Seaing is Believing at 2006 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show

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 from Sept. 13 - 17 at Chandler's Cove on South Lake Union in Seattle.

Seattle (PRWEB) August 10, 2006 -- The 2006 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show -one of the largest on-water shows on the west coast - presented by theNorthwest Yacht Brokers Association and the Northwest Marine Trade Association sets sail from Sept. 13 - 17 at Chandler's Cove on South LakeUnion in Seattle.

Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend, the Boats Afloat Show features over 350 new and previously owned sail and power boats from some 80 brokers and dealers around the Northwest.Tickets ($10 for adults and $5 for kids age 12 and under) are available online beginning in August at http://www.boatsafloatshow.com/. In 2005, over 9,000 boating enthusiasts of all ages visited South Lake Union throughout the five-day show.

On the docks, in addition to the most well-equipped recreational sail and power boats the Northwest has to offer - some in excess of 100 feet, the Boats Afloat Show includes many boats for first-time buyers - including over 90 trailer able boats ranging from 18 to 25 feet. For the first time, the show will even include a 32 foot personal submarine among its fleet.

On land, the Boats Afloat Show has something for everyone including a classic runabout and collectors' wood-panel car show, seminars from Northwest experts on topics ranging from cruising the Virgin and Broughton Islands and exploring the coast of Viet Nam, to clinics on first aid at sea and basic marine maintenance.

"The 2006 Boats Afloat Show provides the exhibitors best in-water display ofthe Northwest's best selection of sail and power boats of all sizes," said Jonathan Ives, Executive Director of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association, the trade group for yacht brokers and dealers in the Northwest."If you're thinking about boating as a family activity or to invite friends and co-workers to explore the Puget Sound, the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show has the right boat for you," said Ives who estimates that over $777 million in new and used boat sales activity occurred in Washington State during the2005-06 fiscal year, an increase of some 8 percent over the previous year according to economic data compiled by the Northwest Marine Trade Association.

In addition to the largest on-water collection of sail and powerboats on the west coast, the Boats Afloat Show includes something for every boater and boater-at-heart in the family including:.

Sailfest Northwest
Showcase of Northwest sailing featuring more than 30 sailboats, a chance to test-your stuff on an "America's Cup" style Lewmar grinder and free seminars from Northwest cruising experts on topics such as cruising the VirginIslands, and the Coast of Viet Nam to Gunkholing in the San Juans, marine first aid and basic maintenance at sea..

West Marine Dog Trials
Crazy dog tricks at the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show. Each day of the showdogs and handlers run a timed obstacle course that includes negotiating a tippy dock and dinghy, jumping over Dungeness crab pots, fetching a lifering among other nautical obstacles. Eight dogs and their handlers will be selected to participate each day of the show. Two teams per day will advance to Sunday's grand final. Participants will receive a $25 West Marine gift certificate and four free tickets to the show with the overall winner receiving a special prize.

. Annual Pro-Am Sailing Regatta
Buoy racing, America's Cup style - featuring Washington Olympians, members of the media including KING5's Jeff Renner and some of the area's top elite-level sailors - all to benefit Sail Sand Point and its sail and small boat programs for youth.

. Children's Water Safety Education
Includes free Personal Floatation Device (PFD) giveaway for the first 300 kids to attend the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show.

. Classic Wooden Boat & Wood Panel Car Collection (Sept. 16 & 17)
Features classic wooden runabouts and collectors' wooden-body cars presented by the Center for Wooden Boats.

. Free Sailboat Rides
Hosted by Discover Sailing, free sailboat rides are available throughout the five days of the 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 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 a32-foot submarine and everything you need to know to help you get on thewater. 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.

Where
South Lake Union / Chandler's Cove
901 Fairview Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98109

Tickets:
$10 Adults, $5 (Children 12 and under)
$18 Three Day Pass
Available beginning in August at http://www.boatsafloatshow.com/ or at the show

Or 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 andMercer 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 $5each-way. Call 206-223-7476 to arrange for pick-up.