With an 18-month old first mate who rings the bell, Sea Scoops ice cream boat draws crowds

Ambermae Rivard, Cape Cod Times
·4 min read

A family with boats in their blood and a dream that came to mind during the COVID-19 pandemic is out on the water this summer serving up scoops.

Sea Scoops, based in West Falmouth, is a family-owned ice cream business that operates on both sea and land by owner Sierra Brown and her mother-in-law Sherri Brown, and it’s certainly a family affair. Sierra’s 1 1/2-year-old son James "Jimmy" Tyler Brown has been on the boat since he was four months old. He’s not only cute as a button, but has the spirit and ice cream bell to prove it.

“He now says, 'Ice cream!' from the boat, rings the ice cream bell, hands out wooden spoons, and loves to say hi to all the doggies and boats. He loves going out on the water and sleeps very well out there! Surprisingly he is easier to handle on the boat than he is on land,” Sierra Brown said of her son.

James "Jimmy" Tyler Brown, an 18-month-old, checks out the steering power in early July with his mother, Sierra Brown, of Sea Scoops of West Falmouth.
James "Jimmy" Tyler Brown, an 18-month-old, checks out the steering power in early July with his mother, Sierra Brown, of Sea Scoops of West Falmouth.

This tight-knit family enjoys spending time on the water and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sierra had an idea — an ice cream boat. She shared the idea with her mother-in-law — they both work in healthcare — and thought it would be a great way to bring fun into people’s lives while spending quality time together.

This dream became a reality for the Browns because they wanted it so much. Sierra's father-in-law James "Jeb" Tyler Brown has been driving boats since about the age of six, becoming a mechanic at 15. He opened a business as a marine technician in 1990. With him having the boats and the knowledge to make it happen, Sea Scoops was afloat in just two months.

“We were just very motivated and just kept checking off all the boxes,” Sierra says of all the requirements, installations, and licenses they obtained in the short time.

Glides through harbor with nostalgia of ice cream truck music

Whether you’re planning to stop for some ice cream or not, the Sea Scoops boat glides through the harbor with the nostalgia of the ice cream truck music playing, while a Sea Scoops flag and an American flag sway in the wind.

Sea Scoops ice cream cup, in early July at West Falmouth Harbor.
Sea Scoops ice cream cup, in early July at West Falmouth Harbor.

On Saturdays, you can catch Sea Scoops on the water of West Falmouth Harbor. Customers without a boat can meet the Browns at the West Falmouth dock, or other docks that border of the harbor.

The Shechter and Lindeke family members, returning customers, were ecstatic in early July to see the Sea Scoop boat.

The Shechter and Lindeke family, returning customers, were ecstatic in early July to see the Sea Scoop boat at West Falmouth Harbor. Left to right: Adam Shechter, Chloe Shechter, Theodore Shechter, Ariana Shechter, Jessica Shechter and Caroline Lindeke.
The Shechter and Lindeke family, returning customers, were ecstatic in early July to see the Sea Scoop boat at West Falmouth Harbor. Left to right: Adam Shechter, Chloe Shechter, Theodore Shechter, Ariana Shechter, Jessica Shechter and Caroline Lindeke.

A chance to meet new people on the water and on shore

The Kirk family, too, is spending the whole summer on the boat with their three children and dogs. They explained in early July they don’t always get ice cream, but when they do it’s a sweet treat. The family dog Fiona can’t hold her excitement when she sees the brown eco-friendly ice cream cup, they said. Fiona knows a pup cup is near.

In early July at West Falmouth Harbor, Kirk brothers Keegan, Jameson, and Bodhi are happy to dig into some ice cream.
In early July at West Falmouth Harbor, Kirk brothers Keegan, Jameson, and Bodhi are happy to dig into some ice cream.

The ice cream is hand-scooped on the boat, at $7 per cone, and homemade by Whistle Stop Ice Cream Shop, based in Pocasset. This year Sea Scoops got their own ice cream flavor called "Sunset Vanilla." It's a big hit among kids. Other flavors are Black Raspberry, Triple Chocolate, Mint Chip, Cotton Candy, Moose Tracks and more.

There is also Sugar-free Vanilla Brownie, vegan Black Raspberry Oreo, vegan dairy and gluten soy-free Pink Lemonade Sorbet, Pup Cups, and drinks. Sea Scoops has shirts and tumblers for sale.

Fiona, with the Kirk family, is loving her pup cup in early July at West Falmouth Harbor.
Fiona, with the Kirk family, is loving her pup cup in early July at West Falmouth Harbor.

Sea Scoops has expanded since its launch in 2021. Jeb built an ice cream trailer with the help of his son, Tyler Brown, for private events and there is an option for a topping station. They have done at least 10 weddings, including one by boat, with 200 events in total.

On Saturdays, they are on the water of West Falmouth Harbor from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Here is where you will find them most weekends

On Sundays, Sea Scoops serves Bassetts Island in Bourne from 1 to 5 p.m., beginning their trip on the south end of the island and serving boat-to-boat.

The Browns monitor the VHF channels 69 and 72 or you can just wave them down to serve beachgoers.

The Browns are committed to leaving the waters cleaner than when they got there. They maneuver their boat next to litter in the ocean, grabbing it up as they pass.

"We have a dream of our business growing with more boats and hopefully having our own storefront someday," Sierra Brown said of her hopes for the future.

For more information and booking click here for Sea Scoops website.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Sea Scoops floating ice cream stand has two dozen flavors, cute staff