--- MEDIA ALERT ---
2006 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show Schedule

SEATTLE, Sept. 11, 2006 -- Seaing is Believing! The 2006 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show – one of the largest on-water shows on the west coast – presented by the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association and the Northwest Marine Trade Association sets sail on Wednesday at Chandler's Cove on South Lake Union in Seattle.

The Boats Afloat Show, which runs through Sunday, features over 350 sail and power boats for all budgets and lifestyles ranging from 17-foot affordable, trailerable boats to eight luxury yachts over 80 feet in length. On the exotic side, a 130-foot mega-yacht and a 32-foot personal submarine will be on exhibit -- and for sale at the Boats Afloat Show.

Beginning Wednesday, the first 300 kids attending the Boats Afloat Show will be properly fitted with a free life jacket courtesy of Fisheries Supply and Stearns along with Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, the U.S. Coast Guard and other marine groups as a part of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Children’s Water Safety Program.
For kids and kids at heart, take a free sailboat ride courtesy of Sail Sand Point or get an autograph from local Olympians, UW legends, along with KING TV’s Jeff Renner and other local media favorites at Wednesday’s Pro-Am Celebrity Sailing Regatta. The Pro-Am regatta gets underway on Wednesday at 1 p.m.

For dog lovers, check-out the Boatyard Dog Trials, a pawsitively fun and friendly competition for nautically challenged boatyard dogs and their humans. The Boatyard Dog Trials takes place daily at 2 p.m.

Boaters of all ages and abilities will enjoy over 16 nautical seminars ranging from Cruising the Coast of Viet Nam to How to Select the Best Boat for You and a look at fuel-saving solar and hydrofoil technology as a part of an Advanced Marine Technology lecture and demonstration by Washington State University professor, Konstantin Matveev, PhD. The seminars begin on Friday and run through the conclusion of the Boats Afloat Show.

The Boats Afloat Show is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend. Tickets ($10 for adults and $5 for kids age 12 and under) are available online at www.BoatsAfloatShow.com. In 2005, over 9,000 boating enthusiasts of all ages visited South Lake Union throughout the five-day show.

About the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association
The Northwest Yacht Brokers Association www.nwyachtbrokers.com is a non-profit marine trade group founded in 1988 consisting of over 340 marine brokers, dealers and other industry professionals representing over 230 marine-related businesses in the Pacific Northwest. Subscribing to the strictest code of ethics, NYBA members are committed to bringing integrity and professionalism to the buying and selling process of new and previously owned pleasure craft. NYBA plays an active role in marine youth and education programs and is active in creating a greater interest in the welfare and safety of the boating public. Along with the Northwest Marine Trade Association, NYBA's January and September Boats Afloat Shows connect thousands of boating enthusiasts with marine professionals and the finest pleasure craft the Northwest has to offer.

 2006 LAKE UNION BOATS AFLOAT SHOW
 
What:
Seaing is Believing! 2006 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show
Mega-yachts up to 130 feet, trailerable boats for every budget, even a 32-foot submarine and everything you need to know to help you get on the water. All on the water at South Lake Union's Chandler's Cove.
 
When:
Wednesday, Sept. 13 – Sunday, Sept. Sept. 17
 
Times:
Weekdays – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekends – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 
Tickets:
$10 Adults, $5 (Children 12 and under)
$18 Three Day Pass

Listen to the following Seattle-area radio stations to win free tickets:
AM: KIRO 710, KOMO 1000, KVI 570, KTTH 770, KPTK 1090
FM: KING 98.1, 570, KJR 95.7, KWJZ 98.9
 
Getting There
Located at Chandler's Cove on South Lake Union, the Boats Afloat Show is just off the I-5 Mercer Street exit. Designated parking for $5 per day is located at 5th and Mercer about five blocks west of the show near the Seattle Center. A free shuttle runs between the Boat Show and the 5th and Mercer parking lot every 15 minutes during show hours.
 
Help Ease South Lake Union Traffic – Take the Lake Union Water Taxi
Seattle's Electric Boat Company will provide water taxi service on-call and from various locations around Lake Union throughout the show, beginning one hour prior to opening and concluding one hour following closing. Cost is $5 each-way. Call 206-223-7476 to arrange for pick-up.