West Coast US Boat Shows

[td1]

Hi,
Just trying to get a feel for boat shows that are a relatively short plane flight for us from Colorado as my wife and I are thinking about a weekend trip this winter or spring. I know that the Seattle show is in February, but I was curious as to what else might be out there that would be worth attending, primarily on the west coast as that's most likely where we will buy our first boat. We're a year or more away from buying, but would love to have an opportunity to start checking out a variety of boats as we start to form our opinion on what to eventually purchase.
Thanks,
td1

[slacker]

The Southern California shows aren't worth it even if you live across the street and get in free. We have enjoyed the San Francisco show formerly known as Strictly Sail. Its usually in April. Good selection of boats and most every vendor you can imagine.

[scotte]

There's one in Oakland (near San Francisco) in the spring - "Strictly Sail" it's called, although last year it had power boats - go figure :-). They have a fair number of boats, although it's not a very big show, and it tends to be the same boats year after year with a significant number of boats being the exact same physical boats each year. Still, I've gone the last 3 years and will probably go again next year. Things in the vendor tents are OK. Never have done any of the seminars.

I don't know how it compares to other shows like the Seattle one, so I can't comment on that.

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by slacker

The Southern California shows aren't worth it even if you live across the street and get in free.

Excellent summation, slacker! You made me laugh out loud with that line, and starting your day with a hearty laugh is, truly, the best medicine. Thanks for that!


TaoJones

[David M]

The show in Oakland is in both the spring and the fall.

[kiapa]

the SPRING (early april) show in Oakland is vastly superior to the fall show. we think it's as much fun as the really big shows on the east coast... just on a much smaller scale. slacker summed up the socal shows PERFECTLY. i'd love to hear some folks weigh in on the Seattle shows. my guess is one or two of them have to be worth a trip, just take your umbrella.

[scotte]

Originally Posted by David M

The show in Oakland is in both the spring and the fall.

It's different organizations doing these shows though... The fall show is much more general. The spring show used to be just sailing focused, but I guess no longer... I imagine the vendor booths are similar for both shows.

[David M]

Both shows are very similar. They really need to rename it "Exclusively Sail..and Power".