removehtml]Winter time means boat show time for much of North America. Is attending shows an annual ritual... or would you rather stay away from all the hubbub? Do you plan to make a big purchase at a show this winter? Or is it more fun to go, dream, and socialize? Which shows will you attend this year? (Discussion topic and quiz by Trevor MacLachlan)Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]
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Boat Show?
I go, look at all the innovations, marvel at the designs, stand in awe at the beauty, return home and pat my pretty little Starwind on the stern and smile
I go, look at all the innovations, marvel at the designs, stand in awe at the beauty, return home and pat my pretty little Starwind on the stern and smile
Gives me something to do
What do I do with the six months I suffer waiting for winter to pass so I can get back to my mistress? Besides reading and dreaming - I go to boat shows. I don't go to buy - but I love checking out all the new inovations in boating. Bill on STARGAZER
What do I do with the six months I suffer waiting for winter to pass so I can get back to my mistress? Besides reading and dreaming - I go to boat shows. I don't go to buy - but I love checking out all the new inovations in boating. Bill on STARGAZER
I enjoy them
I like boat shows. Before I had a boat, I would spend a lot of time on the smaller models, the kind I could reasonably hope to have someday. Now that I have a boat, I tend to gravitate towards the luxury models that I will never own. I especially seek out the new high end daysailers like the Friendship, Morris, Alerion, etc., and the real cruising boats like Island Packet. I usually don't buy much, if anything. I did go to Newport once with a shopping list and got some great deals on new jib sheets, sport-a-seats and some of those gimbaled drink holders. I try to go to one boat show per year, and for me, that is usually Newport. However, my annual family vacation to Florida sometimes coincides with the Miami boat show, and it just so happens that the stars will be aligned again next month. Two shows for me this year!
I like boat shows. Before I had a boat, I would spend a lot of time on the smaller models, the kind I could reasonably hope to have someday. Now that I have a boat, I tend to gravitate towards the luxury models that I will never own. I especially seek out the new high end daysailers like the Friendship, Morris, Alerion, etc., and the real cruising boats like Island Packet. I usually don't buy much, if anything. I did go to Newport once with a shopping list and got some great deals on new jib sheets, sport-a-seats and some of those gimbaled drink holders. I try to go to one boat show per year, and for me, that is usually Newport. However, my annual family vacation to Florida sometimes coincides with the Miami boat show, and it just so happens that the stars will be aligned again next month. Two shows for me this year!
We are going this weekend...
However, it isn't the biggest oneound. We are headed for the Tulsa Boat and Travel show. We like looking at the new sailboats on display. Unfortunately, it is inside and it usually includes 3-4 between 25-34 ft. The rest are bass boats, and the large cruisers that make me glad I use sail power. Oh almost forgot Twiggy the water skiing squirrel. ;-)
However, it isn't the biggest oneound. We are headed for the Tulsa Boat and Travel show. We like looking at the new sailboats on display. Unfortunately, it is inside and it usually includes 3-4 between 25-34 ft. The rest are bass boats, and the large cruisers that make me glad I use sail power. Oh almost forgot Twiggy the water skiing squirrel. ;-)
Going to Chicago Boat show this weekend
Can't wait, means 2 more months and then I can get serious about getting ready for spring launch. May buy a couple of gear bags if any are on sale. last year bought a new 2 speed mainsheet block and a new mainsheet traveler from Gaurhaur for a good price (that was an excellent upgrade to my 31' Hunter but I ended up trading for a new 36). May attend a couple of seminars too. I'm pumped.
Can't wait, means 2 more months and then I can get serious about getting ready for spring launch. May buy a couple of gear bags if any are on sale. last year bought a new 2 speed mainsheet block and a new mainsheet traveler from Gaurhaur for a good price (that was an excellent upgrade to my 31' Hunter but I ended up trading for a new 36). May attend a couple of seminars too. I'm pumped.
