2nd Annual Boat & Nautical Yard Sale Returns April 16th at Ocean Marine

Here is your opportunity to sell, swap, barter or buy and visit with boating friends.

Ocean Marine Yacht Center will hold its 2nd Annual Elizabeth River Boat & Nautical Yard Sale and Flea Market on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The event will take place in the Ocean Marine parking lot on Wavy Street, south of the nTelos Wireless Pavilion at Harbor Center in downtown Portsmouth. It will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Got Nautical Stuff? Interested vendors should clean out their vessels and/or storage lockers for items like marine equipment, dive gear, marine products, clothing, electronics, antiques, fishing gear, nautical arts and crafts, boats on trailers, etc. In other words, if it's nautical, bring it!

Vendors will not be charged a fee; admission is free for all. Vendors should bring their own tables and/or tents.

To sign up, call Ocean Marine Yacht Center at 757-321-7432.

We recommend that you show up early because with most flea markets and yard sales, the best stuff will be leaving early. This is a great oopportunity to visit with your boating friends.

About Ocean Marine Yacht Center

Ocean Marine's prime location is just one half mile south of Mile Marker Zero on the Intracoastal Waterway, and its unrestricted access from sea. They are located on the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The Marina at Ocean Marine Yacht Center.

The Marina at Ocean Marine Yacht Center consists of 122 all-floating slips accommodating boats to 65' as well as 1500' of alongside dockage for larger (mega) yachts. All slips have water, telephone and cable television, and electricity hook-ups. Wireless Internet Service and a Courtesy Car are also available. Restrooms, showers, laundry room and ships' store are located in the Dockmaster Building.

A certified 'Green Marina', Ocean Marine Yacht Center was built to meet and exceed the stringent requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Upon check in, you will receive a welcome package containing information about local shops, restaurants, pubs, museums and scheduled events on the downtown waterfront, all within walking distance of Ocean Marine Yacht Center.

Ocean Marine is more than just a marina. It's the most modern, state-of-the-art yacht repair facility on the East Coast of the United States. The facility provides refit and repair, dockage and storage to yachts of all sizes.

"Ocean Marine's biggest business its its megayacht repair facility, which is an environmental caretaker" - Marina Dock Age magazine.

The mega yacht repair facility is second to none, boasting a 1,250-ton Syncrolift capable of hauling yachts to 235' via a ground level rail transfer system to an impressive paint/repair building capable of housing two megayachts simultaneously. Both bays of the indoor paint repair facility offer a cascading water wall washdown system, smooth paneled walls, overhead and recessed surround lighting, pressurized ventilation system, and heated floors for year round operation. In addition, Ocean Marine has unrestricted access from sea and offers 1500' of alongside dockage. The Refit Projects link lists some of the most beautiful privately owned megayachts that have called to Ocean Marine Yacht Center since its inception in April of 2002.

At Ocean Marine, their technicians are qualified to repair engines, transmissions, air conditioning, refrigeration, steering and hydraulic systems. The skilled and well-seasoned yard crew handles fiberglass and gelcoat repair, bottom paint, stabilizer, propeller, shaft and strut repairs. In addition, Ocean Marine features an 80-ton Travelift, a complete parts department and engine showroom.

Ocean Marine Yacht Center, One Crawford Court, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704. 757.321.7432.



Tall Ship Lynx Makes First Portsmouth Waterfront Appearance at Schooner Days

Privateer 'LYNX' will be participating in this year's Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race and Schooner Days in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia

The Lynx will make its' first Portsmouth waterfront appearance at Schooner Days from October 15 & 16, 2010.  This two-day celebration offers numerous maritime-related activities, many are free to the general public.

The Privateer Lynx will join the over 40 vessels to sail from Baltimore to Portsmouth for the 21st Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race.  The race leaves Baltimore Maryland on October 14, 2010.  Vessels start arriving on the Portsmouth waterfront sometime Friday October 15th - depending on wind conditions.
The Portsmouth waterfront from North Landing to beyond the High Street Landing will showcase over 40 schooners from local and distant ports and is considered the largest gathering of schooners in the world.

Schooner Days in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia October 15-17, 2010

Lynx, America's Privateer, represents the first ships to defend our freedom. She was designed and built to interpret a privateer or naval schooner from the War of 1812. The 114 ton Lynx is an interpretation of a privateer or naval schooner from the War of 1812.  She is fitted with period ordnance and flies pennants and flags from the 1812 era making her one of the first ships to defend our freedom.

Color engraving of the original Baltimore Clipper USS LYNX.

