Normally, Strictly Sail in Chicago provides a much needed mid-winter boat boost. Not this time.
Beyond a noticeable decrease in the number of vendors, there simply wasn't any buzz. Exhibitors seemed tired and uninterested. Guests stumbled about, gathering mostly in the aisles and staring listlessly at each other. Even Bob Bitchin seemed subdued, his usual deep tropical tan a bit faded and his curly locks hanging limply around his dangly earrings. We actually left early, preferring an overpriced Chicago meal to the boat show boredom. Sad.
What gives?
I know, I know. It's the economy, stupid. Not surprisingly, it's probably far more profitable for the smaller vendors to stay home and invest their time and money in internet sales rather than renting boat show space and lugging their gear half way across the continent. And speaking of the economy, a little boat show math would suggest that it's hardly worthwhile for some guests: 25.00 for 2 adults and 1 child; 25.00 parking; 2 hrs of drive time at 10.00 for gas; 1 3.50 Gatorade; 25.00 for food; my dad's trip from Ohio and back, 60.00. Total price for Strictly Stale? 148.50. We could have purchased another BlueChart for the North Channel for a few bucks more.
A few highlights included the Chesapeake Light Craft company, maker of stitch-and-glue kits. They were assembling an Eastport Pram and had a Passagemaker dinghy and a... (oh, what's it called?) ... another sailboat on display. Pretty cool boats.
The Garhauer booth was full of cool blocks and travelers and preventers and such. But as much as we'd like to have a proper traveler, it's just too much money - about 500+ bucks.
Many of the usual boat manufacturers were present: Jeanneau, Catalina, Hunter, Tartan and C&C. Island Packet out of Holland, Michigan, had its typical one-boat display. We toured a couple Tartans at Jake's request, and he was positively giddy about all of the interior space. I have other feelings, but at least it was a Tartan.
The best part of the trip was spending time with my two boys and their grandpa.
A mid-winter fix it wasn't, but I guess that just means that spring is going to be that much sweeter.
