By Eileen thai
From ritzy canals and festive parades to tropical hideaways and high-speed city passages, cruising has given us unforgettable moments—some magical, others just plain hilarious. Here are a few standout stories from our time aboard Mai Thai, a Jefferson 37’ aft cabin cruiser, and beyond.
1. Salt Spray and Rough Seas – Cruising North at Cape Canaveral, Florida
We picked up Mai Thai in early March 2001. After prepping and provisioning, we departed Fort Lauderdale with a seasoned captain aboard. By day two, we were on our own – completely green and learning on the fly as we navigated a bigger boat through unfamiliar Southern waters.
Off Cape Canaveral, things got real. The seas kicked up fast, with waves hammering the hull and salt spray blasting all the way to the flybridge, where it dried into a gritty white crust. We endured nearly two hours of pounding swells and nerves-on-edge steering before finally ducking into Ponce Inlet (south of Daytona Beach), in the protected calm of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). It was wild, dramatic, and marked the true beginning of our great adventure.
2. Coast Guard Boarding in Georgia
As we entered Georgia waters one early March, it felt like we had the entire ICW to ourselves—until a lone Coast Guard boat pulled us over for some company (and an inspection). Fortunately, we passed inspection—no contraband, no issues. Without charts for the ICW, we were puzzled by a range marker until the Coast Guard circled back and kindly helped us out. Lesson learned!
3. Rocking and Rolling at Jekyll Island, Georgia
We stayed at the beautiful Jekyll Harbor Marina one summer. One calm, sunny day, we took friends out for a cruise. Feeling relaxed (and a little overconfident), we didn’t secure anything below deck. Bad call. Crossing Jekyll Sound, beaming seas had Mai Thai rocking—books, the TV, and a bottle of J&B went flying! Minutes later, all was calm. No injuries, no broken glass. Just a lot of laughing and a few bruised egos.
4. Fuel Dock Drama – Charleston, South Carolina
After fueling up at Ashley Marina, the dockhand gave us a cheerful wave and let go of our lines… just as a swift current grabbed hold of Mai Thai and sent her hurtling backward toward a concrete bridge piling. With no time to spare, we gunned the throttle and narrowly avoided disaster. One of those adrenaline-filled moments that sticks with you forever.
5. Meltdown in the Capital – Washington, D.C.
We pulled into James Creek Marina and plugged in… and promptly fried every appliance onboard. No A/C. No fridge. Just sweat. Lots of sweat. Naturally, D.C. was in the middle of a brutal August heat wave. Thankfully, an electrician came to the rescue the next day. Bonus: we met our dock neighbor – a young guy living aboard his sailboat (despite not knowing how to sail!) He worked for a senator and graciously offered us a private tour of the U.S. Capitol. Totally unexpected, totally unforgettable.
6. Solomons, Maryland – Crabs, Chestnuts, & a World Forever Changed
After D.C., we cruised to Solomons, where Town Center Marina welcomed us with potlucks, movie nights, and a deep sense of camaraderie. It was here, on a quiet September morning, that we learned of the 9/11 attacks. Like so many, we stood in shock, eyes glued to the news, struggling to process the world-shifting events unfolding before us. That day changed everything – and we are grateful to be surrounded by a kind, supportive community to help us make sense of it all.
Life went on quietly. We were introduced to a crab house and ate more blue crabs than we thought possible – absolutely delicious! Every time our guests tried to fish, they caught crabs instead. And one unexpected delight: we discovered wild chestnut trees nearby and picked them fresh from the source – simple pleasures, shared in good company, during a time the world will never forget.
7. A Taste of the High Life — Naples, Florida
While cruising from Marathon to Punta Gorda one February, we anchored in the upscale canals of Naples. During the day, we puttered around in the dinghy, marveling at the stunning waterfront mansions and getting a little glimpse of the high-end lifestyle—at least from the water.
That evening, our buddy boat friends from Island Time joined us for dinner aboard. It was a great night—good food, plenty of laughs, and the kind of easy camaraderie that makes cruising life so special. But the night ended with a bang—almost literally. On their way back in the dark, the poor first mate misjudged a step while boarding the boat from the dinghy. She didn’t fall in, thankfully, but her startled scream echoed through the canal, lighting up every fancy mansion on the waterway. We were mortified at the time—but it makes a great story now.
8. Christmas On the Water – Fort Lauderdale & Cape Coral, Florida
We were lucky enough to catch Fort Lauderdale’s legendary holiday boat parade during our first season aboard Mai Thai. Yachts and cruisers wrapped in twinkling lights cruised down the Intracoastal to the rhythm of festive music—a moving display of holiday cheer reflected in the water.
Several years later, we were anchored in Bimini Basin on the Gulf side, in Cape Coral, when we found ourselves in the middle of another holiday parade. This time, we were aboard Chandelle, our friends’ boat, as the procession floated by in full festive flair. Boats of every shape and size passed, all decked out in lights and color. It’s one thing to watch from the shore—but to be in the middle of it, surrounded by sparkle and song, was pure holiday magic.
