Retro Rumson Boys and Their Boats — Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect

There’s nothing quite like river time in the summertime, especially if you’re a Rumson kid with a boat and a best life to bait.

This was the prime spot for diving into all that best summer life stuff back in the ’70s. It was Pauels Boats. It and its dock used to be about where the Barnacle Bill’s dock now sits. But, even long before the ’70s, Pauels was a spot for not only boating and docking, but some sunning and swimming.

None of that happens anymore. It’s no longer allowed. And, everyone’s at the beach clubs — not that many weren’t back in the day. There were just fewer rules and the summers seemed simpler for a kid with endless energy, a hankering for a boat and something to bait and a homegrown adventure.

In this snapshot back in time, courtesy of former Rumson DPW supervisor, Mark Wellner, the boys, Wellner featured, are tidying up the boats and getting them set for some adventure, likely fishing and crabbing. They’re doing a little work to help out, too, of course. Anything to keep the summer fun rolling in with that tide.

Pauels was a happening summer spot. We took you back to its real heyday in the 1950s with the famed Girl on the Dock, Alice Coyle Mansfield. And, it was still a pretty hot summer spot in the ’70s. Now, there’s no longer a Pauels replete with kids doing any summer rollicking, boating or the cool kid thing of jumping off the dock or doing much fishing.

Yes, boating is big on the Navesink River. It’s still as big as it always was, but this kind of summertime boating and docking scene among childhood friends is more rare. Though, there are lots of kayakers, paddle boarders and sailors off shore.

The river has never changed, though. And sailing back in time to daydream about a simple summer time is always an option while dipping your feet in the present.

Dream on for a river wish and a boat to float it in …

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