The Lynx crew wear period dress and operate the ship in keeping with the maritime traditions of early 19th Century America. Lynx represents a “letter of Marque” Baltimore Clipper, considered to be among the finest privateer schooners ever built.  Because of their swiftness and maneuverability, these ships were most effective as blockade runners and offensive weapons of war.  Students and adults will recognize the War of 1812 as a significant element of American heritage and as a turning point in the development of our national identity. The educational early American history and science programs that are aboard Lynx meet specific State Standards.
The Privateer Lynx was hired to train the cast and crew of the hit movie Pirates of the Caribbean.
The Privateer Lynx will be offering Public Dockside Tours on Saturday and Sunday October 16 & 17 as part of Portsmouth’s '2010 Schooner Days’.  Climb aboard and step back in time as you relive history and feel the adventure.  On decks and below Lynx evokes the life, spirit, and atmosphere of a vanished age of sail.
‘Public Dockside Tours’ will take place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon.  Once you step on board the Lynx, you'll be taking a giant step back in time.  You will learn firsthand, the important role that Privateers played during the War of 1812.  As you walk these decks of history, the crew of the Lynx will explain the Privateer concept and what the day-to-day life of a Privateer was like.  Relax, stay as long as you like and investigate every part of this unique living history museum.  This is truly an educational experience that is fun for children as well as adults.  Once you've taken the dockside tour, you will surely want to sign on for a Adventure sail.  A $5.00 donation is requested for the Dockside Tour.

A crew member prepares to fire a cannon aboard  the Privateer LYNX.

Lynx is available for school field trips, private charters, team building, and receptions.   Recipient of the American Sail Training Associations 2008 SAIL TRAINING PROGRAM OF THE YE AR AWARD and the 2008 TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE PERRY BOWL AWARD.
About the Priviateer Lynx
The Lynx Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization, dedicated to hands-on educational programs that teach the history of America’s struggle to preserve its independence.  For donation information, please contact the Lynx Educational Foundation at 866.446.5969.  Their offices are located at 509 29th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
For more information, go to www.privateerlynx.org

About Schooner Days
Schooner Days is a celebration of the world’s largest gathering of schooners along the waterfront of Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. It's held this year in conjunction with the 21st Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race from Baltimore to Portsmouth- racing to save the bay!

Schooner Days in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia October 15-17, 2010

Schooner Days was created in 2009 to commemorate Portsmouth’s rich maritime history with a variety of scheduled historical recreation events including demonstrations by shipwright artisans, maritime related musicians, costumed actors and even a hands-on building of a skiff!  Other exhibits will be on hand to bring awareness for the need to preserve and improve the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay.
For more information, go to www.schoonerdays.com

About the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race
The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race (GCBSR) was founded to promote public awareness of the Chesapeake Bay's maritime heritage and to encourage the preservation and improvement of the Chesapeake's natural resources.

Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race from Fells Point, Baltimore,  Maryland 127 nautical miles down the Chesapeake Bay to Portsmouth, Virginia.

 Proceeds of the race are donated to one or more charitable organizations involved in conservation of the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay.  To date, $137,624 has been donated to support children's education programs of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The race begins in Fells Point, in Baltimore, Maryland, and ends 127 nautical miles down the Chesapeake Bay in Portsmouth, Virginia.  Entry is open to all schooner-rigged vessels.
More than 40 schooners are participating in this year's 21st annual race.
For more information, go to www.schoonerrace.org

The NEW Unofficial Boater's Guide to Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia

This is the “unofficial” Boater’s Guide for our great neighborhood, Olde Towne. “Unofficial” since any descriptions may be colored by our personal opinions as business owners and residents of Olde Towne – this is not an official publication of the City of Portsmouth. We have worked hard to provide information specifically useful to boaters and to do so as accurately as possible.

State law (no pump-out facility or electricity) prohibits Portsmouth from making its landings (High Street Landing and North Landing) officially available to overnight stays. But the landings are perfect for tying up and enjoying the many great shops, restaurants and attractions in town. We also have 2 great marinas on each side of downtown: Tidewater Yacht Marina and Ocean Marine Yacht Center, both of which have transient slips (see “Marinas” for more info).

We love boaters and we’re glad you’re here or coming here! Olde Towne Portsmouth is an historic seaport conveniently located at Mile Marker Zero of the Intracoastal Waterway and we have the deepest natural harbor anywhere.

You can pick up a copy of the "Unofficial Boaters Guide to Olde Towne Portsmouth" at Skipjack Nautical Wares next to the High Street basin or at the Starboard Coffee Kiosk (also located at the High Street basin)

You can also download the guide as a pdf. file by clicking on the link here.

If there is a piece of info we have overlooked, let us know! We
intend the “unofficial Boater’s Guide” to be updated regularly.
Write us at askus@skipjacknauticalwares.com.
Welcome!
– the gang at Skipjack Nautical Wares
(One High Street next to High Street Landing, facing the river!)
http://www.skipjacknauticalwares.com

Cruising the ICW Near Mile Marker "0" Please share your experience with us!

Boaters visiting Olde Towne Portsmouth at the High Street Landing

Have you recently visited Portsmouth, Virginia or plan to visit us as you cruise along the Atlanitic ICW? Please share your experience with us as well as other boaters traveling the ICW! Your opinion matters, so let us know what we can do to improve your stay.

 Please E-mail your comments to cjosephelder@gmail.com (pictures are great so please include them) or leave your comments below so we can post them on this blog site: Welcome to Mile Marker "0" AICW.

 You can also stop by and visit us at Skipjack Nautical Wares located at the High Street Landing, tell us in person and pick up our NEW Unofficial Boaters Guide to Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia!. We look forward to hearing from you and have a safe and memorable trip as you pass through the Virginia waters of AICW and beyond! Click here to go to our most recent Mile Marker "0" blog posts.