4th of July on the Charles - The Hull Truth

Sharkbait2 · 02-19-2007, 07:36 AM

Anyone done this?
Is it worth it?
Is it a pain in the a$$ to get in and out of there?

Sea Tow Ethan · 02-19-2007, 10:35 AM

Yes, it is a pain in the rump. But yes, it is worth it. Bring your best boating abilities, good anchoring skills and a huge pile of patience. I would recommend coming a day early, then picking up your guests somewhere in the river on the 4th, then plan on leaving the next morning. It's too crazy getting out of the river after the fireworks.

GOODNYOU · 02-19-2007, 07:16 PM

Good luck anchoring in the mud if its windy. Im spoiled living on beacon st across from the barge.

fletcha · 02-20-2007, 06:09 PM

It's great fun, I highly recommend it. I trailered a 24' bowrider to a launch ramp in Brighton and slept on the boat overnight to avoid the mad (and drunken) rush to the ramp up river or the locks to the harbor. The wind one year made it necessary for me to raft up with two boats that had successfully set their anchors.

Make sure you are not downwind; if you are your boat will be littered with paper and plastic from the spent shells.

Off The Rocks · 02-23-2007, 07:25 PM

It's the ramp that is the worst of it... it can WILL be HOURS waiting in or out...
Oh ya... the idiots on rafts and canoes with no lights, little kids - no vests, tube and paddle, all using the center channel....
You'll be amazed at what people will float on in this river to get a good view... AMAZED!

Luckily I don't need to worry about the ramp...LOL!!!
I just fight the crowd back to my slip...LOL!!!

Last year I had a family a asians... about 6-7, in a tiny canoe, 1 paddle and two INFANTS(NO VESTS) crossing right into me in the pitched darkness... he couldn't control the thing if his life depended on it(and it did)... He had a friggin TINY glowlight attached to his baseball cap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank God I saw them in time and avoided sinking the whole family... THEY HAD NO IDEA I WAS THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was only 10 minutes into the 30 or so minute ridedown river.

If you can deal with all this and STILL have a good time.... go for it... LOL!!!

Needless to say... I will be there again this year! LOL!!!
I am a glutton for punishment... LOL!!!

RoadWarrior · 02-24-2007, 02:06 AM

Folks,
I was of the understanding that the 4th celebration will not beheld at the hatch shell on the Charles but rather at the Kennedy library in dorchester bay.

RW

Off The Rocks · 02-24-2007, 07:33 PM

They will reamin at the hatchshell for this year and will more than likely be moved to Southy for next year...
That's a whole new thread...LOL!!!!

Here is a good read, it explains a bit about the reasoning...
http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...oston_by_2008/

tlaw7 · 02-25-2007, 08:58 AM

Off the Rocks, thanks for the Globe thread. Read it allthe way through and not a word about the boaters who attend the Charles River event. I've been twice with four-six other boats rafted up. A lot of fun, if you anchor carefully - two outside boats on all-chain rodes - and watch out for the crazies.

If it moves in '08, what do they propose for the marine traffic? Anchor in Boston Harbor? That ought to be fun to watch. I think I'll go this year just because I can still listen to the concert and watch the fireworks from the same place.