Mexican boating seminars, multiple sportfishing exhibits and superyachts galore, plus free sailing lessons aboard the Sailing Simulator, highlight the annual summer in-the-water international boat show.
The Progressive Insurance San Diego International Boat Show splashes into the Sheraton Harbor Island and Spanish Landing Park on Thursday, June 18, continuing through Sunday, June 21. Show hours are noon to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults, with children 15 and under free and active military, police and fire personnel free with ID. Advance tickets purchased online are $10.
This year’s bigger show boasts about 140 boats, over 100 vendors, more than 30 educational seminars and about 15 superyacht exhibits ranging from 70 to 125 feet.
“We’re seeing a resurgence in the recreational boating market. People are getting back into boating in a bigger way. There’s a boat for every budget at the show,” said Dave Geoffroy, vice president of sponsoring organization National Marine Manufacturing Association.
“Boats are becoming greener, more efficient. You can take a boat out now and run it all day, whereas 10 years ago you’d have to refill its tanks two or three times, ” he added.
NMMA’s boat shows emphasize interactivity, Geoffroy explained, including kids’ activities. People can take powerboating or sailing lessons or learn about fishing, SCUBA, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
Expect to see vessels ranging from personal watercraft, paddleboards, kayaks, dinghies, inflatables and trailerable boats to midsize sail and powerboats through luxury superyachts.
South Coast Yachts will be doubling its exhibit space, showing eight new Bénéteau yachts, both sail and power, ranging from 35 to 55 feet, explained Barrett Canfield, South Coast’s president. Four new boat models will debut at the show, and all are available for immediate delivery.
“We’re very excited having this show to start off the summer. It brings out more people encouraged by the warm weather who know they can use their newly purchased boats right away,” Canfield said.
This year, over 100 vendors will exhibit under tents in Spanish Landing Park, offering an array of boating accessories such as electronics, canvas, anchors and other marine gear as well as boating services.
Attendees can choose from dozens of educational seminars and skill-building clinics, on the water and on land, focusing on boating in Mexico, sportfishing and both sail and power boating subjects, including boat-handling and seamanship, docking and maintenance and repair.
The show website lists both free seminars and Discover Boating’s hands-on skills training, for which advance registration is recommended and extra charges apply. Fees for each Discover Boating clinic include same-day boat show admission.
The family-friendly boat show offers food for sale from the floating Fiddler’s Green Tiki Bar, the Rotary Club’s BBQ and gourmet food trucks. Paid parking is available at the lot adjacent to the hotel.
The show is located near the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive. For latest exhibitor, seminar and advance ticket purchase information, visit www.sandiegointernationalboatshow.com.