Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Freeport legend Al Grover captivated an audience at the Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center on Nov. 24, chronicling his incredible story of a life spent on the water, which culminated in a Guinness World Record for the first outboard-powered boat to cross the Atlantic in 1985.
At 97 years old, his memories and wisdom offer a vivid snapshot of Freeport’s maritime history and his contributions to the nautical world.
The event was truly a full circle moment for Grover, because the building that is now Sparkle on Stage, at 195 Woodcleft Ave., was previously owned by the Grover family and was where they once ran their boat repair shop.
Born in Flushing Grover moved to Freeport from Long Beach at age 7, which is when he fell in love with the water.
“We started by clamming and fishing,” he told the Herald. “I went to Freeport schools —Archer Street School and Freeport High School. I worked on the boats down on the Nautical Mile. In those days, to work a full day on a party fishing boat, you’d get $2. And if you worked hard, you’d get a tip — a little extra, you know.”
After serving as a paratrooper for two years in occupied Japan beginning in 1946, Grover returned to Freeport, purchasing the building with the help of his brother-in-law and a GI loan. A few years later, he married his wife of 70 years, Rosemarie Grover.
“It was called the Woodcleft Canoe Club,” he said. “We started doing the same thing —fixing boats, working on engines, and selling marine hardware. The business grew through the years.”
Grover’s business became a Freeport institution, and his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to innovate.
In 1969, Grover purchased the property at 500 South Main St., which became Al Grover’s High and Dry Marina, one of the largest enclosed marinas on Long Island.
In the 1970s, he began building boats, focusing on economical, diesel-powered models.
To showcase his expertise and attract publicity, Grover embarked on the daring transatlantic journey in 1985, taking off for Europe from Newfoundland with his son Al Jr. in a little outboard boat that was destined for fame.
“We thought it would attract a little attention to take a small boat across the ocean,” he said. “We had to carry almost 700 gallons of gasoline to make it across.”
The early part of the journey was fraught with challenges, such as the pairs’ weathering of Hurricane Claudette and even a moment when Grover fell overboard, yelling and swimming after the boat until Al Jr., asleep in the cabin, eventually awoke and came to his rescue.
After 33 harrowing days at sea, Grover and his other son, Dante – who replaced Al Jr. on the trip when the latter decided at a stop in Flores that he could no longer continue – reached Portugal, cementing their place in maritime history.
In total, Grover logged nearly 3000 miles over the course of the journey.
The record-breaking voyage earned widespread attention, including a congratulatory letter from President Ronald Reagan, which Grover proudly shared with the Herald.
Regarding Grover’s guest appearance at Sparkle on Stage, which drew an audience of about 60 to 70, Robyn Workman, owner of the cultural arts center, said, “He was in his glory.”
With 74 years in the boating business, five children and 13 grandchildren, Grover’s legacy is inextricably woven into the fabric of Freeport.
In addition to watching a short documentary film about the Grovers’ transatlantic journey, those in attendance also cut a cake in celebration of Al Jr.’s birthday.
This added an even further full circle element to the event, as Al Jr. was born in that very building, at 195 Woodcleft Ave., when it belonged to the Grovers’ many years ago.
“Everybody seemed very happy,” Workman said about the event. “It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon, and people left saying, ‘What a great day!’”
