Has anyone done a boat parade?

[Donna]

Probably not one of my brighter questions but here goes. I am doing the Palm Coast boat parade on Dec. 17th. I have purchased LED lights. There will be a lot of them. Will I be running with my generator on or can the battery bank handle something like this for a couple of hours? All outlets will be on and a couple of lights.

 

[High Wire]

Go generator. Don't wait until the night of the parade to test everything on all at once! Most of the parade your main engine will be at idle and not charging much.

 

[menzies]

Generator. Ours is next Saturday. First time as well. There is a thread on here on how to decorate from a month or so ago.

I will have everything done by Wed and do a 15 minute generator test.
Also, do not use your outside power outlets for everything as they are all probably on one breaker.

Plan to also run from a salon outlet and pilothouse outlets through an open window or door - at least two other breaker circuits. That way you will spread the load and not risk tripping a breaker.

 

[DavidM]

A fifteen foot long string of LED Christmas lights draws just a couple of hundredths of an amp at 110 V AC. I just measured it. Any decent inverter and even a cigarette lighter plug in one can power twenty strings of these lights.

Even at near idle which I agree will be the case, your alternator will charge some and keep the batteries up.

David

 

[Pgitug]

Here are a few tips:
Run your generator
Test everything BEFORE parade
Use colored lights in front of the steer station. (White lights take away your night vision)
Verify a life jacket for all on board
Demonstrate how to use the head to all on board so no one is trying to wait for the dock.
NO DRINKS FOR THE CAPTAIN
(Even if you can handle your liquor if there is an accident and your breath smells you will be charged)
Do not over load your boat with guests.
Have a fun safe event.
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[menzies]

A fifteen foot long string of LED Christmas lights draws just a couple of hundredths of an amp at 110 V AC. I just measured it. Any decent inverter and even a cigarette lighter plug in one can power twenty strings of these lights.

Even at near idle which I agree will be the case, your alternator will charge some and keep the batteries up.

David

Strings of lights?

You may never have been to one or been in one - strings of lights are for the wussies! Nowadays it is animation, spotlights, ferris wheels, the fans on yard sized blow up figures, etc. etc. etc.

Will take a pic of mine tonight and share though I have more to put on over the next couple of days.

 

[Donna]

I have 200ft. of lights. I did buy white because the theme is "white Christmas". Jeez, maybe I'll rethink the white for the front. I am a formal person and have won county wide contests at my home.

I'm not really into blow ups, so I would love to see pics of all your decorated boats. There are no winners in this parade, so it is just for fun. These LED lights are expensive!

The boat is new for me and will have a certified captain on board. The plan was for running lights into interior outlets as well. The generator worked fine on sea trial, however, I have not run it myself yet while underway. In fact, she has been in the marina since purchase except for a short trip to fuel and pump out.

I have a lot to learn and all of you are very helpful! There will be 15 on board and I have PFD's for 25. The boat is completely legal plus I don't drink!

I'm excited and nervous at the same time!! Off to the Christmas store I go!

 

[TONTOROSS]

Reserve time to have the captain take the boat out to get the feel of her. Run the systems while underway. Have fun!!

 

[Islanddreamer]

Took a different tact last night in Middle River. Grandchildren loved the lights. Parade passed immediately behind my slip. Decided to stay put, run the heat, and watch the parade.

LED lights take little to no power. Inflatables don't take much either. I tested my 55 amp stock alternator with my inverter and was able to run as much lighting as I needed.

After last night, I will not be using inflatables next year. You cannot see them against other LED lights unless you have a light pointed on them.

Stands of red on flybridge didn't hurt night vision. Also did not have them attached in front of the windscreen.

 

[Islanddreamer]

One more note - no obstructions on walkways, ladders, or rail openings that need to be used. No cords on decks that are not securely fastened. Have plenty of wire ties.

Hope this helps.

 

[Wataworld]

I thought about the Fort Lauderdale Christmas parade but their requirements scared me off you have to qualify and seemed you had to have experience before they let you in and need a sponsor! Good luck

 

[HeadMistress]

Have plenty of wire ties.

And heavy duty twine. Do NOT use tape!! You'll spend most of next year finding and removing the glue residue. (Don't ask me how I know this.)

 

[ancora]

Be sure to have someone on board who can handle your boat in case of an emergency. The dark of night is not the time for on-the-job training.

 

[bayview]

make sure the outlets you use have GFCI protection since you will be powering light strings in places people may touch. Dont let people walk around on deck in the dark especially if they have been drinking.

Boat parades are fun but people need to be extra safety conscious.

