[Gerry Zagorski]

Great suggestions from Giants fan above. To 2 places that I steer clear of are NYC and Red Bank because it's gets so crazy once the fireworks are over. Both these places get this way because of the sheer volume of boats and the areas have fairly narrow channels to maneuver in. Add a few cocktails to this and throw in some agressive and inexperienced boaters and it gets crazy.

Atlantic Highlands fireworks which are on the 4th this year are a lot better. Pretty good water all around the area for the boats to spread out and they put on an awesome show.

A few things you need to watch out for on you return trip back trough Raritan Bay is the Earle Naval weapons peer and the unlit buoys out in front of it and this year the dredges and all their pipes and pumps off Keansburg.

If you want to give that a shot this year a chart plotter with tracks turned on will make for a much safer and less tense trip. Turn your tracks on and on your way out and be careful to give any obstructions a wide birth and follow your tracks home. You also want to make sure all your nav lights are in good working order too.

Good luck and have fun... Seeing the fireworks on the water is the best.