Seattle Owner Rockin with his Rocket

No matter what kind of business you're in it is always good to hear from people who like what you are doing and get enthusiastic about your product. The Annapolis boat show was no exception and thoughout the show we had constant positive feedback from everyone from existing owners, to potential owners to sailors in general who continue to respond positively to the Rocket.

Our new Seattle owner has been getting a lot of use out of his new boat and just sent this email about his race last weekend. We've also been getting more calls from the Seattle area from folks who have seen Jonathan out on the water and I hope we'll have our third Rocket there soon.

*****

Anthony,

Just a quick little note to say that this past weekend I raced my new Rocket in the final race of the year for Seattle's famous 'Duck Dodge - Rum Run'. This race was a point to point race starting from Shilshole Marina, around a few buoys, and then across the Puget Sound to Port Madison Harbor. It was a beautiful day with a consistent wind out of the north between 12 and 15 knots. We started in the second start with various boats from 40 feet in length, down to the Rocket 22. We were about third at the first weather mark and put up the spinnaker for a short ride down to the West Point buoy. We rounded in second, having a few moments of planing at ten knots. On the way back up to the Meadow Point buoy, we were passed by a C&C 115 (having about 11 feet more waterline). Across the sound on a close reach we stay even with all the boats ahead and immediately behind us. Within a mile of the finish we were able to bear off enough to raise the asymmetrical chute and take off on a plane at about 12 knots. The boat was solid and felt like it was on rails. We caught up and passed the C&C 115, dropped the sails, and motored into Port Madison for the famous Duck Dodge post race raft-up and refreshments (remember, it's Rum Run!). The attached photo is from the raft-up. The nearest boat finishing to us that was under 30 feet (and not that far behind us), was Paul Kalina's Pocket Rocket! What a fun afternoon on the water!

Jonathan

Annapolis 2006 - Or is this Vancouver Rain?

OK, today’s great Annapolis weather was worse than last year with horizontal rain and wind whipping a mess on the outer reaches of the docks. I felt sorry for the folks working out there as some of the docks were more active than my two kids jumping on a water bed. You needed to down a couple of Gravols just to walk out and gawk at the Oysters. But they are beautiful boats and it was worth almost being tossed into the harbor. I did a mental calculation on the way out and concluded that we would have to sell approximately 650 gazillion Rocket 22s and then I could afford to buy an Oyster. We’re on our way!!

The difference between this year’s show and 2005 is huge for the Rocket. The level of awareness is much higher with many people coming over to say hello from last year and many others announcing that we are one of the main reasons they came to this years show. Tuesday could be very busy for Al as we’ve already lined up a day of demo sails for some serious prospects and we aren’t half way through the show yet. I’m guessing that we could be around for a few days next week as the full thrust of the show hasn’t really started yet.

The weather is supposed to improve tomorrow and we are looking forward to a good three days. This show is really an experience that shouldn’t be missed and I for one would like to spend some more time wandering around looking at the other boats and exhibits. There are some great boats here, the Esse 850 comes to mind, and some equally good booths. But most of all, this place is wall to wall with great people, both exhibitors and visitors alike. Everyone is friendly, supportive and full of encouragement for the smaller and newer companies like ours. For me coming to these shows always reminds me why Al and I do what we do – it’s the people. Hope to meet you over the next few days.