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 2016 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 more than 200 free seminars. The show opens on Friday Jan. 29 and runs through Saturday Feb. 6, 2016. As of press time some of the boats and exhibits of note include:
Lake Union Sea Ray will be featuring Bayliner’s all new VR5 and VR6 which are 20 and 22 foot bowriders with Bayliner’s category-leading BeamForward™ design and AftAdvantage™. They will also debut the all new Element F18, a versatile center console that offers an affordable family-friendly fishing platform. Some bigger boats to note include Sea Ray’s new 400 Sundancer and the redesigned 350 Sundancer with hardtop, sunroof and retractable shade for sun and shade versatility. Completing Sea Ray’s SLX line-up, will be the all-new 250 and 280 performance sport boats featuring innovations such as Quiet Ride and Dynamic Running Surface. Lake Union Sea Ray will also debut Wake Tractor, which is part a new surf brand geared towards millennials but also good for others who would like to participate in the sport, but without a big capital outlay. The affordable 18-foot model is all about the wake. It has a 21-foot boat’s wake because it has the same amount of hull in the water as a 21-footer.
Anglers should be sure to check out Striper’s new 230 and 270 Walkaround. The 270 Walkaround has the largest capacity fuel tank in its class taking you on round trips way offshore to where the big fish are, and back again!
Life Proof Boats —who launched their line of foam collared boats at September’s Boats Afloat Show —will be featuring many of their boats, including their 60 mph, 30 foot Pilothouse model. It’s sure to attract attention as it’s a convertible! The davit to pick to remove the convertible house is actually incorporated into the arch on the boat so that on hot summer days a single boater can unbolt and remove house for the luxury of an open cab boat.
Making a North American debut is the Norseman 390 SUV whose most notable feature will certainly be the plumb bow design. Additionally the increased interior space allows for a large entertaining salon forward while still having a full width queen master stateroom midships.
Other features include easy walk around with tons of deck space on the bow, and a large cockpit space for fishing and relaxing. The hardtop enclosure makes year round boating available, and enjoyable.
Stabicraft will be displaying their award winning 1600 Fisher Carbon Series and the 2500 Ultracab. These new boats will arrive on U.S. shores in December so the Seattle Boat Show will be one of the very first opportunities to check them out. The 1600 Fisher was born out of a need to really challenge the marine industry with what has become the ‘norm’ in the 15’ – 17’ size range. Not only did Stabicraft want to create something visually appealing to aluminum boat buyers but create a product that solved a lot of the ergonomic issues boaters are faced with on a small boat. The 2500 Ultracab was designed keel-up for offshore fishing in the Northwest.
Steiger Craft Marine is a builder of high quality fiberglass boats ranging in size from 19 feet to 31 feet for commercial fisherman and the recreational sport fisherman. Featured at the show will be their 255 DV Miami, the perfect day-trip fishing boat which, with single outboard power, is fast and economical to run.
Xtaero Boats will have their 24 foot forward leaning windshield model on display. It features a full aft cabin bulkhead and transom bait station. This will be the very first boat show where a completed boat by this Washington State-based aluminum boat manufacturing company has been on display.
Show Details:
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 more than 200 free seminars during the 9 days of the show and advanced training classes for a fee through Boat Show University. For a complete list of exhibitors, seminars, travel package and ticket prices, please visit www.SeattleBoatShow.com and E-tickets go on sale Dec. 1, 2015.
