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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

What to Look for at a Boat Show

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2004 : 09:15:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sea Wolf
 I'm going to the boat show at Jack London Square in the Bay Area in 2 weeks to get a feel for what different size boats are like aboard among other things.

Any special tips or warnings?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

What to look for at a boat show?...After a weeklong trip in the worst weather imaginable, I've concluded that my new minimum displacement is 10,000lbs! The search begins...

Edited by - dlucier on 09/03/2004 09:24:22

SailormanCGA72
1st Mate

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77 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2004 : 09:40:49

At most boat shows I end up spending a lot of time looking for my wife because she wanders off into the various side trinket displays.

Instead of crawling around in engine room bilges or squeezing into little nooks and crannies to check out construction techniques or even stopping to inspect the latest electronic necessities, she would rather look at cute little accessories that don't make the boat go faster, safer, etc. I just don't understand women.

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2004 : 17:56:03

Steve, I am so thrilled that my wife will even go with me to a boat show, if she wants to look at nick nacks and trinkets that makes her sailing experience more enjoyable I am all for it. However there will be a time when all the "stuff" sinks the boat.

Edited by - on

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2004 : 11:52:22

I hit the Annapolis show mostly to find out what the manufacturers think we want or need, and if it would be feasible or worthwhile to add it myself.

The checkbook stays at home unless I KNOW there is something I need that might be available at a "show discount". The Admiral is on her own, but is also responsible for hauling anything she buys back to the car. :-D

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2004 : 16:36:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The one thing that scares me about Avalon Harbor is that the moorings are on a first come first served basis, and since I would be coming from quite a distance, I would probably be a 'last in' boat and no moorings would be left. Since I really am still very new to all of this, I would probably not sleep too well on an anchoring. Is there a secret to ensuring that a mooring is available should you arrive there later in the day?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You cannot guaranty that one will be open unless you know the leaseholder and make a reservation through them; however, there are other ways you can greatly increase your chances of an open spot.

All moorings around the island can be tough to get on weekends from July 4 - Labor Day.

Avalon often sells out by Thursday. Because it gets pretty busy (especially with a couple big cruise ships parked out front), I usually only go there in the Fall and Spring anyway. Non-holiday Sun-Wed will usually find a spot open. It looked like the outer harbor had a couple spots this past Thursday night, but I got there late (and was planning on leaving early to head to Cat Harbor via the East End) -- it was calm, so I anchored just around the corner from of the condos.

Two Harbors also often fills up on weekends during that period, but not usually until Friday. However, there is a string-line there which can hold 25' and under boats, and which is not "owned", thus those spots are not reservable. They are sometimes available until Saturday afternoon, even in prime season.

The other big, frontside mooring options are Whites Cove and Emerald Bay. Although they may not sell out as quickly as Avalon or Two Harbors, prudent scheduling your arrival day will greatly increase your chances of getting a spot.

It seems a lot of folks from up your way head to Cat Harbor. It's essentially the same place as Two Harbors (just a short walk across the isthmus), but I have grown fond of it because it has a much quieter, "cruising" feel to it. I usually anchor there to save a few bucks and because the anchorage area seems to be much less chaotic than the other side. For me, it takes about two more hours to get there via the West End. From your direction, Cat Harbor is a push compared to Two Harbors (perhaps a little closer).

A good way to get used to anchoring is to find a protected area near your marina. Practice setting your gear when it's relatively calm and not crowded. Try one anchor, then try setting two (bow and stern) which is often required at the island. Once you feel somewhat secure, try to stay overnight. At worst, you'll not sleep well one night, but you'll gain valuable experience which will count when you are further away from home.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2004 : 19:31:21

Avalon is my least favorite place on the island. However if you want to go to the tourist traps and can't get a mooring, There are decent anchorages as close as 1 or 2 miles from Avalon.
Here I am anchored only about 2 miles west:

Keep in mind also that :

There is daily bus service from 2 Harbors and almost all of the coves to Avalon.

There is a daily boat that runs to Avalon from 2 Harbors.

Avalon Harbor Patrol also rents the moorings during the day for a couple of hours. You can also run up to the Vons from the fuel dock to get ice.

Just plan things to avoid Friday night and Saturdays during the peak summer months.

Edited by - on

javadano
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2004 : 12:25:34

I agree with JimB517. I looked at more boats than I can count, used and new. I ended up getting an incredible deal on a 24 yr old Cat25 that the owner kept in IMPECABLE condition. I paid less than one fourth what a new boat would cost me! New boats are pretty, but they are pretty expensive. If you really like that new boat, wait five years, and buy it used! :-)

dan foster
Catalina 25 '80 - #2980
Paw Paw, MI

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2004 : 08:30:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by javadano
 If you really like that new boat, wait five years, and buy it used! :-)

dan foster
Catalina 25 '80 - #2980
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

For sure. Look at what the last batch of Catalina 25WK's cost in 1988-1990, about $32000. They have now depreciated to 1/3 of that price, and if they were well cared for, they have decades of life left in them. When you compare larger boats, like the Catalina 36, the difference between new and used is even more extreme - $160,000 new vs. $45,000 for a nice early-80's boat. When you factor in costs for insurance and loan interest, the older used boat in nice condition makes even more sense. The owners of larger boats in my sailing club, mostly with 32'-38' sized Catalinas, all agree that the minimum cost of ownership of a boat like this is around $800/month, for slip fees, insurance, and annual haulout and maintenance costs. The monthly loan payment for a new Catalina 36, on top of the $800 for ownership costs, would price a new one out of reach for most of my friends. We do have one brand new Catalina 35, bought last winter, but I am pretty sure it is the only new large boat that has been purchased by a club member in the 13 years I have been in the club.

Edited by - on

seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2004 : 07:36:15

I agree with Indiscipline. Time was, I thought I wanted a new boat. Now I know that something in the 5-10 year old range will do, will be like new, will come with all the things taken for granted (ya really think that extra anchor and line, instrumentation, etc., came standard?)...and that I'll save money bigtime over a new boat. I'm going to the Newport International boat show (9-16 thru 9-19) to see the new technology and get an idea what's out there with regard to size, cost, financing. Oh, and do some networking, too, and sniff out a trail toward a really good USED boat.

Edited by - on

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