| I took a vacation day and did the Newport show yesterday afternoon. For
those who may attend, and will read this in time, I present the following:
1) I called ahead, charged my tickets ($7--a buck off), and parked for
free with shuttle service from Easton's Beach (every 15 min or so.) Most
other parking within walking distance is up to $8. Other "VIP benefits"
are largely irrelevant.
2) The show is bigger this year. Perhaps it's because they're
"celebrating" their 20th anniversary, but I think it's just better
marketing and management. It definitely took longer to do than the past
few years, and I only get fussier in what I'll stop at or board as time
passes.
3) The majority of boats to board, and virtually all in the upper 1/3 of
their respective price/size ranges, ask you to remove shoes, regardless of
boatsoles or not. Wear slip-ons for convenience.
3) There are some things to see which are very nice: The Deerfoot 61
topped my list. If you go aboard, don't fail to find the laundry (!), and
be sure to climb down into the engine room aft -- designed with seats for
two people to work simultaneously, with all engine, filter, motor, etc
components and spares within reach. Aft are the fixed toolboxes. Both
the arrangement of everything (very thoughtful, *very* complete) and the
size/quality is amazing. Two watermakers, for instance. If you want one,
they accept checks or bullion. Plan on spending most of $1M; this is
no-compromise short-handed cruising.
4) Other pricey notables: The new Hinckley Sou'wester 43, Sou'wester 51,
Alden 50, Able Custom 44, Hood 54 (or thereabouts), Shannons, Hans
Christians, and more...my mind was quite blurred by all the high-end
stuff.
5) Fasizi is there, looking purposeful but uncomfortable compared to
everything else. There's a Polish barkentine (if I recall the correct
terminology) used for training also alongside.
6) Cruising multihulls are there in (relative) force. The F27 with
improved swing-arm design is there (about as fast as any cruising multi on
the market today, having won many honors already.) Queen among the half-
dozen or so there is the Privilege 39 -- worth boarding, and considering
for a 4-couple charter.
7) Foul Weather Gear: We were in the market for some FWG, and found some
excellent prices. The Sea Gear manufacturers were there, offering a decent
urethane-coated and lined jacket with zip-detachable hood *and* heavy-duty
trousers for $199 -- free seabag thrown in. That was the Best Buy choice
except for the detachable hood, which we nixed. Next best was Grotto
Ocean Racer model, which we bought in yellow (red also avail); Rig-Rite
had it for *much* less than others including E&B Marine I think it was --
$228 for both jacket and pants. It looked well made, had most all the
good features, such as integral harness (though not a storm harness IMHO)
and five of the best Scotch reflective patches, which Henri Lloyd failed
to include even on their >$350 suit! We looked at the new Patagonia
stuff, and were very impressed with its construction, many unique features
and lightness -- all at about $400 for top & bottom. They were showing,
but not selling anything, which was curious. We saw the new Atlantis
line, and walked past it as were most other serious buyers. It seemed
everyone was quick to share their Atlantis horror story.
That's the quick and dirty from one man's viewpoint. If you go, enjoy
yourself!
J.
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