Strictly Sail, 2006, St Pete
CaptRon said:
"Ran into a few old friends, picked up a few odds and ends but all in all it was a waste of time."
Well, in some ways, yeah, I can see that, but, at the same time, unless you shell out huge $$$$s to a yacht club, it's a useful socializing opportunity.
Y'know, I didn't notice that West Marine wasn't there; I suspect that The Borg have no need to show since they assimilated the last of their "real" (i.e. "large") competitors. (smirks)
My C30 is close to box-stock from the mid 1970s so *I*, at least, need to consider the kind of upgrades that I (and, more importantly, my Admiral) want and need.
I wonder, though, how much the organizers were charging for the booths... because I heard some comments, especially w/r/t the inclusion of Trawlers in the show, that it was "obvious the organizers want more money".
All in all, given my relative newness, the show still had some value to me... but I can see where it's gone down-hill, even relative to last year.
My daughter and her friend were bored to tears in the tents but were a lot more animated looking through the various boats, even (shudders) the Hunters, which worked out since they didn't need me following them everywhere. I was more interested in the various booths to gather information I needed to deal with _my_ boat's needs.
When I got to the office this morning I listened to my co-workers talk about a football game on Sunday and suspect that's why it seemed less crowded on Sunday afternoon.
I was told that the wave action was much rougher on Saturday then Sunday though it seemed pretty bouncy Sunday, which, to be honest, I found pleasant (except when I tried to put my boat shoes back on.)