Strictly Sailing

[Dreamofsailing]

I went to Strictly Sailing today... My first time; and I loved it! It fed my dreams and got me so excited. I'm joining the PMYC and the North Chicago Boat Club to interact with more sailers. I might go back tomorrow and Saturday....I am hooked!
This year is for learning,reading books, taking classes, and crewing on boats, next year I'm buying my dream and loving it!

[pjop]

One of these days, I'll make it to a sailboat show. I figure it's much like going to visit the Ferrari dealership or a strip club. Look but don't touch. Kinda of defeats the purpose, but the desire to go and look is very tempting, I must say. So, tell us what you saw that got you so excited. Did you see anything that you would take home to meet your mother?

[Dreamofsailing]

Yeah it was very much like going to a strip club and an exotic car dearlership...I fell in love with every boat I stepped foot in, and wanted to call home and say, I'm never coming home again. I dreamed and dreamed! I saw several models I could probably afford in my lifetime and a few leads on a few used ones. I think I've resolved to learn this year and buy next year...it was really good going to the show, try it.

[SaucySailoress]

Hey Dreamer - glad you're hooked! We are too! And you're doing all the right things to start out... Have a great time!

[Dreamofsailing]

Thanks Saucy, maybe I'll see you guys out on the water?

[SaucySailoress]

Hmm - i think Chicago's a little off the circumnavigation route we'll be taking....

[Dreamofsailing]

Oh wow...you are in Kuwait? Probably not then!

[Khagan1227]

I spent the last three days at the show. I loved it, but with the exception of Saturday, not very big crowds.

I attended a LOT of seminars and I think water sailing">Blue Water Sailing and the seminar leaders did a great job with them. The DIY seminars were very well done, hats off to Jack Clang and Garret Falls. Interlux and West Systems even stepped into a few and gave a LOT of really good advice/tips.

Most of the big production boat companies were there, but I didn't see Bavaria, which surprised me. I personally don't like the open sterns on a few of the boats there, as I like a bit of cockpit surrounding me, but I guess that is a personal choice. I did notice that the U.S. production boats are joining the European crowd and making their boats more stern docking friendly. All the production companies seem to be going to "wood look" vice real wood for cabnetry, which I detest, and almost all the boats seemed to have laminate floors, another YUCK for me.

My favorite quotes form the show:

"There are two types of boat cruisers; those who send post cards, those who get them, which do you want to be?"

"I'm kind of surprised a sailboat company would show up at a show without keels on their boats" directed at the Jeanneau boats that were at the show with their keels installed.

[speciald@ocens.]

Isn't it snowing there? Not here!

[Khagan1227]

Nope, just freezing rain... spring must be close.

Ok, 15" of snow in the forecast tonight.

[reuben]

Spent a long lovely Saturday at the same show - terrific. It's our midwinter break from northern Minnesota. Great to see so many boats and sailors in one location.

From that day, a short video in praise of hardware:

Later, he discovered pottery. on Vimeo

[Khagan1227]

Way cool!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
We're all hooked. Otherwise we wouldn't be posting here.
kind regards,

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by pjop

One of these days, I'll make it to a sailboat show. I figure it's much like going to visit the Ferrari dealership or a strip club. Look but don't touch. Kinda of defeats the purpose, but the desire to go and look is very tempting, I must say. So, tell us what you saw that got you so excited. Did you see anything that you would take home to meet your mother?

That is right.

Don't go.

Don't go!

Don't go!!