Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
If you get to the show, check out the Wahine Lifestyle 26. The boat is excellent for performance sailing and cruising. It's not trailerable because it has a deep draft fixed keel. It has standing headroom and lots of innovative small boat features, like a cooler locker at the aft end of the cockpit.
Gotta ask: overall, was the show just for dreamers or were there boats, equipment that those with older (read C-25/Capri-25) boats would really interested in??
Peter Bigelow C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick Rowayton, Ct Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT
It depends on what interests you. If you're interested in new boats, there are lots of them of all sizes and configurations. If you're interested in gear, it's all there, and sometimes at discounted prices. Foulies, shoes and sailing togs of all types are usually discounted, some big and some small discounts. One exhibitor gave me a $15-20 can of his product for free. You can get free advice from any exhibitor with regard to hardware, refrigeration, air conditioning, autopilots, electronics, etc. For several years I attended many of the free seminars offered. This is a link to a list of free seminars this year. http://www.annapolisboatshows.com/united-states-sailboat-show/daily-free-seminars-sailing/
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind" previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22 Past Commodore
For example, the new solid-state "broadband" radars are a complete game-changer for sailors and powerboaters. Power consumption and radiation levels closer to cell phones than to microwave ovens. And the image detail is on a whole new level--you can see a kayak 20' from the boat and tell how big that target is 5 miles away. There's some cool stuff happening!
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
At the boat show there are definitely things of interest for older boats. One year, my spouse wanted a comfy seat and they had the Sport Seat Mfr at a booth. West Marine has a knock-off of the same product but my spouse tried out the Sport Seat and liked it, so we bought it - That was many years ago. The PolyGlow guy has a booth and so if out of supplies, you can pick it up at the boat show and they may have a promotional sale going on - You never know. Another year, I was contemplating having my standing rigging replaced and I had a short list of the rigging companies in the area that I was considering. Atlantic Riggers was at the boat show and had a boat show special going on - I had them estimate the cost and then scheduled and had the rigging changed out. Great job ! and the rigger did it all with the mast up !
Then there are the little things to consider/buy such as quick release fender line clamps or renewing my Good Old Boat subscription at the boat show rate and getting one of their new color combo "Good Old Boat" baseball caps. Bulb replacements with LED equivalents. Maybe get a jacket or gloves - A number of the mfrs, such as Henry LLoyd, have boat show discounts on their apparel. Sometimes the going to the boat show is just to see new products or components that you were not aware of and then consider for a future purchase - I have labored over getting new cockpit cushions and a number of mfrs sell those super dense, waterproof cockpit pads in place of the std cushions. I have kicked purchasing them around for years but this past year I decided to go the standard route but just with more dense cushions for the cockpit and all new upholstery for the cabin cushions - So..the boat show did not make any sale on me for this item but helped me decide on a non boat show purchase....though...they do have cushion mfrs at the boats show that did provide me estimates but I went with a non-boat show upholsterer in the end.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.