Strictly Sail, Oakland

Last Friday I cruised up to SS held in Oaktown (Oakland), this past week to schmooze a bit and say hi to some folks. The show there is both laid back and also has a nice energy as you get the sense that most of the people looking around there are genuinely into the sport, although I did meet one J/120 sailor who had never heard of SA - is this even possible?

Most people do not know who I am, so walking around somewhat incognito, I was paying attention to sales people giving their pitches. One thing I noticed was what seemed a real effort on most of the vendors inside the tents to impart some knowledge on people with their products. A lot of the guys and gals have been at their trade for a while and I

However, down on the docks you can't help but see and hear a lot of guys selling boats who are seemingly little more than used car salesman. A bit bizarre that the guy selling the hundred dollar blocks seems to know more about his product than the guy selling the mufti hundred thousand dollar boats. Not everyone is of course this way, but I saw quite a few who fit that bill.

I was only there for a few hours, I didn't take any snaps, and I didn't see everything, but here are a couple of boat observations...

I dug the Wylie 44 - simple and sexy and that rig looks very intriguing. I briefly chatted with designer Tom Wylie and liked the vibe. If I was going to spend that kind of dough, I'd be interested in that thing just for the 'fuck you' factor. I was also most impressed by the Alerion 38. Old school, say hello to new school. I can't for the life of me though understand why they didn't give the thing a couple more inches of headroom - I'm not even 5'9" and I couldn't stand up straight. But overall it was just bitchin - a sailing boat in the purest tradition. The X-35 seemed somewhere around average. Nothing new or different and in some ways in terms of rig, deck, looks, almost a bit regressive. $230k complete? I don't think so. The Columbia 30 with the wheel made me actually laugh out loud as I walked past.

I went on the Swan 60 and have to wonder what the hell they are thinking. The thing was chopped up and cramped down below in a very outdated way. I'm not even close to fat and I couldn't get through most of the compartment or door openings without scrapping through. All that money and down below was so uninviting. It sucked. J/boats had a big display, a ton of people in Sail California shirts, and the J/100 constantly out sailing. It all looked good, but in typical J fashion, the closer you look, the less you see.

And would somebody please explain to me how the new plethora of cruising boats ,like Jenneau or Hunter or Hanse, most of which are ugly, boxy, have horrid ergonomics, awful cockpits, huge asses and cost a fortune are attractive to anybody? I don't get it. But then, I've never been much for convention, but if this is it, I'm still no closer.

Overall, a lot of boats, product and people made it a good show and I thought a good representation of the trade.

-The Ed.

04/24/06