Here's some info about the popularity of one Anchor Bay Boat as compared to another.

LS Chesapeake - 21
LS Huron - 15
LS Portsmouth - 12
Skipjack Nancy - 11
Motor Yacht Kim - 9
LS Columbia - 9
Tugboat Toledo - 9
Sardine Carrier Lori - 8
USCG 44' Lifeboat (case) - 8
USCG 110' Cutter - 6
USCG 44' Lifeboat (no case) - 5
Purse Seiner Tori Dawn - 4
USCG Utility Boat - 4
Rigid Hull Inflatable - 4

A reasonable and prudent person would surmise, from this small sampling of CF members, that the most popular Anchor Bay Boats are the Lightships that have their name spelt out in big letters on the side of their hull: LS Chesapeake, LS Huron, and the LS Portsmouth.

The Skipjack Nancy (sailboat) also appears to be popular as compared to the other boats.

I would have thought the USCG boats would have been more popular because we have many ex-Coasties in our group. Surprisingly, the most popular was the 44' USCG Lifeboat with the glass case. It received more votes than the USCG boats without the case that were much cheaper to purchase.

35 people voted so far in this particular poll. 11 votes were cast as "I do not own any AB's." Maybe the majority of AB Collectors don't visit the CF. Someone out there keeps buying them or Harbour Lights wouldn't be making them anymore.

Bob

Could be Bob, but you have no data from the Coast Guard Exchanges of how many Coast Guard vessels have been purchased. There are only 5 Coasties I know of in these Forums.

Me
Hal
Rich in CA
Rich in FL
Tim

p.s. your never an ex-coastie

Amen to that. Once a Coastie, always a Coastie.

Rich

Ron from Delaware was an ex-coastie from 74-78.

You make a very valid and interesting point, Sean. I would of thought there were far more "Coasties" registered here at the Collector Forums.

Maybe John can come up with some numbers on the sale of the USCG boats as compared to the other Anchor Bay replicas.

Bob

I want to start my collection of AB with Chesepeake. I'm finding it hard to locate one, even on e-bay, that is reasonable in cost.

Even though it is a relatively small sampling, I'm not surprised at the results. There are still a number of "lightships" out there waiting to be made, i.e., "San Francisco", "Overfalls, etc. And,IMHO, I think that they would be good seller's, as well!

Peter - give Harbour Lights a call at 800-365-1219 and asked for the "Retired@Retail".

They may have a source for Chesapeake.

Chesapeake retired at the end of 2002.

John, thanks fot the phone number

Try this store:

The Gatlinburg Shop (865)430-3380

They had the first 6 for sale at a discount the last time I was in there. (a month ago) The owner told me they had many in stock and were closing out the line in their store.

Bob,

Since your the one that started this thread and know a whole lot more then I do about how to create a poll, I would be interested if you started a poll asking:

1. Have you ever served in the U.S. Armed Forces? Yes or No
2. How long did you serve? 2 yrs. 4 yrs. 8 yrs. or longer
3. Are you retired from the Armed Forces? Yes or No
4. What Branch? USCG USA USAF USN USMC USPHS Reserves Nat. Guard

This would be interesting to see as we know right now that we have 6 coasties on the Forums. If it can't be done or is too much to put in a poll I will understand.

Rich

I'll work on that Rich.

What do you mean by "Retired from..." Did I 'retired' after my 3 year hitch? Or do you mean that you receive a pension from the military?

John,
By retired I mean that you are drawing a pension from the military for anything over 20 years of service or are retired because of a disability received while on active duty. Reservist and National Guard members can also draw retirements pay but they must serve for a longer time.

Rich

Sounds like a great idea Rich. ILL make a second.