A Day on the Water: My Honest Take on the 2025 ‘Cool Beans’ Catamaran Shelling Trip

First Impressions and Getting Onboard

You know, seeing the ‘Cool Beans’ for the first time was really something. The boat was just sitting there at the dock, and frankly, its size was pretty striking. It’s a 42-foot Mainecat, so its twin hulls give it this wide, stable look that is actually very reassuring. The whole check-in thing was, like, super easy and not at all formal. We just walked up, gave our names, and the captain, a guy named Rick, greeted us with a really genuine smile. At the end of the day, that first interaction kind of set the mood for the rest of the afternoon. There was no real stress, just a calm feeling that we were in good hands, you know? The boat itself looked absolutely spotless, and its white decks were gleaming in the morning sun, so we knew we were in for a quality experience. In fact, learning about these types of vessels beforehand can make you appreciate the design a bit more.

So, the crew’s introduction was just about perfect, I mean it. After we stepped aboard, the two crew members, Jen and Mike, told us their names and just a little about themselves. Basically, they made everyone feel included right from the start. As a matter of fact, the safety briefing they gave was honestly one of the best I’ve seen on a day trip like this. It was quick, it was clear, but still, they covered everything you would need to know without making it sound scary or boring. They showed us where the life jackets were stowed, explained how to move around the boat safely once we were underway, and just gave some general tips for having a good time. We could all tell they weren’t just reading from a script; these were clearly very capable people who knew the boat and the waters like the back of their hands. It’s pretty obvious they took their responsibilities very seriously.

Alright, getting ourselves settled on the vessel was the next order of business, and it was a pretty easy task. To be honest, the moment I saw the big trampoline nets stretched between the hulls at the front, I knew that’s where I wanted to be. My friend and I grabbed a spot there right away, and honestly, it felt like we had the best seats in the house. You have this completely open view ahead of you, and it’s just a great place to feel the breeze. The amount of space on the ‘Cool Beans’ was, like, pretty surprising. Even with a few other families on board, it never felt crowded at all. There were plenty of seating areas, some in the sun and some in the shade under the big hardtop cover. Actually, that feeling of excitement as you hear the dock lines being untied is just a little bit magical, you know what I mean? It’s like your regular life is just floating away with the shoreline.

Setting Sail and the Ride Out

Honestly, the moment they killed the engines and raised the mainsail was pure bliss. It’s almost completely silent, all of a sudden. The rumbling of the diesel motor just disappears, and instead, you hear the flag flapping at the top of the mast and the sound of the water sliding past the hulls. I mean, it’s a sound that is incredibly peaceful. The boat’s movement through the water was so incredibly smooth. Unlike some single-hulled boats that can rock and roll a lot, the catamaran was just cutting through the small waves with this very gentle, gliding motion. For instance, you could place a drink down on a table and not really worry about it sliding off. It’s just a completely different sort of feeling, more like floating over the water than plowing through it, you know?

So, the scenery on our way out to the shelling spot was frankly amazing. We were sailing for maybe an hour, and the whole time, there was something to look at. On one side, you had the coastline getting smaller and smaller, and on the other, just this endless expanse of blue-green water that was so clear. We got lucky, by the way, and a small pod of dolphins showed up and played in our bow wake for a few minutes. The captain, Rick, actually slowed the boat down a little so we could all get a better look and take some pictures. A bit later, Jen pointed out a huge sea turtle that was just lazily swimming on the surface. They were so good at spotting wildlife, and it was pretty cool to have guides who were that connected to the local environment. It sort of made the ride itself feel like a main attraction, not just a way of getting from point A to point B.

Meanwhile, we were also checking out the onboard amenities, which were really well thought out. They had this big built-in cooler that was stocked with ice-cold bottled water, a bunch of different soft drinks, and some juices too, all of which were included in the price. The crew came around a few times to offer everyone a drink, which was a very nice touch. Honestly, this part of the trip was a good time to just lay back on the nets, feel the sun and the spray, and really soak in the views. I mean, we spent the time just talking and pointing things out to each other. Exploring the different kinds of trip plans available in the area is something we wish we did sooner. Anyway, this part of the day was totally relaxing and set a perfect stage for the adventure that was coming up next.

The Main Event: Shelling on a Secluded Sandbar

So, our arrival at the destination was pretty spectacular. Apparently, the captain took us to this perfect little sandbar that was, like, surrounded by gin-clear water and only accessible by boat. As we got closer, you could literally see the bottom of the sea floor, with its ripples of sand and patches of sea grass. The captain expertly positioned the ‘Cool Beans’ and dropped the anchor in a sandy spot a short distance from the shore. The water around the boat was probably only waist-deep, and the color was this incredible turquoise that you usually only see on postcards. Seriously, it felt like we had discovered our own private little piece of paradise for the afternoon. There was not another boat in sight, which made the whole experience feel even more special and exclusive, you know?

