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On the Horizon:
Dreamboats and Days of Escape
There it is, off in the distance. It’s growing larger now and taking shape.
Very shortly now, our ship will come in.
Landing even now on our shores are the famous U.S. Boat Shows.
The hustle and bustle of such sizable arrivals has already seized Annapolis. For it’s not just one ship coming to our shores but hundreds. They range from ocean-faring cruising yachts, racing boats and multi-hulls to dinghies, yacht tenders and inflatables.
Some 230 temporary docks have been floated into place to berth them. Tent cities have been erected and filled with nautical hard- and software,
The U.S. Sailboat Show runs as you read, from Thursday, Oct. 4, through Monday, October 8. Then those 270 boats sail away, making room for 420 powerboats, which reign from Thursday, October 11, to Sunday, October 14.
But it’s more than commerce these expositions of the industry’s finest sailing and power vessels are about.
The boat shows are an annual ritual of fall in Chesapeake Country. Closing one boating season, they invite us to dream about — and upgrade for — the next. This year they promise, as well, to be a tonic for us all after September 11.
In this week’s issue, you’ll read Scott Dine’s look at how sailors solve their energy problems in “Sailing off the Grid: Wind, Water and Sun Sustain Sailors.”
You’ll also read how Bay Country’s disrupted calendar is returning to normal in the wake of the tragedy.
Far be it from us to advise how to manage your family finances if tempted while visiting the shows. But our view resembles that of the president: it’s time once again for Americans to go places, do things and spend money.
While uncertainty in the world remains, we took note of a Gallup Poll last weekend, in which the granddaddy of public opinion surveys found that Americans’ view of the economy and the direction of the country continues to grow more positive.
We would remind you, too, that the economic vitality along the Chesapeake Bay is related to the health of the boating industry.
And recently, we’ve all witnessed another reason why, if confronted with your dream boat in Annapolis, you may want to consider sailing it home.
Life is short.
Copyright 2001
Bay Weekly
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