CALL US TODAY Fort Lauderdale: 954-467-9010 Punta Gorda: 941-505-2400

The Best Holiday Boat Parades in the US

The Best Holiday Boat Parades in the US

2020 has been a year unlike any other for many people around the world. With the holidays coming up and families still staying apart, it could be hard to get into the holiday spirit. Our team of specialists understand and want to share some ways to bring some cheer to your holiday season. If you are looking for a socially distanced way to celebrate, our experts recommend looking for a holiday boat parade in your city. Whether you watch from your own boat or onshore, you are guaranteed to be in the holiday mood after seeing these decorated boats sail by

Boat Parades 2020

Whether you are on the East Coast or West Coast of the United States, our experts have listed the best boat parades to go see in a few different cities. We hope that you can safely enjoy the holidays with your loved ones, even if it is from a distance. If you live in any of the cities mentioned below, be sure to check out the parade. If you don’t, check to see if there is a parade taking place near you!

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Every year, Fort Lauderdale holds its Winterfest Boat Parade. This holiday boat parade will be celebrating in a nontraditional way this year to keep all its patrons safe. Though the parade will not be taking place this year, tune into Channel 7 to watch the “Best of the Parade” special, where you can take virtual attendance at Fort Lauderdale’s biggest winter event. There will also be additional virtual events to attend leading up to the special airing on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Newport Beach, CA

The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a holiday boat parade that started more than 100 years ago as a Fourth of July parade and has since grown. This year, the celebrations will continue in person from December 16-20, and attendees have the option to participate virtually! This will be the first time the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade will be streamed in 112 years of the parade existing.

Charleston, SC

If you are in South Carolina or a neighboring state, Charleston’s Holiday Parade of Boats is a celebration you won’t want to miss. The best places to catch a glimpse of this holiday boat parade are from The Battery, Waterfront Park, and Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park Pier. This event will have precautions in place for COVID-19.

San Francisco, CA

For a holiday boat parade with a jaw-dropping background of the Golden Gate Bridge, you will want to attend the Lighted Boat Parade at Fisherman’s Wharf. With the current climate of the year, the parade may not be happening. However, we recommend you keep it on your list for 2021!

Destin, FL

Another holiday boat parade in Florida, the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade is a Christmas tradition for many. See Santa and fireworks, as boats make their way around the Gulf of Mexico. The parade is scheduled for December 13th at 6 pm but may change with the conditions of the coronavirus.

 

Our experts at Marine Diesel Specialists wish you a safe and happy holiday season. If you are spending more time out on the water these days, we are here to keep your boat running in tip-top shape. If your vessel is due for a marine engine repower or rebuild, we have you covered. Our team provides top-quality parts, service, maintenance, and repairs for MAN engines of all sizes. As factory-authorized MAN service and parts providers, we’re ready to install and maintain your MAN engine. Contact our team today to learn more about our services. With MAN authorized service and parts facilities in Fort Lauderdale and Punta Gorda, we’re ready to care for your vessel. Call today!

Marine Diesel Specialists Celebrates Small Business Saturday

Marine Diesel Specialists Celebrates Small Business Saturday

As boating specialists, we know owning a boat can be an expensive venture — so can being a small business owner. There are more than 30 million small businesses in the United States1, with many to choose from for your mechanical needs. Marine Diesel Service has been serving the marine industry for more than 20 years, providing industry-leading expertise to our customers every step of the way. We are proud to be a small business that serves both coasts of Florida.

(more…)

Key Luxury Yachting Industry Statistics From World’s First Yachting Chat Show

Key Luxury Yachting Industry Statistics From World’s First Yachting Chat Show

The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused many people to isolate themselves in their homes in an effort to maintain social distancing. However, do to the wonders of digital technology, the pandemic has also caused people across the world to connect like never before. The yachting industry has taken part with virtual boat shows and live streamed conferences Now there is a yachting chat show!

(more…)

COVID-19 & Ecology Take Center Stage At Yacht Club de Monaco Event

COVID-19 & Ecology Take Center Stage At Yacht Club de Monaco Event

From September 20 to September 24, Yacht Club de Monaco hosted the Monaco: Capital of Yachting Experience event. The four-day event was the center of discussions around the current health and environmental challenges faced by the luxury yacht industry and potential ways to tackle them.

