I love this show. So many new shiny boats begging for owners that will love them. Many gadgets to buy in all the booths. Pussers painkillers in tin mugs to drink. The best weather in the history of the show.
Here is what I bought:
4 Garhauer Snatch Block - Series 40, One spool of New England 10 mm Sta-set rope, Galleyware nesting cooking pots, tumbler drinking glasses, hats for crew with my boat name on it, renewed membership to SSCA & Lats & Atts.
The boats at the show where impressive for the most part. The Southerly 42 RST at the show won my best cruising boat of the year award.
I am off to buy my lottery ticket. The Hinkley Sou'wester 70 won the most gorgeous boat of the year. Had to change my drool bid twice looking at her.
Most improved production boat goes to Dufour. Most impressive new deck hardware: Calibers Smart Rail system - Ding davits, engine motor lift and solar panels built in the stern rail.
The bad at the show. Most of the production boats I saw I was shock to say the least. They have cheapen the boats with inferior materials all through out the boats. Concrete/steel keels vs lead, lower grade deck hardware, plastic and inferior woods in the cabin. I asked the head sales person at the show about this and they all acknowledge what I saw. They all said it was to keep the boat in a certain price range and they had to make some changes. It reminds me of what they did in the mid 80's-90's during the last boat recession. It was a horrible thing to see.