Urban Adventures on the Big Apple – Part 2
Our trip to New York City happened to coincide (lucky for me) with the New York National Boat Show. Having attended last year’s National Powerboat Show in Annapolis, one of the largest on-the-water boat shows in the nation, we wondered how big a boat show held in the middle of New York City could be; however, as soon as we entered the Jacob Javits Convention Center, we were amazed at the number of big boats that crowded the show floor.
Despite the presence of bigger boats, for the average boat buyer, the NYC show would probably be more manageable than the massive Annapolis show with its rows and rows of everything from small dinghies to over-the-top luxury yachts. The New York show also focused more on saltwater fishing boats rather than flashy runabouts, cruisers and bass boats as often happens with shows held a little bit more inland.
Even though I am not much of a fisherman, as a former sailor, I like the seaworthiness and ease of maintenance of saltwater fishing boats. Additionally, center console boats, which make up much of the saltwater fishing fleet, are arguably the most versatile boats out there. The layout of the center console lends itself not only to fishing but also to lounging, diving, cruising and, with the addition of some canvas, even for overnighting.
Most of our time at the show was spent checking out the different manufacturers of center console boats. We checked out Grady White, Boston Whaler, Scout, Mako and Angler among others. We paid particular attention to the Century display of Snow Shed Ski and Marine. Century, a Yamaha Boat Company, is rated by JD Powers and Associates as among the best. The quality of the fit and finish and the long list of standard equipment included in the package makes this boat a great value. Additionally, Century offers a 20-footer with a standard porta-potti inside the console, which is rare in this size range; however the design does sacrifice the usual console cooler seat. The Century is also a nice-looking boat with a sharp entry, stern with molded steps and a variety of available hull colors. Arnie, Pete and the rest of the crew at Snow Shed were extremely attentive and answered all our questions. I recommend them for anyone buying a boat in or around Long Island.
The show was also one of the first outings of the Chris Craft Catalina 23. This boat combines the classic elegance of a Chris Craft with the practicality of the center console design. Chris Craft produces some beautifully crafted boats reminiscent of Italian designs such as the Riva; however, you do pay a premium for this. Even the 18-foot speedster starts at around $40K. Is it worth it? I guess it all depends on whether one can afford it or not. A classic Boston Whaler with the original teak trim is probably just as handsome and can be had for thousands less if one doesn’t mind a few scratches or some restoration work.
The main flaw I see with the Catalina is that access to the in-console porta-potti is through the front of the console. This makes access to this area more difficult than the typical side entry but seems necessary to preserve the boat’s sleek lines. I suspect that the large heavy door is less waterproof and more problem-prone than a more conventional setup.