3-day pass
I have a 3-day pass for the Seattle boat show. I always tried to see it all in one day before and with the Admiral in tow. Now I know what it feels like for her when I tag along on her shopping trips. She enjoys the show and sailing but not at my pace. Here in Seattle we have two shows at the same time with part of it in the sports stadium and part of it afloat on Lake Union. It is not realistic to see most of it in one day. I spent the first day wandering aimlessly with much back-tracking and 3 seminars. I spent the whole time in the stadium, no time to see boats afloat. Wednesday, we go together and that leaves me one day for the boats afloat. I must have spent an hour (in several installments) inspecting a $24,000 row boat that is 14 ft long. Has anybody seen the Whitehall spirit? What a work of art. I want to get one to hang on my wall but I don't think I could bear to put it in the water. It's my totally impractical fantasy boat which I never intend to buy but have not gotten bored looking at it yet. The last day is reserved for serious shopping. We have a new C42 with no furnace so that will need to be added and also a second anchor (Fortress). I don't usually buy much at the show because the dealers will give boat show prices after the show at their stores and that makes it a lot easier to get the stuff to your car. I can imagine seeing the show while carrying an anchor on your shoulder could take a bit of enjoyment away. Bob s/v Lucy C42 mkII #1003
I have a 3-day pass for the Seattle boat show. I always tried to see it all in one day before and with the Admiral in tow. Now I know what it feels like for her when I tag along on her shopping trips. She enjoys the show and sailing but not at my pace. Here in Seattle we have two shows at the same time with part of it in the sports stadium and part of it afloat on Lake Union. It is not realistic to see most of it in one day. I spent the first day wandering aimlessly with much back-tracking and 3 seminars. I spent the whole time in the stadium, no time to see boats afloat. Wednesday, we go together and that leaves me one day for the boats afloat. I must have spent an hour (in several installments) inspecting a $24,000 row boat that is 14 ft long. Has anybody seen the Whitehall spirit? What a work of art. I want to get one to hang on my wall but I don't think I could bear to put it in the water. It's my totally impractical fantasy boat which I never intend to buy but have not gotten bored looking at it yet. The last day is reserved for serious shopping. We have a new C42 with no furnace so that will need to be added and also a second anchor (Fortress). I don't usually buy much at the show because the dealers will give boat show prices after the show at their stores and that makes it a lot easier to get the stuff to your car. I can imagine seeing the show while carrying an anchor on your shoulder could take a bit of enjoyment away. Bob s/v Lucy C42 mkII #1003
Sweet Dreams and Time Machines
Boat shows allow me to set foot on boats way out of my price range. I get to see how the "Swells" are doing it. You can shop in the future for your boat. A better windlass, a more efficient refridgerator. Solar Power. Wind Generators. Ice Makers
A better way to pole out your jib? The latest in Carbon Fiber? You can shop for your future boat. Maybe a hybrid ocean going Catamaran? If the future is not your gig? We usually have some historic sailing vessel replicas. Some great siminars by those who have gone before. A then and now display on rigging, and seamanship. I go every year. One day with my wife, and one day with my Dad or a crew. One day for dreaming and one day for learning. Mark Wieber
Boat shows allow me to set foot on boats way out of my price range. I get to see how the "Swells" are doing it. You can shop in the future for your boat. A better windlass, a more efficient refridgerator. Solar Power. Wind Generators. Ice Makers
A better way to pole out your jib? The latest in Carbon Fiber? You can shop for your future boat. Maybe a hybrid ocean going Catamaran? If the future is not your gig? We usually have some historic sailing vessel replicas. Some great siminars by those who have gone before. A then and now display on rigging, and seamanship. I go every year. One day with my wife, and one day with my Dad or a crew. One day for dreaming and one day for learning. Mark Wieber
Strictly Sail St Petersburg
I go most years. I usually find some thing I haven't seen, or thought of before. I get the name of the product then go on line and can usually find it cheaper than at the show.*666 I tend not to spend too much time around the new boats. I am realistic and know that unless I win the lottery,*cry I'm not buying another boat. So I like getting ideas on how to improve the one I have. I enjoy spending time with other sailors and oh yes...the admiral stays home.;D
I go most years. I usually find some thing I haven't seen, or thought of before. I get the name of the product then go on line and can usually find it cheaper than at the show.*666 I tend not to spend too much time around the new boats. I am realistic and know that unless I win the lottery,*cry I'm not buying another boat. So I like getting ideas on how to improve the one I have. I enjoy spending time with other sailors and oh yes...the admiral stays home.;D
Minneapolis Boat Show
Is an annual ritual for Captain Grumpy and I. In the years past we spent a lot of time crawling around the new boats and dreaming. Now that we own Emmanuel, our dream boat, we are less interested in the new stuff. So now boat show time has really become a social outing. It's a good chance to catch up with all our sailing friends. Unfortunately, The Mpls Boat Show does not have a lot of exhibitors with cool sailing products. It's mostly fishing and power boat stuff except for the few token sail boats. One thing we did see this year that I fell in love with was the IP sail/trawler boat. It was fabulous and maybe exactly what Grumpy and I will need someday when we are too tired to do all the work.
