Seattle or Vancouver Boat Show for Sailors

[MrsMeltemiWind]

Hi! We are in the process of ramping up our boat and our own personal readiness to do long term round the country or round the world sailing. We love going to boat shows to meet with the vendors for all our systems and educational seminars. We go to Annapolis boat show, but as we are on the West Coast, we want to go to one of the west-coast shows. Does anyone have experience attending the Seattle or Vancouver boat-shows as a sailor. Which is best for sailors?
I need to change the email. Our direct email is SailingMeltemi@gmail.com

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by MrsMeltemiWind

Hi! We are in the process of ramping up our boat and our own personal readiness to do long term round the country or round the world sailing. We love going to boat shows to meet with the vendors for all our systems and educational seminars. We go to Annapolis boat show, but as we are on the West Coast, we want to go to one of the west-coast shows. Does anyone have experience attending the Seattle or Vancouver boat-shows as a sailor. Which is best for sailors?
I need to change the email. Our direct email is SailingMeltemi@gmail.com

Come on up and do the big Seattle boat show .
Jan 31 to Feb 8 2025 .

[disputin]

If you are in the Seattle area, there is a lot worth visiting at the Seattle Boat Show.

Figure out what you need (equipment installed, work done, etc) and go to the boat show with an agenda. Last year I needed to have new electronics installed and I met with the electronic vendor and the marina service center where I got the work done. It was helpful to talk with the vendor and the service center.

For the Seattle show, skip the boats at the entrance and head to the back of the floor. The upstairs and back sections have most of the vendors you need to see. A small contingent of sailing vendors is present and unfortunately have been pushed back into a corner on the main floor. But they are available if you need sails, lines, or wet weather gear.

There are deals to be had at the show. I'm in the market for a new dinghy and will probably purchase it at the show with a 10% show discount.

Sorry, I haven't been to the Vancouver show so I don't know if one is bigger/better than the other.

Sean

[GordMay]

Too bad, they've conflicting dates.

Vancouver International Boat Show - Jan 29 ➛ Feb 2, 2025
➥ https://www.vancouverboatshow.ca/

Exhibitors & Products ➥ https://www.vancouverboatshow.ca/exhibitors-products/

Seminars ➥ https://www.vancouverboatshow.ca/education/

Seattle Boat Show - Jan 31 ➛ Feb 8, 2025
➥ https://seattleboatshow.com/

Exhibitors ➥ https://seattleboatshow.com/exhibitor-list/

Seminars ➥ https://seattleboatshow.com/seminars/

[desodave]

They may be on at the same time but the cities are close enough that you could easily do both. I've done the Vancouver show a few times and second the idea that you go with an agenda. I believe that the Seattle show is bigger and you may find more related to your Oyster. I bought a new dinghy there and was able to compare several in one afternoon. Also got a really good price on a new Rocna anchor, and found a supplier for big {size 15) sailing boots. The educational seminars were great. IMO the show has a bit more for the power boater especially in terms of the boats shown. I've always done the floating part of the show to look at whatever sailboats are available ... the floating show is on Granville Island across False Creek from the main show. It is connected by ferry and bus shuttles so easily accessed.

[1NorthernStar]

Originally Posted by disputin

If you are in the Seattle area, there is a lot worth visiting at the Seattle Boat Show.

Figure out what you need (equipment installed, work done, etc) and go to the boat show with an agenda. Last year I needed to have new electronics installed and I met with the electronic vendor and the marina service center where I got the work done. It was helpful to talk with the vendor and the service center.

For the Seattle show, skip the boats at the entrance and head to the back of the floor. The upstairs and back sections have most of the vendors you need to see. A small contingent of sailing vendors is present and unfortunately have been pushed back into a corner on the main floor. But they are available if you need sails, lines, or wet weather gear.

There are deals to be had at the show. I'm in the market for a new dinghy and will probably purchase it at the show with a 10% show discount.

Sorry, I haven't been to the Vancouver show so I don't know if one is bigger/better than the other.

Sean

Sean, were you aware of this liquidation sale by James G Murphy? You might find a nice dinghy and nice price.

https://murphyauction.hibid.com/cata...cess-inventory

[cram]

Being that they are the same weekend, I expect there may be more oem reps at the Seattle show. Another consideration is the seminars. Look at the lists and decide based on your interests. In the past, Vancouver always had Pacific Yacht systems, which I've found informative.

[TrentePieds]

Vancouver Boat Show is like the old grey mare — ain't wot she usta be!

If you are shopping for a sailboat - not worth the price of admission. There might be one or two, but there won't be a selection, so you can't do a real "compare and contrast.

If you are shipping for "goodies" for a boat you already have, lot and lots to explore. But those "goodies" are all "displayed on the innernet - for free.

As for learning: What, precisely, is it you want to learn? If it's the basics - if you are novice - the "lecture content" tends to be no more than a sales pitch. If it's "advanced knowledge" you are after, it cannot be imparted in a 45-minute "seminar".

If you have a boat, then "do" the Straits of Georgia, the Gulf Islands and the Broughtons next summer. The people you will meet, including many Americans, will offer you a far more worthwhile experience than can any boat show.

TrentePieds

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

Vancouver Boat Show is like the old grey mare — ain't wot she usta be!

If you are shopping for a sailboat - not worth the price of admission. There might be one or two, but there won't be a selection, so you can't do a real "compare and contrast.

If you are shipping for "goodies" for a boat you already have, lot and lots to explore. But those "goodies" are all "displayed on the innernet - for free.

As for learning: What, precisely, is it you want to learn? If it's the basics - if you are novice - the "lecture content" tends to be no more than a sales pitch. If it's "advanced knowledge" you are after, it cannot be imparted in a 45-minute "seminar".

If you have a boat, then "do" the Straits of Georgia, the Gulf Islands and the Broughtons next summer. The people you will meet, including many Americans, will offer you a far more worthwhile experience than can any boat show.

TrentePieds

I don't know about that there are many of us from here and the sailing community in general that will be at the Seattle show it's a fun time to dream of that new yacht and all of the toys some of which you may already have but always good to make connections with reps and in some cases the actual owners of the companies .

Hope to see ya all there