Strictly Sail - A Sailors Review

Like birds migrating south for the winter, this Landlocked Sailor makes his way north, in the dead of winter, for a taste of spring.  What else would make a guy dream of summer more than looking at the newest boats and gear for the sailing season.  Family Pass tickets to the 2012 Strictly Sail Chicago is this midwest sailors call of spring.

I have attended Strictly Sail for the last 3 years.  Each year I have a specific reason for the journey to the Chicago Navy Pier in January.  Our first show was to sign up for sailing classes on learning how to sail.  We signed up with an outfit out of Michigan City called Michigan City Sailboat Charter.  We took a three day class and learned how to sail on a Hunter 33.  It was a great learning experience.  The second year, our goal was to gather information about purchasing a boat and doing a bare boat charter in the BVI.  Finally, we attended this years show to purchase gear for our sailboat, a Columbia 23T.  I find that there are three reasons to attend Strictly Sail.

Sailboats
Sailboats as far as the eye can see.  Racers.  Cruisers.  Dingys.  They ship in all of the above.  Acres of boat that are set up in various configurations.  Each of the major manufacturers bring their best wares to display.  These manufactures and their dealers, set up pods of boats that show goers can climb aboard.  This year a 86 foot racing sailboat took center stage and managed to block traffic on Lake Shore Drive.

Sailing Gear
For those that have already bought a sailboat while attending Strictly Sail, walking through the various vendor booths looking for gear to outfit that new sailboat can take up an entire day.  Hundreds of vendors were in attendance to provide goods and services to the sailing public.  This year, my observation was that manufactures were displaying very innovative products.  From electric motors to composting toilets, manufactures put their best foot forward.

Sailing Seminars
Seminars at Strictly Sail are geared to the novice or advanced sailor.  The topics range from diesel maintenance to offshore cruising.  The seminars are the most valuable asset of the show.  The years of experience is second to none.  To be in the same room with these folks is more than worth the ticket cost or the cost for the seminar.  Seminars are repeated at various times throughout the day and over the course of the show.

Another Strictly Sail is in the books.  The vendors and manufactures have vacated their booths and made their way back to their hometowns and harbors.  I am sure they they need a little down time after an outstanding show.  As for myself, I was able to get the information that I was looking for this year about chartering and new head for the boat.  I will be doing one thing different next year.  I will be planning on attending the show for more than one day to give me plenty of time to interact with the vendors and attend all the seminars that I would like to attend.  Come and join the fun.