Absent were many of the national marine equipment manufacturers such as
Harken, Sailrite, Forespar, Edson, PYI, etc. The show is about 1/4
the size of what was there 10 years ago. The ony reason I went was to
take a good look/comparison of windlasses, radar, windvanes, spinnaker
poles, etc. ..... none to be found at all; but, plenty of overpriced
foul weather gear, topsiders and sunglasses. The engine dealers had no
idea of their current products and definitely would offer NO
information on maintenance or rebuilding of older equipment - "Wanna
make a deal for a new engine, "No i dont know where the horspower curve
peaks vs. rpm".
The only forum that had real merit was the Lin & Larry Pardy Show:
Heavy weather tactics otherwise the depth and expertise offered in
other forums was quite elemental or evolved into infomercials on
captive products. I did learn that for over $180 per night I can keep
my boat at the Farley State Marina in AC -- fat friggin chance.

The AC show was an intense disappointment for me and I dont think that
I will be going back again in the near future as I can find out more
information on products from a West Marine Catalogue!!!!!
.....arrrrrrgh.





In article ,
wrote:

On Fri, 16 Jan 2004, Gogarty wrote:

Has anyone gone to the Sail US Boat Show in
Atlantic City? We had planned to go but wether
confines us to home. If we are typical, the show
must really be hurting.

Except that there was a large crowd on Sat., the show seemed
comparatively smaller and also less well attended than in recent past
years (there were even some empty booths that appear to have been set
up for exhibitors who/which didn't show), and some of the exhibitors
so indicated.