US sailboat show in Annapalis

I am from Canada and am considering going to the Annapolis sail boat show, has anyone been there? Its quite a trip from Saskatchewan to Maryland.

Only 10 weeks to sailing season here hahoo!!

I have been the past two years. The fisrt year I worked the Hobie booth.

If you are really serious about buying a certain kind of boat and want a change to climb all over it and work out a deal it might be worth it. Many of the Sunsail type companies also offer good deals on vacations during the boat show.

Since I live about a mile from the show I like to go. I would probably not make the trip if I couldn't drive to it in a few hours.

For those who live close, the real show is when the sailboats all start leaving. This is when the crews can really show thier stuff. If anyone goes to this, get there early to get a good viewing spot as they fill up very fast.

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Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

The Annapolis show is a great show... its in October.

Mostly big boats though. Hobie is always there though.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Missed seeing Hobie at Strictly Sail in Philadelphia a few weeks ago.

Regional dealers do most shows. Guess the closest dealers must have opted out.

Hobie company staff has been at Chicago, Miami, Syracuse, Seattle, Toronto so far this winter.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

looyenga -
This show was an annual trip for me and several sailing friends for several years. We used to rent a bus and a driver and throw a keg in the back and go with a rolling card game down and back. I recommend the trip highly if you appreciate boats, boat design and boating people. Among many celebrities I met are Dennis Conner and Ian Farrier (inventor/designer of the F-series trimarans) when he was unveiling his first folding Tri-maran ( http://f-boat.com/ )

Annapolis is a great sailing/port town. There are great places to stay and awesome restaurants, with fresh seafood galore. It is cheaper to get a room at a Hilton or Holiday Inn about 30 - 45 minutes outside of town if you are looking for lodging.

Don't forget boat shoes, otherwise you have to go onboard many luxury boats barefoot or in socks.

Have fun

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The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.