The 65th annual Seattle Boat Show starts this Friday, on January 27 and continues for 10 days through Sunday, February 5. Its attractions include the stunning submersible Orca boat, classic 1957 restored Chris Craft, fish-tossing contest, winch grinding contest, Aqua Paddlers for kids, 200 free boating and fishing seminars and boats, boats and more boats of every size, shape, type and budget.
Seattle Boat Show 2012
The largest show on the West Coast with two locations, indoors and afloat, it has something for everyone. The Seattle Boat Show organizers guarantee that there is something for every boater at the show. For those who wakeboard, waterski, fish, kayak, cruise or race, under power or sail, on boats small or large, or simply want to outfit their boats with new gear or hone their skills at seminars, this show’s for them.
Selected attractions and promotions at the show include:
If Money Is No Object
The largest in the show is 90 feet and asking price is $3,950,000 million. Showgoers can tour it and a host of other luxury yachts at South Lake Union.
Budget a Little Smaller?
Not a problem. There are kayaks and dinghys small enough to fold and stuff into carry bags or dozens of brands of runabouts, fishing boats and inflatables available on a budget for as low as $250 per month.
1957 Restored Classic Chris Craft
Chris Craft’s are known for their style and great design and craftsmanship. This classic beauty has been lovingly restored by the local chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society.
Amazing Orca Boat
Is it a bird, is it a plane, is it a killer whale? No it’s Seabreacher. A unique submersible vessel designed to look like an Orca whale, reaching speeds up to 55mph with the ability of “jumping” as high as 16 feet. It can be viewed at CenturyLink Field along with amazing video of it in action.
Grind it Out
For those who want to know what it’s like to crew on a high performance sailing boat, the Harken ‘Coffee Grinder’ will give them an idea. The pedestal winch, just like the used in the last America’s Cup is carbon fiber and drives an 1111 winch. Showgoers can turn the handles and test their speed, strength and skill. Lowest times on the board can win great Harken sailing gear.
Kids Aqua Paddlers
Fun for the little boaters, kids attending the Seattle Boat Show can enjoy time on the water using the new Aqua Paddlers paddleboats. Life jackets will be provided. Aqua Paddlers will be available for use each day of the show.
Pitch A Fish
Fish tossing is a popular attraction at Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market. At the show the Pitch-a-Fish contest will give showgoers the chance to try it themselves by tossing (plastic) fish 30-feet through the air into a target for a chance to win a new 16-foot Avalon Eagle Pontoon boat from Tom’s Boat Shop.
Oceans of Knowledge
The seminars are always a huge attraction at the show and 2012 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.
Know Before You Go
Where:
CenturyLink Field Event Center
800 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle and South Lake Union
901 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle
Free shuttle running continuously between both locations.
Hours:
CenturyLink Field:
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 8 pm
Fridays: 11 am – 9 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 4pm on Sunday, February 5th.
Tickets:
ADULTS: $12
5-DAY PASS: $24
YOUTH (11-17): $5
KIDS 10 and under: Free
The visitors can purchase tickets online and receive $20 off at Fred Meyer, a free cup of clam chowder at FX McRory’s and a free one-year boating magazine subscription. The Seattle Boat Show, Indoors + Afloat, is presented in partnership with the Washington State Parks Boating Safety Program.
