Just Dreamin'

Saturday, January 26 was a record-breaking attendance day at the four-day Baltimore Boat Show and SailFest. In addition to the regular boat-boarding and booth-browsing that goes on in all shows, this one had some fun surprises: a remote-controlled powerboat docking contest, a deep sea fishing simulator (one of the SpinSheet staff deftly reeled in a virtual marlin), remote-controlled sailboat racing, a fish tank for catching real fish, a casting contest, video games (including the one where you play guitar like a rock star), back and neck massages, and a live bikini-clad model giving away prizes next to a large, inflatable gecko and one of the fastest boats in the world. What more can you ask for on a Saturday in January?

The SpinSheet and PropTalk staff was there in full force, proving by our shrinking pile of SpinSheets that there were more sailors at this traditionally power-driven show than anticipated--a great sign and indicator that the sail component should grow next year. 

Oh yeah--people bought boats! Gratitude Yachting Center sold a 46-foot Island Packet cruising sailboat worth $722,000, and many other dealers reported surprisingly good sales in spite of predictions of gloomier weather last weekend in the convention center sky. A good omen? We'll buy it!

One PropTalk reader told us, "This show is the first harbinger of spring." His friend added, "A dose of medicine in this cold weather." We asked a SpinSheet reader what he was doing at the show. "Just dreamin'," he said and walked away with a beer in one hand, a bag of pretty brochures in the other.

Baltimore Boat Show was produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association

M.W.