The Big Seattle Boat Show, Indoors + Afloat, is just around the corner. The event is set to open its doors on Friday, January 24th, and continues through Sunday February 2nd, 2014. There will be a 120-foot ex-New Zealand Navy vessel, converted to a luxurious offshore expedition vessel, on display, as well as the latest in hybrid boats or the Finnish-built Power Boat of the Year from Great Britain and Europe. Not to mention the hundreds of other boat brands on display (in two locations) and the three acres of accessories and technology indoors at CenturyLink Field.
The Seattle Boat Show is also the place to replace that crab pot that drifted away this summer, check out a solar anchor location marker or buy a stern tie reel for that trip to Desolation Sound or a new fishing rod or wakeboard.
Boats of note include:
• The Greenline 33 –A hybrid boat built in Slovenia, the Greenline 33 is making her Pacific Northwest debut at the Seattle Boat Show. She uses up to four times less fossil fuel than a planing powerboat in similar conditions. Once the Volvo diesel engine is engaged the electric motor becomes a generator so when on the hook you live off 12v and 110v inverted power with no need for a generator.
Represented by Marine Servicecenter on the water at South Lake Union.
• “Kahu” – at 120 feet she is the largest boat in the show and an Ex-New Zealand Navy “Moa” class vessel. She was transformed into a World Cruiser in 2012 by Fitzroy Yachts of New Zealand, a world renowned luxury yacht shipyard. If travelling the world oceans is on your bucket list, Kahu is a must see. Represented by Freedom Marine on the water at South Lake Union.
• The Lagoon 39 – This incredibly stable cruising catamaran features an all new hull and industry-changing rig design with the mast moved aft for better rig harmony thus enabling lighter rigging and reduced weight aloft. Not only for sailors, the Lagoon 39 is attracting the powerboat crowd as well with a very economical 8 knot cruise speed. Represented by Marine Servicecenter on the water at South Lake Union
• Minor Offshore28 Explorer – Finish built and winner of the 2013 Powerboat of the Year in Great Britain and nominated for Best New Powerboat of the Year Under 30′ at the 2013 Newport Boat Show, the Minor Offshore28 Explorer is a high style, efficient all weather boat, capable of just about anything that Mother Nature can dish out and Category B-offshore rated. Represented by Inside Passage Yacht Sales indoors at CenturyLink.
• The Tattoo 26 – On display for the first time in Seattle, Tattoo Yachts is a new company based in Florida, owned by Laura MacGregor Sharp (daughter of Roger MacGregor of MacGregor Yachts fame) and her husband Paul Sharp. The Tattoo 26 is an entry level trailerable cruising boat capable of speeds up to 22 mph with outboard motor. Represented by Blue Water Yachts indoors at CenturyLink.
More than just boats
Of course there’s much more to the boat show than just boats. The three acres and 260 exhibitors of accessories indoors at CenturyLink provide show goers the opportunity to update and outfit their boats with the latest in accessories and technology.
Accessories such as TitanStraps, a clever, new tie-down with a 10-year UV inhibitor injected into material so the straps won’t rot in the sun. The tie downs are perfect for lashing down gear, bundling sails, organizing lines, field repair and a host of other applications. For that that trip to Desolation Sound next summer, the Olsson Manufacturing stern-tie reel with 600 feet of line on a rust free reel will be just the ticket. And for any cruising anywhere, the patent-pending automated AnchorBuoy—making its debut at the show—with a solar panel built in for buoy charging will help you easily mark your anchor day or night.
And then there are the seminars
The seminars are always a huge attraction at the show and 2014 is no different. No other show in North America matches the Seattle seminar schedule in terms of the quality, variety and volume of seminars offered. There are more than 200 free seminars during the course of the show and advanced seminars through Boat Show University for a nominal fee. Many favorite presenters are returning and there are dozens of new seminars. A complete list of seminars will be available at the website of Seattle Boat Show in mid-December.
Tickets go on sale December 1. What a perfect stocking stuffer for the boater on your Christmas list. Buy your tickets online and receive a free boating magazine, food at a nearby restaurant, and more. Purchase four or more tickets online and receive free parking.
Know Before You Go
When: Friday, January 24 – Sunday, February 2, 2014
Where:
CenturyLink Field Event Center
800 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle
South Lake Union
901 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle
Free shuttle running continuously between both locations
Hours:
CenturyLink Field Event Center
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 8 pm
Fridays: 11 am – 10 pm
Saturdays: 10 am – 8 pm
Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm*
South Lake Union
Weekdays: 11 a.m. – 5 pm
Weekends: 10 am – 5 pm*
* The show will close at 3pm on Sunday, February 2nd
Tickets:
Adults: $12; Youth (11-17): $5
5-Day BIG Pass$24
Monday – Thursday after 5pm: $8
Kids 10 & under: Free
