Conference unifix::sailing

    Based on the ads in the latest Sailing World magazine, I'd say yes.  In
    fact, I think it'd be worth it just to get a close look at the Amoco
    Procyon ... the latest innovative design in cruising sailboats.
    
    ... Bob
    

    What are the dates of the show?
    
    

I believe the dates are September 5 - 8 and if you allow for the crowds 
(traffic, parking and just getting around Newport) it is typically 
enjoyable and worthwhile....especially if you're planning a purchase and
can take advantage of 'show specials'.

It will be crowded, especially over the weekend.  The Rolex Women's Keelboat 
Championships start that weekend (racing actually starts on Monday, I 
believe) to add even more people to the scene.

Go VTACK!

-- Ed

    
    The Newport Sailboat Show runs September 5,6,7,8 from 10am to 6pm. 
    Tickets are $9 at the gate.  Location is downtown Newport, in the main
    harbor area.   I went last year and spent the whole day and saw just
    about everything.  It is an enormous show, clearly the largest and best
    I have seen in New England.  Everything from small boats to multi's to
    larger boats (50foot). Gear and gadgets galore. Plus all the other
    nautical stuff (clothes, jewelry, knick-knacks, magazines, etc.) 
    Parking is free at Easton's Beach with a shuttle to the show. I went on
    a weekday last year and the crowds were small, with no lines waiting to
    get on boats.  As for boats all/most of the major manufacturers were
    there. 
    
    Note: Leave shoes at home, even boat shoes were not allowed.  Bare feet
    only. I finally took off my shoes and went bare footed the rest of the
    day.  Flip-flops or loafer shoes are the best. 

>    Parking is free at Easton's Beach with a shuttle to the show. 

Could you possible post directions to Easton's Beach, or is it on the map.

tnx,
paul

    The parking lots at Easton's Beach are currently covered by: sand,
    rocks, broken concrete, smashed bath houses, and piles of brush 
    and timber piled twenty feet in the air. It's being used as a
    dumping ground - compliments of hurricane Bob.
    
    Good luck trying to park there. I bet they'll use the Hi-Li lot
    instead.

    
    	Either way, take Rte 24 South thru Fall River, over the Aquidneck
    Bridge, to Rte. 140 (West Main Road, on the island). You'll drive
    through Portsmouth, Middletown, then into Newport. To Jai Alai, turn
    right onto Admiral Kalbfus Hwy. right after the `Entering Newport'
    sign, go maybe 1/2 mile, it'll be on your left.
    
    	I second the advice to go on a weekday, altho less customers=less
    salesman= less access to some boats. I found some hatchboards locked on
    larger/snazzier vessels- tho I didn't aggressively ask around for
    salesmen. But it was lots easier on the nerves.
    
    	Another 2 cents- check out the Wooden Boat Show, same place, I
    think a month later? Gorgeous stuff...
    
    	Have fun.
    	Scott.

    Went to the show.  Eh.  Hard times.  Fewer boats,
    fewer booths.  Didn't see Procyon, if she was there.
    Had a look at the Tripp 40 and 47.  Very light boats,
    no doubt about it.  The J44 looked like an out-of-date
    racer/cruiser in comparison.  But I'd love a shoal-draft
    44.  Had hoped to see a new J39, but they didn't have one!!!
    Was disappointed.
    
    I did get a good deal on some new Topsiders...
    
    Dean

Duracell was also there, not destroyed by Bob as reported elsewhere.  It was
billed as "the ultimate cruising boat"...

Doug.

Amoco Procyon was damaged in some unspecified way (someone said it was a 
sail problem) and was up in Nova Scotia effecting repairs.  They expected
her to arrive Sunday, but she missed at least one big to-do around her
scheduled for Fri evening.  Organizers were as miffed as show-goers were
disappointed. 

Duracell was damaged, but only minor; they got what little fixing it took 
done in time to make the show.

J. 

    
    I went on thursday in all the rain, and could not find either one. 
    This explains where one boat was, but not where DURACELL was.   Even
    allowing for the rain, it was not worth the most 5 hour round trip from
    my house.  I think I will continue the ever other year trip to Miami. 
    Makes for a nice long weekend in February and the show is larger, with
    much more to see and do......
    
