Brave New Boating Museum

"People think of New Jersey as the Garden State. But the truth is, New Jersey has an incredible maritime tradition. Our history rivals that of Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire."

That's Robert O'Brien, president of the New Jersey Museum of Boating, who recently announced his plan to build a new home for the popular museum.

Currently located in Point Pleasant, the museum showcases hundreds of maritime artifacts from the state's boating history, including a 1959 Cramer racing garvey and the racing scull that New Jersey's own Jack Kelly rowed to victory in the 1936 Olympics.

But the museum, which attracts more than 2,000 people a year, has outgrown its location. The new $12 million facility will be built on Barnegat Bay and is expected to open in 2009. In addition to more gallery space, the museum will feature boat-building classes, a museum shop and clam bar, and a state-of-the-art 120-seat theater.

Keep it in mind when you're planning your coastal cruise next summer.