[Rhodes22-list] Boat Show Report

[Arthur H. Czerwonky]

Mary Lou,

Thanks for the show news, I just wish I could have been there to see that impressive display and have lunch with you all.  I hope that the bigger show presence pays off for GB.  

It is a little rainy here, on and off.  I remember the gales of shows past.  Hope the rest of the show goes well.  Thanks again for a so thorough review.

Art

-----Original Message-----
>From: Mary Lou Troy <mtroy at atlanticbb.net>
>Sent: Oct 9, 2009 10:42 PM
>To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Boat Show Report
>
>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
>
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