Smooth sailing ordering online. The Admiral and I are going Friday. Really looking forward to this year's show.
US Sailboat tickets:got mine. You?
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A little report from the Annapolis City Dock.
Yesterday was as pretty a day as you get in mid-October. We arrived at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium around 1030hrs, and there were 3 shuttle basses in the process of loading and transporting attendees down to the show. Glad we pre-ordered via the web-site, as we strolled past a 50 yard line of folks, and got our wristbands at the e-booth.
First thing my wife and I did was check out the Pride of Baltimore II, which was on pier nearest the entrance. There, we discovered our digital camera battery did not charge (hence, no photo-essay...) The Virginia was docked right next to the Pride, and both were open to the public. There were many multi-haul sailboats in this general area, and it "seamed" as if they were as many cats as monohauls at this show. I thought the folks at Leopard had the best looking booth.
Morris Yachts brought a beautifully cranberry colored 42 footer, which really caught a lot of eyes. We were able to inspect the Island Packet fleet, specifically the Estero, with thoughts of bareboating sometime down in the BVI's. Speaking of BVI's, we both liked the friendliness of Conch Charters.
After a long lunch break at Pusser's (good food, reasonable price), we went and checked out the fleets of Hunter, Beneteau, and Catalina. I really concentrated on their big offerings, looking at the design and craftsmanship. Hunter 49 and Beneteau 49 really matched up well head-to-head. Not as much laminate as in their smaller models, and supperbly afforded underneath. Honestly, they were both nicer than a lot of condos we've vacationed in... Catalina's big 47 had a unique layout underneath, installing it's shower and head in the v-berth. A very scrumptuos vessel, above and below, for considerably less dinero than it's counterparts. The Admiral asked me later if money were no option, which big boat caught my eye? I had to admit, Jeanneau brought a 44 footer Plan B that I absolutely fell in love with. It was deceivingly big, and had the best looking woodwork below deck.
Got to give a plug to one of our local builders, eSailing Yachts, who were able to take over a dozen orders on their 33, and were displaying a Chesapeake 20 that they are planning on producing in the near future. Offered at 30K, this could become the working man's day-sailor.
Spent a good bit of time at the Garmin tent, and their salesperson helped elay some of my fears of buying their handheld units (Oregon is their new touch-screen).
At the end of our day, we were able to check out the Woodwind (used in the Wedding Crashers). Very friendly staff, and we will probably take a day sail with them in the future.
All-in-all, a very pleasant day. I thought the entry fee is just a tad steep compared to similar style shows. Wifey enjoyed herself people watching.
Yesterday was as pretty a day as you get in mid-October. We arrived at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium around 1030hrs, and there were 3 shuttle basses in the process of loading and transporting attendees down to the show. Glad we pre-ordered via the web-site, as we strolled past a 50 yard line of folks, and got our wristbands at the e-booth.
First thing my wife and I did was check out the Pride of Baltimore II, which was on pier nearest the entrance. There, we discovered our digital camera battery did not charge (hence, no photo-essay...) The Virginia was docked right next to the Pride, and both were open to the public. There were many multi-haul sailboats in this general area, and it "seamed" as if they were as many cats as monohauls at this show. I thought the folks at Leopard had the best looking booth.
Morris Yachts brought a beautifully cranberry colored 42 footer, which really caught a lot of eyes. We were able to inspect the Island Packet fleet, specifically the Estero, with thoughts of bareboating sometime down in the BVI's. Speaking of BVI's, we both liked the friendliness of Conch Charters.
After a long lunch break at Pusser's (good food, reasonable price), we went and checked out the fleets of Hunter, Beneteau, and Catalina. I really concentrated on their big offerings, looking at the design and craftsmanship. Hunter 49 and Beneteau 49 really matched up well head-to-head. Not as much laminate as in their smaller models, and supperbly afforded underneath. Honestly, they were both nicer than a lot of condos we've vacationed in... Catalina's big 47 had a unique layout underneath, installing it's shower and head in the v-berth. A very scrumptuos vessel, above and below, for considerably less dinero than it's counterparts. The Admiral asked me later if money were no option, which big boat caught my eye? I had to admit, Jeanneau brought a 44 footer Plan B that I absolutely fell in love with. It was deceivingly big, and had the best looking woodwork below deck.
Got to give a plug to one of our local builders, eSailing Yachts, who were able to take over a dozen orders on their 33, and were displaying a Chesapeake 20 that they are planning on producing in the near future. Offered at 30K, this could become the working man's day-sailor.
Spent a good bit of time at the Garmin tent, and their salesperson helped elay some of my fears of buying their handheld units (Oregon is their new touch-screen).
At the end of our day, we were able to check out the Woodwind (used in the Wedding Crashers). Very friendly staff, and we will probably take a day sail with them in the future.
All-in-all, a very pleasant day. I thought the entry fee is just a tad steep compared to similar style shows. Wifey enjoyed herself people watching.
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