Maine
Boatbuilders Show Draws Crowds

Portland Maine Boatbuilders Show, March 19 – 21 was well attended again this year. Boat builders in fact reported having selling a number of boats. A number, that even in the required spirit of optimism in the boat building business, was higher than many expected.

Although a few of the regular annual exhibitors were not there this year, there were a few new ones. Portland Yacht Services, which produces the show, reported good attendance figures, higher than last March. The good weather may have been a factor. This is one of those things however that is sometimes used to explain good attendance and low attendance.

Good weather both brings people to a show, as well as sends them off to enjoy the weather elsewhere. Rain and snow do the same.

One high point of the boatbuilders show was the food. What’s worse than pounding your feet on concrete for hours until your starved, and then facing cheap rubber hot dogs in white pasty rolls, diluted coffee, and no options.

Black Tie Catering in Portland again put out a great spread of good tasting choices at reasonable prices. It was more like the buffet at a wedding, than the standard trade show fare.

The Compass Project, kids building boats, moved their booth out onto the main floor of the show. The Penobscot Marine Museum was raffling a new bark canoe at the Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors booth. The canoe was built last year at the museum by Steve Cayard and other bark canoe builders from the Sipiyak, Passamaquoddy reservation at Pleasant Point, Maine.

A type of 30' diesel electric hybrid boat was at the show. It’s batteries are charged by the engine and solar collectors on top of the wheelhouse. It will do 7 knots on the electric engine and 25 on the diesel.

Boat yards along the coast are beginning to see more activity in the market. Tire kickers are giving way to check writers.