Here are a few photos I took at the Austin Boat Show on Sunday, January
17, 1999. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more for the sailboat folks.
Although a couple of local marine supply vendors had booths in the
"accessories" showroom, only one manufacturer of any significance (Exide) chose
to attend. We were on the floor for a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon.
Visitor traffic was light.
I want to thank Jim Schwobel (Corpus Christi Sailing Center) for providing
complimentary show passes to me and my family.
If you want to attend a "real" sailing-oriented boat show,
plan to attend one of the Strictly Sail shows held around the country (Chicago, Miami, and New England). I've
also heard very good things about the "huge" Miami International Boat Show.
Click on any of the
photographs below to view a larger, 640 x 480 version
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The Sailboat Shop was the only exhibitor to bring
sailboats to the show. Only the smaller boats were represented . . . nothing over
20'. |
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Jim Schwobel, owner of
the Corpus Christi Sailing Center tells
visitors about his charters and ASA sailing school.
His boats range in size from a 30' Catalina to a 46' Morgan. |
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The Texas
Sailing Academy booth. They provide instruction as well as charter and
broker boats on Lake Travis. I was told by someone not associated with TSA that they
are affiliated with U.S. Sailing.
However, I see no reference to the US Sailing Assn. on the TSA website. |
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Marine & Industrial
Supplies of Austin attended the show (seen here) along with Boater's World (not
shown). West Marine did not attend. |
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A few of the smaller run-abouts and ski
boats |
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Texas Parks &
Wildlife hosted the "fish tank" again this year. The kids try to hook one
of the all-white catfish. |
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And, of course, there were a few of the
larger boats. The lines grew long to view one of these from the "inside". |
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About the only teak at
the show came in the form of the swim platforms on these Mastercrafts. |
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Representing the smaller end of the larger
and speedier powerboats was this Formula 312 with twin-454s. Regular price $116,000
. . . boat show price $85,000. The Formulas, Bajas and Fountains are now the boats du
jour on Lake Travis. |
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An "Air
Nautique" with the high-rack & boogie boards. |
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What would a boat show be without a few
fish'n boats. |
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