[Rhodes22-list] Boat Show Report

[Mary Lou Troy]

Art asked for a Boat Show report. So here goes. My apologies if I 
missed someone that we spent time talking to. It was a very warm day 
and ultimately I wilted a bit in the heat. (That's my story but in 
truth my memory isn't great and my memory for names and faces is even worse)

Arrived in Annapolis around 0835 and parked in our secret parking 
place. Had breakfast at a local hangout and had a nice chat with the 
folks at the next table. One was a local racer and the other a friend 
who was working a booth for company from Newport RI making kevlar 
kayaks. Service was slow so we by the time we hit the bank and then 
walked over to the show it was open. We did stop on the way and 
admired Chris's Opus in the demo boat slip. Very sharp looking boat.

Wandered around a bit hit the GB display around 1030. 3 boats on 
land. A new one, a recycled '01 and a recycled '88 with the mast 
hoist system in place. Made for a very impressive display. # terrific 
boats. I think it was made possible by the fact that Hunter seems to 
have abandoned the space where it had a shoreside display. Spent some 
time talking to Michael Meltzer. Met Mac Macready from the Magothy 
and Steve Staum from Massachusetts. And a couple from Kansas who own 
an older boat. Can't remember your names. Oops. Also at the display 
was Carlos Rodriguez from General Boats.

No gathering for lunch.

In looking for a place for lunch we did see a couple in R22 shirts. 
We followed them to their table and introduced themselves. I didn't 
catch or don't recall their names but they were from Montreal and 
bought Peter Thorn's Raven which once belonged to the Kaynors and 
before that to Gary Sanford. I think that's the only R22 where we've 
met 4 of the owners. We invited them to join the list so you may hear 
from them something about the crazy Americans who accost people at lunch.

We managed to hit nearly all the land displays and a few of the boat 
displays in addition to the GB display. I found a great deal on a 
pair of Keen sandals and bought my nautical Christmas cards including 
elle's Santa crab.

Actually GB was bucking the trend with a larger display. There were 
fewer Catalinas, Hunters and Island Packets at the show than in 
recent years. There were fewer large catamarans but there were still 
a lot. West Marine had moved to the much larger space once occupied 
by Boaters World (and I got a good deal on some sailing gloves). We 
spent a bunch of time talking to Garmin trying to figure out the 
differences between their small GPS/plotters.

Came back to the GB booth several times to see if we could help sell 
a Rhodes or three. Chris, your boat was out on at least 3 demo sales 
one of which may have sold a boat. We may have another boat on the 
Choptank River off the Chesapeake Bay. Overall, interest in the R22 
seemed high and Michael was working his butt off trying to be a 
pushy-in-a-nice-way New York salesman. Actually he was great and if 
he works at the same pace tomorrow he may be worn out by the time he 
starts his new job in Chicago.

I think overall attendance was a little light but maybe not as light 
as last year or the year before in the rain. Rain is predicted for 
tomorrow. Not necessarily a bad thing as serious buyers still go.

We originally thought we might stick around and do dinner in 
Annapolis but our feet were sore and we were wilting from the heat so 
around 1800 we bid Stan, Elton, Michael, Mac and Steve goodbye and 
headed back to the car.

Stopped in Chestertown on our way home. Highly recommend Brooks 
Tavern if you are ever there. Great food, moderate portions and 
prices. Arrived home to 40-some email messages and the request for a 
Boat Show Report.

Good night.

Mary Lou
1991 R22 Fretless
Rock Hall, MD