Nomad Willy
Guru
Went yesterday (rainy thursday) and there were very few people. That was the plan.
Had to remind myself often that it wasn't a Trawler Fest. The boats afloat part has MANY more boats now. I was amazed at how many but I think there were very few new boats. There were even cheap boats. I saw one for 114K. None were tough looking though. With so few people I was able to talk w anybody I wanted as long as I wanted and go through any boat as long as I wanted.
The big boats were a bit of a surprise to me as I almost never am exposed otherwise. They look basically all alike in ads in magazines but being inside them they boldly display their own unique personality. The Ocean Alexander has a Vegas look and feel (lots and lots of classy details) whereas the Fleming 55 is overwhelming in a very different way. The OA has a mostly hard, shiny and ultra glitzy aura whereas the Fleming's aura disarms you completely with her extensive softl finished teak that is so unbelievably fitted there's no gaps or cracks anywhere. I can see why Walt and others like this boat. Quite sure it's a planing hull though. Most of the other boats were more like the OA. The OA had bases at the bottom of her stanchions that were shaped a bit like the base of a LR lamp. No base plate w screw heads visible. The yachty flare is taken to a high level w many of the boats. To think they are like bigger versions of smaller boats is proof that one hasn't been aboard.
For many reasons, some obvious and some not, I'm a small boat guy and was looking fwd to seeing the smaller boats inside. Disappointment. Metal fishing boats that I mostly don't care for and glitzy sport boats that one would visualize being operated by people high on something, unnaturally happy looking and mostly undressed. Little for this conservative old man to respond to.
Saw a new and interesting electric OB w it's own battery. Light enough for a small child to easily operate but probably not enough power to get a kayak to hull speed but plenty plenty to get the dink ashore w/o oars even if shore was close to a mile away (assuming a return trip). Very impressive very little motor. Info@electricpaddle.com
I saw the new Manson anchor ... the "Boss". I would now place money on it out holding any other anchor but only if it didn't fail structurally. And it's holding power almost certainly would but if you got it jammed between rocks it (more likely than most all other anchors) very likely wouldn't come up looking like it did going down. The "Boss" I looked at and "hefted" appeared to have more fluke area than any of my anchors and they claimed it's weight was 15lbs. I think it's weight was closer to 11lbs. They urged me to read an article in Practical Sailor magazine (Feb issue). And as far as I know the only place to get it right now is at Fisheries Supply.
Another boat that was wonderful being aboard was the Krogen. The Man there (talked to him quite a bit about several topics) showed me a new material that replaces the bulsa core called Corecell.
Saw lots of engines and one of the boat reps said you guys better get used to higher engine speeds. One fellow on a big boat said the engines in his boat turned 4000rpm. It's a trend. And I'm sure it's related to the usual application for the engine that is the base engine for our marine conversions. Our marine industry probably won't have anything to say about it.
To talk more on most of the subjects I talked about Janet and others will probably want a new thread.
Had to remind myself often that it wasn't a Trawler Fest. The boats afloat part has MANY more boats now. I was amazed at how many but I think there were very few new boats. There were even cheap boats. I saw one for 114K. None were tough looking though. With so few people I was able to talk w anybody I wanted as long as I wanted and go through any boat as long as I wanted.
The big boats were a bit of a surprise to me as I almost never am exposed otherwise. They look basically all alike in ads in magazines but being inside them they boldly display their own unique personality. The Ocean Alexander has a Vegas look and feel (lots and lots of classy details) whereas the Fleming 55 is overwhelming in a very different way. The OA has a mostly hard, shiny and ultra glitzy aura whereas the Fleming's aura disarms you completely with her extensive softl finished teak that is so unbelievably fitted there's no gaps or cracks anywhere. I can see why Walt and others like this boat. Quite sure it's a planing hull though. Most of the other boats were more like the OA. The OA had bases at the bottom of her stanchions that were shaped a bit like the base of a LR lamp. No base plate w screw heads visible. The yachty flare is taken to a high level w many of the boats. To think they are like bigger versions of smaller boats is proof that one hasn't been aboard.
For many reasons, some obvious and some not, I'm a small boat guy and was looking fwd to seeing the smaller boats inside. Disappointment. Metal fishing boats that I mostly don't care for and glitzy sport boats that one would visualize being operated by people high on something, unnaturally happy looking and mostly undressed. Little for this conservative old man to respond to.
Saw a new and interesting electric OB w it's own battery. Light enough for a small child to easily operate but probably not enough power to get a kayak to hull speed but plenty plenty to get the dink ashore w/o oars even if shore was close to a mile away (assuming a return trip). Very impressive very little motor. Info@electricpaddle.com
I saw the new Manson anchor ... the "Boss". I would now place money on it out holding any other anchor but only if it didn't fail structurally. And it's holding power almost certainly would but if you got it jammed between rocks it (more likely than most all other anchors) very likely wouldn't come up looking like it did going down. The "Boss" I looked at and "hefted" appeared to have more fluke area than any of my anchors and they claimed it's weight was 15lbs. I think it's weight was closer to 11lbs. They urged me to read an article in Practical Sailor magazine (Feb issue). And as far as I know the only place to get it right now is at Fisheries Supply.
Another boat that was wonderful being aboard was the Krogen. The Man there (talked to him quite a bit about several topics) showed me a new material that replaces the bulsa core called Corecell.
Saw lots of engines and one of the boat reps said you guys better get used to higher engine speeds. One fellow on a big boat said the engines in his boat turned 4000rpm. It's a trend. And I'm sure it's related to the usual application for the engine that is the base engine for our marine conversions. Our marine industry probably won't have anything to say about it.
To talk more on most of the subjects I talked about Janet and others will probably want a new thread.