April 29

The Boats Afloat Show is Back

Don’t miss the largest floating boat show on the West Coast this weekend.

The Boats Afloat Show in SLU features a world-class fleet of power and sailing yachts thoughtfully selected for all budgets and visions. The weekend-long show, which runs through May 1, is presented by the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association, and features a wide assortment of marine products and services to help first-time and veteran boaters enjoy the water.

The Boats Afloat Show made its debut in Seattle in 1978 and has typically been split into a ten-day show and a four-day show, but it’s now organized into one spring event (April) and one fall event (September).

Throughout the weekend, guests can expect food and drink demonstrations, live music, and dozens of exhibitors.

Yachts moored in slips at a marina.

People viewing inflatable boats on a pier.

Mixologist Ray Stencel will team up with private chef and Culinary Director of Lakeside Trinity Mack to demonstrate creative and inspired cocktail and food pairings. The live music lineup will include performances from Natalie Palody, Wednesday Club, the Roosevelt High School Jazz Quartet, and more.

And it wouldn’t be a boat show without, well, boats. The Show’s Boats of Note exhibition highlights new and used yachts in varying styles and sizes. You can see the Summertime II, a 116′ Hatteras, For The Girls II, a Regal 26′ OBX, and a gorgeous Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42, which is a cruising catamaran. Boats on display are typically for sale or available for charter.

Yachts moored in slips at a marina.

Yachts moored in slips at a marina.

Tickets are still available for this weekend’s Show: $25 for an all-access weekend pass, $16 for a one-day pass, and $5 for teens age 12 to 17. Can’t make the spring show? The next Boats Afloat Show will be September 15–18.

Story by Ethan Chung & photographs courtesy of The Boats Afloat Show.


At The Center

SLU is the geographical center of Seattle