Bay Bridge Boat Show

[Walter P]

Good evening folks,

This morning Monica & I made the 3 hour drive from central Jersey to Kent Island, MD to attend the Bay Bridge Boat Show. While this show is in no way near the size of the Fall Annapolis show, it's still generally a good day to spend a few hours to look around.

To my great disappointment but not too much of a surprise, the place was dead. Actually I think there were more exhibitors than customers. I actually felt sorry for some of these merchants as I do understand the time, money and general effort to participate that was put out in order to try to make a living. Since today was opening day, perhaps the weekend will produce a better showing.

By now some of you may be wondering what's my point with all this. My point is that people in general and boaters specifically are apparently more concerned about the economy than we imagined.

Sea Eric, Was today a fluke or are you seeing the same thing? By the way gas at Kentmoor marina was about 4.50 with diesel close behind. No wonder the show looked like a ghost town. Gas on the NJ Turnpike today was $3.17 gal for reg. Tomorrow AM it goes up 22 cents.

 

[SeaEric]

If it was up to me (which you'd think it would be since I write the checks) we would never do another boat show. Bay Bridge in particular. We have done that show for the last 3 years. Did it right too. We took a half-dozen nice boats, Great location right on the main seawall, new banners, logo bottled water, new embroidred shirts for the boys, 4 color high-dollar glossy hand-outs, you name it. The result? Bupkis. $15Grand down the Loo. I know the new boat boys have to do all that shenanigans as it's expected. Not me though. My place is right down the road, all my inventory is right there and the parking is free.

We have one boat at that show this year. Its a crazy assed hybrid/diesel/electric 30 footer for $150K. Not exactly a hot ticket, but some crazoid tree hugger may come along, you never know. Could be my broker gets hit by lightening while he's there too. More likely in my mind. Anyway, the boat owner paid the whole tarrif for this fiasco, and my intrepid broker volunteered to be bored to death sitting there, so HEY! Go for it.

I get a free name tag that gets me through the gate so I can go in and make fun of everyone sitting on boats that look like wedding cakes built by soccer shoe companies. Not a bad deal I guess. Where's my "I'm a cranky old bald guy" t-shirt? I guess I need to dig that out so I can wear it to the show. Heh.