Seattle Boat Show Update

The Great Seattle Boat Show is getting some great last minute traction as it heads towards its opening day next Friday, January 23rd!

George Harris, of the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA), tells me that "In general I would say our members, exhibitors and public were delaying spending decisions. Now we've had significantly more last minute activity of all types than usual. This is also the case with the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association (NYBA). The indoor portion of the boat show is full with a waiting list."

That's good news. No, great news for both exhibitor and public.

The Olympic Boat story continues to evolve. As I wrote three days ago, Olympic Boat Centers, the former anchor exhibit at the event center no longer exist. But like a phoenix rising, a new company has emerged: Lake Union Bayliner, which will be part of the NMTA's number one promotion this year, will be occupying essentially the same space and location of the old Olympic Boat Centers at the show, according to the NMTA. So those of us attending the indoor show can expect to see Meridians, Bayliners, Trophys and Maxums like in years past, explained Harris.

Lake Union Bayliner is very brand new (not even a web page yet), a spin-off company from Lake Union Sea Ray, which moved to its new digs on Fairview Ave. East, just south of the University Bridge, last year.

The national scene is not all that good. The Cleveland show, which starts today, is allowing its exhibitors to sell pre-owned boats for the first time in its history. Next month's Atlantic City show will feature an "affordability pavilion" of boats that can be financed for $250-$300 or less per month. This weekend's  Daytona Beach show has been cancelled. The Kansas City show scaled back its footprint. Closer to home, the Everett Boat Show, scheduled for early March, has been suspended, perhaps to later this year.

From all reports the Great Seattle Boat Show could well beat these odds and again provide, indoor and afloat, a great show to match its title.

Don't miss it!

And if you haven't got your tickets yet, go online or check with your broker or dealer. One ticket gets you into both the indoor (Quest Field Event Center) and the afloat (south Lake Union) shows, plus the shuttle between.