Is an annual ritual for Captain Grumpy and I. In the years past we spent a lot of time crawling around the new boats and dreaming. Now that we own Emmanuel, our dream boat, we are less interested in the new stuff. So now boat show time has really become a social outing. It's a good chance to catch up with all our sailing friends. Unfortunately, The Mpls Boat Show does not have a lot of exhibitors with cool sailing products. It's mostly fishing and power boat stuff except for the few token sail boats. One thing we did see this year that I fell in love with was the IP sail/trawler boat. It was fabulous and maybe exactly what Grumpy and I will need someday when we are too tired to do all the work.
Detroit
As with too many things connected with the city, Detroit holds an event which caters too only one group. In this case it's a misnomer in that the "Detroit Boat Show" ought to be named the "Detroit Powerboat Show" because there is an almost total absence of sailboats being showed there. In the past they had a few nice examples of sailboats but for the last few (10) years the power boat has ruled. In particular the PWC and many, many types of fishing and muscle boats. So, the sail boaters stay away. You'd think that the state which has the most number of registered boaters would pander to all of the boating public.
As with too many things connected with the city, Detroit holds an event which caters too only one group. In this case it's a misnomer in that the "Detroit Boat Show" ought to be named the "Detroit Powerboat Show" because there is an almost total absence of sailboats being showed there. In the past they had a few nice examples of sailboats but for the last few (10) years the power boat has ruled. In particular the PWC and many, many types of fishing and muscle boats. So, the sail boaters stay away. You'd think that the state which has the most number of registered boaters would pander to all of the boating public.
Well...
I have to admit that I have never been to one. I never thought about buying a new boat( or afford one ) so in my mind why go. I'm not a shopper or windoshoper for that matter, and if I want or need something I click it and have it shipped to me. Just call me lazy I guess but I do not like crowds much either. My brother & sister in law own a Lodge in Alaska, and are with us right now for the Sportsman Show here in Seattle this week end. He arranged to have our names posted as helpers for his booth so we can get in free to get me to go or I would not probably go to that either even though Fly Fishing is second only to sailing in importance in my free time.
I have to admit that I have never been to one. I never thought about buying a new boat( or afford one ) so in my mind why go. I'm not a shopper or windoshoper for that matter, and if I want or need something I click it and have it shipped to me. Just call me lazy I guess but I do not like crowds much either. My brother & sister in law own a Lodge in Alaska, and are with us right now for the Sportsman Show here in Seattle this week end. He arranged to have our names posted as helpers for his booth so we can get in free to get me to go or I would not probably go to that either even though Fly Fishing is second only to sailing in importance in my free time.
Boat show
We go to Strictly Sail show in Oakland every year, we go a couple of day early and spend a couple of days in San Francisco, to see the Big city lights, Sea food, Art, Museum's,the OCEAN, and the Boat show, and then head back to the mountains, and Lake Tahoe. We have a 06 M26, and enjoy getting deals on "stuff" that we just gotta have.
We go to Strictly Sail show in Oakland every year, we go a couple of day early and spend a couple of days in San Francisco, to see the Big city lights, Sea food, Art, Museum's,the OCEAN, and the Boat show, and then head back to the mountains, and Lake Tahoe. We have a 06 M26, and enjoy getting deals on "stuff" that we just gotta have.
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending February 3, 2008: What do you think about boat shows? 64% I usually go to a boat show but don’t buy big ticket items 22% I'll go if I can’t find anything better to do 09% I avoid the boat show like I'd avoid a hurricane 09% I always go to a boat show and usually spend big bucks
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending February 3, 2008: What do you think about boat shows? 64% I usually go to a boat show but don’t buy big ticket items 22% I'll go if I can’t find anything better to do 09% I avoid the boat show like I'd avoid a hurricane 09% I always go to a boat show and usually spend big bucks
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