Small Craft in the Spotlight at the Seattle Boat Show Feb 2-10
This year’s Seattle Boat Show has more for small craft enthusiasts than ever before.
Contributed by Katie Malik of Gig Harbor Boat Works.
Each February, tens of thousands of boat lovers descend upon the Seattle Boat Show, which has become the largest annual boat show on the West coast. The Seattle Boat Show is well-known for its hundreds of shiny new boats on display (indoors at Lumen Field Event Center and on the water at Bell Harbor Marina), newfangled gadgets, and more marine vendors than you can shake a stick at.
But to me—as a small-craft boater who’s been going to the show every year for my whole life (more on that later)—over the past couple of decades it’s felt more and more like there was something missing. Where were all the sailboats and rowboats? The wooden boats? The projects a family could build together? And what about the community’s great maritime nonprofit organizations, who can’t afford expensive booth space, and don’t have the staff to man a booth for a nine-day show?
As the Seattle Boat Show committee’s newest member, I’m excited to tell you that something very fun is brewing for the upcoming show, which is opening on February 2nd. I was invited to join the boat show committee last summer as they are making a concerted effort to broaden the show’s appeal to a wider audience, including new boaters. I’m happy to be spearheading an effort to include speakers and activities to help shine a light on small craft, kids’ programs, and the inspiring possibilities of building your own boat. (After all, small craft are the gateway drug to boating, amirite?)
If you’ve never gone to the Seattle Boat Show, or stopped going because all the big powerboats were making your eyes glaze over, this is the year to go check it out!
For you, my fellow small-craft fans, here’s a list of this year’s Seattle Boat Show events & attractions that should be worth making the trip into the city:
GUEST SPEAKER: Small Craft Sailor Howard Rice
Seminars Thu-Fri Feb 8 & 9
SCA frequent contributor Howard Rice is flying all the way from Japan to give a trio of talks about small craft sailing! Go hear him share his real-world sailing knowledge, then come meet him and pepper him with questions at the Gig Harbor Boat Works booth in West Hall #37.
Cape Horn Solo
Thursday Feb 8, 1:15 – 2 pm (Stage #2)
Howard will present the story of one man’s dream of rounding Cape Horn aboard a 15 foot wood & canvas sailing canoe. During a 91- day solo self-contained voyage he doubled Cape Horn and then explored west up the infamous Beagle Channel against the prevailing westerlies.
Sailing Skills & the Small Craft Advantage
Friday Feb 9, noon-1pm (Stage #1)
Howard Rice shares his knowledge of sailing small boats, including the 12’ SCAMP. Whether you are new to sailing or an experienced navigator, this information-rich presentation about the world of small boat sailing will focus on boat types suited to purpose, tips, sail trim, reefing and small boat voyaging. The advantages of sailing small will be the central theme of this information-packed presentation.
Strait of Magellan to the Southern Ocean
Friday Feb 9, 2-3pm (Stage #2)
If true adventure is on your mind then don't miss this incredible story of one man's solo SCAMP voyage down the Strait of Magellan - from Patagonia through Tierra del Fuego to the Southern Ocean aboard an 11' 11" SCAMP sailboat he built himself. Four years of boat building and preparation led to a 62-day solo voyage, an experience of a lifetime through perhaps the roughest ocean environment on earth.
THE BOYS IN THE BOAT (Panel Presentation): Hear the History of UW Rowing
Sunday, February 4, 1 – 2 p.m. followed by a Q&A. Please note the panel has an additional ticket charge not covered by general show admission.
It’s not very often that a movie about rowing gets on the pop culture radar! Want to know more about the true story? Join us for a special panel presentation about the history of UW Rowing and the epic quest for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, hosted by UW Rowing historian, Eric Cohen. Cohen was one of Daniel James Brown’s first contacts when researching his 2013 novel, “Boys in the Boat”. More info: https://seattleboatshow.com/feature/insiders-look-boys-in-the-boat/
Antique & Classic Boats on Display – Featuring “Conny” from The Boys in the Boat
Conny is a 28’ cedar boat built for the University of Washington Crew team, and named for famed rowing coach Hiram B. Conibear. Conny put in many years of service on the UW crew team as the coaches’ boat and is prominently featured in the recently released movie adaptation of the bestselling book “The Boys in the Boat,” produced by George Clooney.
