Boat Better With Bridge Blog

After more than 20 years of operating Bridge Marina Boating Club on Lake Hopatcong, and since 2019 in Highlands, we’ve answered thousands of questions from people considering boat club membership.

Bridge Marina co-owner Becca Fernandez reflects on launching a boat club with Ray Fernandez in New Jersey in 2006 – and what two decades have taught them about boating, business

While it’s the height of summer and boaters are enjoying summer days on the water, we’re taking a moment this July to celebrate the spirit of giving. Bridge Marina is

For more than 20 years, Bridge Marina has helped thousands of families discover boating through both boat ownership and our boating club. More often than not, new guests who want

It’s not every day that Lake Hopatcong finds itself featured in one of the nation’s most respected boating publications. Recently, Boating Magazine published a feature on the American Wooden Boat

Guest Reviews Earn Bridge Marina Top Tripadvisor Recognition When people search for the best boat rental or boat club on Lake Hopatcong, reviews from real customers and guests matter. That’s

There’s really nothing quite like a sunny, summer day of boating on Lake Hopatcong. New Jersey’s largest lake has drawn boaters and visitors for generations… and once you spend a

For decades, a remarkable collection of antique wooden boats, vintage marine engines, rare boating parts and nostalgic memorabilia quietly grew behind the scenes on Lake Hopatcong. Now, for the first

After more than 20 years renting boats on Lake Hopatcong, we’ve had the chance to help thousands of guests experience all that New Jersey’s largest lake has to offer… from

If you’re searching for the best boat rental on Lake Hopatcong, the “best” option really comes down to how you want to spend your time on the water. How do

If you live in New Jersey and the days feel short, plus your local lake is frozen solid, there’s a good chance one thing is happening: boat show season is

Are you ready to get boating on New Jersey’s beautiful waterways, like Lake Hopatcong, Sandy Hook Bay, or the Delaware River? Whether you’re renting a boat for the day, buying

Stumped on what holiday gift to get the boater in your life? Shopping for the perfect gift just got easier! Bridge Marina’s Online Holiday Shop offers boating bundles, gift certificates,

Want to get boating on New Jersey’s largest lake and soak up the summer sun with friends and family? Joining a boat club on Lake Hopatcong is your ticket to

Key Takeaways: Bridge Marina Named 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award Winner, Recognized as a Best Marina on Lake Hopatcong: 2025 Award: Bridge Marina received the 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award,

Buying your first pontoon boat is an exciting step toward a more relaxing, adventurous life on the water. But with so many options out there, it can also feel overwhelming.

Why Smart Upgrades and Tech-Savvy Gadgets Matter to Your Boat What upgrades boost comfort and add resale value for your boat? Maybe you’ve been eyeing a stylish new grill or

Get into the holiday spirit with us for our 2025 Christmas in July Food Drive! Join us Saturday-Sunday, July 26th-27th, on Lake Hopatcong and in Highlands, NJ. Summer is often

Boat ramps can be stressful, especially with a line of boats waiting, people watching, and rough conditions. That’s why we’ve put together this video and post on how to drive

Introducing Starcraft Marine’s newest model: The GX series! The Starcraft GX pontoon blends modern style with impressive performance, offering a smooth ride and luxurious features – perfect for family outings

Lake Hopatcong is more than just a beautiful place – it’s an important natural, recreational, and economic resource. As a long-standing small business on the lake, we know firsthand the

Are you shopping around for the perfect first boat to start your on-the-water lifestyle? As an experienced boat dealer in New Jersey, we often recommend pontoons and smaller bowriders to

At Bridge Marina, safety is at the core of everything we do – from our on-water training programs to how-to videos that share the boating basics to our NJ Boating

If you get stressed out approaching the dock, you’re not alone. Docking can be one of the trickiest parts of boating, even if you’re operating a smaller vessel. While smaller

As the boating industry gears up for National Safe Boating Week, we’re thrilled to share that Ray Fernandez, president of Bridge Marina, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors

