Friends took Boating out of the Stone Age

...We didn't believe what we didn't see!

We planned to spend a lazy summer weekend with boating friends who are compared to what we always thought of as ‘gentlemen farmers' farming friends. You could always count on the Fitzpatricks to have the biggest cooler with an amazing stocked bar for every boating sojourn. No six-pack for their friends or store-bought dips & chips. They ordered from their favorite caterer or spent a day in the kitchen preparing a feast from a Gourmet Magazine centerfold. We always remember to arrive with an appetite.

Their No-Profile™ Boat Lift was the first call of action when we pulled in dusty from the road trip. After being greeted with a hasty peck on the cheek and quick handshake, we were escorted to the back of their home; we were then instructed that they, discriminating waterfront homeowners, no longer had to dread looking out at their dock, seeing a typical ‘aluminum erector set'. Their neighbors even acknowledged that they now admired the Fitzpatricks more since they eliminated the ‘visual pollution' seen in their prior conventional boat lift! What did this mean to us? At first we weren't sure, but as the day unfolded, we agreed wholeheartedly with the neighbors!

The Champagne was perfectly chilled and Thai-marinated scallop appetizer a lovely welcome. We were relaxing already and eager to set our course for a day under the blazing sun, cruising through the river with binoculars, camera and suntan lotion. The next moment, we were being given a crash course in the history of the boat lift and its pedigree. Acknowledged by developers, port commissioners and savvy boaters as the ‘Mercedes-Benz of boat lifts', this mechanically superior boat luxury places the machinery just below your feet, making it ‘invisible'. Shoeless, a sponge was placed in my hands; it was requested that I see how easy and safe it was for women to take an active role in the care & maintenance of their vessel.

I had a burning question: Why hadn't someone invented this before? A beautiful color brochure was awaiting me near the captain's wheel that told the story about brothers Chris and Bob Way who realized that nobody was using current technology to turn the boat lift into a moving platform which invisibly dropped into the water. By using hydraulics and cable to lift the boat out of the water onto the dock, the platform that accommodates the No-Profile Boat Lift™, guarantees there is NO super-structure to block the view...just sleek, clean and simple docks that are aesthetically pleasing, mechanically superior and ruggedly reliable.

Whew! Now it was time to get cruising, except for one last comment from our host and hostess. They were so excited that they didn't have to do a balancing act to clean or service their baby; no more boat leveling problems, tangled cables or belts to change...nothing to stand in the way of their family and their boat.

With the beep of a horn, my heart sank and I felt that another delay would keep me from the cruise that seemed like an elusive butterfly. But I was beginning to enjoy learning something new, realizing that after receiving my weekend Masters Degree in the No-Profile Boat Lift, I would probably enjoy looking at docks during ensuing excursion to see if they were unsightly. The horn? The kids home from college and ready to hop aboard with us. And guess what? I hadn't noticed that there were two jet skis also on the dock. Hmmm! Very spacious.

The moment we were all waiting for had arrived. I received the honor of pushing the button. Unsure as to what the Fitzpatricks meant, I accepted the noble offer and did, in fact, press a button. The lift slowly and gently began to lower the boat into the water and we were off! For me, the excitement and adventure began with the anticipation of experiencing something new...the technology of the boat lift was quite awesome when I realized that it was the details of what I couldn't see that was the most impressive. I knew we had progressed out of the Stone Age and into the sparkling waters of the Intracoastal Waterway...with a bottle of bubbly to boot!

For more information on this check out www.noprofileboatlifts.com

Leigh Cort is one of America's specialists in representing distinctive destinations & people in the travel, dining, art and entertainment industries. As Public Relations and Party Director for New York City's distinguished Trump Tower, she produced galas and promoted their significance to the international 'rich and famous'. Leigh's enthusiasm for travel & food prompted her to launch TableTalk, a Travel/Culinary publication from Savannah to St. Augustine. Her journals are her obsession, writing about travel, food, chefs, themed parties, coastal adventures and intriguing people. She's also a member of North American Travel Journalists Association and Int'l. Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association