Seattle Boat Show 2023 Preview
Last Updated on January 12, 2023 by Boatsetter Team
“It’s a must-visit event for maritime lovers in the Pacific Northwest.” – Boatsetter Expert
Produced by the Northwest Marine Trade Association, the Seattle Boat Show is the premier boating event in the Pacific Northwest. Spread over nine days in February when boating may be just a distant flicker in the gloomy winter, it’s one heck of a good time.
- When: February 3-11, 2023
- Where: Lumen Field Event Center & Bell Harbor Marina
- General admission: $20/day
- Get a boat
Seattle Boat Rentals starting at $54/hr— Browse boats!
Tickets, passes, parking
Standard tickets are $20 per day but there are lots of ways to save big. A 9-day pass is just $40, and there’s a 2-for-1 deal on Tuesday, Feb 7. Monday, Feb 6, is free for women with an advance (no charge) ticket booked online. Best of all, anyone 17 and under are free throughout the entire nine days.
Pro Tip: Thursday, February 9, is Dogs on Deck day when you and your leashed trusty stead can stroll the show, meet dog trainers, and have a custom dog tag made. On Wednesday, February 8, water rescue dogs from the American Academy of Canine Water Rescue will do an exciting on-water demo.
Finding parking shouldn’t be hard (if you plan ahead). There are three areas to park:
- Lumen Field
- Mariners Garage at T-Mobile Park
- The Bell Street Pier Garage
Parking starts as low as $5 per day. There are also two free shuttles (look for the white tents and signage) and a free water shuttle. You can also check out King County Metro, Sound Transit, and Amtrak.
Inside the venue(s)
You’ll have to divide your time between two venues – inside displays (including boats) at the Lumen Field Event Center and outside booths with boats afloat at Bell Harbor Marina at the Port of Seattle. Whether you’re shopping for an inflatable tender, a center console fishing boat, a distance cruiser, or any kind of boating equipment, this is the must-visit event in the region.
Boats & gear at Seattle Boat Show 2023
The northwestern corner of the country is known for their aluminum fishing boats and you won’t find a larger selection of these tough craft anywhere else. But that’s just one class of boat available. There will be dayboats from Bayliner, Boston Whaler, and Cobalt along with pontoon boats from Barletta, Bennington and Bentley. Cruisers will love all the Cutwater models and sailors can check out the latest from Jeanneau Yachts.
Come for boat insurance from BoatUS or electronics from Garmin, Simrad and ICOM. Already have a boat? Don’t forget to checkout dockage availability at one of the numerous marinas that will be represented. You’ll find everything from lures to big boat gear like FLIR cameras and Intellian antennas. Well over 300 exhibitors will be on hand to show off their wares so be prepared to attend on multiple days to take it all in.
Boat Ed at Seattle Boat Show 2023
Newbie boaters as well as old salts will have lots of opportunities to train and learn from marine experts thanks to the show’s packed boating and fishing seminar schedule. This year, the Boat Show University Program will offer classes both online and in person.
You can sharpen your electronic navigation skills, learn how to catch halibut and lingcod, or get the scoop on better anchoring and docking skills. Learn to provision or hear about the latest in electric propulsion.
You may even meet legends like Nigel Calder (who’s doing marine diesel and electrical systems classes), refresh your rules of the road knowledge, or dial in weather forecasting and routing. There’s really no end to what is covered from salmon angling to crabbing, and from cruising in Mexico to learning about Starlink communications equipment.
Pricing for seminars varies and includes everything from $99 packages to exclusive offers that include nine days of boat show admission plus a Waggoner Cruising Guide. Check out the schedule and register early.
Want more about Seattle?
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- 8 Great Yachting Events in 2023 (Seattle hosts #5)
- Boating in Seattle: Everything You Need to Know
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Zuzana Prochazka is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen sailing and powerboating magazines and online publications including Southern Boating, SEA, Latitudes & Attitudes and SAIL. She is SAIL magazines Charter Editor and the Executive Director of Boating Writers International. Zuzana serves as judge for SAIL’s Best Boats awards and for Europe’s Best of Boats in Berlin.
A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana founded and manages a flotilla charter organization called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations worldwide.
Zuzana has lived in Europe, Africa and the United States and has traveled extensively in South America, the islands of the South Pacific and Mexico.
