Description

From kayaks to luxury cruisers and everything in between, there is plenty for all the boaters in the family to take in at the Seattle Boat Show running Friday, Feb. 3  through Saturday, Feb. 11. There’s also a special Youth Boating Center at the indoor location at Lumen Field Event Center with tons of free activities for kids of all ages and the family pooch is even welcome on Dogs on Deck day on Feb 9th! A special attraction this year bound to wow the entire family is the building of an enormous Rube Goldberg-inspired machine for boaters. The show’s not the only thing that’s family-friendly, so is the price - kids 17 and under are free.

The  76th annual  Seattle Boat Show, will feature nearly 300 exhibitors with more than 800 new and brokerage boats—indoors at Lumen Field Event Center and on the water at Bell Harbor Marina—and the latest in marine accessories and technology.

 Massive Rube Goldberg-inspired Boating Machine - All show days

Over the course of the nine days of the show, Zach Umperovitch, the world’s leading authority on Chain Reaction Machines, three-time Guinness World Record holder, and Co-Host of Discovery Channel’s “Contraption Masters,” will invent and construct a Rube Goldberg-inspired machine for boaters. The final machine will measure more than 100 feet in length and, when completed, it will be the longest spanning machine Zach has built in his 30-year career. Zach’s contraption will use kinetic energy and audience participation to string, couple, and join together boat parts, fishing rods and reels, crab pots, life jackets and other random boating-related items to launch a kooky succession of chain reactions, culminating in the launch of a boat.

Showgoers can stop by anytime to chat with Zach, watch him in action and even make suggestions on materials to use. Additionally, at 4 pm. everyday Zach will start the machine to demonstrate the progress. He will choose two members from the audience, one to be a ‘human interaction point’ in the chain, and one to help launch it. Kids five and older under the supervision of a parent are eligible.  On Thursday, Feb. 9,  Dogs on Deck day, one lucky pooch will also be chosen to help!

Youth Boating Center - All show days

Young sailors and their families are invited to stop by the Youth Boating Center to start their boating adventures. An introduction to sailing, STEM, and the marine world, the staff at the Youth Boating Center will educate kids and families on the wind, propulsion, local sailing opportunities, knot tying, and more through daily fun hands-on activities, conducted by some of the top youth boating programs in the region. The schedule can be viewed here: https://seattleboatshow.com/attraction/youth-boating-center/

Little mariners, ages three to eight, can enjoy time on the water using the Aqua Paddler paddle boats. Life jackets will be provided.

 Dogs on Deck — Thursday, Feb.9

There’s a special day at Lumen Field Event Center just for families’ furry first mates. Dogs accompanied by their owners can stroll the red carpets, meet and greet with dog trainers, get a photo in the Photo Booth, have a custom dog tag made, and sniff out their favorite boats. One lucky pooch will also be chosen to participate in the daily launch of the Rube Goldberg machine at 4 p.m.

Note: dogs need their own (free) ticket which can be obtained here. Dogs are welcome every day of the show at Bell Harbor.

Tickets:

$20 Adult Ticket

$40 Multi Day Ticket, good for all 9-days of the show

$119 Seminar Package (includes: access to all Boat Show U webinars (online and in person); Waggoner 2023 Cruising Guide ($45 value); and a multi-day ticket good for all nine days of the show ($40 value)

Free Kids 17 & Under

A free shuttle runs continuously between both show locations - Lumen Field Event Center and on the water at Bell Harbor Marina.