2011 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show, Seattle WA

We don't need a boat (we just bought Kingsley not that long ago), but that didn't stop us from heading on down to the Seattle Lake Union Boats Afloat Show a few weeks ago. This was the 33rd annual Lake Union Show, different from the big boat show in Janurary (I've heard of that one), with lots more boats in the water. Here's our ETC quick pic tour (and just a slice of what they had to show!):

They've revamped Lake Union Park and Center for Wooden Boats.

General Pics from around the Show

Beneteau Sense 43

Well, at first the new Beneteaus looked a little too Ikea for us, but after spending some time aboard the brand new Sense 43, we got used to it. Boat critics/magazine writers have been gushing over this guy at boat shows around the country this year, it's got new joystick steering and a close-to-the-water cockpit...it's pretty sweet.

Island Packet dream boat

If you're wanna-be cruisers one-day kids like us, you would do nicely in a brand new (or newer in this case) Island Packet.

Najad

One of our favorite boats at the show, one that balanced awesomeness with affordability* was a 2007 Najad (pronounced Nuh-yoord I think). The only bad news: the company just went bankrupt.
*that is, if you consider $225,000 affordable.

2003 Waterline 55'

This metal BC beauty was so sweet, had a 270 degree view from inside the center cockpit

Hunter 27e

E for electric. Yep, that's right, she's got an electric engine under the hood. Are boats and cars heading in the same direction? Time will tell. I have heard of some hybrid diesel/electric engine work being done by Nigel Calder but even he isn't quite there yet...

Weta Trimaran

Well that looks fun...

2012 70' McKinna

We thought we'd throw in one ridiculous powerboat in our tour. While there were a lot to choose from, this stinkpot was the way coolest.

   ~Paul & Amber   ETC