Sea dreams

by Michael J. DeCicco

Summer and the waters of the South Coast are the mixed drink most everyone imbibes in this time of year. But where and what are your choices in 2022?

The summer boating business this year will only be as busy as fuel prices will allow, according to Michael Carey of Whaling City Marine Construction, 4 Popes Island, Fairhaven, which builds docks and sea walls for the commercial and recreational boating industry. "It's hard to say how this summer season will be for the motor boating business," Carey said. "It sure won't be better this year. The high fuel costs will slow boating this season for sure. People won't looking for building sea walls and docks when their business is down. When fuel prices go up, their business goes down."

Whaling City Marine Construction's work focuses on new marine construction and replacing and re-securing existing structures. Its website boasts its custom commercial and residential dock, piling, bulkhead, and pier projects can be seen all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

According to recent MA Department of Energy Resources statistics, the average cost per gallon for regular gasoline has risen 62 percent over last year's average. Diesel fuel is averaging 105 percent higher than last year's average per gallon. Yet boatingindustry.com recently reported that in early January 2022, the National Marine Manufacturers Association NMMA reported U.S. new powerboat retail unit sales are expected to surpass 300,000 units for the second consecutive year, which is only an estimated 4-6% below the record highs set in 2020.

Osprey offers professional instruction, tours, rentals, and full-service outfitting to recreational paddle sport enthusiasts.

Paddle power

Customers of Osprey Sea & Surf Adventures, 489 Old County Road, Westport, are following a different boating trend, choosing non-motorized boating recreation. Osprey offers professional instruction, tours, rentals, and full-service outfitting to recreational paddle sport enthusiasts. An Osprey Sea & Surf Adventures representative indicated how busy they are getting so early in the season simply by not being able to stop for an interview.

"It's too early in the season to tell how busy business will be," she said. "But we are very busy every year. And there was no difference in how busy we were last year over the year before, despite COVID."

Nemasket Kayak Center in Wareham also offers guided tours, rentals, and rentals for those looking to paddle in waters closer to the Cape. Their goal is to foster a fun, inclusive, and affordable outdoor experience for visitors. They promise “personal attention to the skill level and needs of every customer.”

Nemasket also engages with various charitable organizations and educational institutions to drive conservation efforts, ensuring that the pristine waters of Buzzards Bay remain preserved for future generations.

Tours include the Agawam Mill Pond, Marion Harbor, Onset Bay, the Taunton River, and more. Of note is the Plymouth Harbor History tour, which focuses on historical locations and scenes like the Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, and other local attractions and points of interest. The summer is filled with events for kayakers of all skill levels and affinities! Rentals, lessons, and tours can be booked online at nemasketkayak.com. According to recent online studies, the kayak rental industry has grown in popularity over the past five years in the United States driven by the recent introduction of low-cost kayaks, a heightened focus on physical fitness and the sport's growing popularity with women. However, greater popularity and affordability have driven many consumers to buy their own kayaks, sapping rental demand. Just the same, industry revenue has grown an annualized 0.3% to $57.3 million during the current period.

According to recent online studies, the kayak rental industry has grown in popularity over the past five years in the United States driven by the recent introduction of low-cost kayaks, a heightened focus on physical fitness and the sport's growing popularity with women

Great outdoors

But a boat isn't the only way to enjoy summertime along the coast. Festivals and nature walks are also appealing this time of year.

The Taunton Watershed Alliance has good news on that front. It was able to hold its annual festival on June 12 at Weir Riverfront Park in Taunton (after a one-year COVID-sparked hiatus) to great success. "We saw double our participation over the last in-person event, 60 people," said Alliance representative Gloria Bancroft. "People are starting to do things again."

This event was preceded by its first guided bird walk of the season, at Sweet Knolls Park, North Dighton, on June 5. "We saw people there we had never seen before," Bancroft said. "All ages. All our activities have been well-attended this year."

Next up, on July 1, is the Alliance's guided walk along the boardwalk at the Fall River Heritage State Park. This park is a significant spot to lead such a walk because is the southern end of watershed the Alliance is working to protect and preserve, Bancroft pointed out.

Bancroft said the Alliance is also planning an "Angler Day" for the third week of July, a family-fishing day event, and even a "Discover the Watershed" walk and event. Both will be at Sweet Knolls Park (exact dates and detail yet to be announced). The Alliance is even working on sponsoring a kayak trip event in September.

She said people should follow their website (savethetaunton.org) for details on any of the above. "Prior to COVID people wanted to be on the water," she said. "That feeling has returned. People are knocking on my door, even the elderly, asking on how they can get on the water again. COVID is done and they want to be outdoors."