Setting sail:
Goodbye sails, hello power

By VANESSA FRANKO, Staff Writer

Published 10/10/06, Copyright © 2006 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.

Hundreds of people crowding the rooftop deck of Pusser's Landing restaurant amid the intoxicating aroma of rum and fruit juice can mean only one thing in Annapolis - the breakdown of the United States Sailboat Show.

The sailboat show ended at 5 p.m. yesterday, and crews immediately started to make way for the United States Powerboat Show, which opens for VIPs on Thursday.

Boat show staffers Cheryl Campbell and Jage North stood guard at the entrance by Pusser's, keeping visitors from trying to enter the boat show at 4:59 p.m. and making sure everyone got ashore before the floating docks were dismantled.

"It's a fun place to be. It's got lots of energy," Ms. Campbell said.

However, they were looking forward to relinquishing their duties and partaking of the festivities themselves.

They manned their post during the weekend's chilly, rainy weather, as well as yesterday's bright sunshine.

But not everyone was enjoying the picturesque weather - namely, those gathered to watch the boats disembark.

"It needs to be more exciting than this," Allison LeBlanc of Annapolis joked.

The glorious weather made the obstacle course of steering boats less perilous.

As people partied on the land, assistant dockmaster Tom McGarry of Annapolis and his crew were busy getting people off the floating docks and unhooking them so the massive sailboats could get out.

"This one will be easy," he called to his crew as they stopped by one of the Beneteau tents.

Armed with wrenches, rope and Tootsie Pops, they started dismantling the outermost docks as exhibitors hurried to carry off plants, flower arrangements, tables and other gear.

"It's amazing how they can get out of here in a couple of hours," Mark Cooke of Annapolis said as he watched a Malo Yacht sailboat glide off into the harbor.

But most people watched the changeover from Pusser's, where the signature Painkiller rum drinks flowed freely to a soundtrack of live Caribbean-flavored music.

"This party is one of the best local events in Annapolis," said Judy Buddensick.

Some people, like Dianne Abrams of Annapolis, skipped the sailboat show and came out just for the party. She's planning to go to the powerboat show this weekend.

But not all of the partygoers were local.

Sammy Kashy stood five people back from the railing on the roof of Pusser's, holding a video camera high above his head in an effort to get shots of the boats leaving.

"It's for friends back in Chicago," he said. He took video of various things throughout the show, but not everything, noting that what happens in Annapolis stays in Annapolis.

This was Mr. Kashy's first time at the boat show.

His boat, a Flying Tiger club racer designed by Bob Perry and built by Bill Stevens at Hansheng Yachts in China, was featured in the show.

Mr. Kashy, who had a stuffed tiger with him, said he hadn't even taken the boat into the water yet.

However, that wasn't stopping the newlywed from enjoying the full effect of the show.

"This is my second bachelor party," he said.

Other spectators watched the show breakdown from the Spa Creek Bridge, the Fleet Reserve Club and the balconies at the Marriott.

People staked out the prime waterfront spots an hour before the changeover started, marking their territory with rum drinks and beer.

On the deck in front of the hotel, husband and wife Ron Hardie and Judy Henderson of Alberta, Canada watched the changeover. Last year was their first visit to the show and they stayed only one day. This time they were in Annapolis for the whole thing.

"We're just real bears for punishment," Mr. Hardie said, smiling.

They said they came with a shopping list for their 38-foot sailboat.

"It's very good to talk to the manufacturers," Ms. Henderson said.

They said they had bought some things, but also had refined their list for future shows.

"We'll be back," Ms. Henderson said.