DaveH6
Annapolis Sailboat Show
This is a manufacturer's show. I'm not sure whether this is still the Nations's largest in the water sailboat show. In previous years, major manufacturers reportedly sold about 25% of their annual production slots during this show.
Since the inception of this show in the early 1970s, I have missed only one of them. Consequently, I have seen boat manufactures come and go such as Cal, O'Day, Bristol, Columbia, Coronado, Ericson, Endeavor, Ranger, Mariner, Gulfstar, Lancer etc. Something to think about when a manufacture offers a "life time" hull warranty as a sales incentive.
Though I have not seen offical boat show statistics, I sense there were noticeably fewer boats on display than last year. This was expected in today's non-recovery economy. Folks who can no longer afford to purchase a new boat will draw little sympathy from others. However, those folks who lost their jobs with boat and accessory manufactures are the forgotten ones when considering the consequences in an economic downturn in an activity perceived for the "rich" .
Around 1990, Congress passed the "Luxury Tax" on boats and high end cars. The intent was to raise revenue from folks who in the eyes of Congress had too much descretionary income. Prospective boat purchasers were angered and closed their wallets or found loopholes via offshore builders. Some say that total sales tax receipts for boats went down after passage of this tax. The major consequence of this flawed legislation was much unemployment among those working for boat builders. With a large boat building industry in his home state, Ted Kennedy was one of those who led the charge that repealed this legislation .
I spent most of my show time in the accessory displays. This year's quest was to learn of navigational apps and charts to use on my IPAD2. Though I got chart pricing information from a manufacture's rep, the information seems too good to be true. Reflecting on the high price I paid a while back for a chartplotter chip just for the Chesapeake Bay, I find it is a new world in regards to marine navigation applications.
I learned of and priced waterproof protectors and helm mounts for the IPAD. Also checked out NMEA 2000 based instrument interfaces to an IPAD via WiFi.
I spent a record low total of only $19 at the show. I purchased a DVD from Sailrite on constructing boat cushions which may be a DIY effort on the Bluejacket. I have a Sailrite sewing machine and though not very good at it, I enjoy sewing. My mother's policy was that if any of her five children needed a clothes repair she would be happy to show us how to use her Singer sewing machine. Unhappy with this arrangement, little did I know that this experience would be of value decades later.
Annapolis Sailboat Show
This is a manufacturer's show. I'm not sure whether this is still the Nations's largest in the water sailboat show. In previous years, major manufacturers reportedly sold about 25% of their annual production slots during this show.
Since the inception of this show in the early 1970s, I have missed only one of them. Consequently, I have seen boat manufactures come and go such as Cal, O'Day, Bristol, Columbia, Coronado, Ericson, Endeavor, Ranger, Mariner, Gulfstar, Lancer etc. Something to think about when a manufacture offers a "life time" hull warranty as a sales incentive.
Though I have not seen offical boat show statistics, I sense there were noticeably fewer boats on display than last year. This was expected in today's non-recovery economy. Folks who can no longer afford to purchase a new boat will draw little sympathy from others. However, those folks who lost their jobs with boat and accessory manufactures are the forgotten ones when considering the consequences in an economic downturn in an activity perceived for the "rich" .
Around 1990, Congress passed the "Luxury Tax" on boats and high end cars. The intent was to raise revenue from folks who in the eyes of Congress had too much descretionary income. Prospective boat purchasers were angered and closed their wallets or found loopholes via offshore builders. Some say that total sales tax receipts for boats went down after passage of this tax. The major consequence of this flawed legislation was much unemployment among those working for boat builders. With a large boat building industry in his home state, Ted Kennedy was one of those who led the charge that repealed this legislation .
I spent most of my show time in the accessory displays. This year's quest was to learn of navigational apps and charts to use on my IPAD2. Though I got chart pricing information from a manufacture's rep, the information seems too good to be true. Reflecting on the high price I paid a while back for a chartplotter chip just for the Chesapeake Bay, I find it is a new world in regards to marine navigation applications.
I learned of and priced waterproof protectors and helm mounts for the IPAD. Also checked out NMEA 2000 based instrument interfaces to an IPAD via WiFi.
I spent a record low total of only $19 at the show. I purchased a DVD from Sailrite on constructing boat cushions which may be a DIY effort on the Bluejacket. I have a Sailrite sewing machine and though not very good at it, I enjoy sewing. My mother's policy was that if any of her five children needed a clothes repair she would be happy to show us how to use her Singer sewing machine. Unhappy with this arrangement, little did I know that this experience would be of value decades later.