 

[BandB]

Not knowing the ages or sizes, 15 people is a lot of people for a boat that size. Be sure they all know the rules of the boat, how many and where they can be, follow all Captains orders, do not try to assist at the dock, how to use the head. and for all kids, pfd's worn and adult watching at all times. Definitely limit the number of people on the bridge. Are there enough seats for everyone to sit if needed?

 

[bayview]

Indeed fifteen people is a lot on a 36' Boat. If all of them go to one side to look at something and they weigh an average of 150# you have 2250# of movable ballast trying to make the boat tip over.

What will be the effect of all that weight on waterline position of exhaust and thru hulls.

I suggest that if you must have that many people have them move to one side while tied to the dock to see what happens.

 

[Capecodder]

Probably not one of my brighter questions but here goes. I am doing the Palm Coast boat parade on Dec. 17th. I have purchased LED lights. There will be a lot of them. Will I be running with my generator on or can the battery bank handle something like this for a couple of hours? All outlets will be on and a couple of lights.

I would plan on generator at least for back up. I tested on the inverter all was fine, but two hours at extremely slow idle speed noted the draw was adding up. Mostly LED many do not show in photos.

15 people is a big crowd in your home, toilet classes lots of zip ties, not much moon light this year, have Great look outs, some other boaters may not be operating safely.

 

[Donna]

LOVE the pics and all the tips!! The Marine Traders are measured at water line for that year. Plenty of seating, no kids, thin people! It has 2 heads also. You would be shocked at how much room there really is. Manual states 20 people while underway. My count just went to 13.

 

[BandB]

LOVE the pics and all the tips!! The Marine Traders are measured at water line for that year. Plenty of seating, no kids, thin people! It has 2 heads also. You would be shocked at how much room there really is. Manual states 20 people while underway. My count just went to 13.

Sounds like you're ok, just watch the number on the bridge and give lessons on the boat. I'm serious, for those who have never used a marine toilet or don't understand good boating behavior. Then you'll have a great time.

 

[Donna]

Sounds like you're ok, just watch the number on the bridge and give lessons on the boat. I'm serious, for those who have never used a marine toilet or don't understand good boating behavior. Then you'll have a great time.

Absolutely! Number on the bridge cannot exceed 5. There will only be 3. The captain and 2 spotters. I'll be in the galley, along with one of my daughters. A bartender in the salon along with food. My other daughter and her boyfriend is law enforcement. LOL! Really they are! Flagler County Sheriffs Deputy!

 

[BandB]

Absolutely! Number on the bridge cannot exceed 5. There will only be 3. The captain and 2 spotters. I'll be in the galley, along with one of my daughters. A bartender in the salon along with food. My other daughter and her boyfriend is law enforcement. LOL! Really they are! Flagler County Sheriffs Deputy!

Wifey B: Don't let yourself get stuck in the galley and miss the show. Do you know how many boats in the parade?

 

[Donna]

Wifey B: Don't let yourself get stuck in the galley and miss the show. Do you know how many boats in the parade?

I have no clue how many boats in the parade. I don't mind being in the galley! I will peak out here and there.

 

[captrigney]

Boat parade with the Addictor:




Obviously no gen set. Just a small inverter and some LED's

 

[foggysail]

Parade! BAH HUMBUG! NEVER AGAIN! ONCE WAS ENOUGH!

OK, most likely my experience was different than that of others and it occurred many years ago when I was a neophyte young sailor with my family. The day! I still remember it well, it was a 4th of July celebration at our then yacht club which had invited a neighboring yacht club to share festivities.

Things started off well, I still remember our young Sons giving advice......"quick...you have to catch up with that boat over there---!" So onward we proceeded a mile or so to the turnaround point where there was a sailboat rigged for world travel. Heck, I didn't even know then why he was there but at the kid's urging I swung over to the line waiting to pay homage to what I thought was some official greeter.


When it was almost our turn to pass, I noticed there were things being passed by the greeter to the passing line. Heck, what could it be? I soon found out! It was a pole with a net on it where the "greeter" expected some donation to help defray his costs to spread the worldly words. I said "like **** am I giving anything" only to be met with outrage from Wifey and our kids. So not wanting to be Mr. Cheapskate, I dug into my pocket and donated a dollar bill to his net. In return I received a hand full of religious literature where the guy with the net claimed to be the next coming of Christ.

Onward, back to the dock took another 15- 20 minutes or so where a group local church reverends blessed the little fleet. How nice!

Back to the mooring field only to find 3 boats from the "visiting yacht club" firmly secured on our mooring. Finally we tied onto one of our club's member's boat who was not there. Took another 10 minutes to hail the club's launch and another 10 minutes for it to get us for the 3-4 minute ride to the dock.

