Sailboat Show - The Booty

So an update from our visit to the Annapolis boat show...

It was a LONG couple of days at the boat show but as usual, we really enjoyed attending. 

This year there seemed to be less vendors which was upsetting, especially since some of them we had planned on visiting. We heard from the M's, who attended the Newport Show, that the same has happened there as well.  Hopefully this year was just a fluke...

We made some progress on our list, did lots of research and price comparison, and even walked away with a few items not on the list (shocking, that never happens). Here's where we stand:

• New Screens for the Port Lights
• FX-37 Fortress Anchor - DONE
• Offshore Foul Weather Gear - DONE (and they rock! So much better than our current gear. They are breathable and super comfy)
• Boom Vang (we have one but not sure if we are going to replace it or repair it)
• Replacement Reading Light for the Saloon
• Breeze Booster (we have one for the port light and LOVE it! We want another)
• Solar Panels (we want two more to add to our existing two)
• Blue Sky Solar Regulator
• Wall Thermometer
• P4 Dragon Pactor Modem
• Sea Anchor
• Drogue
• Wind Generator
• New Batteries
• Hatch Refurbishment
• Filter Boss Commander
• Swim Ladder
• Piston Arm for Main Hatch
• Handheld VHF - DONE
• Chain Stopper

J in his new offshore gear (please ignore the mess - this was taken just as we got home and were unpacking from our weekend at the show.)

The items which we left with that were not on our original list:

• ATN Mast climber (just the ascenders, we already have a bosuns chair)
• Chain markers for our anchor rode (we tried using rescue tape to mark the chain in 25ft increments.  While it withstands being in the water, when it is deployed/brought in the windlass tears it apart. Time to look for alternatives, maybe what we got at the show will work).
• Snatch Block for Sea Anchor (we LOVE Garhauer.  If you ever need any sort of block, tackle or stainless work done, definitely check them out.  
• Lifeproof waterproof iPad cover 
• SSCA membership

We had a wonderful time meeting with other Mason owners. We met 4 other couples and had an opportunity to share storeies about our cruising adventures, future plans and of course boat projects.  Turns out two of the couples are in the same area as we are!   We look forward to seeing them out on the water in the coming years.  

Volunteering was a blast - the folks at Good Old Boat are awesome, nuff said!  We had the last shift of the day so the boat show traffic had started to die down a bit (the rain didn't help either) but that didn't stop us from bringing in some renewals as well as new subscribers.  It really is a great magazine.  We're planning to volunteer again next year as well.