We are considering visting a boat show next year to get away from the rain. Which are the better boat shows for looking at sailboats (mind you, we have one already), looking for ideas and general ambiance? How does Annapolis compare with Miami?
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How about Oakland?
Diane: How about the Pacific Sail Expo in Oakland, Ca. While we cannot promise NO RAIN, they have one of the best boats shows on the west coast. Once the show is over, there are plenty of places to visit in the area too. (April 14-18, 2004)
Diane: How about the Pacific Sail Expo in Oakland, Ca. While we cannot promise NO RAIN, they have one of the best boats shows on the west coast. Once the show is over, there are plenty of places to visit in the area too. (April 14-18, 2004)
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Steve Winkle
On With the Show
Diane, Where? Miami is about as far away from Vancouver as you can get. Their show started yesterday and the weather looks good. I've been to both Miami & Annapolis and have been rained on at both. Miami is generally warmer and has both sail and power. Ft. Lauderdale is in the late fall and has both sail & power, but is scattered all over. Annapolis has a huge collection of sailboats (separate week for power), but the weather in the fall may be great or not. Personally, I think the best selection of sail is at the Annapolis show. Then, again, there are the indoor shows such as Atlantic City, NYC, Chicago, ad nauseum. Don't know a thing about them, but I question the variety of boats you can see indoors. Good luck & fair winds, Steve
Diane, Where? Miami is about as far away from Vancouver as you can get. Their show started yesterday and the weather looks good. I've been to both Miami & Annapolis and have been rained on at both. Miami is generally warmer and has both sail and power. Ft. Lauderdale is in the late fall and has both sail & power, but is scattered all over. Annapolis has a huge collection of sailboats (separate week for power), but the weather in the fall may be great or not. Personally, I think the best selection of sail is at the Annapolis show. Then, again, there are the indoor shows such as Atlantic City, NYC, Chicago, ad nauseum. Don't know a thing about them, but I question the variety of boats you can see indoors. Good luck & fair winds, Steve
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Gil Narvaez
Annapolis!
I've been to many the shows in the northeast, including Newport and Annapolis. The Annapolis one was my favorite by a long shot. More vendors, more sailboats, including ones you won't see at any other show in the US. Book hotels early though. And weather, well I've to the show when it's been sunny and warm and rainy and cold... so... it varies. Gil
I've been to many the shows in the northeast, including Newport and Annapolis. The Annapolis one was my favorite by a long shot. More vendors, more sailboats, including ones you won't see at any other show in the US. Book hotels early though. And weather, well I've to the show when it's been sunny and warm and rainy and cold... so... it varies. Gil
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Marc Honey
Oakland
Oakland is hard to beat. Sail only, very compact site, ability to see just about everything you'd want in two days, so very much more to do in the area. April weather was great the year we went.
Oakland is hard to beat. Sail only, very compact site, ability to see just about everything you'd want in two days, so very much more to do in the area. April weather was great the year we went.
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Steve
Miami is only good for the weather
Went to Miami last weekend. If you are looking for a power boat you have it made. The Strictly Sail Miami (sail portion) was very disappointing. It was about 1/5 the size of Annapolis and the vendors were minimal. Annapolis, without a doubt, is the better of the two. The traffic getting off 95 onto 195 and then to the area where we parked on Collins Ave was miserable. We parked about 4 blocks away in a city lot and it was full by 10 am, the time the show started. To get from the convention center are shuttle buses to the sail area. Because of the miserable traffic, it took about 3/4 hour each way. The only really positive note on the sail show was the weather. It was fabulous!
Went to Miami last weekend. If you are looking for a power boat you have it made. The Strictly Sail Miami (sail portion) was very disappointing. It was about 1/5 the size of Annapolis and the vendors were minimal. Annapolis, without a doubt, is the better of the two. The traffic getting off 95 onto 195 and then to the area where we parked on Collins Ave was miserable. We parked about 4 blocks away in a city lot and it was full by 10 am, the time the show started. To get from the convention center are shuttle buses to the sail area. Because of the miserable traffic, it took about 3/4 hour each way. The only really positive note on the sail show was the weather. It was fabulous!
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Diane
Thanks!
Thanks for all the info. Annapolis it is. It looks like minimal stress with the hotel being on site. And I miss the east coast. PS, the Vancouver boat show is pretty minimalist for sail, but a good place to buy a shammy. We saw some interesting boats at the Seattle boat show a few years back but it's not worth travelling a distance. The NW has some pretty good sailing year round though.
Thanks for all the info. Annapolis it is. It looks like minimal stress with the hotel being on site. And I miss the east coast. PS, the Vancouver boat show is pretty minimalist for sail, but a good place to buy a shammy. We saw some interesting boats at the Seattle boat show a few years back but it's not worth travelling a distance. The NW has some pretty good sailing year round though.
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Jim
re Miami
I went to the Miami show because I ws finishing up a business trip. I drove to two blocks from the Strictly Sail Show and parked for $5. We were there 20 minutes before the show opened and were leaving the sail marina area just as it started to get crowded. I think the parking and bus transportation to from the convention center was great! Yes, I agree there were not as many sailboats as I expected to see. But then again, I have a boat and was not in the market, just look see. I think Miami did a great job of coordination and layout, with three locations.
I went to the Miami show because I ws finishing up a business trip. I drove to two blocks from the Strictly Sail Show and parked for $5. We were there 20 minutes before the show opened and were leaving the sail marina area just as it started to get crowded. I think the parking and bus transportation to from the convention center was great! Yes, I agree there were not as many sailboats as I expected to see. But then again, I have a boat and was not in the market, just look see. I think Miami did a great job of coordination and layout, with three locations.
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Michael Mangione
Chicago
Dianne, My wife and I returned from the Strictly Sail show in Chicago held the last week in February. Although the weather was extreme by our southern standards, the show was held indoors at Navy Pier and was fantastic. All of the vendors said that it was the best show in the country. You might look there! Of course if you're looking for fun and sun.. Florida has to be your best bet! Mike
Dianne, My wife and I returned from the Strictly Sail show in Chicago held the last week in February. Although the weather was extreme by our southern standards, the show was held indoors at Navy Pier and was fantastic. All of the vendors said that it was the best show in the country. You might look there! Of course if you're looking for fun and sun.. Florida has to be your best bet! Mike
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Clay Hunter
Just back from Miami
We just returned from the Miami Boat show. It was GREAT! Although we were looking for a Cat, I did look at almost every boat there. There was a huge amount of boats at the show, and the major manufacters had docks set up.We have a hunter now and stopped by the hunter tent. they had i believe 8 or 10 boats there.) So for us Miami was a great boat show!
We just returned from the Miami Boat show. It was GREAT! Although we were looking for a Cat, I did look at almost every boat there. There was a huge amount of boats at the show, and the major manufacters had docks set up.We have a hunter now and stopped by the hunter tent. they had i believe 8 or 10 boats there.) So for us Miami was a great boat show!
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Roy
I too went to Miami and Annapolis this year. I can only put it one way - if you are going to a seafood restaurant eat seafood, not steak. If you want to look at sailboats, go to Annapolis. Miami is great for power boats.
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