Looking for fun things to do on Lake Hopatcong? Planning your perfect lake day just got easier! Bridge Marina is your go-to spot for setting up an unforgettable outing on

Are Boat Clubs Worth It? 3 Secrets Some Boat Clubs Don’t Want You to Know If you’ve ever dreamed of spending more time on the water without the stress of

How to Back a Boat Out of a Slip Do you struggle with reversing your boat? Backing out of a boat slip can be tricky, but avoiding this common mistake

Buying a boat is an incredible milestone that many people aim to achieve, but many new owners don’t realize that the purchase price is just the beginning. So, what does

How to Get a Boating License in New Jersey Boating in New Jersey is the perfect summer getaway! From Lake Hopatcong to the Jersey Shore, the Garden State offers endless

How to Find the Right Used Boat for Your Needs When buying a used boat, the process can feel overwhelming. With so many options, features, and considerations, it’s essential to

Top 3 Things to Do in Lake Hopatcong in Winter While Lake Hopatcong, NJ, is a well-known summer boating destination, there are plenty of winter activities to explore. From cozy

Purchasing a boat is a significant investment, and where you buy your boat matters just as much as the type of boat you choose. While buying a deeply discounted boat

What Time of Year are Boats Cheapest? If you’re hoping to buy a boat at the best price, timing can be key. In this post, we’ll share an inside look

Unique Boat Accessories: Our Review of Floating Flame Looking for fun, unique boat accessories to boost your experience next season? This fall, we discovered Floating Flame – perfect for chilly

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the boater in your life? We’ve rounded up our top 5 picks to make their holiday season unforgettable. From experiences on the water

Should You Leave Your Boat’s Fuel Tank Full or Empty for Winterization? In New Jersey, winterization is an essential annual service that protects your boat from the harsh winter elements

What is the Best Site to List Your Boat for Sale? A Guide to Selling Boats Online So you’re ready to say goodbye to your boat—whether you’re seeking to upgrade

Budget Pontoons vs. Luxury Pontoons: Which Boat is Right for You? When shopping for a boat, the choice between budget pontoons vs luxury pontoons can significantly shape your boating experience.

Sell or Trade Your Boat Stress-Free with Bridge Marina Parting ways with your boat can be a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re looking to

Why is My Outboard Motor Not Peeing? If you’ve noticed your outboard motor isn’t “peeing” or releasing water, it could be a sign that something is wrong with the engine

How Fast Can I Go in a No Wake Zone? As a long-standing marina located in a no-wake zone on Lake Hopatcong, we’re fortunate to offer members and guests alike

Popular Used Boat Brands to Look for When Buying a Boat Are you in the market for a used boat and looking for a quality brand? Whether your priority is

Enjoy Rewards Member Perks at Our Lake Hopatcong Fuel Dock Are you a regular at our Lake Hopatcong fuel dock? Become a Bridge Marina Rewards member! Our Rewards members enjoy

5 Important Maintenance Tips for Used Boats Maintaining a used boat can be a rewarding yet challenging task. Whether you’re a seasoned boater or new to the world of boat

Are you an I/O boat owner having trouble backing into dock slips? In this video, we demonstrate how to back an I/O boat into a dock slip with techniques like

Bridge Marina’s Highly Anticipated Fall Boat Show: 10/5 from 12pm-4pm! You’re invited to join us Saturday, October 5th for our highly anticipated Fall End of Season Fleet Clearance & Boating

Join Us for These Fall 2024 Events! Fall is in the air! We’re excited to announce Fall 2024 events that we’ll be a part of on Lake Hopatcong and in

3 Reasons Why Now Is the Time to Start Thinking About Your Boat’s Winterization Summer isn’t over yet, and there are plenty of sunny days of boating left on Lake

Why Joining the Bridge Marina Community is a Game-Changer Are you a boating enthusiast looking to connect with fellow boating buffs? At Bridge Marina, we have a large community of

3 Reasons Why August is a Great Time to Join a Boating Club As we approach the end of summer in New Jersey, we sometimes hear concern from prospective guests

