Annapolis Powerboat Show

[jim rosenthal]

Spent a few hours today. Astonishingly, most all the big names I recall from just a few years aqo are gone. Nothing from Hatteras, nothing from Bertram, ONE Cabo (a 40ft express boat) Viking was there with convertibles in the 50+ range. Buddy David, too- with a little boat in the 30 foot range, I think powered with OBs, and looking like a tiny version of the Davis boats I recall from the 70s and 80s. Marlow was "there" with a boat with the Silverton name on it; if I recall right, they bought the Silverton brand. Things ain't what they used to be.

I didn't board any boats. I spent most of my time in the tents looking for various odds and ends I wanted to get, without much success. It is beautiful weather here, and a great day to be outside looking at boats, but the Annapolis show is a shadow of what it was.

There are a number of unfilled slips, I think- pilings driven into the bottom on the outskirts of the show with no boats there. They may be for the sailboat show, which is next week, and maybe some of the larger boats will show up.

If I want to see a really serious boat show, I am going to have to attend FLIBS, I can see that.

 

[hyperfishing]

The new brokerage show of used vessels was good, but smaller than expected. Some nice boats and the 58 West Bay SonShip had a fantastic layout, formerly owned by the publisher of Waterway guides.

 

[Red Hatt]

The owners of W G still own the boat that's why it was at the show (to sell) as far as I no ???

 

[hyperfishing]

I did not ask, the family likely still owns it. Never-the-less, it sparkled, including the engine room. Full width masters stateroom was extremely impressive, so was the rest of the operator friendly layout.

 

[krush]

I went a couple years ago and felt it was a waste of time for me. It just didn't have the type of boats or boaters that I wanted to see. I do realize it is mostly a "new" boat show though.

 

[jim rosenthal]

It's a good place to see equipment, and over the years I have gotten good boat show deals on things like a life raft, fenders, dock lines, etc. More and more, the boats are of less interest. I was sorry Hatteras wasn't there. Maybe the sail show will be better.

 

[Artzco]

Interesting article on attendance.

http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/526982-annapolis-powerboat-show-reports-boost-in-attendance

 

[fissioneng]

It's a good place to see equipment, and over the years I have gotten good boat show deals on things like a life raft, fenders, dock lines, etc. More and more, the boats are of less interest. I was sorry Hatteras wasn't there. Maybe the sail show will be better.

I agree, I shop for equipment deals (Coastal Climate Control is always there) and seek free advice.

I was there on Saturday, what a beautiful day. Toured the new GB 43 and the new American Tug 435. Also went to the brokerage show where they had a 2008 Hatteras 64 MY (great on the inside, outside bleck!). I couldn't stand touring the Fleming 55 again, just makes me envious. The Fleming was going to be delivered this week. It was sparkling. Nicest boat at the show IMO. Awesome guys from Burr Yacht Sales.

Waterway Guide Gal has the same owner. They own our marina too. I don' t know about those 692TAs though. See the other active repower thread for opinions about those. That boat is 17 ft wide and only 58 ft.

 

[hyperfishing]

Thank Susan Zellers at the Maritime Trades Asso. for successfully getting the boat sales tax cap implemented. She worked hard for several years to get this done. I am sure it helped sell a bunch more boats locally.

http://www.mtam.org/

 

[jim rosenthal]

Interesting article on attendance.

http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/526982-annapolis-powerboat-show-reports-boost-in-attendance

Good for them. It didn't seem that busy, but maybe over the entire show attendance was up. I am happy for them. I just wish the big boats would return.