BOATBUILDING FOR ONE AND ALL
Yep, that’s right, boatbuilding is back at the Seattle Boat Show after who knows how many long years... decades? In any case, it’s about time that our local boatbuilding community had something here at the boat show for us, too.
DREAM IT, BUILD IT: Boatbuilding in the Pacific Northwest
Seminar with Scott Jones from Duckworks Boat Builders Supply
Sun Feb 4, 3pm (stage 1) and Fri Feb 9, 1:15 pm (stage 2)
The Pacific Northwest is known for its stunning vistas and welcoming harbors, but also for its robust community of DIY boat builders and top-notch boatbuilding classes. Join Scott Jones from Duckworks Boat Builders Supply to learn how modern “stitch and glue” boatbuilding kits and techniques make building your own boat an affordable, fun and rewarding way to get yourself on the water. (Fun fact: Scott was a builder of Scamp #1, pictured above!)
A Duckworks Scout 10’ rowing/sailing dinghy will be built from a plywood kit during the run of the show, demonstrating how stitch-and-glue boat kits are a great project for families to work on together. Volunteers from local boatbuilding organizations will be helping with the build, showing how building your own boat is a fun way to get involved in the boating lifestyle. Make sure to check out the boatbuilding classes on offer from the participating nonprofits. More info: https://seattleboatshow.com/feature/boat-building-demo/
Plus... WIN THE ASSEMBLED SCOUT! The live build’s Scout will be raffled off at the conclusion of the show. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the organizations providing volunteers for the live build and the toy boatbuilding activity. Win-win!
Bring the kiddos along with you! Kids Zone at the show has a new addition this year... toy boatbuilding! Kids can build their own toy boat and decorate it to show their own unique personality. They will be able to float and tow their boats before they take them home to keep. Volunteers from local maritime nonprofits with programs of interest to kids and families will be on hand to help with the toy boatbuilding, and talk about their programs in the nearby Nonprofit Spotlight booth in the Youth Sailing Center. See everything happening at the Kids Zone here: https://seattleboatshow.com/feature/youth-boating-center/
And one last word for the little boats...
Now, admittedly I’ve got a vested interest in building excitement about small craft. As General Manager of Gig Harbor Boat Works and sister company Duckworks Boat Builders Supply, obviously I’ve got a few things to say about why small boats are the bee's knees. And I guess growing up the daughter of Gig Harbor Boat Works’ founder (Dave Robertson) also gave me a few strong opinions I inherited from him.
In any case, I must have learned a few things through osmosis over all those years dinking around in little boats (or eavesdropping behind the blue boatshow curtains), because this year I also find myself on the seminar schedule for the first time. Let’s raise a glass to anybody out there who lives long enough to become a subject matter expert on anything.
Tender Talk: Finding the Best Dinghy for You
Seminar with Katie Malik from Gig Harbor Boat Works
Tues Feb, 3pm (stage 1) and Sat Feb 10, 1:15 pm (stage 2)
The ideal yacht tender is more than just a ship-to-shore boat; it's a fun vessel that you look forward to using in its own right. Learn the pros and cons of inflatables, RIBs, and traditional rigid dinghies, and how to choose the one that best complements your mothership and enriches your life on the water. If you’re looking for a standalone rowboat or sailboat, this talk will be helpful for you, too. Whether you want to row, sail, or motor, there's a dinghy that's right for you.
And yes, Gig Harbor Boat Works will be exhibiting in the West Hall with our entire fleet, and hopefully a sneak (digital) peek of our updated 15’ Lobster Boat arriving later this year!
The Seattle Boat Show runs Friday, Feb. 2 through Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, indoors at Lumen Field and afloat at Bell Harbor Marina. All of the events described above take place at the indoor location at Lumen Field Event Center. Kids 17 and under get in free, daily adult tickets are $22 at the door or $40 for a 9-day pass.
Save $4 off the at-the-door price
Pro tip: parking is only $5 at the Bell Street Pier Garage across the street from the show’s on-water location, Bell Harbor Marina. A free shuttle runs continuously between both show locations. For hours, ticket pricing, more details about exhibitors, seminars, features and promotions, visit www.SeattleBoatShow.com
•SCA•
Any chance Howard's talks will be streamed or recorded and later uploaded to view?
Outstanding!!!!....Good on Gig Harbor & Duckworks!!