Join Us for Our Facebook and TikTok Live Boating Show You’re invited to our Facebook and TikTok Live Boating Show, Thursday August 29th at 12:30PM. Join us on your choice

How to Dock a Boat in a Port Side Slip Docking a boat in a port side slip can be challenging with the helm sitting at the starboard side of

Tips for Boating with a Dog Are you planning to bring your dog boating this summer? Read on for our four tips to ensure you and your furry first mate

Unlock 20% Off American Dream Attractions as a Bridge Marina Member Bridge Marina membership benefits extend beyond the water! We’ve partnered with American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ to offer

How to Dock a Boat in a Heavy Wind and Current We’ve received many video requests on how to dock a boat in a heavy wind and current. That’s why

How Bridge Marina Chooses New Boats for our Boat Club and Rental Fleet At Bridge Marina, we’re often asked how we decide which new boats to add to our fleet

Top 4 Highlands, NJ Dock and Dine Restaurants Highlands, New Jersey, is a great spot for family-fun boating and beach activities with a variety of unique dock and dine restaurants

Christmas in July Food Drive at Bridge Marina Join us on Lake Hopatcong and in Highlands, NJ, for our ‘Stuff the Boat’ food drive! Boaters on Lake Hopatcong and Sandy

Bridge Marina Wins 2024 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award We’re honored to be named a 2024 Travelers’ Choice Award winner by Tripadvisor! Through our passion and commitment to providing a safe

3 Annual Events in Lake Hopatcong You Don’t Want to Miss Lake Hopatcong, NJ, is a beautiful destination known for its vibrant community and exciting annual events on and off

3 Reasons Why You Should Get Boating on a Weekday Summer vacation is almost here, and families will soon start hitting the water! There’s nothing quite as exciting for us

Top 5 Lake Hopatcong Waterfront Restaurants Lake Hopatcong is a great lake for family-fun boating with a variety of waterfront restaurants to try! In this post, we’ll give you a

Exploring the Differences and Costs of Big Box Boat Clubs vs. Independent Clubs Like Bridge Marina  Boat clubs can offer members a fantastic experience and value, providing access to boating

As hosts of the New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate Course, with classes on Lake Hopatcong and Highlands, NJ, we often are asked, “I lost my New Jersey Boating Certificate, how

Boating Safety 101: 5 Tips Every Boater Should Know Bridge Marina is dedicated to providing a safe, fun boating experience all season long. In honor of Boating Safety Week, created

Should I Build a Pool or Get into Boating? When it comes to family leisure, both boating and installing a pool offer avenues for relaxation and enjoyment. But which option

Join the Bridge Marina Team This Summer: A Perfect Summer Job for Students! Are you or someone you know looking for a summer job that combines fun in the sun,

Whether you’re a casual weekend cruiser, an on-water entertainer, or an avid angler, the type of boat you buy can greatly impact your experience on the water. Among the many

How Our Boat Dealership Values Your Trade-in How does my boat lose value when I trade it in? And how is my boat’s trade-in value calculated? With the start of

Discover Your Best Boating Fit Wondering which path to take to begin your boating lifestyle? Take our fun, easy quiz, and we’ll help you discover your best boating fit tailored

Watch Out for Changing Tides When boating in tidal waters like at the Jersey Shore in Highlands, New Jersey, it’s important to be aware of shallow areas and potential hazards.

Hop aboard this luxurious Starcraft Marine CX 23 DL triple pontoon in this full review and walkthrough. In this video, Ray Fernandez of Bridge Marina reviews the CX 23 DL

Schedule Your Winter Service Now to Make the Most of Summer 2024 Winter is the best time to have work such as repairs, maintenance, and upgrades performed on your boat.

Boat Maintenance Reminder – Life Finds a Way Life finds a way – and that includes moss! Without routine care and cleaning, boats are prone to growing moss or mold.

