Seattle’s 35th annual Lake Union Boats Afloat Show is set to open on Wednesday, September 11th, and continues through Sunday, September 15th, 2013. It will feature all the best of boating in one place on lovely South Lake Union, in sunny September. The event will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 10am to 6 p.m. weekends.
Lake Union Boats Afloat Show in Seattle
More boats, more styles, more fun
At the show you’ll find there’s a boat for every budget, activity and lifestyle. From sport boats to sailboats, trawlers to mega yachts and everything in between, the West Coast’s largest floating boat show has it all. More than 50 distinct brands of yachts and 50 brokers and dealers from Washington, Oregon, California, Florida and British Columbia, Canada will display their boats. Some 50 shore side exhibitors with professional services from marine finance and insurance to electronics, marinas, shipping, yacht linens and yacht maintenance will also exhibit at the show.
Boats of Note: Power
Arrow Cat Marine will have its new 32 Express catamaran on display. Arrow Cat created the new 32 Express to directly address customers’ desire for a boat that would successfully balance the needs of the hardcore angler with the needs of the serious cruiser. The company redesigned the aft deck and engine mounting on the 30 Express hull, which moved the transom wall aft providing additional aft-deck space.
Aspen Power Catamarans will be displaying their C90 and C100 which are 28 and 32 feet respectively. The efficiencies of Aspen’s hull include 70% less drag than comparable designs and it is equipped with solar panels capable of recharging batteries at dock or anchor. And Aspens have the only king sized bed in boats under 50 feet.
Bellingham Yachts will be showing the Sabre 48SE. This is the premier debut of the Sabre 48SE for the Pacific Northwest. In November 2012 the Sabre 48SE won Active Interest Media’s (AIM) “Best Downeast Boat: 45-55 ft”. (AIM publishes some of the country’s leading consumer enthusiast magazines, including Soundings, Power & Motor Yacht, Yachts International, and Passage Maker.)
Grand Banks Northwest will have a Grand Banks 54 Heritage EU on display. This new model debuted at the Fort Lauderdale show in the fall of 2012, but this is the first appearance of a 54EU on the west coast. Grand Banks Northwest also plans to display models from each of their series: Heritage, Aleutian and Eastbay and a wide variety of distinctive brokerage yachts.
Hampton Yacht Group will have a Maritimo M50 and 2008 Selene 66 Ocean Trawler on display.
The M50 is a west Coast debut and it is the first Full Beam Master stateroom model for Maritimo with the less costly straight drive system verses the Pod drives found on other boats. This gives better performance and less cost of upkeep. The Selene 66 is the largest Selene currently available in North America.
Lake Union Sea Ray plans to display the all-new Boston Whaler 23 Vantage. A West Coast premiere, the 230 Vantage is the winner of the 2013 NMMA Innovation Award. The Sea Ray Sundeck 220 Outboard is a West Coast debut and this is the first outboard boat from Sea Ray since 2005. The versatility of the outboard motor is perfect for boating in the Puget Sound as you can easily pull the motor out of salt water.
Seattle Boat Company will feature all new 2014 Malibus and Cobalts models including the Cobalt R5. The R5 is so popular that it sold out at the January Seattle Boat Show and this is the first time since then that Seattle Boat has had any inventory to display.
Boats of Note: Sail
Marine Service Center will have boats from Blue Jacket, Hunter, Island Packet and Jeanneau, including:
• Blue Jacket 40: This is an all-new yacht line from the builders of Island Packet and a West Coast debut. It is the first in several performance cruising boats with all new modern hull form, open interior layout, and big twin wheel cockpit in an easy to handle cutter-like sail plan with self tacking Hoyt carbon jib-boom.
• Hunter 40: New from Marlow-Hunter and a West Coast debut. The Hunter 40 has several unique features implemented under the new ownership of David Marlow, legendary Marlow Yachts builder. With an emphasize on comfort both below and above decks, this boat features a twin cabin center queen aft layout, a huge galley and open salon with lots of natural light.
• Island Packet 360: The newest in the pedigree from “Americas Cruising Leader” and a West Coast debut, is the Island Packet 360. Featuring the patented Full-Foil Keel and Hoyt furling self tacking headsail, this 36’ model is not only stout and stable but she boasts good sailing performance in a compact package perfect for cruising couples and guests
• Jeanneau 469: All-new from Jeanneau, and a Pacific Northwest debut, the 469 features a massive twin wheel cockpit with modern e95 graphic plotters at each helm and hydraulic swim step with remote.
Attractions and promotions
And if that weren’t enough to entice you, attractions include:
• Center for Wooden Boats kids toy boat building Saturday and Sunday
• Kids free sailing lessons, Saturday and Sunday, courtesy Sail sand Point
• Free sailboat rides every day courtesy of Discover Sailing
• Adult sailboat lessons daily
• Kids lifejacket give away on Saturday and Sunday
• Coleman 24 hour survival suit demos
All you need to know
What: South Lake Union Boats Afloat Show
When: Wednesday September 11th – Sunday September 15th, 2013
Hours: Weekdays 11am – 7pm/Weekends 10am – 6pm
Where: South Lake Union in Seattle
Tickets: $12 for adults / $5 for kids 12-17 (kids under 11 are free). $18 for a multi-day pass. Weekdays 5-7 pm: $6
Opening Day VIP ticket: $18 includes wine/beer tasting, commemorative glass and entertainment
New: $50 Intro-to-Sailing ticket includes 2-day admission, 1.5 hour seminar and 1.5 hour on-water sailing lesson.
Getting There: Parking lots are limited near the show. For convenience park downtown and take the Seattle Street Car directly to the show on South Lake Union. A free shuttle to a nearby lot will be available on weekends.
Show Office: 206-748-0012
