ETC at the 2012 Seattle Boat Show - No wakeboard challenge this year.

   Captain wifey and I just got back from an exciting couple of days at the 2012 Seattle Boat Show. This post shows a peek at the indoor portion of this year's show, our next post will be the outside portion (afloat on Lake Union). I admit, the experience was a little less this year as I didn't compete in the 'wakeboard challenge' - they didn't even have it this year. 
   Not familiar with the wakeboard challenge? It was my chance to stand on a wakeboard in the middle of the show with 9 other souls in an attempt to win an $18,000 boat. 3 hours on, 1/2 hour off...last person standing after 72 hours wins. Over night? Oh ya. The ol' Wednesday night to Saturday night watch. 
   Well, I made it all the way to the end, post 50 hour hallucinations and all. The only problem was 4 other contestants made it to the end too. So they pulled a name out of a hat. It was mine. Luckily for the other contestants they were drawing pageant-style so I got a free wakeboard and a t-shirt. I remember it being so cold as I left that Saturday night after breathing event center air for 3 days. Good times.

Our favorite things this year:

Fisheries. I mean, we practically live there throughout the year. Seeing them at the show is like seeing a family member - someone friendly and familiar ("do you have an account?"). We finally bought a smartplug from them at a pretty good price. Installation coming soon.

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HMC - Handcraft Mattress Company. Mmmm. Soft bed that theoretically stays dry. Note to self: probably can't afford.

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Free boating seminars. We went to seminars on anchoring in NW waters, cruising small, sail repair, and even caught a little on boat blogging (Three Sheets represent!). I got real fancy and paid for a little extended 'boat show university' diesel engine workshop with Nigel Calder (he's like totally famous in certain marine diesel engine circles).

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I don't know anything about this stove except I like the cutting board on top and the name makes it feel warmer outside.

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Weta. Wouldn't want to store it or put it together but I bet she is a great sail.

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Darn it. Forgot to buy one of these for Kali cat.

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Great anchor display selling Ultra anchors - it really let you see how all of the different anchors work. Went nicely with our anchoring in NW waters seminar.

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It's hard to describe an orca-ish type power boat...half underwater, pops out of the water..etc (etc equaling other odd abilities).

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   OK, I couldn't help myself...a few pictures from last year's boat show - the wakeboard challenge!  ~Paul & Amber   ETC

Photos from last year's 72 hour wakeboard challenge