Boats Afloat Show sets single-day attendance record

SEATTLE, Sept. 16, 2006 –Over 4,400 boating enthusiasts turned-out on Saturday at the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show, setting a single-day attendance record for what has become one of the largest floating shows on the West Coast. With one day remaining, attendance at the floating show at Chandler’s Cove on South Lake Union has now topped 8,300 boating enthusiasts.

“In two years the Boats Afloat Show has grown from attracting 5,700 during a full five-day show to attracting 4,400 on a day with two major collegiate football games going on in the city,” said Jonathan Ives, Executive Director of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association. “That’s a good sign that our economy is strong and people in the Northwest are as excited as ever about being on the water.”

Among the activities on Saturday at the Boats Afloat Show, U.S. Coast Guard and King County Sheriff personnel helped distributed free kids life jackets at the Boats Afloat Show. The free life jacket giveaway, courtesy of Fisheries Supply and Stearns, has now distributed all 300 life jackets to kids during the first four days of the show. The life jacket giveaway is part of a Northwest Yacht Brokers Water Safety Education Program in partnership with Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, the U.S. Coast Guard and other marine groups.

Throughout the day, boating enthusiasts attended seven free seminars including “How to select the best boat for you” and “Flight of the Osprey – A seven year circumnavigation”.

At the Boat Show Dog Trials, Secret, a five-year-old Australian Shepherd of Sammamish and her human Lauré Smith along with runner-up Grace, a two-year-old, six-pound Chihuahua from Kirkland and her 12-year-old handler Sophie, took top honors to fill-out Sunday’s grand finals. Secret, who recently gave-birth to six puppies, and her human completed the Chandler’s Cove course in 40 seconds while Grace and Sophie completed the course in 1:05, but were penalized ten seconds for failing to pick-up the ball, which was too big to fit.

Rounding out Sunday’s grand final for top dog honors are Breezy, a six-year-old Sheltie and her human Diana Linthicum of Renton and Vester, a five-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier and his human Manuela McGee of Port Orchard, Cash, a three-year-old German Wirehaired Pointer from West Seattle along with his human Stephanie Rainwater, Melody, a four-year-old Golden Retriever and her human Scott Rohrer of Ballard, along with Emmy, an eight-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier from Port Orchard and her human, Manuela McGee and Elle, a two-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback of Seattle, and her human Kerri Haught. 

The Boats Afloat Show, which concludes on 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.

Gates open daily at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday). Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under, are available at www.BoatsAfloatShow.com or at the show. Free parking is available with an e-ticket purchase.

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.

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.