The
multihull forum has an thread for thoughts on the
Annapolis show, so I thought I would add one here. I really dived in this time - was there for 3 days. Originally I was planning on finally
buying a boat this year, but life
events have caused me to delay that, likely one more year.
My random thoughts:
Dufours are frustrating. They have an excellent layout and
galley placement. Most of their Grand Large models now have a small BBQ
grill, sink, and cutting board built into the transom (perfect for
cleaning and grilling fresh fish), tucked away while sailing. But the quality of the cabinetry and finishings were rather poor. Some seats/doors etc didn't quite line up properly. I know that's all superficial, can be fixed, and has nothing to do with seaworthiness. But when the
interior cabinetry is off, it gives you less confidence in the quality of everything else.
Jeanneau was just the opposite. I was impressed with the quality, but the layouts were bland. Everything felt tight and solid. This was in contrast to last years show, where I noticed lights were loose, the headliners were uneven, etc. Either that was a fluke, or they have really tightened things up. The DS 44 has a table that folds over the
toilet, and it feels as solid as a rock.
For the last 3 days of the show,
Bavaria stopped allowing people onboard their monohulls. Maybe they were
sold? Even if they were
sold, don't you still keep displaying them, especially that early in the show?
Both Dehler and Hanse quality was good. Unlike other builders, I like how the handhold rim around the edges of their
galley tops was the same Corian material as the galley surface. Everyone else puts a wooden rim around it. I think those wooden rims will look very old-fashioned in the future, and they wear down much faster. I was very impressed with the ventilation in the Dehler, although they only had the 34 on display.
Wauquiez was strange. I have wanted to see one for so long, but there are hardly any in the US. So I was definitely interested to see their 48 on display. But above the steps to the
boat was a sign saying "do not enter - by order of US Marshals". WTF?? There was a french guy on board who said sorry, but due to a lawsuit they aren't allowed to let people come aboard. Someone else at the show told me it was a dispute over
ownership of that display yacht.
Elan Yachts were there, for the first time in 10 years, they said. I was impressed with the Elan Impression 45. It's a
boat I didn't think much of when looking at it online, but it's one of those boats that impresses you much more when you actually see it.
Catalinas seem to be a good deal, and I love those catbird seats, not enough sailboats have those. But the interiors look rather dated and remind me too much of a
motor home. It's cozy and at least gives you an alternative to the "Ikea" interiors of the European yachts, but just not my style.
Marlow-Hunter seemed to be a no-show. Maybe because of the
hurricane? At least they weren't on
Dock A, where they were scheduled.
Seaward and
Island Packet were no-shows as well. Another salesman at the show told me they were in disarray after a millionaire bought both companies because he liked them so much, then put his young daughter in charge (I actually remember seeing her at last year's show) and now they aren't building a whole lot of boats.
Passport,
Hylas, and
Oyster were there and gorgeous, as usual. I didn't spend much time because the new models are out of my
price range.
The Tartan 4300 - OMG that was gorgeous! And probably my favorite boat of the show, even though it could really use some
salon windows, and I dislike those wooden handhold posts, they look like they would wear down quick. I also couldn't open up the cabinets, because the display model was privately owned (why do they always do that at boat shows?? If there is personal stuff in there, why don't they take it out? I want to see how much
storage space there is!!). But anyway, the quality was incredible and the boat was stunning and very comfortable.
The Garcia 45 explorer is out of my
price range, but it probably the strongest sailboat I've seen. It has an
aluminum hull, and a
companionway door that
seals tight like a spaceship door. It also has excellent 360 view from inside like a
catamaran.
In the brokerage cove there were some interesting yachts - one of them was a kind of odd custom build, a
racing sailboat but with a fully finished
interior like a high-end cruising yacht, and a lifting
keel. I wish I took more notes there.
Anyway, that is just my 2 cents and then some...