Tips for Getting Your Boat Ready for Winterization Winterization is in full swing at Bridge Marina! Make sure your boat is ready and you have removed all your gear and

Triple Pontoons vs. Two and Three-Quarter Toons: What Are the Differences and Benefits? When it comes to pontoon boats, there are a variety of styles to choose from to customize

New Jersey Boating Announcement: New PFD Law for Boaters This Winter Starting November 1st, a new boating PFD (personal floatation device) law will be put into effect on New Jersey

Are You a Boat Owner Who Doesn’t Want to Be a Boat Owner? Are you looking to escape boat ownership? With the end of the boating season and the beginning

The Importance of Covering and Maintaining Your Boat Your boat is something you should take pride in and fully enjoy with friends and family. Taking just a few minutes after

Boating Tip: Practice Backing Up in a Marina If you pull your boat into a marina where there aren’t any dock slips available, or perhaps someone is in your space,

Get Your New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate This October! Did you miss out on boating this past summer? We’ve added New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate courses this October on Lake Hopatcong

The Lake Hopatcong Five-Foot Drawdown Has Begun – Now’s the Time to Set Up Your Winterization Service As of today, Friday September 22, 2023, Lake Hopatcong’s water level will be

Boating How-To: Pulling the Boat Away from the Dock Pulling away from a dock is a bit of a complicated maneuver, and there are several ways to go about it.

How to Prevent Overshooting the Dock Slip While docking the boat, every turn should be deliberate. By being decisive in their steering, boaters can prevent overshooting the slip when docking

What You Need to Know About Lake Hopatcong’s Five-Foot Drawdown Greetings, Lake Hopatcong boaters! We want to remind you that the Lake Hopatcong five-foot drawdown is approaching, and we are

Bridge Marina Boating Tip: Dock and Dine Etiquette Pulling up to a popular restaurant on the water, docking your boat, and then enjoying a fantastic meal with a breathtaking view

Reserve Your Spot for Our Winterization Service! Summer may be in full swing, but it is never too early to start planning for the off-season. Winterizing your boat is a

Boat Docking Tutorial from Bridge Marina: How to Back Your Boat into a Dock Slip Trouble backing your boat into a dock slip? Backing your boat into a slip can

Bridge Marina Boating Tip: Organizing Your Boat’s Dock Lines Docking is made easier with organized dock lines! If docking wasn’t stressful enough at times, imagine your dock lines being a

Christmas in July Celebration at Bridge Marina Christmas in July Celebration at Bridge Marina: July 22-23, 2023 Food Pantry Drive, Giveaways, and more at Bridge Marina all weekend long! Celebrate

We Look Forward to Seeing You for the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club Fireworks Tonight’s the night! We all look forward to the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club’s annual Fourth of July

Bridge Marina Docking Tip for Beginners: Backing Your Boat Out of the Slip When backing your boat out of a slip, keep it slow, and remember to steer, then gear. In

How Does Hydraulic Steering Work on a Boat? All boats don’t steer the same. There are a few different types of steering systems on boats, but most have Hydraulic Steering.

Why Kids Love Boating with Bridge Marina on Their Summer Vacation Summer vacation is almost here! After a long school year of homework, tests, and studying, kids need to let

We Offer Lake Mohawk-Approved Boats for Sale What size boat can you use on Lake Mohawk? What are the Lake Mohawk boat requirements? We encourage boaters to contact Lake Mohawk

Check Out Our Live Webcam – Now on Social! Calling all Webcam viewers! Our Lake Hopatcong Webcam is now up on our Facebook page. Whether you’re looking to check the

What To Do If Your Boat Gets Stuck at a Sandbar If your boat gets stuck at a sandbar, it’s going to take a little elbow grease to get it

Going to Plane: Do’s and Don’ts Get familiar with how trim, water-depth, and speed can affect a boat’s transition to plane. In this video, Ray Fernandez of Bridge Marina explains

Bridge Marina is Hiring for the 2023 Season! Do you have a love for boating and being on the water? Are you looking for a summer job that will help

Pre-Owned Boat Spotlight: 2021 Four Winns HD2 Video Walk Through and Test Drive Shopping for a deck boat? Or a bowrider? We can offer you a little bit of both

