Hey, Maineiacs.....

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:44 pm

What's the scoop on the Maine Boatbuilders' Show? I've heard good things from some folks around here.... what's the locals' take on it?

Post by **Tim** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 7:59 am

Expensive and crowded--it's become very popular of late. My last experience there was a few years ago, but it tends to get so crowded as to reduce one's enjoyment of the displays. It sort of ruined it for me, but then crowds will do that. I have a low crowd tolerance, admittedly.

Still, you can see some very nice and unique things there. Come on the Friday if at all possible to at least have a chance at smaller crowds. Saturday and Sunday, by all recent reports, have become mob scenes. Since I haven't been for a few years, I can't really comment on the character of the displays and boats there. When I was last there, there were many small (and nice) wooden boats, lots of suppliers, and a few larger boats scattered about.

Post by **dasein668** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:34 am

I've only been once, and I definitely found it crowded. But there were quite a few interesting exhibits. I think its certainly worth the trip once if you haven't been, though I wouldn't go every year. I think my friend Chip will be there with his stretched Dark Harbor?he ususally brings his current boat project... it might be worth it just for that!

Plus, if you come up, Tim might let you visit the barn and see all the craziness going on there! (How's that Tim, I'm inviting people to your place for ya! ;-P )

Post by **Tim** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:17 am

dasein668 wrote:Plus, if you come up, Tim might let you visit the barn and see all the craziness going on there!

By all means!

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 8:49 pm

Methinks that different people have different definitions of "crowded". None of the CT people I spoke to had that complaint, and one even made a comment to the contrary.
I guess it's all relative.... we're used to the herds at the Newport show, where they actually need staff at the heads of the docks to argue with people about why baby strollers aren't allowed on the docks. Still.... go on Friday.... good tip. Thanks.

Hey, if I'm going to make a long weekend of it anyway, maybe I can entice the wife to tag along and get in some spring skiing at Sunday River or something.

Any tips on a reasonable place to stay? someplace juuuuust far enough away from all the action that they don't upcharge on the boat show weekend?

So, Nathan, do you get a cut of the profits for the tickets you sell to Triton Tim's Live-Action Boat Barn Playhouse, or does it just come off of your winter storage bill? ;)

Post by **dasein668** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 10:02 pm

I actually found the Maine show more crowded than the Newoport show. Obviously there were fewer people overall at the Maine show, but Phinny's place (where they hold the show) while relatively large, is tiny in comparison to the amount of space dedicated to the Newport show. It felt busy at the Newport show, but not crowded... if that makes any sense.

Regardless, it is still a pretty good show, with a much different feel than the Newport show. More down-homey, I think.

I wouldn't expect the local hotels to be gouging that weekend. At least not any more than normal! If it were me, I would seriously look into staying at the Portland Regency, just becuase its right in the heart of the Old Port district, just a couple blocks up the hill from Commercial Street and the waterfront, and only about a 10 minute walk to the boat show (not a inconsequential consideration: the parking situation for the boat show is a nigthmare and a half...). And it is still easy to hop onto the highway to head out to Tim's, up to Freeport (LL Bean and similar shopping hell, but I hear some wives are into that *wink*), or anywhere else along the coast you might like to visit.

There are other nice hotels in town?even in the Old Port district?but I think the Regency has at least a little bit of character (its in the old Armory building) and has a great location.

As for the kickback on tickets to Tim's: if he cuts my winter storage bill much more, he'll be paying me to keep my boat there. Hmmm. I like the sound of that one! Hey Tim.... hehe.

Post by **Tim** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:02 am

It's worth the trip if you have any inclination to see the show. It is a nice show, and is very unique as far as boatshows go. Don't expect anything like Newport, or any other boatshow. Perhaps the worst part is the parking--i.e. there is none of it, and you can't even begin to park anywhere close by. The suggestion to stay at an intown hotel is a good one for that reason. Otherwise, there are the usual zillions of chain hotels scattered about (more like dropped by a carpet bomber, actually) by the mall and airport, or in Freeport, etc.

One can draw their own conclusions about crowds--it's definitely a relative thing. Note that I find the area I live to be getting way too crowded, but anyone who comes here from southern NE thinks it's the boonies. To me, the Maine show is like being packed into a sardine can, and ruins whatever pleasure I would get from going. But then, I'm not used to such masses on a daily basis, either. To anyone who lives and works in the Boston-Washington metropolis, Portland (and any event that happens to be held here) is still a quaint little city devoid of people in comparison, so it follows that most folks who come up here would not echo my thoughts on the crowd.

On the way out to my house, a couple miles away, there's a stretch of the road that they rebuilt a few years ago. It must have been a strict federal or state grant or something, because the road is full of silly signage and curbage and crosswalks going nowhere (literally). The funniest thing, one that all visitors from places with real population problems laugh hysterically at, is that there are signs placed throughout this 1/2 mile section that say "Congested Area", with a 25 MPH speed limit (supposedly). What's funny about it is that the road passes through open fields on either side, sprawling for hundreds of acres. There are some houses, sure, but even though some of them are close together by rural Maine standards, they're still about 3X as far apart as suburbia tends to be in Boston or other big cities. It's a hoot, for sure! Without exception, everyone comments on it.

Actually, Nathan never bothers to share his profits from the "Live Action" boatshop tickets that he's always selling...methinks I'm getting screwed here! But truly, my value comes from watching Nathan work on his stuff--great entertainment, better than any vaudeville show! :<P It's almost worth paying for...hehe

If you'd like to include a visit out here to see the barn you designed, just let me know. If Nathan charges you for tickets, pull me aside and tell me so that I can take appropriate disciplinary action.

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 10:16 am

Thirty lashes with a wet-out strip of biax!!!

Post by **Tim** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 10:46 am

Ooo, that would work particularly well with Nathan, since he loves epoxy so much...!

Post by **dasein668** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 4:40 pm

Sheesh, see what sort of treatment I get just for trying to be helpful? JimminyCrickets!

;-P

Oh, and I DO love epoxy for many things... I just don't like to bathe in it!

tikvah59 · Post by **tikvah59** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 1:36 am

RE: parking the the boat show - can't you park at Hamilton Marine, go in and buy something from the big sale they are usually having, and then walk over to the boat show? Either that, or pay some outrageous price (by Maine standards) to park on somebody's front lawn.

Now, if you really want outrageous, come to Boston for a Red Sox game. You can easily find lots that want $40 to park for the game. Cheapest tix are $20 each, and I think a beer was $6 -7.

Being a local I know where to park for free within a short walk, but I ain't tellin'. Unless bribed with the appropriate beverage . . .

Post by **dasein668** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:49 am

Well, I suppose in theory you can do the Hamilton Marine thing, but in practice.... That whole area is usually just packed silly. Possibly not as bad on Friday though. You could also certainly park somewhere on the street up the hill on the Eastern Prom if you can find a spot and walk down. Basically if you are willing to take a 10 to 15 minute walk to the show, parking is no longer as much of an issue, although on Friday's the parking Nazis are out and about... but if you're from away, a ticket probably doesn't matter

tikvah59 · Post by **tikvah59** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 11:27 am

I just mentioned it because Hamilton Marine is worth the trip itself. As for the parking chaos, I guess it just depends on your tolerance for that kind of thing, as do the crowds inside.