Get Ready to Explore, Discover, and Dive In!

SEATTLE – January 9, 2024 – Sailing into Lumen Field Event Center and Bell Harbor Marina on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 and running through Saturday, Feb. 10, the 77th annual Seattle Boat Show, will feature more than 290 exhibitors, over 800 new and brokerage boats and the latest in marine gear, gadgets and technology.

In addition to being a place to shop for the boat of one’s dreams, the show has always been a celebration of boating, a place for boaters to rendezvous with friends, plan for summer adventures and have some fun. The 77th show will be no different, with many features and promotions including:

Signature Event: Pedal Boat Cup, Seattle Boat Show’s Hydro Challenge (Daily)
In this nod to Seattle’s iconic hydroplane races, contestants will pedal and drive human powered ‘hydroplanes’ — pedal boats on wheels — and navigate the ‘waters’ of Lumen Field Event Center, competing against other pedal boats for the fastest time around a special 200+ foot race course. Expect intense competition and hilarity. Prizes include Seafair tickets, pit passes and the Grand Prize of a Seafair Log Boom pass.

Groundhog Day: Meet Boat Show Bill, Punxsutawney Phil’s cousin. (Friday, Feb. 2)
Phil might be looking for his shadow in Pennsylvania but is the weather there really a good indicator of what to expect in the Pacific Northwest? Instead, the show’s own groundhog, Boat Show Bill will be roaming the halls and making his predictions for spring and summer boating. There’s also a Groundhog Day Scavenger Hunt with a fun prize of a Groundhog Day-themed gift basket.

Insiders’ Look at “Boys in the Boat” (Sunday, Feb. 4, 1-2 pm)
This special panel presentation will be hosted by UW Rowing historian, Eric Cohen. Cohen was one of author Daniel James Brown’s first contacts when researching, “Boys in the Boat.” Hear from Cohen and panelists: Kirk Knap, owner of Conny, the 1936 coaches’ boat; Melanie Barstow, ASUW Shell House tour founder; John Tytus, president of Pocock Racing Shells; and Yaz Farooq, Olympian and UW Women’s head coach. The level of rowing experience and inside knowledge of the “Boys in the Boat” story and movie is unsurpassed with this group. It is the first time all of them will be together for a presentation. It will make for a highly entertaining and fascinating inside look at this story. Special ticket required.

Women’s Day (Monday, Feb. 5)
Women can attend the show for free with a Women’s Day ticket and enjoy a slate of seminars designed specifically for women, by women boaters. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet, learn and get inspired by some of the most talented women boaters around.

Dogs on Deck (Thursday, Feb. 8)
Families can bring their furry friends for some tail-wagging fun, a photo in the photo booth and have a custom dog tag made. Additionally Eba, the celebrity orca-poop-sniffing dog will be at the photo booth from 4-6:00 pm. Eba has been featured on the BBC, PBS, and DisneyPlus. Eba and her owner, Dr.Deborah Giles of Wild Orca will be giving a special presentation (3-3:30 pm) about how Eba’s efforts contribute to Wild Orca’s life-saving work to help protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales.

Self-guided Video tour (Daily)
For those attending the show for the first time, a great place to start is the new self-guided video tour which orients participants to the show and walks them through a treasure trove of show highlights.

Boating and Fishing Seminars (Daily)
Entertaining and educational, the free seminars are always one of the most popular features at the show. There will be 124 in person seminars (92 boating, 32 fishing) to choose from — 44% more than 2023 — as well as in-depth Boat Show University classes for a fee. View seminar schedule.

Antique and Classic Boats Display (Daily)
Step back in time and wander a collection of restored antique and classic boats. Each vessel has its own unique story and showcases the skill and craftsmanship of generations past. See the real Conny, the UW Crew coaches’ boat —a replica was featured in the movie, “The Boys in the Boat.”

Youth Boating Center (Daily)
Kids can build their own toy boat and enjoy time on the water using the Aqua Paddler boats. On Saturdays and Sunday, they can also enjoy free lemonade from sisters Kate (13) and Quinn (10), founders of Lake Union’s floating lemonade stand, Lemons For Good and check out the battery powered lemonade stand built atop marine dock floats. The Nonprofit Spotlight booth is the place to learn about local boating programs and ways for kids to get out on the water.

Small Craft Boat Kit “Live Build” (Daily)
A Duckworks Scout 10’ rowing/sailing dinghy will be built from a plywood kit during the show, demonstrating how stitch-and-glue boat kits are a great project for families to work on together and a fun way to get involved in the boating lifestyle. Additional bonus for one lucky family: the boat will be raffled off at the conclusion of the show.

For hours, ticket pricing, more details about exhibitors, seminars, features and promotions, visit www.SeattleBoatShow.com

Media Lisa Samuelson, Samuelson Communications
Contact: lisa@samuelsoncom.com or 206-954-2574
Photos: Show photos available at https://seattleboatshow.com/media/

Social media:
Twitter: @SeattleBoatShow
Facebook: /SeattleBoatShow
Instagram: /SeattleBoatShow

The Seattle Boat Show is presented by Sundance Yacht Sales and the Port of Seattle.
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