Baltimore Boat Show - January 28 - 31

[jld]

As I turn 56 years old next week and become eligible for retirement, I find myself yearning for the day when I can focus less on work and more on the fun things in life, like boating. Alas, as my wife and I like to eat every day, retirement is still a few years away! It is time, however, to start the financial planning for a new boat.

This brings me to the topic of this thread, the 2016 Baltimore Boat Show. I see that Pocket Yachts plans on bringing their entire line of Ranger Tugs and Cutwaters to the show. Wow, how cool is that! 😎

I find this exciting as I have never been on either a Ranger Tug or Cutwater, only vicariously through the pictures and videos of others. While I intend on viewing the larger boats in the line, I am especially interested in seeing the Cutwater 26 and the Ranger 25! From the R23 rendering (wish one was available) on the Ranger Tug website, it looks like a similar layout to the Cutwater 24, so I hope to spend sometime on board this boat as well.

It has probably been more than 25 years since I last attended a boat show. The Baltimore show is open Thursday/Friday/Saturday from 10 -8 and Sunday from 10 -5. When do y'all think would be the best time (least crowds) to go? Opening day, Thursday?

JimD

 

[knotflying]

Let's take bets if Jim comes away having ordered a boat. :lol:

 

[coreychamness]

Jim, opening day and then friday would be the least crowded. The weekend is crushed because the Ranger and Cutwater boats are essentially the belle of the ball at the entirely indoor event. We signed the papers for purchasing our R-31 at the Baltimore event with the understanding that Pocket Yacht would use it at the boat show. I have had people for the past two years tell me they were on the boat at that show. That being said, we have gone to the boat show on the weekend the past two years and still have enjoyed it - though it is quite crowded. We made the visit a mini-vacation even though we live in the DC area and stayed overnight at a hotel in the Inner Harbor area. There are quite a few Ranger Tug and Cutwater owners in and around the Chesapeake Bay area.

 

[AGOGO]

Jim, Give us a call at Pocket yacht and we would be happy to provide you with some complimentary tickets for you and your wife to explore some retirement opportunities!1-800-519-9120

 

[jld]

Mark,

Thank you for the kind offer for tickets for the show. I'll try to give you a call early next week.

Jim

 

[jld]

My wife and I had a very pleasant afternoon at the Baltimore Boat Show today. Very few people in the early afternoon as I guess this may have been a combination of opening day and things getting back to normal after our recent snow.

Thanks to Mark at Pocket Yacht for the show tickets, and the folks showing us the boats. We especially enjoyed seeing the Cutwater 24 and 26 and the Ranger 25 and 27. 😀

The Cutwater 24 was a terrific weekend boat, can't wait until the next show to see the new Ranger 23. 😎

Jim

 

[Two killicks]

Jim, if you were to pick one right now, which one would it be? 😛

 

[jld]

Jim, if you were to pick one right now, which one would it be? 😛

It would depend on who is paying for it! :lol:

My favorite boat at the boat show was the Cutwater 26. Comfortable, airy, and seems like a nice boat for 2 or 3 people for an extended cruise.

My wife really liked the Cutwater 24. In part, I think it was the lounge seat in the cockpit. She told me that she could see herself out on this boat overnight or for a weekend (this is always a good sign!) I have also showed her pics of the new R23 and she likes the way that boat looks as well, even asking me when is the next boat show? As I believe the R23 interior layout is identical to the Cutwater 24, this most likely will be the boat for us. I like that the R23 will have a 200 hp on a transom bracket as it makes it easier to get engine service and repower down the road when the time comes. Having an outboard also opens up a huge locker in the cockpit for storage.

We are trying to budget for the Cutwater 26. I think, however, that we likely with take the monies and buy a R23 and also a fifth wheel as we dream of spending extended time travelling through this beautiful country of ours.

One option that I would like to see on the R23 and Cutwater 24 is for a Wallas diesel stove/heater, as I would like to still be able to cruise when temps might only be in the 40s or 50s.

Jim