Boat shows wrap up on a positive note

Elke Nickle came to Annapolis optimistic that her bedding product would be received well by sailing enthusiasts. After she got a buzz in trade magazines, inquiries started coming in over the summer, asking if the FROLI Sleep Systems would be there.

Mrs. Nickle paid about $2,600 for her booth at the United States Sailboat and Powerboat Shows and sold about 40 systems for an average of $250. The shows were a first for Nickle Atlantic LLC.

"The show went very well. We can't complain," she said yesterday.

Despite heavy rain that kept attendance down during the first two days of the shows, anecdotal evidence appears to...