Atlantic City Wildcat Thrill Boat Rides - Let the games begin!
For those who have not experienced it, jet skiing is quite the high. (For years, jet skis weren’t available in Atlantic City proper, and that has changed too. I’ll address that later.) Not too many experiences except that of jet skiing come close to or top that feeling of the wind in your hair, the spray of the water, the heat of the sun; you see where I’m going. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do something that definitely tops being out on a jet ski by yourself or with one other person: the Wildcat Thrill Boat Ride. Picture the excitement of a vehicle as nimble as a jet ski expanded to seat a captain who handles the driving and fourteen passengers. The boat is a purpose-built hull that was inspired by offshore powerboat racing designs, and as Motley Crue sang way back when, it has “Looks That Kill”. The Wildcat Thrill Boat Ride is berthed in Gardner’s Basin, in the slip right next door to our friend Capt. Jeff George and his Atlantic City Cruises and Parasailing. Until Sept. 3rd, you can fly on the water daily at 11am, and hourly from 1pm to 5pm, with “A Purr-Fect Evening Sunset Cruise” that departs at 7:30pm until Sept. 3 and at 6:30 from September 4th-30th.
On the night that I went on the Wildcat, we had an industry crowd that the operators really wanted to show the boat off to, and show off they did. The throttles were wide open for most of our 20-minute ride (regular rides are 30 minutes, and they are more of a workout than my shortened ride). When the throttles weren’t pushed all the way open, they were being jerked forward and back by our decidedly nuts captain to create large artificial waves. I must say that there’s really nothing quite like the sensation of a small boat hull breaking the surface and flying. I think the skateboard kids call it “getting air” or something. The captain and crew encourage standing up during the ride as long as you hold on to your handrail and refrain from wearing hats or sunglasses, as you will likely not see them again if you keep them on. I was seated just to the left of our captain, and I saw the speedometer frequently nudging up near 65 and 70. They will be in town until September 30th, and they are an outstanding choice for affordable family fun or for anyone that wants some wind put into their sails for the rest of the day. You’ll come off the Wildcat Thrill Boat Ride feeling like you had a Red Bull chased by a triple espresso. And here are a couple of friendly insider tips: if you do stand, use your knees as shock absorbers. Trust me, there’s shock. Also, try not to open your mouth on the ride. I had no saliva left.
Regarding the earlier note about jet skis in Atlantic City: for part of last summer and now all of this summer, there has been a company renting jet skis from a point on the beach right next to The Pier Shops at Caesars. Casino City Jet Ski Rentals will launch you right into the ocean for an hour or a half-hour of rented adrenaline. Despite the years that I’ve been jet skiing, I must confess that I never went in the ocean. I’ll let everyone know how it goes.
Mike Holovacs, the AC Mole, is a concierge at one of the larger casino properties in town. Feel free to leave comments or questions.
For those who have not experienced it, jet skiing is quite the high. (For years, jet skis weren’t available in Atlantic City proper, and that has changed too. I’ll address that later.) Not too many experiences except that of jet skiing come close to or top that feeling of the wind in your hair, the spray of the water, the heat of the sun; you see where I’m going. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do something that definitely tops being out on a jet ski by yourself or with one other person: the Wildcat Thrill Boat Ride. Picture the excitement of a vehicle as nimble as a jet ski expanded to seat a captain who handles the driving and fourteen passengers. The boat is a purpose-built hull that was inspired by offshore powerboat racing designs, and as Motley Crue sang way back when, it has “Looks That Kill”. The Wildcat Thrill Boat Ride is berthed in Gardner’s Basin, in the slip right next door to our friend Capt. Jeff George and his Atlantic City Cruises and Parasailing. Until Sept. 3rd, you can fly on the water daily at 11am, and hourly from 1pm to 5pm, with “A Purr-Fect Evening Sunset Cruise” that departs at 7:30pm until Sept. 3 and at 6:30 from September 4th-30th.
On the night that I went on the Wildcat, we had an industry crowd that the operators really wanted to show the boat off to, and show off they did. The throttles were wide open for most of our 20-minute ride (regular rides are 30 minutes, and they are more of a workout than my shortened ride). When the throttles weren’t pushed all the way open, they were being jerked forward and back by our decidedly nuts captain to create large artificial waves. I must say that there’s really nothing quite like the sensation of a small boat hull breaking the surface and flying. I think the skateboard kids call it “getting air” or something. The captain and crew encourage standing up during the ride as long as you hold on to your handrail and refrain from wearing hats or sunglasses, as you will likely not see them again if you keep them on. I was seated just to the left of our captain, and I saw the speedometer frequently nudging up near 65 and 70. They will be in town until September 30th, and they are an outstanding choice for affordable family fun or for anyone that wants some wind put into their sails for the rest of the day. You’ll come off the Wildcat Thrill Boat Ride feeling like you had a Red Bull chased by a triple espresso. And here are a couple of friendly insider tips: if you do stand, use your knees as shock absorbers. Trust me, there’s shock. Also, try not to open your mouth on the ride. I had no saliva left.
Regarding the earlier note about jet skis in Atlantic City: for part of last summer and now all of this summer, there has been a company renting jet skis from a point on the beach right next to The Pier Shops at Caesars. Casino City Jet Ski Rentals will launch you right into the ocean for an hour or a half-hour of rented adrenaline. Despite the years that I’ve been jet skiing, I must confess that I never went in the ocean. I’ll let everyone know how it goes.
Mike Holovacs, the AC Mole, is a concierge at one of the larger casino properties in town. Feel free to leave comments or questions.
Wildcat Thrill Boat Ride is located at
Gardner's Basin - 800 N. New Hampshire Ave
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Phone: 609-404-5723
Free Coupon - Save $5 per person here!
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1 comments:
Dear Mole, your piece on Atlantic City Nightclubs was excellent ...
(Nice pictures too :)
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