Editor's Note: The ICW series of blog entries details the April 2010 cruise down the ICW made by WaterViewHome Network Publisher David Lott. The purpose of the trip is twofold: to accompany Captain Steve Weisbrod who is delivering a Lagoon PowerCat 43 from Lewis, DE, to Key West, FL, where it will become part of a charter fleet, and to visit golf and waterview communities and report on them. You can read all other posts by clicking on the headlines on the list of entries at the end of this installment.
DAY 3: The Oriental Boat Is Sailor's Delight
Coming back from visiting the waterfront community of River Dunes I stopped in at the 2010 Oriental Boat Show. Oriental bills itself as the Sailing Capital of North Carolina and for good reason--there are nearly three times as many boats in the town than residents! Several residents recited with obvious pride the numbers--850 residents and 3,200 boats. Now that's a sailing hub.
Boats lined up for the Oriental Boat Show.
The weather was bring and sunny, as it had been for the entire trip so far. Town officials later proudly proclaimed that more than 1,500 visitors came through the gates over the weekend.
The show's purpose was to raise funds for the two charitable groups that sponsored the boat show. More than $11,000 was raised for the groups, the Oriental Rotary Club and Pamlico County Committee Of 100 (a group which promotes economic development).
Vendors' booths at the show.
Vendors included River Dunes, Arlington Place (another master-planned marina community), multiple boat brokers, sailing school, a funky local marine consignment show, hot dog and hamburger grilling tent, Hunter boat dealership and many more. I must have met half the town walking around the show.
What impressed me was the friendliness of the people and how many of them had only recently moved there. A key attraction was that they didn't have to haul their boats for the winter and could sail year-round.
I immediately noticed the River Dunes burgee on the RD launch.
One of the first people I met was Marvin Bullock, a local real estate agent. He heard me speaking to a vendor and stepped right up and introduced himself. I mentioned to a vendor that I'd like to move to a warmer location where I could have my boat in the water even in the winter and that was his entre. I also met Paul, an elderly gentleman who called himself a "garbologist," still trying to figure out what that is.
The boat brokers were very welcoming and I got a chance to shoot some the boats for sale at the show.
Beth Schwartz (standing) from Triton Yachts, Oriental, NC, gave the scoop on her offerings. She is standing on the deck of Podjo (means 'old friend'), a Pacific Seacraft 37. Asking price is $127,500.
Kizmet displayed a comfortable pilot house.
The boats averaged 35 feet or more.
Bow detail.
One of the prettier boats for sale, a Cheoy Lee Offshore 31, was offered by Bob Applegate, broker at Cape Lookout Yacht Sales & Charters.
This 1968 Cheoy Lee Offshore 31 features a fiberglass hull, teak deck & cabin and is offered at $27,900
Kitchen/companion way.
A handsome teak deck with fiberglass cabin roof.
The Bean--the popular coffee spot at the edge of the water at Oriental.
The Boat Show ended at 3 pm and I walked back over the bridge to the marina and we shoved off for our next port of call. Before boarding, however, I bought a superb coffee milkshake at The Bean, the popular coffee shop perched right on the edge of the water. It was a sweet way to say good-bye to Oriental, NC, the quintessential boat town.
Next stop: On to North River Club
Follow the Complete Trip Down the ICW by clicking on the headlines
below.
ICW
Trip Announcement
DAY
1 - Havre de Grace, MD - Engine Trouble
DAY
2 - Alligator River Marina, NC - River Forest, NC
DAY
2: A Visit to River Dunes, Oriental NC
DAY
3 - The Oriental Boat Show Is a Town-Wide Celebration
DAY 4 - Tiptoeing Past Firing Lines to North River Club & Brunswick Forest
DAY 5 - St. James Plantation Marina - New Home Construction
DAY 6: Charleston's Mega Dock Is a Showcase for the World's Most Beautiful Yachts
Day
6: Daniel Island's Mitchell Wharf Offers Deepwater Docks, River Views
Day 6: Harbour Town Yacht Club with All the Trimmings on Hilton Head Island
Day 7: Discovering Windmill Harbour's Elegance and Privacy on HHI, SC
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