We’ve been counting down for months, and at last it’s finally here…The SEATTLE BOAT SHOW starts today! Boat shows are a mecca for people who love the water, and the Seattle Boat Show is the largest on the west coast! Attendees range from those who are fantasizing about learning how to boat to seasoned fishermen (and women) and from weekend cruisers to longtime liveaboards. There are old salts and little guppies and people of all ages in between.

For the event, Century Link Field morphs into a mega mall showcasing the latest in electronics and gadgets, tips and tricks, and boats (yes, they actually display several boats indoors). They also provide a ton of free seminars on fishing and boating topics. Last year, we even had the opportunity to meet Jimmy Cornell, a legendary sailor, activist, and author of must-have resources for offshore sailors. A shuttle ride away, you can crawl around on several dozen sail and powerboats that are moored on South Lake Union. Seriously, it’s a blast!

One of our favorite aspects of the boat show is the seminars. Over the last three years, our educational needs have evolved. Two years ago, Neil and I were focused on learning about boats, so that we could find the vessel that most suited our needs and preferences. Last year, we were interested in things like beefing up our crabbing skills, gaining skills for liferaft deployment (skills we hope never to actually need at sea), and fleshing out our knowledge of the best sails for offshore cruising. This year, our sights are set on readying ourselves to set sail on our upcoming voyage. Seminars on offshore sail repair, handling medical emergencies at sea, preparation for long-distance cruising, and tuna fishing are high on our list of priorities.

We’ll head to the CLink for a couple seminars tonight, as well as a wine tasting with our friends Mark and Helen who hooked us up with tickets (thanks!)! Tomorrow we’ll be be back in action when the doors open at 10 am. Are we excited? That would be an understatement.