    
    Forrest

    re .12
    
        Or you can go to Annapolis (Road Show!!) knowing full well the
    Red Sox will have bitten the dust before World Series time!
    
    
        john

    
    	The Annapolis, comparison was a bit unfair, as I have not been to
    it In about 5 years.  When I used to work in D.C. and could take in the
    show as a very long lunch it was terrific.  Allowing for memory lapse
    and the state of the industry it seemed much larger and better laid
    out.
    
    	The Miami show in Fabruary was way off from previous years, but is
    still is something else.  Besides as a cure for the mid winter blahs it
    works wonders.  If you work it correctly you can even get in some free
    or low cost sailing.
    
    
    Forrest
    Ps.		Looks like west coast DECUS and the Long Beach boat show
    		might line up again.  If they do I will try and remeber to
    		do a brief report.  Went in 1987, and it was an interesting
    		show, heavy emphasis on off the beach boats, and lightweight
    		off the wind boats.

    Funniest line heard at the Annapolis show this weekend. 
    
    I asked a broker from Petrini's how much activity they were
    experiencing at their 'Used Boat Show' just across the harbor. 
    (In a real deep southern, good_ol'_boy drawl)
    
    Broker: "Aw shucks, not bad, but we've had our usual share of Whistlin'
            Gophers."
    
    Me:      "What's a Whistling Gopher?"
    
    Broker:  "Oh, you know. They're the ones that come on board and ask:
             "What's this one go fur" and when you tell them the price they
              just roll their eyes and whistle."
    
    Maybe you had to be there.
    J_R

	RE: .14:

	Does anyone know if there are any boat shows in So. Calif.
	during DECUSweek (9-13 Dec 1991)?

	- Ken

    
    	I think so, but I have not seen a listing.  I asked a friend in CA
    to check and have not heard back from him.
    
    
    Forrest

    When is the show this year? What is the cost? Could someone recomend a
    place to stay, friday night and saturday night that wouldn't be to
    expensive yet comfortable, clean and close to the show? We will be two
    couples driving from Augusta Maine.
    
    thanks,
    
    			Bob P

    The Newport International Boat showis on 10-13 of September.
    The cost of the daily ticket is $ 8.00 at the gate or $7.00/day,
    $14.00/2 days $18.00/3 days if you call (401)846-1600.They accept
    plastic.
    For info on Hotels,Motels and B&B's and restaurants call (800)326-6030.
    I got this info from an insert oout of Aug.Cruising World,or Sail mag.
    
    Good luck. 

    
    	Took yesterday off to go drove down fearing it would be a repeat of
    last years awful rains.  But cluds cleared off and a strong breeze
    showed up.  As always only did a fraction of the things I wanted to do
    but all in all not a bad show for the money.  Wish it was not a 250
    mile round trip from my place.  
    	
    Forrest

    I went today, just got back a couple of minutes ago. Everything
    considered, it's not too bad a show. Even with the combination of
    sail/power, those who go to look at boats will be somewhat disappointed
    by the lack of quantity. The sail side is less than half of what used
    to be there even just two or three years ago. And a significant amount
    of the sail space is now taken up by Cat's.
    
    The display tents are quite good though. Probably as good as they've
    ever been. Plus with the very light crowds (rain was threatening but
    never came) you could pretty much wander at will.
    
    JR

    I have a number of small to medium items to get before next spring such
    as an inflateable, motir, SOLAS flares, HH/VHF, stereo, MOB stuff, etc.

    Is this show a good place to find significant savings? I don't care
    that much about the 60 second tour of the various boats i'll never be
    able to afford, but I am interested in finding some good "boat show
    deals". Is this a good show for that?

    tnx,
    paul

    re .22
    
       I have seen some great deals and the list prices at various shows
    (newport, Annapolis, NJ etc). 
    
       One good thing is to go to the boat stores. I was in West Saturday
    and they had thier boat show sale started. All kinds of goodies on
    sale. Just remember to buy before Feb, since they new prices always
    go up on the catalogs.
    
        john