So, here we are January 2011 and snow is on the ground in PEI. Obsession is tucked away in winter storage and my house is overflowing with sailing gear which has been taken off the boat for the winter. Sailing is never far from my mind though. Boat Show season is here. Although the Halifax Boat Show is next month, I don't have a strong desire to go this year. Why? I have been spoiled. Two years in a row now we have attended the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland - the largest in water sailboat show in the world. With over 250 boats in the water and hundreds of exibitors it is a sailor's dream.
As the show is held in early October, we put Obsession to bed for the winter and travelled down to check it out. Once again we met up with friends while we were there and spent two days at the show. All the sailboat manufacturers were there with their new design. We climbed aboard boats from: Beneteau, Hunter, Catalina, Jenneau, J-Boat, Hallbery-Rassey, Hanse, C&C, Island Packet, Gozzard, Dufour, Sabre, and Tartan. We also checked out some catamarans: Fountaine Pajot, Lagoon, Moorings, and Gemini. The new Beneteau Sense was a real highlight - I loved the office. Yet, I remain partial to the Gozzard as a cruising boat. I love the open forward cabin design rather than a traditional v-berth. Surprisingly, I found the 40 foot Hallbery-Rassey felt as cramped as a 30 footer.
Next year's show is October 6-10, 2011. If you go - wear comfortable shoes for walking, bring sun protection, be prepared to take your shoes off to board the boats, and make arrangements for accomodation early. Be sure to spend some time exploring the area while you are there. It is beautiful!
So did we buy anything - not much. But we learned lots, made a to do list for improvements to our boat and dreamed big!
