Watching Fireworks by Boat

[DAndrews]

Need some advice from the OC boating/fishing crowd. I am thinking about taking the family and in-laws out in the boat to watch the fireworks this year. In the past I've been reluctant because I feared the "madness" and drunks on the water after dark. However, the past few years we've watched the fireworks from the end of Sunset and the boat traffic seemed to be pretty controlled. My question is, where would a good, relatively safe place be to anchor up and watch the show? We will be coming from South Point or Assateague. I was thinking about the area just south of the commercial harbor. I know there is some skinny water in that area but have also seen some boats go through there. Any thought on this idea are greatly appreciated.

[done workin]

I asked the same question last year and was tol NO NO NO NO NO,

so I did it anyway.

I took my 13' whaler along with my neighbor on his 20 Wellcraft last year up to the inlet from Frontiertown. We got up to the beach on the south side of the inlet, right sat the base of the jetty, before dark, may be 8:00 and beached the boats.

Watched the fireworks, and then gave everybody a 20 minute head start to let the crowds dwindle a bit.

Then we got in, took a slow 7-8 MPH cruise back with a small pack of 3-4 boats and we made our way South.

No problems, good behavior, I would do it again.

The main channel throiugh there is pretty generous. Do yourself aa favor and keep the GPS on when you run up and allow plenty of wiggle room. Follow the trail back in the dark and you know you have a littel extra room.

Chris

[DAndrews]

Thanks Chris. I think the wife is a little to freaked out by the idea so it looks like we will be watching from land again. Did a little recon Sunday though and discovered that there is some deep water just south of the commercial fishing pier...like 22 ft deep.... so maybe a good fishing spot?

[hollywood9s]

That place is a jungle from Memorial Day to Labor Day, i've never seen so many morons crammed into such a confined area. With that being said, if i were gonna go, i'd do what Chris said. Put off at Commercial Harbor, and on the south side of the inlet there is some beach area back behind Assateague, you can beach the boat there or anchor it off in the water as it's shallow. I'd get there early, and give everyone an hour afterwards to let the crowds thin out.
If you put off at Commercial Harbor you're only talking about maybe half a mile, so that might not be too bad.
I was actually thinking about trying it myself, but not sure unless i can get a sitter for my daughter.
Let me know if you decide to give it a try.