Dave not buying a boat.

Leslie wanted to buy this boat, but I wouldn’t let her.

This is the crew cabin in the bow of a 55′ Beneteau that I couldn’t buy even if I wanted to.

Yesterday was an great day. We toured the Granville Island floating show and Dave introduced me around. Nice to talk to brokers with a bit more of a personal connection. Sales people are still sales people though and I’m pretty sure Len was working hard to put the bug in my ear. But he was good at it so none of that slimy feeling was left behind.

Yesterday we talked quite a lot to all three Hunter brokers. The first was a good salesman and while we felt the pitch, we also felt he was on our side. The second guy was even better or actually just genuinely interested in talking boats. I really left believing him. The third (a woman, which may or may not be significant) was pure old school used car salesman. She left us believing Hunters could sail around the world without even getting the hull wet. She was good. Real good. And I would never buy anything from her. I am way to paranoid to ever trust someone that can steer me around like that.

Anyway we toured some boats and chatted in the rain. I like the Catalina 445 as a I’m-so-rich dream boat. But the Jeanneau 37 wasn’t bad as a realistic dream…

We drive back to BC Place and wandered. L and I bought some Gill 3-season gloves so our fingers will be warmer this year. We took in a couple of seminars. One on couples cruising which had a lively speaker and some common sense knowledge and one in canal cruising. This guy, an author of a couple books, needs to take classes in public speaking.

He read from his notes and the only time he had any colour in his voice were the 2 asides when he looked up from his screen. Couple that with a very linear story of his boat buying experience and picture slides with 0 explanations and he had a few people leaving mid-presentation.

Which was too bad because the presentation had good bones and based in his Q&A after he had good knowledge and a charming personality. Margaret liked it though so I guess I was just looking for more. Makes me want to go back though.

The we headed out to the Boathouse overlooking English Bay for an awesome dinner and terrific company. Them’s good peoples.

I really enjoy the boats how. D & M say we really ought to check out Seattle’s show (which just started) so maybe we try that one year. It’s nice to spend a couple of days dreaming and not worrying about reality. Leslie always enjoys Vancouver, and I do too, even if I did get wet.

And now we wait for spring and sailing season 🙂