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Author Topic:   Seminars At Boat Show

macsfriended posted 05-16-2010 11:39 AM ET (US)
Some of my most valuable experiences have been various clinics on maintenance, systems upgrades, brakes, bearings, fuel, plumbing, and so on, presented at RV and motorcycle rallies. Are there any boating get-togethers that have similar educational opportunities on boats, trailers, and related? Are such sessions available at the big boat shows like Miami, Annapolis, or elsewhere?
jimh posted 05-16-2010 10:31 PM ET (US)
Most boat shows focus on sales as opposed to education. Manufacturers who exhibit typically put their primary effort into having people on the show floor to help with prospects. I don't recall ever going to a seminar held in conjunction with a major boat show.
fishgutz posted 05-17-2010 10:30 AM ET (US)
Of the boat (sport) shows I've been to there were mostly fishing seminars. West Marine is the only place I've seen boating seminars.
Buckda posted 05-17-2010 10:58 AM ET (US)
On that note, I think this is a HUGE missed opportunity at boat shows. Part of the reason that such a large percentage of first timers quit after the first season is the headaches of dealing with things that will go wrong, and not knowing how. That said, the industry doesn't want you to think about maintenance headaches when you could be thinking about how much fun you'll have in your nice, new overpriced, underpowered new boat show special boat.
Chris J posted 05-17-2010 01:40 PM ET (US)
The sailors win the prize for boat show seminars. For example, the Strictly Sail in-the-water show, held on the West and East Coasts, has dozens of free seminars on all sorts of stuff, including navigation, repair, first aid, kids aboard, etc. The seminars are run by experienced cruisers for the most part, with some manufacturers also involved.
Go to Strictly Sail if you can, even if you couldn't care less about sailing. Lots of the information (and stuff on the show floor) is perfectly applicable to power boaters, especially if they venture offshore. Strictly Sail is held at Annapolis, Chicago, Miami, and San Francisco (Oakland).
I remember that when I was a kid, the general boat shows seemed to have much more going along the educational lines. Probably a lot of that has gone by the wayside due to expense.
jjandpop posted 05-17-2010 03:37 PM ET (US)
The Seven Seas Cruising association, SSCA hosts a number of seminars called Gams all across the country. Most are in conjunction wit a boat show. The Gam in Melbourne, Florida is sometime around the end of November. Check their web site www.ssca.org.

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Author	Topic: Seminars At Boat Show
macsfriended	posted 05-16-2010 11:39 AM ET (US) Some of my most valuable experiences have been various clinics on maintenance, systems upgrades, brakes, bearings, fuel, plumbing, and so on, presented at RV and motorcycle rallies. Are there any boating get-togethers that have similar educational opportunities on boats, trailers, and related? Are such sessions available at the big boat shows like Miami, Annapolis, or elsewhere?
jimh	posted 05-16-2010 10:31 PM ET (US) Most boat shows focus on sales as opposed to education. Manufacturers who exhibit typically put their primary effort into having people on the show floor to help with prospects. I don't recall ever going to a seminar held in conjunction with a major boat show.
fishgutz	posted 05-17-2010 10:30 AM ET (US) Of the boat (sport) shows I've been to there were mostly fishing seminars. West Marine is the only place I've seen boating seminars.
Buckda	posted 05-17-2010 10:58 AM ET (US) On that note, I think this is a HUGE missed opportunity at boat shows. Part of the reason that such a large percentage of first timers quit after the first season is the headaches of dealing with things that will go wrong, and not knowing how. That said, the industry doesn't want you to think about maintenance headaches when you could be thinking about how much fun you'll have in your nice, new overpriced, underpowered new boat show special boat.
Chris J	posted 05-17-2010 01:40 PM ET (US) The sailors win the prize for boat show seminars. For example, the Strictly Sail in-the-water show, held on the West and East Coasts, has dozens of free seminars on all sorts of stuff, including navigation, repair, first aid, kids aboard, etc. The seminars are run by experienced cruisers for the most part, with some manufacturers also involved. Go to Strictly Sail if you can, even if you couldn't care less about sailing. Lots of the information (and stuff on the show floor) is perfectly applicable to power boaters, especially if they venture offshore. Strictly Sail is held at Annapolis, Chicago, Miami, and San Francisco (Oakland). I remember that when I was a kid, the general boat shows seemed to have much more going along the educational lines. Probably a lot of that has gone by the wayside due to expense.
jjandpop	posted 05-17-2010 03:37 PM ET (US) The Seven Seas Cruising association, SSCA hosts a number of seminars called Gams all across the country. Most are in conjunction wit a boat show. The Gam in Melbourne, Florida is sometime around the end of November. Check their web site www.ssca.org.