IT'S GO TIME

Waterfront festivals, rendezvous and more await boaters all around the country this summer.

- KIM KAVIN

SUMMERTIME BELONGS TO BOATERS. Whether it's on America's coasts or all along the inland lakes and rivers, boaters spend more days out on the water during the summer months than at any other time of year. And pretty much everywhere a hook can be dropped or aline can be tied off, there's a festival, a rendezvous or another type of event for boaters to enjoy. One of the most perennially popular summer experiences for boaters is the Newport Jazz Festival, held each August in Rhode Island. Boaters can avoid the crowds by anchoring out and listening to the music as it wafts across the water. The best seats in the house are on deck in the sunshine and fresh air. This year's lineup of artists (as with most years) includes a who's who of musicians, with Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall and Jon Batiste all scheduled to perform. Another must-do event for boaters is the Fourth of July holiday. There's nothing quite like witnessing the glow of fireworks from a boat, whether it's in Boston Harbor, New York Harbor, San Francisco Bay or somewhere else. While everyone ashore is looking up at the show in the sky, boaters can experience the broader view that also includes the city lights and all the reflections dancing across the water-again, often while avoiding a lot of the crowds. And boaters have no need to scramble for a place in line at a barbecue joint on July Fourth. Boats with onboard grills are already set up with everything required for a grand-scale waterfront cookout of burgers, hot dogs, fish and whatever else the folks on board want for the holiday feast.