WBS2004-I built it myself?

[sawcutmill]

Wondering if anybody out there is considering the "I built it myself" section of the WBS, and whether they have submitted a query to Carl Kramer? I have sent a detailed email to him in the first week of january, but no reply, and a follow up just this week.Again no reply.I am eager to find out if Carl is on vacation, or whether or not they are having trouble with a response.I look forward to the show and hope that all can attend with their own vessels,new an old!See ya there! stephen millett

[Rich VanValkenburg]

Sooner or later somebody will mention this, so I guess I will. It's been said before that there should be a place for amatuer builder's and regular folks to display their work. But it's also been said that WB grew out of a desire and need to keep the wooden boat building industry alive. By 'industry', I mean the professional builders, designers, and suppliers, of which Jon Wilson was a part. It was an effort at the self-preservation of skills that would disappear, if there was little need to use them.

When WBS came to Michigan a few years ago, it became clear that the real purpose of the show was to highlite the efforts of professionals, because without them, there's no industry. As amatuers, most of us would have a hard time finding suppliers if there wasn't a larger force driving the works. As you see at the auto shows and plastic boat shows around the country, there's just no real purpose in having an area for an amatuer, one-off, pleasure/hobby builder because there isn't enough demand in the materials to keep those industries going as hobbies.

It's great to see do-it-yourselfer's at the WoodenBoat Show, but the real purpose is cash flow for the pro's. I wouldn't expect or demand a place for amatuer builders to display their stuff, but in Michigan it was there as a courtesy. And well appreciated. If amatuers go there with light wallets, just looking for inspiration, that's ok too.

Rich

[bob goeckel]

yup been there tried that. :eek: :( :confused: :mad: i guess they did provide a space for amateur boats in the end in mich. but i was no longer in the mood to bother to show up.

[dmede]

What Rich says makes sense of course but even if there not going put amatuers in the show, you deserve a reply to that effect. I hate it when a buisness disregards it's customers so easily. Proffesionals may fill the pages of Wooden Boat, but amatuers buy it.

[JimConlin]

Somewhere in there is a business activity, where there are revenues from admissions and exhibitors' fees and there are costs of promoting and running the show. It's hoped that the revenues are greater than the costs. I'd wonder whether amateur exhibitors would enhance the 'gate' or pay the show operator as much as commercial exhibitors. I'd susupect that a show operator would find an amateur section worthwhile only if he had space to burn.

[ 01-26-2004, 01:22 AM: Message edited by: JimConlin ]

[Scot]

Carl is out of town. Not sure when he is do back.

-Scot