9. Miami Mayhem – Stiltsville to Elliot Key
Miami gave us one of our more unpredictable cruising memories. We cruised past the historic, quirky, stilted houses of Stiltsville and visited picture-perfect Boca Chita Key. When we got to Elliot Key, we were the only boat around.
But not for long.
Soon, the quiet anchorage turned into a full-on party zone, complete with loud music, drinking, and yes—skinny-dipping. Just when we thought the evening couldn’t get any more chaotic, a speedboat came screaming across the shallows and crashed hard onto a sandbar nearby. The impact was jarring, and it took hours (and a towboat) to get them free. A little mayhem, Miami-style.
10. Snorkeling & Aerial Views at Lynyard Cay, Bahamas
Long before drones were in every traveler’s toolkit, we found ourselves capturing epic views the old-fashioned way—by climbing the mast.
In April 2003, we cruised to the Abacos with friends we’d met at Jekyll Island. The water was impossibly clear – you could see straight down twenty feet, every coral head and patch of white sand perfectly visible. While anchored off Lynyard Cay, we dinghied over to nearby Sandy Cay, part of the Bahamian National Trust, for a snorkeling session. Beneath the surface, the reef came alive—vibrant corals, darting tropical fish, and an underwater world so pristine it felt untouched.
Later, back aboard our boats, the captain was hoisted up the mast of our buddy boat, One Love (bucket list: checked), to capture a sweeping panoramic shot of Mai Thai anchored in paradise. It was one of those rare, perfect days when everything feels like a dream.
11. Captain Overboard – Barefoot Landing, S. Carolina
Back when Barefoot Landing still offered three free nights of docking, it was a magnet for boaters. The place buzzed with life—right next to a mall, filled with shops, restaurants, and plenty of cruiser camaraderie.
One morning, as a sailboat behind us was preparing to depart, our captain stepped out to help push her off Mai Thai. He leaned just a little too far… and made an impressive splash straight into the water.
The day before, a gator had been spotted near the docks. You’ve never seen anyone swim so fast to get back on the swim platform.
12. Baltimore, Maryland – Irish Tunes & New Friends
We spent August 2004 at Anchorage Marina, a fantastic spot with great amenities: a cozy lounge with pool and ping-pong tables, clean restrooms, an outdoor pool, and a short walk to shops and Baltimore’s vibrant Inner Harbor.
We met a great mix of fellow boaters there—some of whom we’d later cruise with all the way to Florida and even Tennessee. One evening, we all headed over to nearby Patterson Park for a free outdoor concert. The headliner? None other than Baltimore’s then-mayor, Martin O’Malley, playing Irish music with his band. It was one of those unexpected, magical nights—great music, good company, and a dash of “Only in Baltimore” charm. We’re big fans of Irish music, so the whole experience felt like a little gift from the city.
We also spent time with cruising friends Bill and Joy of Chandelle, along with their friend Mike, a retired pilot boat captain living aboard Mi-T-Mo, a converted military transport vessel. Together, we enjoyed boat rides to the bustling Inner Harbor (great live music and food at Phillips Restaurant) and Fells Point, a waterfront neighborhood steeped in maritime history and full of charm.
13. Bumped in Wrightsville Beach, N.Carolina
Heading south for the winter, we anchored at a packed Wrightsville Beach, near the Masonboro Inlet. Late in the evening, a Canadian sailboat squeezed in and dropped anchor a bit too close for comfort. We were wary, but respectful—especially of fellow sailors who’d come a long way. The next morning—BANG!—They hit us. Thankfully, there was no damage—just a tough lesson for the Canadian crew on anchor scope and the power of tidal currents. One of many anchoring dramas that made cruising interesting.
Bonus Memory: Sailing from Newport, R.I. to Solomons, Md
In October 2001, we joined a friend to help sail his Catalina 47, Zebulon, from Newport, Rhode Island, to Solomons, Maryland. It was a brisk five-day passage—chilly, challenging, and absolutely exhilarating.
Running down the East River in New York, we hit the current just right at Hell Gate, and Zebulon surged to a record 12.4 knots. We were the only pleasure craft around, and the city looked completely different from the water. Seeing FDR Drive gridlocked with traffic from that vantage point was surreal.
We arrived in New York Harbor just before sunset. Cameras in hand, we were busy capturing the breathtaking skyline and the Statue of Liberty when a small Coast Guard patrol boat sped toward us.
We’d unknowingly entered a secured harbor—closed to recreational vessels from sunset to sunrise due to post-9/11 restrictions. With our radio off and theirs down, we had to shout across the water to explain ourselves. Fortunately, we were already nearing the Verrazzano Bridge, and after a brief exchange, they let us continue our way.
It was a reminder that while boating offers unparalleled freedom and perspective, it comes with responsibility—and sometimes, surprises.
Whether tied up at city docks or floating through holiday lights, the best cruising memories are rarely planned. They find you—in laughter, in adrenaline, and in those quiet moments when the water reflects the stars just right.
