Newport Exhibition Group and its presenting sponsor, The Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA), promise boat enthusiasts more models from which to choose than ever before at the upcoming 28th Annual Newport Spring Boat Show (formerly the Newport Used Boat Show), to be held Friday-Sunday, May 31- June 2 at the Newport Yachting Center on America's Cup Avenue in downtown Newport, Rhode Island. The show will also highlight an assortment of marine equipment and accessories, a galley cooking contest, a speaker program, demonstrations, related service information and giveaways. Traditionally a sign of the start of the season for experienced and new boaters alike, the show will feature hundreds of previously owned boats, new and leftover models and demos. More specifically, a wide variety of powerboats, sailboats, multihulls and dinghies, from 8' to approximately 50' and ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to $450,000 and up, will be available from brokers, dealers and private sellers. To accommodate the wider variety of boats, more than 5,000 square feet of on-land display space on the South side and an additional dock on the North side of the Yachting Center have been added.
Boats of Special Interest
One of the more unusual boats to be on display is the "Robert Emmett," a 48' Cherubini Staysail Schooner brokered by Topsail Yachts of Affiliated Independent Brokers. This queen among yachts is one of the most photographed on the East Coast. Currently on the cover of Cruising World's 2002 calendar, the schooner is one of the fastest displacement monohull sailboats ever built. It was built in 1986 and features one of the finest applications of the Scheel-keel concept, an easy rigging arrangement and Cherubini's famous joinery work and interiors. Classic looks and modern construction gives R.B. Rogers Yacht Sales' Andreyale 50 the beauty of a vintage motor yacht with today's performance and ease of maintenance. Varnished mahogany and teak with stainless steel fittings are used throughout. Below, chamfered safety glass portlights illuminate an interior that can be custom designed. A forward cabin with a commode is standard. Chris Craft Launches, the old well known brand that is making a comeback in a very modern way, will have a number of models on display by Harborside Marine. The show will also have a nice selection of downeast-type boats this year with Eastbay, Buestar, Fortier, Hunt and Wasque well represented. Trawlers will be displayed by Mainship, Island Gypsy, Symbol and Choey Lee. Other notable powerboat manufacturers that are participating in the show include Hatteras, Sea Ray and Tiara. Beneteau, Morris, Swan and Catalina, among others, will have a full fleet of sailboats on display as well. In addition to the boats, a large show tent will house a broader variety of booths displaying electronics, equipment and accessories. Representatives from service agencies will also be available to answer any finance, insurance and surveying questions. "YBAA's increased involvement with this year's show will result in a more diverse selection of boats and products from which to choose for our attendees as more dealers and brokers are bringing in new boats, leftovers and demos," said Nancy Piffard, Show Director, Newport Exhibition Group. "In addition to the expanded displays, our other features, such as the Galley Cooking Contest and speaker program, will create a lively and fun atmosphere throughout the show."
Galley Cooking Contest
The show will host a Galley Cooking Contest on Saturday, June 1, from noon to 2:00 p.m. on the Yachting Center grounds. The contest is sponsored in conjunction with the popular NESN cable television show, Boating Today TV. Those interested in participating in the contest should visit the boatingtodaytv.net web site and fill out an entry form. Boating Today TV will also film the competition and televise it on an upcoming show. The competition's guidelines are based on the same parameters the Boating Today TV galley gourmet chef follows. Each meal must be prepared in 30 minutes or less and must be cooked on no more than one pan or barbecue grill. Pre-preparation can include slicing of vegetables. All meats, fish or primary ingredients must be prepared within the 30 minute timeframe. Each dish will be judged by a member of the Boating Today staff, Show Director Nancy Piffard and a guest judge. To review the complete contest guidelines, please visit boatingtodaytv.net.
The three finalists will all win "Sports Barbecue" marine grills and a three pack of Dolphinite boat care products. The first and second place winners will also receive $100 and $50 gift certificates, respectively, from Boaters World Stores.
Speaker Program
An eclectic line-up of speaker program topics promise to both educate and entertain attendees. Speakers well known throughout the region will be featured during the three-day event discussing a variety of topics. The schedule is as follows:
Friday, May 31, 2002
2:30 p.m. "GPS/Chartplotters" with Capt. Rick Kilborn
4:00 p.m. "Light Tackle Fishing" with Capt. Jim White
5:30 p.m. "Basic Radar Operation" with Capt. Rick Kilborn
Saturday, June 1, 2002
11:00 a.m. "Fluke Fishing" with Doug Berk
12:30 p.m. "Fishing with Live Herring" with Dave Fewster
2:00 p.m. "Life Raft Survival and Rescue at Sea" with Lori Perrino
3:30 p.m. "Why Survey: What It Can and Can't Do For You" with Dennis Layfield
5:00 p.m. "So You Want Your Captain's License" with Capt. Rick Kilborn
Sunday, June 2, 2002
11:00 a.m. "Give a Dog a (Rope) Bone" with Dave Bill
12:30 p.m. "Introduction to Chart Navigation" with Capt. Sue Kilborn
2:00 p.m. "Fishing the Newport Shoreline" with Capt. Ed Noll
3:30 p.m. "Inland Coastal GPS Made Easy" with Master Capt. James W. Wiesenberg