SNEAK PEAK AT BOATS OF NOTE AT SEATTLE BOAT SHOW

Northwest boaters are a very fortunate lot. The Pacific Northwest and British Columbia are home to what is arguably the greatest variety of boating in the world. And the Seattle Boat Show, Indoors + Afloat, reflects that variety. 

Unique to the show is the wide range of boats and accessories on display. At other shows, you may find yourself in a sea of bass boats and wakeboard boats. Or find only luxury yachts on display. At the Seattle show, the boats on display are representative of the abundance of boating options available in the region. So whether you choose to wakeboard, waterski, pontoon boat, fish, kayak, SUP, cruise or race, under power or sail, on boats small or large, this show’s for you. And if you already own the boat of your dreams, there are three acres of the latest gear and technologies and 235 free seminars.

As of press time some of the boats and exhibits of note at CenturyLink Field include:

•             The show’s largest display ever:  Lake Union Sea Ray’s display will have more than 60 boats on display ranging from 10 to 51 feet and the debut of 11 models, including: Boston Whaler 370 Outrage (European Powerboat of the Year); Boston Whaler345 Pilothouse (Winner of the NMMA Innovation Award); Sea Ray 350 SLX; Sea Ray 510 Sundancer (winner of the AIM Marine Group Editor’s Choice Award); and Sea Ray 190 SPX Outboard.

•             The U.S. debut of the Stabicraft 2400 Supercab: Designed and manufactured in Invercargill, New Zealand, its Unique Game Chaser Transom (GCT) with its wedge shape design allows boaters to back down on fish with much greater speed and less water over their transoms. It also helps manoeuvrability in small spaces such as marinas.

•             The West Coast Debut of the Pursuit OS 325: According to Sport Fishing magazine, “it has the acceleration of a bass boat, an easy outboard-maintenance regime, plus the fishability and onboard comfort to accommodate long-range cruising and fishing.” On display at Islands Marine Center.

•             The West Coast debut of the J/Boats new 41 foot J/122e: Totally redesigned for a more modern look, the J/122 is a versatile 40 foot performance sailboat with comfortable live-aboard accommodations, a refined deck layout, low VCG keel with a moderate 7.2′ draft. 

See it at the Sail Northwest booth.

•             The KingFisher 3325 Offshore: Powered by 2 x Yamaha 350 HP engines, has three fish lockers in the cockpit floor with commercial diaphragm pump outs, Multi-zone cabin heater with defrost and individual blower controls and a V-berth queen bunk with carpeted storage compartments. KingFisher is the fastest growing designer, builder and marketer of welded heavy-gauge aluminum boats in North America. On display at the Tom-N-Jerry’s booth.

•             Regal will have their 35 Sportcoup and 32 Express on display. Features include: electric slide out lounges, power actuated beds that convert from a day lounge to a queen size bed, and full beam convertible hard tops for a year-round boating experience.

Boats and exhibits of note at South Lake Union:

•             The Hobie 60 Katie Sue: This is a catamaran of historic interest as she was designed, built, and enjoyed by the founder of Hobie Catamarans. Katie Sue is the nautical equivalent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s home. She cruises at 20 knots and has 14 integral fuel tanks giving her the range to reach the distant shores of Hawaii or the far reaches of the Pacific Rim. 

•             The Pacific Northwest debut of the Tiara 44 Coupe: This is the little sister to the Tiara 50 Coupe with very modern and contemporary interior. BoatTest.com says: “This yacht’s focus is all about entertaining in elegance and cruising in posh style.”

•             The Fleming 65 Venture l: Yacht designer Tony Fleming’s personal boat, and hull number one, of the Fleming 65, in which he has cruised 43,000 Miles from Alaska to Galapagos Islands to Nova Scotia and back. Tony Fleming himself will be in attendance onboard. 

•             Hampton Yacht Group’s 2015 Endurance E658: The newest addition to Hampton Yacht Company’s successful Endurance fleet is the E658. The E658 offers a wide 18’ beam with four staterooms, four heads and full beam master suite. Four staterooms, four heads and full beam master suite.  

•             Outer Reef’s 65’ LRMY and 88’ CPMY: The LRMY features the ability to semi-close off the pilot house for privacy and use of space. The yacht was designed with multiple redundant systems for true long range cruising. The 88’ CPMY boasts an open layout which is ideal for entertaining, with the ability to semi-separate the pilothouse. 

The custom sport cockpit is perfect for fishing and scuba diving, including dive tank storage and a dive compressor.

•             Specialty Yacht Sales will be introducing four new 2015 Marlow Hunters: the 37, 50ac, 33 and 31. The Marlow Hunter 31 is all new for the 2015 model year. It features an enormous interior volume, huge cockpit, and stylish exterior built on a beam that rivals most 34’ models. 

•             American Tug will be displaying the 2015 AT- 365 which incorporates new features including an Extended upper deck for entertaining & covered aft cockpit; new anchor locker; and new Sapele jointerwork and U-shaped dinette. The American Tug 485 will make its 2015 debut at the show. Measuring in at just under 50-feet; she is designed to maximize allowable moorage space, while providing the amenities and room desired by a family.  

•             Sea Legs – this amphibious craft was specifically developed to take the hassle out of the boat launching/retrieval process. Sealegs is powered on land by a small inboard engine which drives steerable, hydraulic motorized wheels. At the push of a button the wheels retract or extend, similar to an airplane undercarriage; and Sealegs swiftly transforms itself from an all-terrain vehicle into an ocean-going powerboat. 

About the Seattle Boat Show

The show features two locations, 1,000 recreational watercraft and more than 400 exhibitors. There are more than three acres of the latest innovations in accessories, technology and boating gear on display indoors, plus 100 world-class yachts in their natural habitat on South Lake Union. A free shuttle runs between both locations. 

There are approximately 235 free seminars during the 10 days of the show and advanced training classes for a fee through Boat Show University. No other show in North America matches Seattle’s in terms of the quality, variety and volume of seminars offered. Some of the world’s top experts are presenters. 

For a complete list of exhibitors, seminars, travel package and ticket prices, please visit www.SeattleBoatShow.com 

E-tickets go on sale Dec. 1, 2014.