The Importance of Keeping Up with Your Boat’s Basic Maintenance Services Do you keep up with your boat’s regular maintenance? As a leading boat repair and maintenance provider on Lake

Pontoon Boats vs. Horsepower: What Kind of Horsepower Do I Need on My New Pontoon Boat? Buying a new or used pontoon boat, and wondering what horsepower you’ll need?  As

Boating Lessons on Lake Hopatcong and Sandy Hook Bay! Our 2023 hands-on, on-water training schedule is open for the season! If you’ve always wanted to learn how to boat –

How to Get Your Boat on Plane (Three Mistakes Boaters Make and How to Fix Them) Boaters often make three common mistakes when trying to get their boat to go

How Do I Know I’ll Get A Boat If I Join Bridge Marina Boating Club? As New Jersey’s premier Boating Club, we’ve received our fair share of questions from potential

Boat Anchoring Basics: Video Demonstration on Land You head out for a beautiful day on the water and find the perfect spot to sit back and relax, so you pull

No Wake Speed, Explained What does “no wake” speed in a boat mean, exactly? Boaters are often confused as to how fast they should (or shouldn’t) go in “no wake”

Pontoon Boat Buying Tip: How Triple Pontoons Handle in Rougher Waters At Bridge Marina, we love our triple pontoon boats from Starcraft Marine for so many reasons! In our experience,

Your Ultimate Guide to Winterizing a Boat As a top boat service provider on Lake Hopatcong, NJ, we’ve winterized thousands of boats in our decades of experience. We know winterizing

Do I Need to Winterize my PWC? Your Winterization FAQs Answered! Wondering if you need to winterize your jet ski or PWC? As a marine service and boat repair provider

Take a walk through and test drive of this 2021 Four Winn’s HD2 model with us – just one of the fantastic fleet boats we have for sale at our

Your Boat’s Engine Winterization, Explained Confused about what’s really needed when it comes to your boat’s engine winterization? Wondering what a service department really does when they winterize your boat’s

Pontoon Boat Layouts… Seating Matters! Shopping for a new or used pontoon boat? We suggest our guests hop aboard any boat they’re considering and get a good feel for the

What You Should (And Shouldn’t) Do Before You Winterize Your Boat At Bridge Marina, we’re often asked by our service guests, “What should we do to our boat before we

Our Boat Winterization Process: How We Winterize Boats at Bridge Marina At Bridge Marina, we know that boat winterization is not a service your look forward to – it marks

Fall New Jersey Boater Safety Certificate Class Added to Course Schedule at Bridge Marina Get a jump start on your 2023 boating plans and get your New Jersey Boating Safety

Tipping Your Marina Team: How Much Should You Tip? Our team at Bridge Marina works hard everyday to take care of our boating guests and members.  From our dockhands to

Pulling Your Boat Up to the Fuel Dock with Success: New “How To” Video Time to fuel up your boat? Many waterbodies have fuel docks “on the water” for boaters

How To Pivot Your Boat in a Tight Space: New Video So you’re approaching the fairway back to your slip, and you realize that you need to turn your boat

Bridge Marina Highlights the Colorful Past (and Present) of Lake Hopatcong Bridge Marina has been honored to host an “Artist in Residence” per se earlier this summer.  Esteemed artist Jim

New Video Walk Through Featured Boat: Starcraft EXS-1 Triple Pontoon Boat We love doing video walk throughs of our boats for sale and are excited to share another! Whether you’re

New Video Walk Through Featured Boat: Starcraft SLS 3 DC Triple Pontoon Boat As a Starcraft Marine boat dealer, we’ve had he pleasure of seeing, wet testing, and selling a

Build a Boater On-Water Training Programs Underway… Learn to Dock Your Boat (and more!) with Ease and Confidence! Our On-Water Build a Boater Training courses are well underway this summer, with new

Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Boat Boating is a multi-generational activity and often a favorite pastime for families searching for ways to get out on the water and have

