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Boat Show 101 with Toni Barber
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Editors Note: If you purchase any item mentioned in this issue of the newsletter between now and September 15, 2005, we will give it to you at a discount of 15%.

It’s that time of year again. Time to break out the walking shoes and make your rounds of the season’s boat shows. But before you do it, there are a few things you should think about. Some of these tips may seem obvious, but would you have thought of them on your own? Toni Barber is Bluewater’s Boat Show Queen. I decided to interview her, to see what she could tell me about going to a show. Here’s what she had to say.

MELANIE: What is the best day to attend a boat show?

TONI: If you budget for it and time allows, you should attend the first day of the show. The ticket price is more expensive, but the crowds will be less. You can purchase your tickets ahead of time online so you won’t have to wait in line. Most shows run from Thursday to Sunday, and Thursday is usually considered VIP day. All this means is that the tickets cost anywhere from $5 to $8 more. (The price of a VIP ticket to the Newport International Boat Show this year is $20.00). Since you’ll avoid the weekend rush, VIP tickets are usually worth the money.

For the serious boater and buyer, Sunday is the worst day to attend. You will be blocked in gridlock with baby buggies, etc. If you are making a large purchase and you want to come back for a second look, ask the vendor for a complimentary ticket to come back the next day. This will cut down on your expenses. Remember that the vendors want to sell you a boat—it is not unusual at all for them to provide you with a ticket. There are no second looks on Sunday, so don’t wait until the last minute if you are serious about buying a boat.

MELANIE: Where should I park?

TONI: Don’t waste your time trying to find a parking space near the show. Use the system that the boat show sets up for parking and use the shuttle services provided. They are free with the purchase of your ticket. You should check out the official website of the show you are attending to see where the designated parking lots are located. Some shows are set up so that you can actually buy your ticket and get your show schedule at the parking lot, which saves you from having to stand in line once you get to the show. Here’s a secret: Armchair Sailor, Bluewater’s sister store in Newport, will be offering free parking within walking distance of the Newport International Boat Show. This, of course, is on a first-come-first-served basis, but you should take advantage of it.

MELANIE: What can I learn from the show program? Do I really need to carry that extra piece of paper around with me?

TONI: You wouldn’t leave the dock without a chart, would you? The same thing goes for your show program. Get a boat show program first, sit down, and take 15 minutes to plan out your day. Highlight the booths and displays you want to see, then set your map plan from there. This will save you a lot of time and wear and tear on your feet. Plan your day so that you do the outside vendors during the coolest part of the day and explore the air-conditioned displays in the hottest part of the day. Also, make a note of the bathroom locations and the entrances and exits.

MELANIE: How should I dress if I’m planning on spending the whole day at a show?

TONI: First and foremost, think about your feet. Wear comfortable shoes that you can walk around in all day. The flip side of this is that you will often be asked to take your shoes off when you go aboard a boat, or the dealer or broker will request that you wear boat shoes only. If you’re comfortable walking around in sandals or flip-flops, it’s probably a good idea because they come off easily.

Loose-fitting clothes are also a good idea, simply because of your comfort level. Ladies should try to avoid carrying a purse and wear a fanny pack instead. If you are going to be purchasing items at the show, it helps to be carrying the lightest load possible. Also, we don’t always think about security issues when attending a boat show, but we should. Carrying big bags or a backpack into the show will seriously slow you down because you have to open your bags and backpacks to clear security. Take advantage of the promotional bags that vendors give out to carry your catalogs, handouts, etc.

Last but not least, wear good sunscreen and sunglasses. Drink lots of water—the bars are very inviting but they will slow your day down and dehydrate you. Save your alcoholic beverages for the end of the day.

MELANIE: What about shopping—do you have any tips on how I can get the best deals?

TONI: Many of the booths have giveaways and raffles. Instead of having to fill out form after form, either use your business cards or use address stickers. This will save you a lot of time, and many of the prizes are worth getting your name in. You can’t win unless you play. Take business cards from vendors and make notes of them so, when going over your thoughts later, you have a reference to look back at to jog your memory.

