Stuart Marine Corp.

Surprisingly strong sales for what has been a down market, and a growing of sense of optimism, were the story at the U.S. Sailboat Show, held Oct. 8-12 in Annapolis, Md. "I spoke with almost all the exhibitors, and everyone came away happy. It seemed to be universal, from production to one-design builders," stated show manager Dee Newman. "It was amazing. The weather was great all five days, and attendance - 50,000 people according to preliminary figures - was higher than last year, which was the third-best in show history. It was the overall mood of those in attendance, however, that had exhibitors enthusiastic. "I believe this show will be an outstanding success by any measure of the word. Consumers, exhibitors, weather, etc., all added up for a great show," one exhibitor reported. "I also believe that boat buyers are returning after being gone for almost a year. They're tired of the bad news in the media and are ready to get on with their plans. Buyers still have money and dreams - a good combination," he added. — Rich Armstrong, Soundings Trade Only

Perfect weather for five consecutive days, more than 600 exhibitors and an estimated turnout of 50,000 underscored the positive mood at the 41st annual United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Md. "It is very impressive the way the sailing industry decided it was time to put economic problems and labels behind them and put forth an effort unlike any in recent history," said Paul Jacobs, general manager of United States Yacht Shows Inc., producer of the Annapolis Boat Shows. People traveled far to attend Annapolis because dealers no longer carry large inventories. "A boat show, and especially Annapolis, is the place to see all the new boats and products with experts at hand." Attendance increased more than 10 percent from 2009 and people were reported to have spent money in all areas of the show. "Not only was the number of attendees up considerably, but the quality was up immeasurably," said Ed Hartman, president of United States Yacht Shows. "Coincident with the stock market rise over 11,000, wallets opened up and sales of merchandise, services and boats were surprisingly strong," he added. — Dieter Loibner, Soundings Trade Only

Paul Esterle writes - Rhodes 19: A Perennial Boat Show Participant This boat model may have been at more shows than any other... For as long as I have been attending the Annapolis Sailboat show there has been a Rhodes 19 on display. While I'm not a sailboat racer, the sheer longevity intrigued me. I did some online research and discovered that the design dates back to just after the end of the Second World War. A company that had been producing molded plywood aircraft parts was suddenly out of work. This company engaged Phillip Rhodes to design a molded plywood sailboat they could market. That boat, called the Hurricane, was the immediate predecessor of the Rhodes 19. The designs went though several iterations as well as builders until being rescued by Stuart Marine. They are still producing and selling this one-design race boat and the one design class is still active and successful. A tribute to both the original design of Phillip Rhodes and the quality of construction by the Stuart Marine Company.