March springs us the hope of Spring. Yes, it is still chilly with a chance of snow for most of us, but St Patrick’s Day has us seeing green! March 17th has everyone feeling Irish and wearing green. Thanks to marketing genius’s St Patrick’s Day events stretch from the weekend before to the weekend after! What better way to say “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” than boating. Of course, we can talk about the true meaning of St Patrick’s Day but we are here for the boating.

Dublin your fun by boating on St Patty’s Day

Chicago, Boston, Savannah, Tampa Bay, and San Diego are just a few that turn their rivers green! Imagine boating down a river of green! Dying the river in Chicago is one of the largest and oldest of these traditions. The Chicago Regional Port and Plumbers Local Union 130 families have been in charge of the “secret recipe” and dying of the river since the beginning. Did you know that 2022 is the 50th anniversary of the dying of the river in Chicago?

No matter where you live you can find St Patrick’s Day events. Marinas and waterways don’t need to dye the river to still be festive. Marinas and even private boat clubs celebrate with boat parades and other festivities. Lake Norman in North Carolina actually shipped an entire pub from Dublin! NC Boaters can dock up for festivities at the Galway Hooker Pub! Dressing up and decorating your boat for St Patrick’s Day is a fantastic way to celebrate.

You probably have two questions right now:

• Will the dye turn my boat green like the river?
• How do I get out of the water?

Both questions are easy to answer. The first question about the safety of the river dye is simple.
The dye used in the rivers is vegetable-based and environmentally safe. Whether the river is green or not, boat owners should always rinse their boat and flush the engine.
The second question is a simple answer- Carefree Boat Club. Members have a choice of a variety of boats to take out for the day. Carefree has boat clubs in all of the above cities plus 100 more locations and growing.

So let’s celebrate St Patrick’s Day, the wearing of the green, and the days of boating to come!