So What did you Do, Eat and Buy at the Annapolis Boatshow?

[Clamdigger]

boat show">Annapolis Boat Show What I did there for a day and a half......

Enjoyed many Lobster Rolls at Mason's halfway up Main St, decent breakfast at the Iron Rooster off Main St, Great Crab Balls and other assorted munchies at Davis Pub over the Creek a couple blocks away (it's a tiny 'locals place', but you get seated and served pretty quickly for the size of the crowds they get IMO/E), bought some great bagels and breakfast eats at Naval Bagels across from the Stadium. Ate a dinner at the Ribs N Blues place over the HWY 50 Bridge heading North. Enjoyed some seriously decent catfish and blues music.

I did miss 'Lucky Larry' at Lagoon somehow, though everyone needs a bathroom break!

I always visit in the 'Spectre Watermaker' booth and forget to 'ask' for Tellie, but am sure I have had many conversations over the years at the show with him LOL!

I did connect with Rich Boren (S/V Third Day HF50) at his booth 'Cruise Water RO Makers'. Rich and I had some great conversation and he's a really funny guy.

I also stopped in and visited with Thomas (Columbia 30) who was working at the Mantus 'Mini Scuba Tank' booth. All I can say is if you've never heard a *genuine* Texas accent, then you SHOULD meet Thomas!

The Mantus Team in their 'Mantus Anchor' booth were great to visit with as well. I have visited with them since they first started attending the Annapolis Oct show. Their anchor display table exhibt explaining the why behind their anchor design is informative, and the video playing proves what they say. I spent some time connecting Greg (the owner) with an old friend, and previous employer of mine, that also has a booth at the show (Stainless Hardware). They hit it off and began engineering talk over my head about all things Mantus, so I chatted with the rest of their friendly booth staff. Unfortunately, Phillip (Greg's younger brother) had to stay behind in Texas to run the business and I did not get to see him, but Greg managed to do a bit of texting back and forth to him on his phone, so I did get a few words in LOL! I mentioned I had not used my 'April CF Mantus Discount' I had 'won' yet, and Greg made some notes, and I bought another Mantus Anchor to replace the one I had bought 2 years ago that got pinched off the boat. Success! Nothing like a New shine'y Mantus SS anchor to take back home!

Meeting the vendors, who we as boat owners do business with mostly by internet or phone, in person, can really help one decide whom to do business with IMO/E. I really enjoy that aspect of the A' boat show in Oct.

I briefly spoke with Tom and Maje at SSCA, but did not realize it was them until I saw their post in the Meetup thread.

Sage Marine's display of their trailerable, S15 & S17's, showed their excellent fit and finish, on par with ANY other builder at the show IMO. Dave Scobie Sales Manager, and owners Sal & Gail Glesser, nice people to speak with one and all.

I bought yet another Spyderco knife, as I have for the 4th year now. I can't make it to the Blade Show in Atlanta, nor the Spyderco 'Parking Lot Sale' out in Colorado, so I treat myself at the boat show! Again, a great staff of folks at this booth who are knowledgeable and helpful in putting the best knife for your needs in your hands.

I skipped out early Saturday morning to drive back North (I made an educated guess that Hurricane Matthew WAS heading for the NE and I needed to get home before it did) and made a few stops along the way, Brand New Cabela's and REI stores in Newark, Del at the Christiana Mall, DEFINITELY making a day trip to return there as they are still building out that mega mall area with lots of great stores to come! I did make it within half an hour of home before the rain/winds started and was glad I left the show early this year. Sounds like I made the right call as a few here mentioned rain on Saturday, and I spent enough time in Rain at the show to know I don't like it and some of the outside vendors don't open if the rain is heavy. Did it also rain out on Sunday and Monday?

Sorry I did not meet up or visit with anyone from the Meetup thread, but as boat shows go this one was a bit rushed on my end due to having to leave the show earlier than planned. I arrived at 1300hr on Thursday (very late for me). I usually stay for the whole show, and crammed 5 days into just 1 1/2 visiting with the folks I did, and traveling in the area in the mornings before and after the show those 2 days.

Photos in the next posts....Sorry Barnakiel that I did not take more photos due to lack of time on my part to see the show and speak with people I only get to visit with once a year.

I did upload 2 photo albums worth of boatshow photos, but not sure how to get them into the thread here (not a techie, just a lame computer user).

[Catalier]

I bought a HH jacket.

[LittleWing77]

It's too bad there wasn't one this year, was there? It was fun to read this, though. It was as if it had really happened this year and we were getting a late update for our Winter's entertainment...

LittleWing77

[CalmSeasQuest]

Can't wait to get back...#3 Painkillers, Oyster shooters at Middleton Tavern, and a great Ribeye and Cabernet at Lewnes' Steakhouse ...Plus all the great boat stuff