By S/V Lealea | February 06, 2017 at 12:01 AM EST |
1 comment
by the First Mate
Our trip to Seattle was a productive one. We spent 5 days wandering the floor of the Seattle Boat Show checking out cool new products and pondering the numerous and ingenious ways the show is designed to part a boater with their money. The general atmosphere is one of excitement designed to trigger a person into dreaming of all the cool, new doohickies one can add to their boat.
The primary reason for our Seattle trip was to see, in person, the combination heater/cookstove we have been eyeing for years. Made by Wallas the Nordic Dt diesel stove would allow us to carry one fuel for all our heating, cooking and motoring needs. We were impressed with the quality and after several visits to the Wallas booth, with Doug having answered numerous questions, we felt confident with our decision. On the third day of the show we handed over the credit card and placed our order.
Grabbing the shuttle from Century Link to Lake Union we toured numerous top of the line cruising vessels designed to keep you dreaming. With price tags of 300 to 600 thousand dollars it is impossible to imagine ever being able to cast off a dock line. Monthly payments and insurance combined with the cost of moorage and outfitting the boat for cruising must be a daunting amount to pay off. 
Chuck and I also sat in on several seminars. John and Amanda Neal (Bluewater Voyaging Preparation), Carol Hasse (Sail Trim for Cruisers), Nancy Erley (10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Went Cruising). and The NW Women in Boating Panel. All were interesting and contained valuable information.
After four days wandering the show and several seminars later we began questioning our purchase which would break the first and second rules of our cruising philosophy: No Debt and Keep it Simple.
Whenever in doubt it is time for a Pro's and Con's list and once on paper the decision was easy. The con's outweighed the pro's by quite a lot.
Day 5 of the show I hiked back upstairs and cancelled our order. Lesson learned, again. Don't get sucked in to the hype. The stove we already own is simple, works great and we don't need to spend the money.
While in Seattle we met with good friends, ate some great meals, conducted a little urban exploration and took in the full sights and sounds of hectic city life. The flight home was spent in contemplation.
We don't miss any of city life.
I agree,with your decision,to keep your tried ,tested,and reliable cooking stove.The photo of the tree branches reflected,on the glass of the building,is a great photo!,be well