This year USWatercraft Rendezvous landed on a beautiful Saturday, it was so sunny that we even believe that spring is coming! Our day was jam-packed with six wonderful speakers and eighteen key industry partners on display. We had around 400 visitors for the day. The day began with Cruising World’s Mark Pillsbury awarding, USW President Randy Borges with the 2014 Boat of the Year Award for the exquisite Alerion 41. Our guests experienced guided facility tours, watched the CNC machine cut the plug for the C&C 30 rudder, and they viewed both finished boats and boats in progress. Specifically, we displayed the award-winning Alerion 41 along with an Alerion 20, 28, and 33. There was both a True North 34 and 38 under construction and a completed TN 38 on display. We showed off the brand new C&C 30 and the Redline 41, both still under construction, but well on their way to completion. Additionally, we also displayed a J/100 in production and our newest J/24: Blind Squirrel – rumors are she is making a comeback!
This year we managed to wrangle in some fantastic speakers to appeal to our various customers, guests, and friends. Our first seminar was with experienced sailing expert, Andrew Burton from Andrew Burton Yacht Services to discuss offshore passage making. Andrew has logged over 300,000 sea miles aboard yachts and commercial craft; he reviewed what to discuss when sailing offshore and being mentally prepared for sea.
Next up was Joel Rumelhart from Power Products, our New England Volvo Penta Marine Power Center. Joel discussed the new Volvo IPS technology and the glass cockpit system as it pertains to the new True North 50.
Following Joel, we had David Winskowicz & Mike Alfano from Mack Boring/ Yanmar. Together, they presented on the latest in diesel technology for sailboats as well as powerboats and covered the maintenance and daily care of marine engines.
The afternoon sessions were as equally well attended as the morning sessions. Tom Degremont and Sam Howell from Langan Design Partners kicked off the afternoon to discuss all things considered when designing a luxury power yacht, including how to maintain the integrity of modern design while staying true to the brand’s identity. In this presentation, they updated the crowd on the current status of the new True North 50.
Our next speakers certainly traveled the furthest to attend our event. We are fortunate to have had both Rob Mazza and Mark Mills speak about the history of C&C Yachts, past and present. Rob Mazza, of the original C&C Design Group drove down from Ontario, Canada to visit us, and Mark Mills, current C&C designer, made his way across the Atlantic all the way from Ireland. Both designers discussed the evolution of C&C Yachts over the years, leading to its recent modern incarnation.
They spoke about what made C&C Yachts a success in past sailing markets, and how those same qualities are equally successful for C&C in the 21st Century.
The grand finale of the presentations was local sailor, Charlie Enright, to discuss his future as the youngest skipper for the 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race on Team Alvimedica. Charlie began his offshore career aboard Disney’s sponsored TP52 Morning Light. Now at age 29, he faces his next challenge racing around the world. In this seminar, Charlie discussed the race, the boats, and how the crew has gotten to this stage as the youngest team to contend in the event.
Many thanks to all of our guests, and to our phenomenal speakers and to our reliable industry partners. Please come again next year! All photo credits to John Cratin Photography.
Special Thanks To:
John Cratin Photography
Doug Jensen, Videographer
Langan Design Partners
Power Product Systems
Andrew Burton Yacht Services
Charlie Enright
Rob Mazza
Mills Design
Hall Spars & Rigging
Onne van der Wal Photography
Mack Boring
Harken
Awlgrip & Interlux
B&G
Lewmar
Schaefer Marine
New England Ropes
Custom Offshore
Forespar
AB Marine
Trident Studio
Team One Newport
Ronstan
Edson
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