South Lake Union Boats Afloat Show in Seattle – VIP Day begins, September 9, 2014 – The best of Seattle’s – Boat Yards, Yacht Brokers, Marine Services, Boat Loans, Yacht Insurance, & much more….. If you think you’ve seen at all at this show before, you haven’t. This year’s 36th annual Lake Union Boats Afloat Show is not just bigger and better, but full of amazing brand new sights, sounds, and even flavors! This year marks the addition of seminars to the show, as well as in-water docking classes, and that’s just the half of it. There’s also new exhibits, new food vendors, and even family-friendly entertainment provided by the one and only Radio Disney. If you’ve never been to Boats Afloat before, make sure you do- there will be the most boats on display since 2007, spanning sport boats to sailboats, trawlers to mega yachts and everything in between. The show opens on Wednesday September 10th and continues through Sunday 14th , 2014 and sponsored by Word Yachts.
There’s a boat for every budget at the West Coast’s largest floating boat show, no matter the activity or your lifestyle. You’ll see sport boats, sailboats, trawlers, superyachts and absolutely everything in between. Expect to see more than 50 brands of yachts and brokers and dealers from around Washington, Oregon, California, Florida and British Columbia, Canada will display their boats. There will also be dozens of shore side exhibitors offering professional services, including marine finance and insurance, electronics, marinas, yacht transport, yacht maintenance, yacht linens,and so many more. This is a perfect way to get advice if you’re looking into purchasing a boat. As well as learning about finance and insurance from the advisors here, it’s probably best you check out this article on pontoonboatsreview.com on whether you’re in the right position to buy a boat before joining these guys in displaying your own boat!
For many attendees, the new series of free one-hour seminars from Sea Magazine will be a huge highlight. They include topics for the seasoned boat owner such as ‘Battling Mold and Mildew’ or ‘Cruising West Vancouver Island’, as well as topics geared to the first time boat buyer such as ‘Boat Buyers’ University: What is the process for buying a new or used boat?’ Seminars will be held during the entire event, from Friday all the way through Sunday.
Hampton Yacht Group knows very well that docking can be nerve wracking — and even more so when you’re in close quarters, unfamiliar marinas or when the weather doesn’t play nice. Being able to confidently and competently maneuver your boat in close quarters is a process that takes a lot of trial & error, not to mention experience. That’s why they’re putting on Hampton Yacht Docking lessons, which will get participants started on that road to confidence and docking success. The course covers basic docking, docking in tight spaces, docking while in wind, undocking; steering techniques like turning and swinging, contrary motion and propulsion, pivoting and walking; hull effects such as wind, current, momentum; the unavoidable human factors; and how to properly use your lines and fenders. Classes include both 25 minutes of classroom training, and 20 minutes of in?water demonstration, and will be held once a day on Friday through Sunday.
The Lake Union Boats Afloat Show isn’t just for adults, or for mom and dad to shop for the boat of their dreams while their children yell and scream in agony. In fact, it’s actually packed with activities for kids and young teens of all ages. Anyone 8-16 can get on the water and experience the undeniable thrill of small boat sailing with 60minute free sailboat lessons, courtesy of Sail Sandpoint. Reserve online today to secure your place.
Those too young to sail can enjoy the Center for Wooden Boats hands?on toy boat building, along with other kids of any age. New for 2014, Radio Disney Seattle will also be on the premises- hosting water fun and safety activities, and also giving away tons of prizes throughout the show. The Radio Disney Seattle Road Crew will be there for this family-friendly event, which brings exciting games, dances, and giveaways including Seattle City Light’s summer promotion ‘Cookin with Kilowatts.’
It’s easy to work up an appetite climbing aboard all those boats. Showgoers will be pleased to know that there are several new dining options this year. In addition to a new restaurant at Chandler’s Cove — Nouvilhos Brazilian Steakhouse — there will be two new food vendors at the show: My Sweet lil Cakes and El Sabroso. My Sweet lil Cakes was recognized by Thrillest last year as the Best Food Truck in Seattle and offers sweet and savory hotcakes on sticks, using batter made from scratch and fresh ingredients. El Sabroso serves up delicious Latin street food and specializes in gourmet Tortas, Tacos, Tamales (on green banana leaf) and Quesadillas. Those wanting to try the new Nouvilhos Brazilian Steakhouse should buy their show tickets online as they will receive a free appetizer at Nouvilhos Brazilian Steakhouse or a $20 gift card (and a one year membership to Boat U.S.).
