Whether you’re in the market for a new or used boat, kayak, paddleboard or trailerable boat or just looking to flesh out your longtime dreams, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this year’s San Diego Sunroad boat show.
The sixth annual winter show, now with larger than ever in-the-water displays, kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 22, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 25, at Sunroad Resort Marina, 955 Harbor Island Drive, at Harbor Island’s east end. Show hours are noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The show offers guests the chance to experience more than 140 sail and powerboats in every price range, style and size, from trailerable 25-foot boats to yachts over 90 feet, plus self-propelled vessels. Show director Jim Behun, who doubles as the marina’s general manager, said the fare is about equally split between sail and power models.
“The industry,” Behan said, “has really perked up, with more new and used boats sold. The interest rates are low, about 4 percent, and we’ll have four or five companies offering boat financing. This has become the premiere selling show in southern California.” Behan added that it’s designed to be informative and fun as well.
New this year will be a special exhibit on the docks, with representatives from ten Mexican marinas and boatyards explaining their available facilities and amenities. Along the docks, Seaforth Boat Rentals will provide sailboat rides for the family. A novel double-decker pontoon boat equipped with a slide will be exhibited on land.
Unlike many boat shows, the Sunroad show offers both new and brokerage boats in the water. The show’s expansive tent and adjacent space feature more than 85 vendors offering marine services and products, including canvas, electronics, boat maintenance and supplies, surveys and boating accessories.
This year’s largest exhibitor is JK3 Nautical Enterprises, displaying 12 boats, both sail and power, including several models shown for the first time in California. Their exhibits include the German-built Dehler 46 and three Hanse sailboats from 34 to 57 feet.
JK3 is also exhibiting Maine-built Sabre and Back Cove yachts. The Sabres are noteworthy for their twin-engine pod-drive, explained JK3 president Jeff Brown.
“That takes all the stress out of boating,” Brown said, “because it uses a simple joystick (instead of a wheel). Wherever you point the joystick, that’s where the boat goes.”
West Coast Multihulls is showing two catamarans, a 35-foot American-built Gemini and 44-foot French-built Fountaine-Pajot, as well as showcasing their catamaran sailing school and charter operations.
Multihulls are increasingly popular because of their stability and spaciousness, explained West Coast Multihulls President Kurt Jerman.
“Catamarans, especially in the 36- to 40-foot range, are like a condo on the water,” Jerman said. “They’re very beamy, giving them the stability and comfort people tend to like.”
Tickets are $12, with children 12 and under admitted free. Admission for active-duty military, police, EMTs and fire personnel with ID is free Thursday and Friday. Because of crowded docks, show staff ask guests to leave pets and strollers at home, with service animals always welcome.
Parking is available for $10 at Cabrillo Isle, Cortez and Harbor Island West Marinas, with shuttles provided, plus preferred marina parking at $20. Sunroad’s Island Deli and food trucks will offer varied menus, all to the accompaniment of steel drums.
For latest details and exhibitors, visit www.bigbayboatshow.com or call (619) 574-0736. HEAD: Capt. Pat Rains heads boat show seminars Capt. Pat Rains, author of Mexico Boating Guide and who has more than 15 years’ experience cruising Mexico and Central America, will deliver two one-hour Sunroad seminars entitled “Cruising Mexico, the Whole Enchilada: Raja, Sea of Cortez, Mainland.” She’ll provide the latest on what boaters need to know about cruising Mexican waters. She will also have copies of her indispensable cruising guides available for purchase.
The seminars are set for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24 and 25. Don Margret, of West Coast Multihulls, will talk about “Catamaran Safety – the True and False of Multihull Safety” at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, while Mike Gunning, of Electric Yachts of Southern California, will discuss “Power Management and the Green Sailor” at 2 p.m. the same day. Chuck Skewed, of Pullman Sails, rounds out the seminar schedule with talks on “Unlocking Asymmetrical Spinnakers” on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 3:30 p.m. and “Unlocking the Offshore Cruising Inventory” on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. All seminars are free with boat show admission and are held in the pavilion at Sunroad Resort Marina. For latest seminar updates, visit bigbayboatshow.com. – Nicole Sours Larson