TOM TRIPP
Two full days at the Newport International Boat Show gave me a chance to see some new boats, talk to some manufacturers and dealers, and take the temperature of the overall industry. Granted, it's only one show, a regional one at that and not typically considered a "buyer" show -- one where attendees are focused heavily on buying, as opposed to window-shopping. So, here's what I saw and how it struck me.
TOM TRIPP NordStar 31 Pilothouse from Finland New Boats -- Are few and far between this year. Not a big surprise since the industry is in the midst of its biggest downturn in probably 20 years. But there were a couple of new ones and they were worth the ticket price to see. In one of my Twitters I said there was one word to describe the boats - "pilothouse." Well, I would have to add a second word to that; Finland. Put them together and you have Finnish pilothouse boats. TWO Finnish companies - NordStar and Minor Offshore Boats were exhibiting at Newport. These are solid, hardy all-weather, all-season boats with a CE Ocean Category B rating, which represents the nastiest sea conditions you would expect to find in coastal waters. Minor had its 27 and NordStar had a 26 and 31 Patrol on display. The word "patrol" is somewhat misleading since these are being sold here as recreational boats. But it was enough to pique the curiosity of the U.S. Coast Guard, which pulled the 31 over on its way to Newport; the Coasties wondering what it was. TOM TRIPP NordStar 26 pilothouse boat from Finland
There was also the extensive AGYG display of Outer Reef Yachts, along with the perennial show favorite Hercules, a Moloka'i Straits 75. I wrote briefly about the new OR 63 and we'll have a First Look article on that coming up shortly.
TOM TRIPPHercules, the big Moloka'i Straits steel-hulled expedition trawler
The new Tartan 5300 finally made it to Newport, albeit a day late. Luckily, her late arrival put her on an outside dock, so if some serious potential buyers show up they should be able to get her out for a quick sea trial without any hassle. Sea trials at boat shows are normally quite difficult unless the builder or dealer has arranged for an open dock to permit it.
Newport is still big-time sailing central, so the sail display at the show is equal to many smaller sail-only shows, perhaps even bigger. There is also a heavy emphasis on racing boats and cruiser/racer models, from companies like C&C. All the big brands were there with their current offerings - Jeanneau, Beneteau, Tartan, C&C, a very large line-up from Hunter, which included its new EDGE planing trailer sailer with Evinrude outboard.
TOM TRIPPOnly the Loan-ly
The tent exhibitions were a wonderland of winter project opportunities. I sent along a couple of Twitters with some suggestions. All these component builders and suppliers have aggressive pricing now, with sales and rebates; especially on marine electronics. If you're thinking of a new chartplotter for next season, get out and look at them now. Sales going on now might not still be around after the first of the New Year if the economy starts looking up. By then there will have been a long time to draw down inventory so the pressure on distributors will have relaxed a bit.
TOM TRIPPHere's a potential winter project; installing a flexible drive-shaft coupler
Exhibitors told me they felt as though the corwds were a little thinner than last year and my own observations would support that. No official numbers are available yet from the show organizers. The first day of a show is typically the "VIP" day, with higher ticket prices intended to ensure a more serious "buying-oriented" attendee. Friday, the second day has some of that characteristic as well, since school is in session and families who are just casually visiting aren't there yet. 
TOM TRIPPAnother project: Get a folding prop on that sailboat and get a free knot of boatspeed
Cool weather on Friday, coupled with afternoon rain sent most people home early, adding to the disappointment of exhibitors. None of the boat dealers I talked with reported any actual sales. Exhibitors in the tents were reporting some business, although many who exhibit at all the major shows consider Newport more of a "window-shopping" show than the later-season shows like Fort Lauderdale in late October and even Miami in February.
One place where it was clear the tough economic conditions were having an effect was at the lenders' booths. Those folks were seriously lonely all day Thursday and Friday. Some I talked with expressed guarded optimism that the recent fed takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, coupled with very recent slips in home mortgage rates "might" lead to easing credit in the boat loan market. Rates have stayed relatively high recently, at least compared to recent years and to the Federal Reserve rates, so there is room to fall.
TOM TRIPP"Seriously folks, these are VERY low loan rates! Come on, I KNOW you're out there...
Most of the Newport boats will be heading out on Monday, down the Connecticut coast to Norwalk, and then down to Annapolis for the Sail and Power shows there. The trawlers are mostly headed to the next TrawlerFest, in Solomons Island, Maryland, later this month. I'll get some reports from all those show in here and then the Mad Mariner crew will head south to Fort Lauderdale and report from the biggest boat show in the world during the last weekend of October.
