With an additional 120 feet of dock space installed for in-the-water exhibits, the new owner of the San Diego International Boat Show, Orange County-based Duncan McIntosh Co., promises a “bigger and better” display for the annual show.
The show splashes into the water near the Sheraton Harbor Island, with land-based exhibits located in Spanish Landing Park, East, on Thursday, June 16, and continues through Sunday, June19.
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 $15 for adults, with children 12 and under free and active military, police and fire personnel free with ID.
Expect to see nearly 200 boats – an increase of about 50 vessels – including more trailerable family boats, as well as personal watercraft, paddleboards, kayaks, dinghies and inflatables, plus both sail and power mid-size yachts. Major yacht dealers exhibiting include Fraser, South Coast, Emerald Pacific, Sun Country Marine, Silver Seas, Marine Max and Cruising Yachts.
A highlight of the show is comedian Jerry Lewis’ 65-foot classic 1959 wooden yacht Sam’s Place, now for sale by Fraser Yachts for $399,000.
About 10 luxury superyachts over 80 feet will be on display, with many available for charter. Members of the U.S. Superyacht Association, in San Diego for the Superyacht Summit, will participate in the show.
This year more than 80 vendors will exhibit under tents in Spanish Landing Park, offering an array of boating accessories such as electronics, canvas, anchors, watermakers, cookware and other marine gear as well as boating services.
This is a transitional year for the show, explained Duncan McIntosh, who purchased the San Diego and Los Angeles boat shows from the National Marine Manufacturing Association in February. Most of the show’s exhibits, vendors and programming were already set for the year. With 43 years’ experience running the Newport Boat Show plus four others on the West Coast, McIntosh expects to use his team’s solid California experience to customize the San Diego show for local tastes in coming years.
“San Diego has everything going for it to make it a super show. We adapt to changing markets, providing the right mix to make the show better,” he said.
Seminars and educational programming remain a highlight of the summer show. Mexican boating seminars return this year with the Mexico Tourism presenting a review of documentation required for boating and fishing in Mexico. Capt. Pat Rains, author of Mexico Boating Guide, will conduct seminars on cruising Mexico and transiting the Panama Canal.
Sailing seminars are in abundance this year, with both classroom overviews and hands-on sailing introductory courses offered.
The “Try It Cove” again provides the opportunity to try out several water sports, including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing (swimsuit and towel recommended).
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 adjacent to the hotel.
The show is located near the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel & Marina, 3900 N. Harbor Island Dr. For latest exhibitor, seminar schedule and ticket information, visit www.sandiegointernationalboatshow.com.
