"Make the Most of Your Boat Show Experience"
   by Rod Gibbons

The best place to see a variety of catamarans in one setting is at a boat show. And the best boat show-the one that offers the largest selection of cats to board and inspect-is the Miami Boat Show.

Bringing the following items with you will make your boat show experience even more worthwhile:

• A lightweight knapsack It will free your hands and give you something in which to carry boat show brochures and other items listed here. (Wear a knapsack free of metal buckles because they can scratch a boats interior woodwork).

• A "compare-the-cats" worksheet. Pick the categories that most concern you about your "dream cat." Then prepare the worksheet before the show so that you can make quick, comparative notes as you view your three of four semi-final choices. Include subjective and objective objections of your likes and dislikes. Using a worksheet is easier and less confusing than waiting until you return home to sort through a sheaf of brochures that all begin to look the same.

• A mini tape recorder. Dictating observations to yourself as they occur is a convenient alternative to writing notes all day. Transcribe them alter at your convenience. Transcribe them later at your convenience. But again, use a pre-determined set of questions so you'll have comparative data for each vessel.

• Business cards or stick-on return labels. These will save you time and aggravation each time a salesperson asks you to fill out a "boarding pass." (Take tape, too.)

• Camera. A disposable camera can be adequate. "Regular" cameras are okay, too, but again, be careful not to let strap buckles or carrying-case latches scratch the boats' interior.

• Appropriate shoes. You'll often be asked to remove any type of shoes before boarding so try to wear a pair that will slip on and off easily. Also, if ifs not too cold, do not wear socks. Barefeet maintain a better grip on fiberglass decks.

• Small flashlight. It makes checking storage and engine compartment an "en-light-ening!' experience.

• Measuring tape. This way you'll know the true headroom, berth widths, etc. It's surprising how often brochures or spec sheets provide out~of-date or imprecise figures.

• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat or visor. With the sun beating down on you all day, your eyes and skin will thank YOU.

• Lightweight windbreaker. (Check the local morning news to see if a raincoat is warranted.)

• Small bottle of water. Invariably, when thirst strikes you're at the end of the farthest floating dock, and the nearest concession stand seems a mile away. (It doesn't have to be water, but it quenches thirst best whether cold or warm.)

The Catamaran Evaluation

Deck

• Is there a flat area at the base of the mast? (Provides the surest footing in foul weather and at night.)

• Are there openings around the netting that one might accidentally step through?

Cockpit

• Is the helm equipped with a permanent seat for the helmsperson?

• Is the saloon roof low enough, or the cockpit floor elevated enough, that anyone standing in the cockpit can see over the cabin roof to the front of the boat?

• Are the saloon windows low and large enough so that anyone seated in the cockpit can see through them to view ahead of the boat?

• Are the cockpit seats deep enough to support the full length of your thighs? Are the seatbacks angled, or appropriate back cushions offered, for extended-use comfort?

• Does any mounted hardware (bimini struts, portholes, cleats) interfere with the crews' seating comfort?

• Do the genoa tracks or sheets interfere with securing the bimini side curtains along the outer edge of the cockpit so that rain water doesn't pour onto the seats?

• Is there storage under the cockpit floor, or under the seats?

• Is there room for sunpad lounging on either side of the cockpit beyond the shade of the bimini?

Saloon

• Are the windows located so seated occupants can see out easily?

• Are the saloon seats deep, with angled backs, for truly comfortable dining and socializing?

Galley

• Is the galley up in the saloon or down in one hull? (A galley-down design gives the cook a bit more privacy. A galley-up layout means better light and ventilation for the cook, plus interaction with the rest of the crew.

• Is there a functional galley? (Double sinks, fiddles around the counters, ample storage.)

Miscellaneous

• Does the manufacturer offer a basic, inexpensive, no-frills model, with a variety of reasonably priced options? (Some builders, copying automobile manufacturers, add a large profit markup on their options-)