Getting off the boat and heading over to the sandbar was super easy. The crew lowered a very sturdy ladder off the side of the catamaran, making it simple to just climb down into the warm, shallow water. They handed each of us a mesh bag for our shells, which was a really thoughtful provision. Before we all scattered, Jen, one of the crew, gave us a quick lesson on what to look for. For example, she showed us pictures of some of the more common finds in the area, like lightning whelks, olives, and fighting conchs. Her advice was actually so helpful because, honestly, you could find some amazing treasures if you knew what to look for. She also gently reminded us to only take shells that were empty, which is a really good practice to protect the local marine life.

Alright, the actual experience of shelling was just incredibly peaceful. To be honest, I spent the next hour or so just slowly walking along the water’s edge in my own little world. There’s this very rhythmic, calming action to it all – you know, the gentle lapping of the waves, the soft sand under your feet, and the constant search for a flash of color or an interesting shape. I found a nearly perfect horse conch, which was the find of the day for me. My friend found a whole collection of tiny, colorful coquina shells. You are so focused on the little details right in front of you that you sort of forget about everything else. It was very meditative, in a way. The sun was warm, the breeze was light, and honestly, time just seemed to slow down completely.

The captain came over while we were admiring our finds and said, “You know, this sandbar shifts just a little bit with every single tide. So, basically, the collection of shells you find today is quite literally a one-of-a-kind treasure, almost impossible to ever be repeated in the same way.”

Food, Drinks, and the Atmosphere Onboard

So, after about an hour and a half of walking the sandbar, we all waded back to the boat, and honestly, the timing was perfect. Just as we started feeling a little hungry, the crew announced that lunch was ready. They had set out a really beautiful spread on a countertop in the shaded part of the cockpit. It wasn’t anything super fancy, but actually, it was absolutely perfect for the occasion. There were freshly made sandwiches on soft bread – I think it was turkey and provolone – a huge platter of chilled, cut fruit like watermelon and pineapple, and a big bowl of a really tasty pasta salad. At the end of the day, a simple, fresh meal like that tastes like the most delicious food in the world after you’ve been in the sun and saltwater.

The social vibe on the boat during and after lunch was just really, really pleasant. All the different groups of people started chatting with each other, you know, spreading their shell collections out on towels to compare finds. People were sharing their stories about what they discovered, and the crew was right there in the middle of it all, identifying some of the more unusual shells and just being part of the conversation. It honestly felt less like we were customers on a tour and more like we were all just a group of friends enjoying a day out together. It’s pretty clear the crew works hard to create that kind of relaxed, communal feeling. You could tell that finding a relaxing social outing like this one is exactly what most people were looking for.

I mean, to add to the whole mood, they had some music playing softly from the boat’s speakers. It was this sort of laid-back, instrumental island music that was just perfect for the setting. It was, like, at the exact right volume – loud enough to hear and enjoy, but not so loud that you had to shout over it to have a conversation. It was just another small detail that they got absolutely right. The combination of the good food, the friendly conversation, and the perfect background music created an atmosphere that was, frankly, completely relaxing. Honestly, they seemed to have figured out the exact formula for a perfect, chill afternoon on the water.

The Sail Back and Final Thoughts

So, the sail back to the marina was maybe my favorite part of the entire day. The sails were up again, the engine was off, and the sun was starting to get a bit lower in the sky. That late afternoon light, you know, the kind that’s often called the ‘golden hour,’ just made the water look like it was sparkling with a million tiny diamonds. It was a really lazy, comfortable ride back to the dock. Most of us were just quiet, kind of sprawled out on the nets or in the comfy cockpit seats, just soaking in the last few moments of the experience. We were all a little bit salty, a little bit sun-kissed, and more or less completely content. There’s a certain peaceful tiredness you feel after a day like that.

As we were gliding along, I was thinking about all the highlights of the day. To be honest, it was hard to pick just one thing. Was it the feeling of the boat sailing so quietly, or maybe the thrill of finding that perfect shell? Or perhaps it was just the incredibly friendly and professional crew? Really, it was the combination of everything working together so well. The ‘Cool Beans’ itself is just a fantastic platform for a day trip like this; it’s so spacious, stable, and comfortable. That stability from the twin hulls is a real game-changer, especially if you have people in your group who are a little bit worried about motion sickness on the water.

Basically, I would absolutely recommend this excursion, but it is important to know who it’s for. I think this trip is perfect for couples, small families, or anyone who is looking for a high-quality, relaxed day on the water rather than a loud party-boat scene. You definitely get a premium experience for what you pay. It’s not just a boat ride; it’s a thoughtfully curated afternoon that lets you genuinely disconnect and appreciate the simple beauty of the ocean. At the end of the day, leaving the boat with a bag of shells and a feeling of complete relaxation is a pretty amazing way to spend an afternoon.

• The Boat: The 42ft Mainecat ‘Cool Beans’ is incredibly stable and spacious, so you never feel crowded.
• The Crew: So professional, friendly, and knowledgeable, which really makes the experience feel special.
• The Activity: Shelling on a secluded sandbar feels like a real, honest-to-goodness adventure, you know?
• The Vibe: It’s a very relaxed, peaceful atmosphere, perfect for de-stressing, not a party boat.
• The Inclusions: Simple, fresh lunch and plenty of drinks are included, which is a really nice touch.