector guide, cost comparison tool, renting options, youth boating programs, education courses – even nautical lingo and how-to videos. Plus, Discover Boating offers tools and information for experienced boaters looking to learn more.
Check out Stories of Discovery, a documentary series celebrating boating and life on the water!
We’re giving you a chance to get some supplies for your boating adventures this summer with a giveaway for a $20 Amazon gift card! You can grab some goggles, a cooler, snacks, a tube, sunglasses, a lifejacket, swim suit or whatever else floats your boat!
What does your ideal day on the water look like?
matt says
I want to win 20.00
Phyrra says
I used to go boating with my dad while I was growing up. Loved it!
coolchillmom says
My ideal day on the water includes snorkeling and sand bar hoping
Deb- It's me, debcb! says
I love that here in Kansas we live by so many lakes. Love to go out on a boat and just soak up the sun!
Laura @ Inspiration for Moms says
I love boating. I went pretty often when I lived in Texas!
Sherry Conrad says
My ideal day on the water is family and friends, lots of laughter and making memories. Jet skiing, swimming, enjoying a picnic and playing the day away.
Kristine Foley says
My inlaws just got a boat and we are itching to go! Looks like a blast!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir says
Everyone is just now getting their boats out and ready for this year. I can’t wait to get out there!
Laura J says
Oh we have really thinking about getting a boat! Growing up we had one and I loved it! I love going out and relaxing on the water and bringing a picnic lunch!
Karen says
I like to ride around on the boat and look at all the cool things you can see on the lake from a different point of view like the back of some really cool houses.
Thanks,
Karen
Lisa Coomer Queen says
My ideal day would be to take the grandchildren and my children and relax and let the kids tube. Just cruise around.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I haven;t been out on a boat in years, but my BIL just bought one, so I am hoping to get out again this summer.
Valerie says
I don’t get to go out on a boat as much as I would like to. It is so much fun to be on the water!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
There’s nothing more fun that being on a boat. We love to float down the river. It’s so nice to fish and swim and just be together.
Dawn says
We moved to Florida a few months ago, and I am so stoked to get out on the water. It’s going to great!
Catherine S says
Boating sounds like a lot of fun. The only boat I have been on is a cruise ship.
Pam says
I just went boating a couple of weeks ago when I was on vacation. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it!
Maureen says
We love to go out boating! I wish we could do it more often though. So much fun!
Jaime says
Our friends have a lake house, but it’s been a couple of years since we’ve visited them there. We love boating and just relaxing on the water!
Terry says
It has been many years since I have been on a boat. The last time was when my Hubs and Daughter had to save a guy and his Grandkids.
Liz Mays says
I didn’t knwo about Discover Boating, It would be really nice to get out on the water. I should definitely plan on that soon!
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
What fun memories you have with your Grandparents. I’m going to check out this boating organization. My husband sails but I’ve never been around boats and was just thinking what a fun addition to summer outings it would be.
Natalie says
My ideal day on the water includes water skiing, a picnic on an island and swimming.
katrina rasnake says
My ideal day on the water is just relaxing and enjoy the getaway with my family. Then after soaking up some sun, do a little bit of diving.
Brandy says
Boating is so much fun, it reminds me of when I was a teen and Dad would take us out. Love it, we used to put tubes behind and my dare devil sis would get pulled out, not me. Nope.
Veronica says
I haven’t gone boating in a while! I need to get myself back out there
Theresa says
My ideal day on the water would consist of hooking up some tubes and letting the kids ride the boat waves. I have such fond memories of doing that myself when I was little!
Ann Bacciaglia says
There is nothing like being on the water with the wind blowing in you r hair. I love going out on a boat and cruising around.
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
We loved boating when I was a kid, this was so nostalgic to read!
Christie says
I definitely miss boating up north! Definitely a great family outing idea
Heidi Salisbury says
My ideal day on the water would be cruising around in a boat with my husband and two children. Totally relaxing and tubing and skiing. Never been on ski doos so that would be fun to do also.
Debbie Denny says
I have not been boating in a while. I need to do that soon
Jeanine says
I love boating! Haven’t been since I was a kid but it would be so much fun to do this summer!
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
I love boating. Grew up spending time on boats and lakes. Now, living in MI I am surrounded by them. My husband has his grandfathers old boat and hes wanting to restore it. Would be nice!
Ora Lee Gurr says
Boating is a lot of fun. We have two lakes less than 20 miles away to fish from or just enjoy being on the water. An Amazon card is a great giveaway, since there are so many boating items available on the site.
Crystal says
For a Parents’ Night Out recently, we booked a boat and set sail. It was so fun to get away (literally) and spend time with our friends.
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says
Ha, I told my hubby a week or so ago that we need to find friends with a boat so we can enjoy some lake fun!
Mary Burris says
What does your ideal day on the water look like? I’m not much of a water/boating person, so my day on the water would be me hanging on the beach reading or soaking up the sun.
Lisa says
I just love lounging around on the beach and listening to the waves.
Carissa joslyn says
Just trolling along fishing and hanging out. maybe some water activies on the skidoo or something!
we have a camp up on a lake here in Maine that we always are at in summer!
Tina Harris says
the perfect day on the water is sunny and no rough waves for sure
Carly Brydon says
Boating looks like so much fun! Thank you so much for letting us know about Discover Boating!
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
It has been a long since I have been on a boat. I wouldn’t say I grew up on a boat but my dad did have a small sail boat.
Gloria Walshver says
Sorry afraid to go boating.
Natalie Brown says
My ideal day on the water would be a sunny day with a mix of light clouds. Riding out to a place to sun & swim would be so much fun. 🙂
Shannon Gurnee says
I remember going boating when I was a kid. I wish we had a boat to take our kids boating. Love the post you shared!
David Fultner says
My day would involve a staff.
Pamela Gurganus says
My ideal day on the water would include swimming, laying on the beach, water skiing, fishing and of course grilling out with family and friends.
Gina B says
Taking a lovely boat out somewhere warm, like the Florida Keys, snorkeling, serving a few refreshing drinks and a snack and coming back in for a nice waterside dinner!
Judy Freedman says
The water looks beautiful. Love boating and the shore.
Janet W. says
My perfect day on the water looks like relaxing on a boat with my family eating snacks and spending time together!
tracee says
My perfect day on the water would be not too hot, not too cold and lots of wind that is just a bit squirrely to keep you on your toes!
Elena says
the ideal day would be boating with my family and relaxing
Rebecca Kellerman says
My ideal day on the water would be a day with my boyfriend and my family. We would eat burgers/pizza and see amazing sights with down time for reading and chatting.
Leela says
Just relaxing and taking it easy.
Angela Saver says
An ideal day on the boat would be catching fish & enjoying family time together!
Amanda Morris says
ideal tons of sunblock and some good drinks and snakcs 🙂
Kimberly Flickinger says
My ideal day on the water would be swimming all day at the lake.
Susan Smith says
My ideal day on the water would be jet sking
Amanda Sakovitz says
My ideal day on the water would be just floating on a raft, relaxing.
Sarah L says
My day on the water would be catching lots of fish to cook.
Thanks for the contest.
Thomas Murphy says
I love going fishing!
liz l says
No waves and 72 degrees