What did you buy at the Annapolis Boat show

[CrazyRu]

I got myself replacement for Tilley Hat. I was going to test their promise of lifetime warranty. My old hat traveled quite a few thousand miles on three continents and it was quite worn and it developed a few tears. However my dog, home locked and bored, manage to find the hat a few days prior to show. Hence no free replacement
Boats – some nice and some cheap… both categories are out of my league anyway.
I got inside of Mini 6.5 shell. There was one, bare shell, no rigging yet, hull number #1 of first US production. I kinda liked it; I can imagine living in it for short ocean crossing
Rest of the toys - shiny and expensive. I was wondering how much of the glister is for luring buyers…Sort of feeling I’ve gotten in tackle shop where most of lures are not for catching a fish but for catching a fisherman.
Due to extremely nice weather show was overcrowded…. But still fun.

[eryka]

Awk! Spent about 5 boat-bux on:
*Kyocera solar panels
*Webasto diesel heater
*Garmin handheld chartplotter oregon 400c
*new foulies
*peek-a-booo port covers (yeah, I know they're overpriced, but this is my HOME)
*Garhaauer 6-part purchase
*misc odds and ends
*beer, munchies, pizza for various evenings with out-of-town friends who had come in for the show

Life is Good! I love this time of year in Annapolis!

[Jotun]

Henri Loyd gloves, renewed Sailing subscription, a new collection of free key chains, and a crabcake sandwich and amber ale from Phillips.

[freddy4888]

I was all set to purchase the 70' Hylas but forgot to bring my checkbook. So I had to settle for a couple of hats with the boat's name embroidered on them.

[obelisk]

New Henri Lloyd Ocean Racer Bibs--only $175! (last year's model but still new in the box--retail for $450)

Favorite boat at the show:

Alerion Express 33! Pearson Composites has really kept up the quality when everyone else seems to be slacking--of course, it's reflected in the price of $261,000. The 33' would be the perfect daysailer or Chesapeake cruising boat. Very impressive.

[NauticalFishwife]

WOW... now I know the difference in "going" to the boat show and "working" at the boat show!!! I managed to zip around and buy some LED replacement bulbs for my halogen ones. But purchased little else other than my daily pain killer!

It was rather interesting having a business/booth. As you know the weather was incredible, which helped attendance of locals and drive in traffic. The folks who attend Thursday and Friday will typically have their reservations well in advance-therefore rain or shine they WILL be there. Sales on Thursday and Friday were amazing. Lots of tire kickers the rest of the show. Overall a good sales show, but total sales for me were down 10% from last year. Not bad I thought, all things considered. I know of several boat dealers who were "disappointed" with sales.

For the first time in this show I had something stolen AND I had someone threaten to bring a lawsuit against me the next day by his daughter who is an attorney because I asked if he possibly had cash rather than charging for a $12 sale. THAT was a first. I've refused to sell to someone before for being rude, I'm too old to put up with those folks, but this was a first for a yelling and screaming idiot. I personally think rude people should be illegal.

As always it was wonderful catching up with friends and seeing how their children had grown over the year and how many nautical miles they had traveled. A HUGE thank you goes to a Sailnet member who generously shared his knowledge on digital tv transmission.

It gives me great pleasure being able to sell something at cost to an elderly sailor who probably couldn't afford it any other way, to see someones face light up because they discovered an item they didn't know existed and to feel the energy and enthusiasm from those who enjoy the water and wind and open their hearts, minds and souls to those who share that love.

Yes, I do own a business, but not promoting a thing with this post...just sharing

[midlifesailor]

I had a first timer in tow, so did not get to do as much bargain shopping as I would have liked. I bought a couple of those "Beer wench" cup holder things that fit in the winch and hold a cold beverage at the Lats and Atts both and I bought a one of those combo bilgebailer/boat hook contraptions but that was it. I'm sure things will occur to me all winter that I should have been looking for.

Other purchases were consumed on site. It was perfect weather and the small crowd on Monday was great for getting to see a bunch of boats. I also ran into a few friends and got a chance to chat with the guy building my new suit of sails for a while so all in all it was an enjoyable show for me this year.

[camaraderie]

Word is that one of the major production boat dealers closed about 40% of last years business. I'm sure it is not pretty out there for any of the new boat guys. Guess they'll just have to keep selling stuff for the old boats.

[btrayfors]

Yeah, the credit crunch has really strapped the new boat business, as has the incredible rise in cost of materials and overall production. Some are having to extend their own credit financing, which further restricts their inventory and results in delays new buyers don't like.

The used boat business is humming, though.

Two days at the show. Overall, I spent $14 for two beers and tips (and some good friends bought me a few more). First time ever I found two free parking places on the street, despite the wonderful weather and huge crowds.

Great to see old friends and colleagues, and to swap a few lies. Closed a couple of little deals, too. All-in-all, not a bad Show :-)

And, as usual, I didn't see a single boat I'd rather have than Born Free, though the Hylas 70 was a beauty, but I'd thoughtfully left my checkbook at home, too :-)

Bill

[MtnMike]

I'm not going to go into what the wife bought, but as for me, I got a Davis Sextant, one of those wire clamping tools, a beer/soda wench holder, rescue tape, couple of shirts, couple of hats, crab cakes, burgers and more than a few Pain Killers. Oh yea, I renewed my Latts & Atts subscription.

Someday I'll get a BOAT!

Mike