Bridge Marina Wins 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award Bridge Marina today announced it has been recognized by Tripadvisor as a 2022 Travelers’ Choice award winner for Things to Do on

Summer 2022 events around Lake Hopatcong and Highlands, NJ: Fireworks, Tastings, Open Houses From Open Houses at Bridge Marina in both Highlands and Lake Hopatcong to the annual Fireworks display

Through our Highlands Boating Club & Rentals location, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming hundreds of boating visitors to the beautiful Sandy Hook Bay area on our luxury boat rentals

Getting Your Boat Ready for the Busy Summer Boating Season – Ten Quick Tips, Plus Two Often Overlooked Items The 2022 Boating Season on Lake Hopatcong and at the Jersey

What to Do and See While Boating on Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey: Your Guide As a cornerstone on Lake Hopatcong, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming thousands of visitors to

So What’s the Boating Club Really Like? At Bridge Marina, we’ve run a successful Boat Club on Lake Hopatcong for over 15 years, and have had the pleasure of operating

How much does owning a boat really cost? Trying to navigate the true costs (and commitments) of owning a boat can be tough to figure out, especially for newer boaters.

The Difference Between Triple Pontoon Boats and Standard Double Pontoon Boats About Word Press a New Jersey boat dealership, we are often asked about the difference between a triple pontoon boat

Here’s an idea for your next business meeting… host it on a boat! Looking for a different way to conduct your next team, client or sales meeting?  Consider hosting your

Getting Your Boat to Go Where You Want it To: Steer Then Gear We find that many boaters struggle with how to maneuver their boat around tighter areas like docks.

The Boat Training Experience – What Boat Training Looks Like and What to Expect Ever thought about getting into boating, but not sure where to start? Or, are you an

Become a Better Boater with Bridge Marina: Check us out on TikTok, YouTube and more! Have you checked out our Tiktok channel? It’s full of short, fun and quick videos

Buying or Selling a Boat on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace? We Can Help! Selling or buying a boat in the private marketplace like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace can be challenging,

Check Out the Sandy Hook Bay Area from our Highlands location! Our Highlands Boating Club and Rentals location at Baker’s Marina on the Bay is perfect for exploring the Sandy

Boating Safety Suggestions to Keep our Boating Community Safe and Healthy Keeping our service guests and members updated on our efforts to safely prepare for the upcoming boating season; our

Does your next pontoon boat really need a bunch of extra space in the bow? When guests visit our marina on Lake Hopatcong looking to purchase a pontoon boat, one

Pre-Owned Boats: Are “retired” Boat Rental and Boating Club fleet boats really a good deal? At the end of each season, we sell boats from our Boating Club and Boat

Bridge Marina Recognizes Team Member Corbin Rees for Outstanding Performance Over Labor Day weekend, we were thrilled to award our 2019 “Bridge Marina Scholarship” to Corbin Rees.  For the past

Five of the Best Things to do on Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey This Summer As New Jersey’s largest lake, Lake Hopatcong has been welcoming summer guests for over a century.

Bridge Marina’s Ben Castrogiovanni Wins Scholarship from Marine Trades Association of NJ We are thrilled to share that our team member Ben Castrogiovanni has been selected as the recipient of

How much horsepower should I get for my new pontoon boat? “How much horsepower?” is a common question for boat buyers and the answer is most often misunderstood, incorrectly estimated,

Bridge Marina’s Ray Fernandez Earns Globally Recognized Industry Certification We are pleased to share that Ray Fernandez, president of Bridge Marina on Lake Hopatcong, N.J., recently earned the marina industry’s

Jefferson Township Resident Awarded 2016 Scholarship Bridge Marina awarded its 2016 “Bridge Marina Scholarship” to Heather LaRose of Jefferson Township at its Labor Day event earlier this month. For the

Reduced Sales Tax on Boating in New Jersey Begins February 1, 2016 New Jersey Division of Taxation announces that boat purchases, boat rentals, and leases are eligible for 3.5% sales