Hartford CMTA Boat Show - The Hull Truth

LI Sound Grunt · 01-26-2005, 11:42 PM

Starts tomorrow

Anyone going???

reefdrifter · 01-27-2005, 10:37 AM

Looks like I'll be going Fri afternoon.

Where is a good place to park? I hear that the Civic Center garage expensive.

davidd · 01-27-2005, 11:03 AM

I believe event parking is 3 bucks at the center garage, I thought I saw it in the paper yesterday.

Go here they have dollar off admission coupons www.hartfordboatshow.com*

Dave

LI Sound Grunt · 01-27-2005, 01:25 PM

I don't think you'll find the civic center garage expensive - As far as I know the civic center garage is closed - its all being reconstructed - but maybe its done - I'll make a few calls and check

If you are hardy and go on the weekend You can park for free in the State Office Building lot on Capitol ave where it intersects with washington near the Bushnell and walk the 1/2 mile to the civic center. Just go through bushnell park and head downtown and follow the crowd...There is lots of other parking closer but I have no idea what it costs - probably a flat fee for the show on the weekend.

tpp517 · 01-27-2005, 07:48 PM

I will be there on Sunday at the Triton booth, stop by and say hello, would like to meet some fellow THTers.

LI Sound Grunt · 01-28-2005, 10:26 AM

Hello guys..Maybe we'll run into each other...I'll look for any THT hats - But I don't have one - guess its time for a hat and second wheel...

Anyway - I'll be there today (Friday) - probably early/mid afternoon

And, re: Parking - the attached link indicates the Civic Center Garage is open..

http://www.hartfordboatshow.com/boatshow_lm.html

arctekmarine · 01-28-2005, 12:41 PM

hi all, i managed to get to the show last night...very very dissapointing*.....looks like a bomb hit the building..very few exibits....the triton was one of the nicer boats there...jim

LI Sound Grunt · 01-28-2005, 06:25 PM

Hi Jim

I disagree - Didn't look at the Triton but do remember from pprevious shows that they were overprced as much as anyone - actually I think they are ALL overpriced but the Striper and Sailfish and Makos (the new 282?) seem to be the most boat for the $$ to my untrained eye.

Actually the word overpriced has these negative conotations - lets face it - unless you are a professional - a boat is a luxury and therefore any price you put on the value (your perceived) is what its worth - i guess..

I liked it

Had a great time with my daughter the day before she goes back to school - only bad part was $$5.50 parking for 2+ hrs. at the civic center garage - but - hey what the H...

Its a fun thing to do for a couple hours - I think I went at the right time - not to busy - and soon was able to spend all the time I wanted with salesmen and its not too long before you can separate the bulls&^*ers from the ones that know something about boats. It was a real fun afternoon...and close by - so I don't have to worry about travelling -

Athough _ I would've liked to seen a regulator or Contender...

each to their own...

50+ G's for 21 foot Scouts and Gradys and less than 40 23 foot for Stripers and Sailfish's. Wow!!

I know there are differences certainaly worth some $$ but you get about an extra foot of cockpit depth in the cheaper boats mentioned above

At least the Grady dealer in CT didn't make you take your shoes off!! Like in the Providence show - Wow is there supposed o be a subliminal message there - or what!!!

Powerboat mag had a great commentary on that practice this month......

OK the building looks bombed out from the outside - its called renovation - naother feeble attempt by the city to try to save itself.. but the show was not too shabby...

arctekmarine · 01-29-2005, 08:05 AM

hi grunt, glad you and your daughter had a good time .....jim

LI Sound Grunt · 01-29-2005, 09:42 AM

Hi Jim

Yep we did

I guess that what the sport is all about to me

I have lived through many "rebirths" of Hartford and its indeed on a down cycle right now - but when you live out in the boonies like us its still the big city and hopefully it will comeback this time with more than just the Wolfpack, the Bushnell and more of those gentrified restaurants. That football gazillion dollar stadium didn't seem to do much except to placate UCONN alumni - hopefully this Adrians Landing?Waterfront thing will recover from its near death experience. The highways and Copycat Robotic Gigantic Suburban Malls seemed to be doomed to the the winners in the long run again...

John_Madison CT · 01-29-2005, 03:33 PM

I went to the Hartford Show today. What a bummer. The highlight of the day was the free parking I found on the street.

For $10 entry, it was not worth it.

Very dissapointed to see that my Parker dealer did not have ANY specials for the show.

Overall, ....waste of time. Oh and yes, the building does look like a bomb hit it.

trophy2052 · 01-29-2005, 08:38 PM

i went today and was pretty dissapointed no where near as good as last year no electronics manufactures had displays 2 dealers with some depthfinders / gps but i really wanted to talk to a lowrance factory guy guess its off to the boston show in a few weeks never been there but the list of venders i found on line seems pretty big any input on the boston show ??

Fish Magician · 01-30-2005, 01:30 AM

Reading your post answered some of my questions about exhibiting at that show. I have Fish Magician Tackle (internet site). I specialize in spreader bars, and custom trolling rigs. I exhibited at the New York Boat Show, that was a kick. Your show is obviously not well thought of. Is there any other show in the N.E., that's better attended???

Thanks,
Capt. Mike Fisher
www.FishMagicianTackle.com

John_Madison CT · 01-31-2005, 05:21 AM

FishMagician: Yep, I personally wouldn't bother. There is another show in Hartford that is considered the "Fishing Show", sometime in mid Feb. This would get you better exposure and probably sales.

Codfisher · 01-31-2005, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Fish Magician - 1/30/2005 1:30 AM

Is there any other show in the N.E., that's better attended???

Thanks,
Capt. Mike Fisher
www.FishMagicianTackle.com

http://www.boatma.com/newenglandboatshow.html