Powerboat Show & Cruisers University, #25-41

Annapolis, Maryland

Thursday, October 2 – Wednesday, October 8

0 nautical miles (NM) / 0 statute miles

The Annapolis Powerboat Show took place this week, which was followed by the autumn session of Cruisers University, both of which we got to experience.

Powerboat Show

Thursday, October 2 – Sunday, October 5

Each autumn the Annapolis area hosts two back-to-back boat shows, one focusing on powerboats and the other focuses on sailboats, and this week kicked off the Annapolis Powerboat Show. Since Jimmy and I have registered to take classes with Cruisers University which take place during the gap between the two boat shows, we have full access to both shows. We had never been to the Annapolis Powerboat show and thought it would be fun to attend.

The powerboat show opened on Thursday morning and we arrived early to beat the crowds to get onboard several trawler type boats. Then we returned during the very last two hours of the powerboat show on Sunday afternoon to see more boats. While Katy-Krogen did not have one of their boats in the show, their sister company had a Summit and an American Tug at the show. There was a 10-year-old Nordic Tug that was in great shape, along with several new Ranger Tugs. Although not listed as a trawler, we also viewed some Sabre cruising yachts. These may have been our favorite, but the price tag reflected the high quality and attention to detail throughout the boat. Other powerboats that I recall viewing were from Beneteau, Grand Banks, Shelter Bay Runabout, and Hinkley.

Many vendors were present that offer goods and services to the boating community. We wandered the tents to see what objects are offered that are on our shopping list of things we need or want for the boat. However, we did not see many of the types of vendors that were seeking out, even though they would apply to either powerboats or sailboats. It surprised me to not see vendors selling safety equipment, such as personal location devices, ditch bags (ours is no longer waterproof) or even handheld VHF radios, amongst other basic boating items. I recall seeing those types of vendors at other boat shows and hope to see them next week’s sailboat show.

Cruisers University

Monday, October 6 – Wednesday, October 8

Fiberglass

Jimmy has been interested in taking a fiberglass course for years and this year Cruisers University is offering a full-day class on fiberglass repair. His class covered things like different bonding agents, gel coats and paint, different materials used in fiberglass, in addition to some hands-on application. He now feels confident in being able to patch holes in the hull or to make other modifications onboard.

 

Offshore Emergency Medicine

I debated for a while as to whether or not to take an Offshore Emergency Medicine course. I’ve had some emergency training with getting the Emergency Medical Responder certification in 2017 when volunteering with the Wakulla Fire Department, which honestly, I took only because I had to in order to get the firefighting certification. Then in 2022, both Jimmy and I took a two-day Wilderness First Aid course with the FLOC Farm in Gainesville. However, one day this summer while working to free a line from a pile Jimmy jammed a splinter under and beyond his fingernail. He turned out fine and did not get any nasty infections, but after this event, plus recalling a few mishaps in the Bahamas, I decided that getting refreshed in medical procedures and continually learning more is not such a bad thing, especially since we plan to head back out to remote locations.

The Offshore Emergency Medicine course required a fair amount of pre-course studies, an exam and a CPR certification all before the first day of class. The class itself was three very full days of lecture, discussion and hands-on activities including role play scenarios. It may have covered a lot of material, but the combination of the pre-course studies, the lectures and the role play scenarios seem to help reinforce the key factors needed during emergencies in very remote locations. Several medical doctors and other highly skilled medical professionals were in the class and found that the course was very beneficial, even for them.

Other Points of Interest

• Baxter had a vet visit that involved a lot of needles putting things inside of him and taking stuff out. This was needed for the documentation that allows him to be an international traveler, beyond the Bahamas. He was a big hit at the vet as staff members stopped by his examination room to check him out. One person said that "Baxter is an epic cat!" We are very glad that Uber had a few drivers that allow pets.

• May or may not have viewed another condo for sale in Annapolis.

• Discovering that Truxtun Park not only has a dinghy dock, but some trails to wander along.

• Attending an after class social with other students Wednesday evening overlooking the preparations of the upcoming sailboat show.