ANNAPOLIS SHOW REPORT.

[Bob23]

   I made my sorta annual trek to the Annapolis sailboat show last Friday and I lived through it to return and report my findings. First off, it's only a 3 hour drive for me so it's kinda close.
   I tend to stay away from the 46 foot sailboats with 8 bathrooms, large screen tv's, pool table and 48 inch Sub-Zero refridgerators. Heck, anyone can build something like that and, to be honest, I realize why the manufacturers do that: They gotta win over the wife to sell the boat!
   I gravitate toward the smaller boats. Marshall catboats were there and looking as fine as ever. Steve, who sells Precision Sailboats in NJ was there and having been aboard a Precison 15 that he sold a friend of mine, I can vouch for his integrity and excellent service. Norseboat has a new 21.5' cruiser and is just a beautiful boat. CLC was right next door with some of thier smaller kits but John Harris was nowhere to be seen...maybe back at the shop taking care of business.
   There was a new boat: Scandinavian Cruisers, ironically made in China but the stand was hosted by a pleasant (and attractive) young lady with a captivating Scandinavian accent. Oh, to be 25 again...ah, the boats were great, too! On display was a 25 foot go-fast boat, lots of carbon fiber and vertically adjusting daggerboard and rudder. Kind of a Porsche Boxster of sailboats.
   Now the bad news: The main reason I went down was to stop at the Compac site but, due to a late start and just too much general wandering around, we didn't find it until after closing time (6:30) and it was vacated except for an Eclipse, a Legacy and Suncat, all brand new and looking just fine! I had brought T-shirts down for Gerry  but I guess I'll send 'em to him. A while back, he gave me permission to use the Compac logo for t shirts I printed up mimicking the sail numbering on my 23. Thanks, Gerry!
   The beer was cold but the commorative glass Killian mugs were not available, the food was great, and the weather was outstanding. If there was one memorable thing, it was the Good Old Boat Magazine stand.  I met the owners (Jerry and Karen) along with a whole lot of employees and let me tell you, they are a bunch of characters! I felt like I was catching up with old friends although I'd never met any of them before. But I guess there is a soret of comraderie when you are one of "the rest of us", not unlike what we enjoy here! Then Karen began serving box wine in plastic cups and the real fun started. George broke out his guitar and did a song he'd writen and it was enjoyed by all. After 2 cups of wine, I had to decline more, being faced with a 3 hour drive. home an not wanting to wreck the admirals car.
   Well, thats about it. This post would be much longer but I'm still battling my computer which doesn't permit me to write endlessly for some reason but it only happens here. Hmm... wierd, huh?
Cheers and happy fall sailing to everyone!
Bob23

[bungyjumper]

Thanks for the report Bob! I go to the Annapolis show about every other year, but couldn't swing it this year due to a conflicting business trip. Glad the weather cooperated!

[newt]

Great Report. I Met Karen in a roundabout way. She left a note on my 23 when it was a lone boat out in Antelope Island Marina. It was good for a copy of Good Old Boat Mag- but of course I lost it....