7 Knots Gear was born from generations of coastal adventure. From chasing blue crabs on the Chesapeake Bay to offshore fishing in Florida, our story is built on salt, sun, and the simple joy of being on the water.
From the creators of 7 Knots Gear:
“For us, the water is more than a backdrop—it’s where the best memories are made. You never quite know what a day on the water might bring.”
A Childhood Spent on the WaterGrowing up on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, I discovered my love for the water at an early age. Chasing blue crabs in my Jon boat quickly became an obsession. Soon, weekends were filled with skiing, hydro-sliding, fishing, or just hanging out by the water with my friends. For me, the water was an endless opportunity for fun and adventure. You never quite knew what a day might bring—a bad day of crabbing, a great day of fishing, or maybe even getting stuck on the bay when the wind died on my dad’s sailboat. But I always knew he’d come find me as soon as he got home from work.
As I got older, my interests changed. After a short college career on the Eastern Shore, I moved to Florida, where my family had often vacationed. I was immediately drawn to the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. After meeting my future wife, who shared my love for the water, the Florida Keys and the state’s coastlines became our go-to spots for long weekends and quick getaways. Exploring the waterfront, relaxing on beaches, and sharing new adventures were some of our best memories.
Eventually, the responsibilities of the real world made those weekend trips less frequent. Still, the water continued to bring joy in its simplest moments. The journey often became more fun than the destination—a boat ride back to the docks, a quiet day fishing, or an occasional head boat trip out of Marathon was enough to reignite my love for the water. It was during these times that the inspiration for 7 Knots Gear began to take shape.
Before I knew it, my son was born, and I instantly recognized his love for the water. All those memories from my childhood came rushing back. Footballs were replaced with fishing poles, and weekends on the water became our new family tradition. Sailing, crabbing, skimboarding, and watching sunsets from the jetty became part of our daily life again. Stories of past adventures—those big fish that “got away” or the unforgettable characters we met—became family dinner table favorites.
Nowadays, trips to the Keys or the East Coast for a weekend take the place of travel ball. Even though the years have passed and the places don’t quite look the same as you remember them, that feeling is still there. Today, offshore fishing has become our family fun. As our son gets older, our three-mile offshore trips have turned into 30-plus-mile adventures, and that feeling of not ever really knowing what a day on the water might bring is back. Maybe it’s a school of mahi, a massive red grouper, or another big one that just ‘got away.’
Either way, I wouldn’t trade these memories of being on the water with my family for anything in the world. Every trip usually starts on Wednesday night, when our son begins tracking the winds and tides for the weekend, like a weatherman predicting a hurricane heading into the Gulf. With one simple rule, before we can head far offshore, 7 knots or less.
It’s these moments that inspired us to create 7 Knots Gear—so others can carry that same spirit of adventure wherever life takes them.
Follow our adventures: instagram.com/7knotsgear
Shop the collection → Explore 7 Knots Gear
7Knots Gear sourced the toughest and most premium quality shirts for our lifestyle clothing brand, ensuring unparalleled comfort and customer satisfaction in every purchase.