Some of the boats the will be featured at this year’s Lake Union Boats Afloat Show include:
Aspen Power Catamarans will be displaying the C100 32-foot production boat that recently completed a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island non?stop, unrefueled. The father/son Aspen team completed the 641-?mile (1,068-kilometer) challenge in 47 hours, 5 minutes, on 267 gallons (1,009 liters) of fuel. The boat averaged 13.61 knots using a very miserly 5.6 gallons per hour at cruise speed for the trip.
Stan Miller Yachts in Seattle, formerly Grand Banks Northwest, will be showing the Grand Banks 43 Heritage EU which features a roomy two stateroom, two head layout, with an expanded galley and more storage over her predecessor. A nifty utility room in the center of the boat boasts a dedicated freezer and impressive storage space, and is plumbed for a combo washer/dryer. Additional enhancements over the 41EU include a larger cockpit and flybridge.
Hampton Yacht Group will have a Maritimo M50 and an Endurance 658 on display. The M50 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 E658 offers a wide 18’ beam with four staterooms, four heads and full beam master suite. The yacht is adorned in handcrafted satin finished raised panel cherry with select custom furnishings provided by Pacific Custom Interiors. This is a US debut for the boat.
Islands Marine Center will be showing an Ocean Sport Legacy 26. The Legacy 26 will be offered with gas or diesel power packages, including both sterndrive and outboard options. The vessel is highly customizable and can be built to suit the needs of cruisers and anglers alike.
Kadey Krogan will have a 48’AE (Advanced Ergonomics) on display. This particular boat was completed and delivered this year to an owner who has published two cookbooks based on her cruising and culinary expertise. The expanded galley includes a four-?burner Viking range and a nearly floor-?to-?ceiling pantry – a gourmet cook’s dream. Also on display will be a Krogen 44’ AE. The new Krogen 44′ AE and has more than 50 ergonomic and technical changes that differentiate her predecessor, the Krogen 44. Including a full walk-?thru cockpit boarding doors, walk-in engine room access and an available companion seat next to the helm chair on the flybridge Lake Union Sea Ray plans to show the new Sea Ray 510DA. This will be a Northwest debut for the boat which is a winner of the AIM Media Group Editor’s Choice Award. The 510 Sundancer features large hull windows and two retractable sunroofs and a pivoting double helm seat for enhanced sociability.
Outer Reef will be showcasing a 70’ Yacht called ‘DoGo’S Hideout’. Compared to the Outer Reef 650, the 700 is built with an extra three feet in the salon, allowing for an optional staircase leading directly to the crew stateroom and engine room. An enormous lazarette provides the cruising owner with a very large storage area needed for provisions, spares and many other cruising necessities.
New exhibitors for 2014
There are more than a dozen new exhibitors this year. New in-water exhibitors for 2014 include:
• Denison Yacht Sales, Inc. www.denisonyachtsales.com
• JK3 Yacht Sales www.jk3yachts.com
• Silver Seas Yachts www.silverseas.com
• Specialty Yacht Sales Corp www.specialtyyachts.com
• Stan Miller Yachts www.stanmilleryachts.com
• West Bay Sonship Yachts, Ltd. www.west-bay.com
New shoreside exhibitors for 2014 include:
• American Family Insurance www.amfam.com
• Fisheries Supply Company www.fisheriessupply.com
• Global Marine Insurance www.globalmarineinsurance.com
• Helly Hansen www.hellyhansen.com
• Outdoor Emporium www.outdooremporium.net
• Seakeeper, Inc. www.seakeeper.com
• Word Yachts www.wordyachts.com
South Lake Union Boats Afloat Show
www.boatsafloatshow.com
Wednesday September 10th – Sunday September 14th , 2014
Weekdays 11am – 7pm
Weekends 10am – 6pm
Tickets: Buy your tickets online and receive 1 year Boat U.S. membership and a free appetizer or $20 gift card at Nouvilhos Brazilian Steakhouse at Chandler’s Cove.
$12 for adults / $5 for kids 12-?17 (kids under 11 are free).
$18 for a multi-?day pass.
Weekdays 5?7 pm: $6