We got off and headed for the club's kitchen where breakfast of bacon/ham, eggs, home fries, milk/orange juice/coffee was served free. By the time we got there, NOT A CRUMB LEFT!

The guy whose boat we rafted to in desperation was pi$$ed that we rafted and harsh words were exchanged. What a nice day! ENOUGH!

 

[TJM]

Our boat parade was last night in Essex, Ct. (Nov 27) and we won the show thanks to a great crew prepping all day.
Lost of great info listed above.
Only red lights on the flybridge, light strands always on something, railings, pedestals etc.... No loops in the air, someone will get caught on them and trip.
We had PFD strobe lights attached to all of the kids vests. Zip ties are your friend. We had 3 wireframe reindeer with a 2" x 4" thru their body extended out past the bow pulpit. Of course the first reindeer had a red bulb on his nose.
Vocal spotters are a must, they need to be able to get the Captains immediate attention. Rules of the road are not used. We even had Kayaks going between the boats because they thought it was fun, UGH.
Definitely do a practice lighting the night before to verify the genn
y can handle it and your loads are distributed throughout the outlet zones.
Inflatable items never seemed to "wow" the crowd. This year we went with lots of different kinds of lights. Plus it probably helped that we were escorting Santa to the dock. If I knew how to post picture I would.

 

[menzies]

Our boat parade was last night in Essex, Ct. (Nov 27) and we won the show thanks to a great crew prepping all day.
Lost of great info listed above.
Only red lights on the flybridge, light strands always on something, railings, pedestals etc.... No loops in the air, someone will get caught on them and trip.
We had PFD strobe lights attached to all of the kids vests. Zip ties are your friend. We had 3 wireframe reindeer with a 2" x 4" thru their body extended out past the bow pulpit. Of course the first reindeer had a red bulb on his nose.
Vocal spotters are a must, they need to be able to get the Captains immediate attention. Rules of the road are not used. We even had Kayaks going between the boats because they thought it was fun, UGH.
Definitely do a practice lighting the night before to verify the genn
y can handle it and your loads are distributed throughout the outlet zones.
Inflatable items never seemed to "wow" the crowd. This year we went with lots of different kinds of lights. Plus it probably helped that we were escorting Santa to the dock. If I knew how to post picture I would.

Go Advanced, Manage Attachments, Chose File, Upload, and Submit.

Voila!

 

[BandB]

Wifey B: I think some of the smaller parades might be fun, but our "local" parade is a bit out there.

Private boat is only $35 to enter. Commercial is $250 to $1000, depending on size. A Showboat is guaranteed television and $8000. Decorations have to be approved. There can be no Santa or Santa Image as there can only be one Santa and he's on boat #100. Must provide proof of insurance and sign an indemnification form. The theme this year is "Comics & Cartoons Rockin’ the Night Away". Must have a minimum number of lights based on size. For instance, a 50' single deck boat must have 9500 miniature lights or 4000 C-7/C-9. That is per deck so a 50' boat with a 25' bridge would require something like 15,000 or 5000 I think. Something like that. No obscenity on your decorations and no nudity...darn. Think Key West Fantasy Fest sounds like more fun. Many of the floats and boats are professionally decorated. The route is 12 miles. Oh, you must designate your Captain but also your radio person as there must be a dedicated person assigned to monitor the VHF at all times. There are decorating tips and videos on decorating on the website. Oh, both sides y estimate 1 million people viewing in person and 8 million on tv. of the boat must be decorated the same, so all viewers see the same.

We'll just sit at home and watch them go by on December 10. There are tons of other events tied into the parade. Here are photos of the hundred or so boats from last year.

https://winterfestparade.com/contest/2015-parade-winners-preliminary-results

Unfortunately those photos are lousy. Better photos on Yelp https://www.yelp.com/biz/seminole-hard-rock-winterfest-boat-parade-fort-lauderdale

and

Photos: 2015 Winterfest Boat Parade - southflorida.com

Yesterday was Winterfest family fun day.

I can see participating in smaller, less professional, parades. Or maybe....Fantasy Fest.

 

[Tom.B]

Would it make sense to RENT a small Honda generator to run most of the stuff? I see it as isolating the boat from the extra stuffs.

 

[Donna]

Wow! Some of this sounds insane! No entry fee, it's just for fun. No crazy decorating rules either

One of my daughters had off from work today, so we spent the better part of today decorating. I don't think my generator will have a problem with the load. I certainly will do a dry run. Going to the marina tonight to plug everything in and see what it looks like.

 

[menzies]

Photos please.

I am half way through mine. Lower part of boat nearly done, upper to go.

One thing I am trying to work out is how to project some light on the hull sides as I am adding decals.