32nd Annual Lake Union Boats Afloat Show Drops Anchor Wednesday 9/15
More than 160 yachts on display at West Coast’s largest floating show Tour the 64' Ocean Watch from “Around the Americas” Expedition Free sailboat lessons for kids and 45 minute rides for all ages
Seattle (PRWEB) September 13, 2010
Seattle’s 32nd annual Lake Union Boats Afloat Show (www. BoatsAfloatShow. com) is set to get underway at 10 a. m. on Wednesday, September 15. The annual show – with 160+ new and used boats or vessels from 20 to 112 feet – is recognized as West Coast’s largest floating show. The Lake Union Boats Afloat Show runs through Sunday, September 19 and is open from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. daily.
Tour the 64' Ocean Watch from “Around the Americas” Expedition
Around the Americas’ 64-foot sailing vessel Ocean Watch will be on display after completing its 28,000 nautical mile, year-long expedition around North and South America. Ocean Watch returned to Seattle June 17, 2010 from its mission of inspiring, educating, and engaging citizens of the Americas to protect our fragile oceans and changing ocean environment. During the expedition the crew explored marine health issues including polar ice melt, coral reef health and ocean acidification. Around the Americas (www. aroundtheamericas. org ) was organized by Pacific Science Center and Sailors for the Sea.
Learn from hands-on science exhibits at the Pacific Science Center booth.
Show-goers can learn more about the marine science and ocean health issues explored by the scientists and crew of Ocean Watch during their voyage Around the Americas. They will be able to participate in hands-on activities, including: constructing a marine food web; learning about water sampling techniques; driving the submersible ROV (remotely operated vehicle); conducting cloud observations for NASA; learning about ocean acidification; and talking to the crew to learn about their travels and discoveries around North and South America.
Sail Away, sail away, sail away
The show is a great opportunity to shop for and tour the boats of one’s dreams but it also offers show-goers the chance to go out on the water and experience first-hand the joys of sailing or introduce their kids to sailing.
Free kids sailing lessons: Provided by Sail Sand Point (www. sailsandpoint. org)
The lessons will be on 14 foot Hobie Cat Waves. The Hobie Wave is a single-handed catamaran that can hold up to 4 people and is a great cruising boat for all ages and ability levels. The lessons will begin with a 30 minute dockside briefing, getting the kids comfortable with the water and learning the basics of sailing. They will then have the thrill of taking the boats out on the water by themselves (accompanied by an instructor who will be alongside in a powerboat). Lessons will be available Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5 pm. To sign up for free lessons in advance, email showinfo@boatsafloatshow. com. (Pending availability sign-ups will also be available at the show.) Lifejackets will be provided, and kids should be prepared to get a little wet!
Sail Sand Point is a Seattle community small boat program dedicated to youth and access for all. They accomplish their mission by nurturing self confidence, leadership, and an appreciation of the marine environment.
Free sailboat rides for all ages: The other opportunity to get out on the water is being provided Sailing Renaissance, a volunteer group of local boating industry executives who have banded together to promote the sport they love through the national Discover Sailing program. The sailboat rides – on 30’-40’ sailboats – come with no strings attached and no sales pitches or gimmicks.
“It’s not always about selling boats, it’s about getting people out on the water to feel the wind in their hair, try a turn at the helm or on a winch, experience the boat slicing through the water, and see how easy sailing can be,” said Michael Collins, publisher of 48 Degrees North magazine and founding member of Sailing Renaissance. Take the helm, help hoist a sail or simply sit back and relax and enjoy the views of Lake Union from the water.
Rides are approximately 45 minutes and run continuously every day of the show. Check in at the Discover Sailing booth in front of Chandler's Crabhouse restaurant. Lifejackets provided.
More boats, more styles, more fun
From cabin cruisers to sailboats to hundred-foot mega-yachts and everything in between, Boats Afloat 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 yachts. Yachts represented will include Ocean Alexander, Selene, Westport, Bayliner, Kadey Krogen, Sunseeker, American Tug, Regal, Hallberg-Rassy, Jeanneau, J-Boat, Hunter, Catalina and many more. 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.
All you need to know
What: Boats Afloat Show on South Lake Union
When: Wednesday September 15th – Sunday 19th, 2010
Hours: 10am – 6pm daily
Where: South Lake Union in Seattle
Tickets: $12 for adults / $5 for kids under 18 (kids under 12 are free). $18 for a multi-day pass.
Purchase an e-Ticket at www. BoatsAfloatShow. com and receive a $25 gift card good at Daniel’s Broiler or Chandler’s Crabhouse.
Getting
There: Limited parking lots near the show. For convenience park downtown and take the Seattle Street Car directly the show on South Lake Union.
Photos available at: http://www. boatsafloatshow. com/gallery. htm (http://www. boatsafloatshow. com/gallery. htm)
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