(more…)

Is There A Break In A Yachting Season?

Is There A Break In A Yachting Season?

Yachting enthusiasts often look forward to the optimal times of the year to set sail. Still, it’s crucial to understand that the yachting season in South Florida and the Caribbean does experience breaks. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a newcomer to the yachting world, knowing when these pauses occur can help you plan your voyages more effectively. The Marine Diesel Specialists delves into the yachting calendar, highlighting peak periods, off-season breaks, and the factors influencing these fluctuations. By understanding the seasonal rhythms of yachting, you can make the most of your time on the water, ensuring safe and enjoyable sailing experiences.

(more…)

The Benefits of Marine Diesel Engines

The Benefits of Marine Diesel Engines

There may never be a definitive answer to the petrol vs. diesel marine engines debate. While a growing number of boats and yachts come with diesel engines already installed, some models still come with gasoline-powered engines. In fact, several yacht and boat manufacturers still offer the choice between a gasoline engine and a marine engine to customers for some of their medium to large-sized models. If you ever end up in a position where you are presented with such a choice, consider the advantages of a diesel engine over a petrol engine.

(more…)

What Spare Parts Should You Keep in a Boat?

What Spare Parts Should You Keep in a Boat?

No boat owner should take his or her vessel out without a few essential tools on board. Likewise, he or she should also carry some spare parts that can make the difference between simply being stalled or flat-out getting stranded. Some things may happen out on the water that will require repairs. You would never go on a long road trip without a spare tire in your trunk or access to roadside assistance. In the same way, you should never go on a boat trip without carrying a few essential spare parts for the boat. At Marine Diesel Specialists, we want to ensure you know the crucial spare parts you need to keep on your boat while at sea.

(more…)

Summer 2020 Sees Two More Acquisitions in The Yachting Industry

Summer 2020 Sees Two More Acquisitions in The Yachting Industry

Ever since the great recession in 2007, the yachting industry has seen a series of mergers and acquisitions with many smaller yacht businesses being incorporated into the world’s largest yachting corporations. Chinese conglomerates have bought ownership in many of well-known yacht builders, while industry leaders in America and Europe continue to diversify by acquiring other companies. The month of July saw two yacht business acquisitions.

(more…)

New Russian ‘La Datcha’ Yacht Launched & Available for Charter

New Russian ‘La Datcha’ Yacht Launched & Available for Charter

First announced in 2015, the highly anticipated SeaXplorer expedition yacht La Datcha was finally unveiled in the beginning of July. The stunning superyacht won’t be delivered to her Russian billionaire yacht owner, banking mogul Oleg Tinkov, until the end of the summer. However, Damen Yachting officially launched the luxury vessel and will be displaying the La Datcha yacht in its private viewing event in the Netherlands, scheduled for September.

(more…)

How Is COVID-19 Affecting The Yachting Industry?

How Is COVID-19 Affecting The Yachting Industry?

The coronavirus pandemic has affected the global economy and industries across the board. The yachting industry is no different. With travel restrictions in the Caribbean and Mediterranean putting a pause on the season, COVID-19 has had major effects on the industry and those working in it. A few industry professionals and leading influencers have talked about the changes they see happening in the industry due to the global health crisis as well as growing yachting industry concerns.

(more…)

European Countries Open for Tourism and Reopening Dates

European Countries Open for Tourism and Reopening Dates

Europe was hit hard by the coronavirus, with Italy being the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic at one point. Hundreds of thousands of cases and thousands of deaths. After the tireless work of healthcare workers, government officials, and citizens following social distancing guidelines, many of these countries are ready to reopen to international tourists.

(more…)

When Will Caribbean Islands Open for Travel? Important Dates to Know

When Will Caribbean Islands Open for Travel? Important Dates to Know

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, islands across the Caribbean restricted travel and closed their borders to tourism. It wasn’t just the cruise ships either, private vessels were also prevented from entering ports. This swift action helped keep the number of cases in these island nations low.

(more…)