The Show Must Go On

T-Schwan

T-Schwan

.
May 15, 2017
15
Are you getting your boat show on this year? Is it something you do every year, every now and then, or do they not interest you?

Are they as good as they used to be, or do you think they’re smaller -- and different -- than they were 10 years ago?

Share your plans -- and organize meet-ups -- right here!

you?
annapolis-boat-shows-14-18-october-2021-main.jpeg
 
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capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,905
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I used to really enjoy the Miami show, back when it was part of my profession to be aware of all the newest gear and ideas for pleasure craft. I usually got tickets through one supplier or another and it was kinda nice to meet up with the other captains and discuss what we'd seen and who had used it, good review or bad.
Now it just holds no interest for me, as I'll not have the opportunity to put any of what I saw there to use.
 
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ggrizzard

ggrizzard

.
May 27, 2004
2,041
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
If I was 30 yrs younger, and if I wanted to sail a 40+ Cat, and
if I believed that "Total Electric" was actually doable for long distance cruising, and
if there was a reasonably priced marina in Florida, AND if I had a wad of idle money,
I'd go! :(
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,753
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Seattle Boat show. 2-10 February 2024.

Seattle Boat Show. 2-10 February

I am looking to go to the Boat show this year. Dates are tentatively 3/4 February. Will know more when I get home and talk with the Misses. Sailing in the Caribbean for 30 days may mean my wings are cut short a bit. I’ll keep you posted. While there look for me in the Waggoner’s Guide Booth...
forums.sailboatowners.com
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,707
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Over the past few years I've been going to the Annapolis Boat Show. The first time with a shopping list, lately it has been with a social calendar. In 2023 there were 3 meet-ups I attended and visited with friends and family in the area. I spend very little time actually looking at boats, mostly enjoying the atmosphere, visiting with friends and acquaintances, checking up on new gear. A visit to Annapolis always includes a stop at Fawcett Boat Supply and a meal at Davis Pub and breakfast at Grumps.

This year I was able to spend time with the Pride of Baltimore II Captain and get a below deck tour.

I'll probably be back in 2024.
 
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dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
4,229
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
I've been going to the Annapolis boat show for several decades. It has changed over time, but still remains an excellent boat show. My focus over the years has also changed. For the past several years I have contacted specific vendors.that will be there and have run a focused reason to talk about specific systems. I also like seeing the innovations and bits and parts that are for sale.

I meet up with friends going but I mainly have an organized agenda when going. Not all vendors im interested in attend which is a downside, but I still find them useful. There have been a lot of changes since first.attending.

sj
 
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C

captcoho

.
Oct 29, 2012
353
Catalina 30 TRBS MkII Milwaukee
T-Schwan said:
Are you getting your boat show on this year? Is it something you do every year, every now and then, or do they not interest you?

Are they as good as they used to be, or do you think they’re smaller -- and different -- than they were 10 years ago?

Share your plans -- and organize meet-ups -- right here!

you?View attachment 222792
Click to expand
They killed Strictly Sails in Chicago, this year just power boats and none of the seminars that were always enlightening and enjoyable.
 
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David11038

David11038

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Aug 31, 2004
84
Oday 322 St Clair Shores
Too frustrated by boat shows in the Great Lakes area in the past 10 years. All bass boats and pontoons - yuck!
I used to go to Strictly Sail in Chicago once in a while. There used to be decent boat shows in Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Cleveland that had a few sailboats. There used to even be an in-water sailboat show in Michigan City (where I bought my second boat) many years ago.
 
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shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,468
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
We have the Stuart (In water) Boat Show here. I've gone in the past but there's little of interest to me. All center Consoles $250 K and up. 1 to 5 outboards. A couple of trawlers - they can be toured in 15 minutes. Two years ago there was a very sweet Trumpy that could make a small fortune out of a large fortune if one was foolish enough to fall in love with her.
 
C

CUPRA

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Nov 20, 2013
1
C&C 25 Jordan
Just returned from the Toronto show and once again I said I'm not going next year!....very few manufacturers, mostly distributors....all the sailboats have been replaced with fishing boat exhibitors....will probably go next year with the same result...what else is a sailor to do in January....global warming has killed ice boating!
 
Timm R Oday25

Timm R Oday25

.
Mar 2, 2019
562
Oday 25 Milwaukee
We used to go to Strictly Sail when it was on Navy Pier as well. For all the presviously mentioned reasons ,we no longer go as well . We flew out to Annapolis and really enjoyed that show . This year we just might make it to the Wooden Boat Festival in Washington . They may not all be sailboats . However I'm quite convinced every boat there will hold my interest. If the timing is right we usually try to make the Antique Boat Show held in Lake Geneva every fall .. Now that's a class act.
 
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Roland5048

Roland5048

.
May 12, 2004
1,505
Hunter Cherubini 30 New Port Richey
Used to go to the St. Pete Boat Show yearly. Stopped going several years ago. Admission price rose, sailboat inventory shrunk, same old vendors vending their same old products, too crowded docks with power boaters waiting to board multi million $$$ power boats, overpriced crappy beer and food, and a nightmare parking. :(
 
shemandr

shemandr

.
Jan 1, 2006
7,468
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Roland5048 said:
Used to go to the St. Pete Boat Show yearly. Stopped going several years ago. Admission price rose, sailboat inventory shrunk, same old vendors vending their same old products, too crowded docks with power boaters waiting to board multi million $$$ power boats, overpriced crappy beer and food, and a nightmare parking. :(
Click to expand
"Other than that, Mrs Lincoln ..."
 
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Davidasailor26

Davidasailor26

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May 17, 2004
5,543
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
I went to the Annapolis show for a few years in a row before COVID. Haven’t been back since but I’m thinking of going again. I like it mostly for the atmosphere being around so many other sailors. It’s fun to look at the new boats but it gets hard to keep all the ideas straight after seeing a few. Walking through the vendor tents I like to see what’s new but generally I just learn more about products online than talking to the salesmen.
 
Tally Ho

Tally Ho

.
Jan 7, 2011
5,449
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
Project_Mayhem said:
I went to the Chicago boat show the first year after the pandemic. There were no sailboats. It was awful
View attachment 222793
Click to expand
I used to attend the Chicago boat show when they had sailboats.

Now I think that they have power boats, campers, and who knows what else. And it used to be at Navy Pier…at least a nautical location. Now it is held at McCormick Place IIRC.

I asked a few of the folding/feathering prop outfits if they were going to be at the Chicago boat show (I was going to order a new Max Prop) and was hoping to get a “show discount”, but none I spoke to were attending.

Not worth the effort to go any more.

For those in the Chicago area, I like to go to Crowleys “Yacht-a-polooza” in the spring each year. Lots of used sailboats to look at, various classes for things like diesel engines, epoxy work, navigation, etc. They also have a big sale on VC-17 so you can get bottom paint before launching.

Beer, brats, a bon fire and some live music round out the festivities! A great way to get the sailing juices flowing after a long, cold winter:beer:

Greg
 
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