Seattle Boat Show 2014 – Closed one day early in Honor of Super Bowl Sunday. The 12th man NW pride lead the Seattle Seahawks to Superbowl Victory 2014!
Boat Show organizers announced that this year’s show will be closed at CenturyLink Field and South Lake Union one day early, so that exhibitors, event staff, as well as visitors can watch the game with their friends and families. The Show will be closed at 8pm on Saturday, February 1. This gave boating enthusiasts nine full days to visit the West Coast’s largest boat show. YES – it’s usually a 10 day Boat Show – you’re reading this correctly, 10 days. NW boaters are balls to the walls: all or nothing. The best explanation know for why the heck we have a 10 day boat show is ‘The show is 2 weekends adding up to 10 days, and if we get a Northeaster storm on one weekend or a few days that wipes out the whole city and Pacific NW. By running a 10 day show it ensures that no matter what the weather – mother nature does to us in January and early February, folks will still have an opportunity to get to the boat show.”
Seattle Boat Show – Seasoned Fun Maritime Colleagues!
Final attendance for the show which ended on February 1, 2014 was up – despite the shorter show, with attendance of 51,684 (in nine days) compared to 50,653 (in 10 days) last year. Exhibitors across the board were extremely positive about the quantity and quality and positive attitude of show attendees. Sales were made, boats were bought – cash buyers and financed buyers were closing at this January 2014 boat show!
The Vancouver B.C. show and the inaugural San Francisco Boat Show which coincided with the opening weekend of the Seattle Boat Show appears to have had little impact. Seattle Boat Show – opening weekend was very strong with attendance up 12% over the opening weekend of 2013. Attendees came from 32 states, five Canadian provinces, and as far away as South America and Eastern Europe. Many exhibitors commented on a strong Canadian presence at the show – Yahooooo Canadian Pride!
Seattle Seahawks 12th Man Fans were loud & proud – Seattle Boat Show!
“Closing the Show a day early was absolutely the right decision,” said George Harris, president, NMTA.(National Marine Trade Association) “Northwest boaters love their Show and their Seahawks and they were able to celebrate both. We were very pleased to see an increase in attendance, despite the shorter show. Attendees showed up with enthusiasm, ready to shop, plan and prepare for every type of boating in the Northwest, and the reports from our exhibitors are some of the most positive we’ve seen in years.”
Boat Sales are UP- at the Seattle Boat Show! Largest increase since 2007!
NW Recreational Boating Industry – Highest January Dollar Volume Since 2007! Other very encouraging signs for the Northwest recreational boating industry are the just released numbers for new boat sales in Washington State. According to UW Sea Grant, which compiles sales data from the Washington State Department of Licensing, new boat sales by dealers were up 50% in units and 35% in dollar value in January 2014 over January 2013. This is the largest increase in units since January 2010 and, before that, 2006, and the highest January dollar volume since 2007.
Seattle Recreational Boaters Enjoy the Show!
The Seattle Boat Show is the largest show on the West Coast and the third largest in the USA – and as such it is often the place where manufacturers choose to debut their new models. 2014 is no exception.
A Favorite Boat Show Highlight this year includes:
Seattle Boat Show Uncorked—the biggest boating party of the year.
Opening Night, Friday January 24, 5pm – 10pm
Cabernet and a cruiser or Sauvignon Blanc and a sailboat? This year the show kicks off with a festive bang. On opening night a selection of premium Northwest wineries will be on hand at CenturyLink Field Event Center showcasing their wares and answering questions. Nine tasting stations will be set up throughout the indoor location, offering wines from nine different Northwest wineries.
Waypoint Marine shows off electric new toys to trick out your boat!
Women’s Day -Monday, January 27
With a special Women’s Day pass, women can attend the show for free on January 27th and enjoy a slate of seminars designed specifically for women, by women boaters, including:
• No Impact Docking
• Advanced Anchoring
• I’ve Never Owned a Boat But Sailed the World
• Northwest Women in Boating panel
Meet Bob Bitchin’ – Wednesday January 29 and Thursday January 30, 6pm.
Adventure has been a way of life for Bob Bitchin’ since the early sixties, when his name was coined by the comedy team of Cheech and Chong. Adventures include working as a traveling companion and bodyguard for famous motorcycle daredevil Evil Knievel, and 17 years sailing around the world. He is the author of seven books, including The Sailing Life, Brotherhood of Outlaws, and Starboard Attitude. Bob will be speaking at the show on Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm recounting some of his more unforgettable cruising adventures that illustrate his famous cruising adage: “The difference between adventure and ordeal is ATTITUDE!”
Meet legendary hydroplane racer, Chip Hanauer — Friday January 24 and Friday January 31
Winner of seven American Power Boat Association Gold Cups, Chip has decided that there’s more to boating than driving around in circles at 200MPH. His new ride is now a Ranger Tug, and he plans to spend the next 12 months learning to really boat and exploring the Northwest. He will be documenting his adventures in a series of videos at The Boat Guy. Chip will be at the Ranger Tug booth both Friday nights of the Show and invites showgoers to stop by, share a beverage, trade tall tales and talk boating adventures.
Sterling Marine Divers fun in the Booth – Friday night Sails & Ales Night!
Sails and Ales – Friday January 31, 5 pm – 10pm
What better combination than hops and props? That’s what the Seattle Boat Show has on tap for Sails & Ales Craft Beer Night, January 31, at CenturyLink Field. Showgoers will be able to cruise the show with ale in hand and enjoy the best of NW beers and boats. Tasting tickets are extra and include a souvenir beer glass to remember the evening.
SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS: No other show in North America matches the Seattle seminar schedule in terms of the quality, variety and number of seminars offered. There are more than 200 FREE seminars at CenturyLink Field Event Center and advanced training classes for a fee through Boat Show University. The complete schedule of seminars can be viewed at the website of the Seattle Boat Show.
New seminars for 2014 include:
• Cruising Mexico: Paperwork Requirements
• Dreamspeaker Sails South to Puget Sound
• Boat Buyers University: Which boat is right for me?
• Cruising With Kids 101
• WA State Marine Parks
• Coho Ho Ho Sailing Rally 2014
• How to choose your fabric and foam for your boat, and how to take care of them.
• Cruising to Fitz Hugh Sound
• Port Townsend Varnish (An overview of the tools, techniques, products, safety and short-cuts to help boat owners produce a satisfying traditional varnish finish)
• Mexico to Australia – A Two Year Plan
• Waggoner Cruising Guide’s 2014 Favorite Destinations
• I’ve Never Owned a Boat But Have Sailed the World – You Can Too
• Fog- Tools to Observe and Forecast Weather Patterns
• Using the iPad and Tablets for Marine Weather and Navigation
Boaters get out there on the water and use your boats!
Who wants to go to SE ALASKA THIS SUMMER?
Join us: www.saltydograllyalaska.com
