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This year I had occasion to visit the States. Unusually I decided to take a day off and visit Annapolis. I had been recommended to do this by some American business colleagues - "it’s the centre of the yacht world" they said. When I'm away, I sometimes write an account for my family - to email it home. I thought you may be interested or amused by it. Excuse some of the style - its "familyese". It is a gently humorous piece - I'm not out to offend
I am now in Annapolis - they got boats. I am going to see them.
Annapolis is a pretty old town. That is, it is pretty and old, but certainly not by European standards. Houses and boats dating back to say 1850 - just before our house was built - (sniff). Like the rest of this whole area it is very green. Indeed, although I have now driven hundreds of miles, I have seen almost nothing except trees lining the road. The town has lots of old wooden houses, shops and churches and I suspect would take a weekend to see properly. The shops are in fact almost exactly the same as those you would find in a quaint English harbour town. There are a fair number of "Taverns" but of course they've all got made up names, so they lose some authenticity which is a shame because they don't need to - they are in fact authentic. The harbour itself is quite small and leads out into a larger outer harbour, which in turn leads into the Chesapeake Bay.
Now - I had been told variously by Americans that Annapolis was "the yachting capital of the world". That the harbour was know as "ego alley" where owners of "huge" motor cruisers went up and down showing off their pride and joy (pictures from Miami Vice come to mind). These people have clearly not heard of either the Hamble, the South of England or the fact that the oldest, indeed the first yacht club in the world - The Royal Yacht Squadron - (please stand when you read that) which was formed and is still based in Cowes.
The harbour is about 100 yards long and 25 yards wide. All I saw were a number of sad 20 foot motor cruisers putter up an down - anything bigger would be difficult to fit in there. Indeed I didn't see anything much bigger in the outer harbour. Granted there were quite a lot of yachts around but nothing compared to the Hamble.
The bay area is very scenic and so without any doubt, the way to approach Annapolis is from the sea (because approaching it from the land is so nondescript). I think that to sail up this eastern sea board from South Carolina to the Chesapeake Bay could be very beautiful.
I went to 3 chandlers (or "boat shops" as the Americans so charmingly call them) in the hope that I might find equipment that was less expensive (we are constantly told how cheap everything is in America) and perhaps some further choice in the clothing line. Neither was true. The first thing that strikes is that it's just like walking into Alladins Cave or the Marine Superstore. Everything; clothing, electronics and equipment is exactly the same - even down to the badly presented electronic gear in glass cabinets just inside the door - no really. There is a slight difference. My impression was that it was definitely more expensive - across the board. Musto coat £350 - £400. Plastimo compass £100. (£270 and £50 respectively at home). Ah well 2 more conceptions bite the dust.
Geoff
I am now in Annapolis - they got boats. I am going to see them.
Annapolis is a pretty old town. That is, it is pretty and old, but certainly not by European standards. Houses and boats dating back to say 1850 - just before our house was built - (sniff). Like the rest of this whole area it is very green. Indeed, although I have now driven hundreds of miles, I have seen almost nothing except trees lining the road. The town has lots of old wooden houses, shops and churches and I suspect would take a weekend to see properly. The shops are in fact almost exactly the same as those you would find in a quaint English harbour town. There are a fair number of "Taverns" but of course they've all got made up names, so they lose some authenticity which is a shame because they don't need to - they are in fact authentic. The harbour itself is quite small and leads out into a larger outer harbour, which in turn leads into the Chesapeake Bay.
Now - I had been told variously by Americans that Annapolis was "the yachting capital of the world". That the harbour was know as "ego alley" where owners of "huge" motor cruisers went up and down showing off their pride and joy (pictures from Miami Vice come to mind). These people have clearly not heard of either the Hamble, the South of England or the fact that the oldest, indeed the first yacht club in the world - The Royal Yacht Squadron - (please stand when you read that) which was formed and is still based in Cowes.
The harbour is about 100 yards long and 25 yards wide. All I saw were a number of sad 20 foot motor cruisers putter up an down - anything bigger would be difficult to fit in there. Indeed I didn't see anything much bigger in the outer harbour. Granted there were quite a lot of yachts around but nothing compared to the Hamble.
The bay area is very scenic and so without any doubt, the way to approach Annapolis is from the sea (because approaching it from the land is so nondescript). I think that to sail up this eastern sea board from South Carolina to the Chesapeake Bay could be very beautiful.
I went to 3 chandlers (or "boat shops" as the Americans so charmingly call them) in the hope that I might find equipment that was less expensive (we are constantly told how cheap everything is in America) and perhaps some further choice in the clothing line. Neither was true. The first thing that strikes is that it's just like walking into Alladins Cave or the Marine Superstore. Everything; clothing, electronics and equipment is exactly the same - even down to the badly presented electronic gear in glass cabinets just inside the door - no really. There is a slight difference. My impression was that it was definitely more expensive - across the board. Musto coat £350 - £400. Plastimo compass £100. (£270 and £50 respectively at home). Ah well 2 more conceptions bite the dust.
Geoff