You also have several options once you decide to make a purchase. When purchasing items, many vendors will hold your purchases until the end of the show, so you don’t have to carry everything around with you. Also, if you live out of sate, ask about items being shipped to you. You might be able to save money on the sales tax. A lot of vendors will ship the items to you at little or no cost. And don’t forget to ask for the boat show specials, whether they are advertised or not. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Many vendors will let you purchase an item at the boat show special even after the show is over, as long as you heard about it at the show. Remember to insist on receipts, in case you have to return something after the show is over.

MELANIE: Do you have any parting advice?

TONI: Above all else, enjoy yourself. There is a unique connection shared by the boating community, and boat shows are always a great opportunity to catch up with old friends. There are cocktail parties and other events associated with every show. Also, if you plan on dining out, make reservations well ahead of time, as restaurants tend to fill up as soon as the show closes. Don’t forget to have fun.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Toni Barber, 954-763-6533, ex 240

Ted Shanstrom, 401-847-4252, ex 403

Bluewater Books & Charts and Armchair Sailor to Exhibit at Newport International Boat Show

(Newport, RI) Ft. Lauderdale’s Bluewater Books & Charts and Newport’s Armchair Sailor, who joined forces in 2001, will be displaying a wide array of cruising guides, charts, electronic charts and software at one of the largest in-water boat shows in the world. The 35th Annual Newport International Boat Show will be held in downtown Newport, RI, September 15 through 18.

Bluewater Books & Charts has been expanding exponentially over the last five years since owners John Mann and Vivien Godfrey acquired the business. The Ft. Lauderdale location carries over 35,000 items, and is one of the largest nautical chart dealers in the world. Bluewater and Armchair Sailor work closely, communicating daily in order to best serve their customers in both Florida and Rhode Island. The company also has an extensive catalog mail order business.

For the first time ever, the Bluewater booth will feature live demonstrations of electronic navigation systems. Chips for C-Map, Navionics, and Garmin chart plotters will be burned on the spot in just minutes while the customer waits. Bluewater and Armchair are both leaders in electronic navigation, and computers will be set up at the booth so that show attendees can try the latest software from Maptech, Nobeltec, MaxSea and others before they buy. For new boaters, this is an excellent way to learn about the wide range of navigational programs and cartography. Those already familiar with electronic navigation may be surprised by the recent developments.

The Bluewater and Armchair crew takes great pride in providing customers with the best available cartography for all areas of the world. Sometimes, this involves actually printing the charts themselves. Up-to-date OceanGraphix paper charts are printed in Florida and shipped overnight to Rhode Island as needed. These U.S. charts are printed on demand from an electronic database, which corrects them regularly according to the latest Notice to Mariners. OceanGraphix charts will be available at the booth and at both store locations.

A large number of books and cruising guides, with a theme of heading south for the winter, will also be on display. Many of the Bluewater crew members are avid boaters, who have spent years cruising both U.S. and foreign waters, so their expertise goes into selecting each and every product that hits the shelves.

The show covers fourteen acres of waterfront along America’s Cup Avenue. This includes the Newport Yachting Center, Oldport Marina, Bannister’s Wharf, Bowen’s Wharf and the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina. Highlights of the show include 400 in-water boats (both power and sail) booths, demonstrations, speakers and workshops. VIP day is held on Thursday and tickets are $20. Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets are $16.00 per person. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult (except on VIP day). The show is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Armchair Sailor will have extended hours both before the show opens and after it closes. For more information about the show, visit www.NewportBoatShow.com. For more information about Bluewater Books & Charts and Armchair Sailor, please visit www.Bluewaterweb.com or call 1-800-942-2583.

Bluewater and Armchair will be displaying in Tent C, Booth 77, and free parking for customers will be available behind Armchair Sailor at 543 Thames Street, Newport, RI 02840.