The Everett Boat Show, which begins Wednesday, is billed as the largest recreational marine exposition ever in Snohomish County.
That isn’t a tough record to set, since it’s only the second major show in the county’s recent history. The first was last year at the Everett Events Center, attracting nearly 9,000 people who got a look at 238 boats during the show’s five-day run.
| Sponsor: Northwest Marine Trade Association
When: Wednesday through March 6. Noon-8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. March 6. Where: Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave. Tickets: Available in advance at the center or at www.everettboatshow.com. Cost is $7 adults, $3.50 ages 11-17, free for children 10 and under. More information: Call 206-634-0911 or go to www.everettboatshow.com. |
This year’s five-day show, also at the events center, is shaping up to be a bigger event about smaller boats. The focus is on vessels no bigger than 35 feet long.
“This is the region’s premier small boat event,” said George Harris, show director. “You won’t find megayachts and trawlers at the Everett Boat Show that you would see in Seattle.”
The show will display vessels such as fishing boats, kayaks and inflatables offered for sale by more than 100 exhibitors.
Show features include:
Boats, boats, boats. More than 75 brands of boats will be displayed.
Seminars. There will be a host of classes on such topics as navigating, battling mold and mildew, crabbing and shrimping in Puget Sound, cruising from Victoria to Alaska and from the Pacific Northwest to Mexico, troubleshooting diesel engines, fly fishing in Puget Sound, great trailerable destinations in the Northwest, the jewels of Puget Sound, high-speed Internet access on the water, how to anchor, how to dock and how to get your captain’s license.
Marine art gallery. The works of more than 40 artists will be on display and for sale at the show gallery, including ceramic fish, blown glass, paintings, marine photography, batik linens and jewelry. Exhibitors include Yuki Adams of Everett, who creates limited-edition serigraphs, and Jeff Tinius of Everett, an accomplished ceramicist with a whimsical touch.
Fishing center. Tony Floor of the Marine Trade Association and other veteran anglers will provide information on regional fishing hot spots.
Last year, some 100 boats were sold at the event. Harris said this year’s show will also feature a lot of deals for the boat buyer.
“This is the ideal opportunity to comparison shop and strike a deal in your own back yard,” he said.
Boating is a big industry in the area as well as a popular pastime.
In Snohomish County, there is an average of one boat for every 12 residents, according to the Marine Trade Association. That compares with one boat for every 17 people in King County.
Statewide, there are some 267,000 registered boats, with annual boat sales hitting $693 million. Of those boat sales, 90 percent are for boats smaller than 22 feet long.
Most boats are powerboats, 78 percent. About 18 percent are sailboats, and the remaining 4 percent are in the paddling or rowing class.
The four top reasons for buying a boat are relaxation, fishing, family time and exploring Northwest waters, according to the trade association.
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