By Dyke Hendrickson
Correspondent
—
NEWBURYPORT — It's said that the two best days for a boat owner are the day the craft is bought and the day it's sold. The season is not over, but it appears that this is one of those summers that boaters have relished being out on the water.
Tourists, too, are showing an appreciation for an outing, as cruises, fishing trips and commercial ventures are reporting a successful season after a disappointing 2009.
Boats, whether powered by motor or paddle, have filled Newburyport Harbor all summer. And the scores of sailing craft on the ocean off Plum Island and Salisbury Beach each day have made boat-watching a colorful spectacle, akin to a brilliant white-on-blue watercolor conjured by a modern-day Winslow Homer.
"The weather has been great, and as a result, we've seen an increase in boaters as it relates to registration and usage," said Paul Hogg, harbormaster in Newburyport. "We're up from last year, perhaps 100 registrations to about 1,300. And there are many more boaters who launch in Salisbury and at Cashman Park.
"When it comes to those who are involved commercially, such as netters, lobstermen, party boats and guys who go out for cod, haddock and even tuna, this has been a very good season." He said that about 200 to 300 commercial craft have been operating out of the harbor this season.
Most locals say that this has been the warmest and most tranquil summer in at least a decade. The clement weather has enabled boaters to enjoy the river, harbor and ocean, and this burst of activity has helped waterfront businesses to improve upon a bleak 2009 season marked by constant rain.
"I've been in the business for 36 years, and this summer's weather was the best I can remember," said Butch Frangipane, general manager/part owner of a quartet of marinas along the river — including Newburyport Harbor Marina, Hilton's Marina, Windward Yacht Yard and the Newburyport Boat Basin. Combined, the operation has more than 500 slips, and it has accommodations for visiting vessels of up to 200 feet.
"People who have slips here were excited, and we had a very good transient business, meaning boats were coming in from other harbors," he said. "The fishing was good, too, with tuna only a few miles offshore. This has been a great season."
John Guertin, who runs Yankee Landing Marina in Newburyport, said, "We're very pleased with the season. The good weather was definitely a factor, and the feeling that the economy is improving also brought out the boaters. This was our best summer for at least three years, when the economy started getting weak."
Guertin, whose 58 slips are full, said he will be open until mid-October.
"Good weather is a huge influence in our business, and this summer, business has been very good," said David Moulton, co-owner of Riverfront Marine Sports Inc., which operates a marina in Newbury and a boat-sales office in Salisbury. "We have 100 slips, and they are full. Our dock has been busy, and the rental of boats has been very good. Boaters are enjoying this summer."
He said that boat sales have been poor, but "everything else associated with our business has been very good."
Those who own boats that accommodate visitors also report improvement over last year's cool, rainy summer.
Paul Aziz, who owns Yankee Clipper Harbor Tours out of Newburyport Harbor, said the tourists were back this summer.
"Last year, we had a bad economy and terrible weather," Aziz said. "This season, the economy hasn't completely recovered. But the weather was great, and that brought out a lot of people. Locals would bring friends and relatives. I've seen some Newburyport people three or four times with different guests they would be entertaining."
Aziz, who offers about five 45-minute cruises daily (for 49 passengers) and a lengthier once-daily environmental cruise (30 guests), said his service will be open until Columbus Day.
"It was an excellent year for us," said Joe Grady, president of Clipper Fleet in Salisbury whose boats take out about 40 per trip for groundfishing. "The weather was great, the people came out, and the cod and haddock were out there to be caught. We're very pleased."
For George Charos, owner of Captain's Fishing Parties and Charter Service on Plum Island, the season was an improvement, but not a smashing success.
"There were so many rainy days last summer, it was hard to build momentum and draw customers," he said. "This summer, the weather was much better, and we were able to go out much more often. Our customers are working people, though, and a lot of people are still out of work."
Ann Ormond, president of the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, said that an increase in boaters added to a strong tourist season.
"Our office is near the water, and we noted many visitors from the boats coming in to ask for information about the city," she said. "And several of our riverfront festivals this summer benefited from people who were docked at the marinas.
"The great weather generated more enthusiasm, greater foot traffic and in general a much better year on the waterfront. The shops and restaurants have also benefited."
