Luxury Catamaran, Ohana, Launches on River Street
Outside Savannah debuts new a dinning, brunch, and private party adventure
Remember being a kid when Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Jerry invited everyone to the lake for a day on their pontoon boat? And it was just big enough to hold them, you, a couple of cousins, mom, dad, grandma, and papaw? Near dinner, you’d all anchor near a sand bar to grill hot dogs and hamburgers. Afterwards, grandma surprised everyone with a package of sparklers left over from Fourth of July that you and your cousins shared while your legs dangled off the back of the boat. Perhaps, times like these glow as soothing childhood memories.
If you’d like to get in touch again with those warm feelings, Outside Savannah has a good-times adventure for you. While you can’t hang your legs from the boat, you can go for a two-hour cruise on the Savannah River and enjoy a mimosa brunch or hibachi dinner aboard the new, luxury catamaran, Ohana.
Beginning Friday, October 4, boating adventurers can join recurring Friday night dinner excursions that feature an all-inclusive hibachi menu plus beer, wine, saki, and soft drinks. But if morning outings are more your speed, you and your crew can hop on a Saturday bottomless mimosa brunch cruise where quiche, smoked fish dip, pimento deviled eggs and more begin the day.
The idea for the excursions came about when Outside Brands founder, Mike Overton, and his team noticed a lack of opportunities for friends and family to experience the Savannah River in an intimate setting while sharing a meal.
“As a company our mission is all about connection,” said Overton. “Our goal is enriching lives by connecting people to exceptional places, products, and experiences. When we built this boat, we built it so there’s seating around the railing which makes it easier for people to connect with each other. Plus, the open space in the middle is just big enough to dance in.”
The Ohana can accommodate up to 49 guests plus crew and can be reserved for private events beyond weekend dinner and brunch cruises. The boat has bar and catering options plus a multi-speaker sound system. Overton envisions the vessel as floating memory-making space for bachelorette parties, weddings, family reunions, and corporate events.
Kate Duke, concierge with Hampton on Bay, considers the cruises positive additions to River Street.
“These add more activities for visitors on the waterfront,” considered Duke. “Right now, for dinner cruises, we have the Georgia Queen, which is wonderful. These smaller cruises, though, offer something a little different, so that really there’s room for both businesses to thrive.”
Tithia Young, who is part of the Guest Experience team at Westin Savannah Harbor Gulf Resort and Spa also considers the Ohana a unique opportunity for locals and visitors. Her thoughts echo Duke’s.
“I love the Georgia Queen for what she offers in flavor and Southern cuisine,” said Young. “On the river boat you know you’re going to get great shrimp and southern cooking. The Ohana is doing something completely different, and that sets up success for everyone. There’s nothing else like it on River Street right now.”
Outside Brands began in 1979 as a windsurfing school on Hilton Head Island when Mike Overton ventured south from Washington D.C. He was 19-years old. In the late 1980s, he experienced the good fortune of the top U.S. kayak manufacturer coming to the windsurfing school. They hit it off, and soon Overton and his team were among the first in the Lowcountry leading nature-focused kayak tours.
Flash-forward another 10 years when a good friend was caretaking a 40-acre chain of private islands between Daufuskie and Savannah. The friend convinced Overton to purchase Page Island which has been a retreat center and adventure destination ever since. The island not only serves as corporate team building center with outdoor challenges and two-mile trail loop, but also welcomes families for weddings and reunions.
In its 45-year history, Outside Brands has grown to include a fleet of kayaks, paddleboards, multiple powerboats for dolphin and marsh tours, and now two luxury catamarans (one is already in operation on Hilton Head Island) for private parties and dinner and brunch cruises. The multi-faceted company has emerged as the gold standard particularly for hosting corporate and group travel adventures in Georgia and South Carolina.
Established in 2013, the company’s non-profit arm embraces environmental education and habitat restoration. In recent years, the company has partnered with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and local Hilton Head restaurants to collect oyster shells. According to a recent Pew Charitable Trust study, re-establishing oyster beds is the best way to mitigate coastline erosion due to sea level rise.
“Something we’re really proud of is our oyster recycling program,” emphasized Overton. We work with community volunteers to put the shells in mesh bags, and then put the bags in marsh areas to begin new oyster reefs. It’s one way we can give back and support the environment that is fundamental to our livelihood.”
In Savannah, the Ohana is docked behind the Hyatt Regency and beside the Savannah Belles Ferry. To book an adventure, go online and find an experience tailored to you and yours. And just maybe, you’ll return glowing like you did when you were 10 and splashing your legs off the back of the boat: https://www.outsideohana.com
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