I spent two hours today at Strictly Sail. Good show, but I would have liked to have seen more brands. The best boats there, IMHO, Tayana 48CC, Hylas 54, Valiant, Caliber 40LRC, and Island Packet. Now I am just talking about layout design, how usable space is, how the cockpit is laid out, can you stand in the shower, etc. I didn't have time to look over build stuff. Some of the designs were ridiculous. I am sorry, sailortjk1, but Beneteau was hands down the worst. Bear in mind that I did not look at Hunter because they do not appeal to me. I just don't understand some of the very uncomfortable things they do. They have a race
line. They need to give in and make a good cruiser, bring back the Oceanis. Catalina is honest about their product. They make coastal cruisers that you can live on, and they are very good at it. In the whole new
line of Beneteaus, there is not one separate shower and the French must be small because the berths are not big enough. Storage too is very minimal. I don't know maybe they are just going for the day sailing market or week-enders. Very stark, cold and unlivable, IMHO.
Other boats I was not impressed by, Oyster, Hanse, Elan, Com-Pac.
Disappointments- Pacific Seacraft only had one small boat.
The busiest boats(most people)-Catalina
Most innovative and interesting-Island Packet's motor sailor the SP cruiser.
There are a few others that deserve mention, but I have forgotten. One of them even had a separate office. I am going back on Saturday and will provide an update.
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