Fun Fact: We made our first appearance at the Seattle Boat Show way back in 1986! Now in our 39th year, we’re one of only a handful of small-boat specialists left in the entire country. We find ourselves in a world where there’s really nobody else like us anymore, even at our long-time local boat show (which happens to be the largest on the west coast).
As we find ourselves standing tall in our world of “little boats”, we’re taking it upon ourselves to use the platform of the Seattle Boat Show to put a spotlight on small rowing and sailing boats — and their special ability to bring folks the peace, simplicity, and freedom that they seek in this modern day and age.
In an exhibition hall full of six- or seven-figure yachts, our affordable small boats offer something of immense value: independence.
Catch the wind in your sails; teach your kids or grandkids to do the same. Row anywhere you want in an outdoor real-world gym, untethered by fuel tanks or expectations. No worries about steep moorage rates, expensive haul-outs, or complex mechanical/electrical systems that can fail on you. When you keep things simple, you have the freedom to do what you want, when you want.
Since we build boats to order at a small scale, we meet people all the time who are astonished to realize just how accessible, affordable, and practical our little boats are. The simpler the boat, the more use and joy you get out of it. Less time spent on worry and maintenance means more time spent out sailing and enjoying the activities you love.
To that end, we’re introducing new events and speakers at the Seattle Boat Show to help you discover, demystify, and develop knowledge that can get you out there rowing and sailing with confidence.
Join guest speaker Jordan Hanssen, world-record setting ocean rower and adventurer, from Feb 6th-8th.
Jordan Hanssen set a world record crossing the Atlantic on our sliding rowing seats. He is also the proud owner of a custom 17′ Jersey Skiff built especially for his adventures rowing the entire length of the Mississippi River (twice!). Most recently, he’s been working on modern-day tall ships, supporting sustainable wind-powered trade routes.
Jordan is one of those adventurous, rough-and-tumble guys who seems like a throwback from another era. Yet as impressive as his exploits are, it’s his storytelling and heart that we find really inspiring.
Don’t miss Jordan’s official boat show seminars (see schedule below), as well as his special visits to our booth Feb 6th-8th for a Book Signing of his true story, Rowing Into The Son, plus his live Q&A on adventure rowing, “How to Row Anywhere” featuring our Salish Voyager.
Thursday, February 6, 5:15 pm: Adventure Close to Home: Circumnavigating the Olympic Peninsula by Rowboat
Join Jordan for captivating stories about circumnavigating the entire Olympic Peninsula in a 17′ Jersey Skiff rowboat. Discover the hidden gems and breathtaking sights you can experience right in your own backyard, all from the unique perspective of a rower. Adventure awaits, close to home!
Friday, February 7, 3:15 pm: Six Months on a Rum Runner: Sailing Cargo in the Modern Era
Join Jordan as he shares his experience crewing on working tall ships, harnessing wind power to navigate eco-friendly trade routes across international waters. Discover the art and adventure of sailing tall ships in today’s world of sustainable transport!
Saturday, February 8, 4:15 pm: Rowing Across the North Atlantic: New York to England
Discover the incredible journey of a local team who rowed from New York to England, capturing the 2006 Atlantic Challenge title and setting a world record along the way (on rowing seats made by Gig Harbor Boat Works!). An inspiring tale of endurance, teamwork, and triumph on the open ocean!
Saturday, February 8, 5:15 pm: Rowing Across the Atlantic: Capsize!
What happens when a transatlantic rowing adventure takes a dangerous turn? Hear the incredible, true story of a rowing crew that capsized near the Bermuda Triangle—and survived to share their harrowing yet inspiring journey across the ocean.
Daily Rigging and Rowing Demos at our booth (West Hall #37)
NEW THIS YEAR – we’re bringing in our own programming of daily rigging demos, rowing tutorials, and special panels at our booth in the West Hall of Lumen Field exhibition center. Tap the session title for full description and schedule.
BALANCED LUG RIGGING DEMO (using the 17′ Salish Voyager or 12′ Scamp)
Our balanced-lug sailboats are bestsellers for a reason — they offer tremendous versatility, ease of use, and are a ton of fun to sail. Once you see how quick and simple the balanced lug rig is, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to try it!
SLOOP RIGGING DEMO (using the 12′ Point Defiance or 10′ Navigator)
See how our sloop-rigged boats can be sailed with a single mainsail (cat rig) while you’re learning the ropes, and learn how to add the jib when you’re ready for more performance and fun.
SLIDING SEAT ROWING INTRO (using the 14′ Whitehall or 17′ Salish Voyager)
Learn the advantages of sliding seat rowing, discover techniques to maximize your enjoyment while rowing outdoors, and see how to configure our sliding seats to fit your unique proportions.
Q&A: HOW TO ROW ANYWHERE with Jordan Hanssen (featuring the 17′ Salish Voyager)
Dreaming of a rowing adventure? Get some practical tips, pointers, and inspiration from world record-setting ocean rower Jordan Hanssen. Jordan has rowed the entire length of the Mississippi river in our boats (twice!), rowed across the Atlantic on our sliding rowing seats (twice!), and crisscrossed the country with his beloved Gig Harbor Boat Works Jersey Skiff rowboat, Annabelle.
Sails & Ales: Friday Feb 7th (Beer pouring 2-8pm)
We’re putting the SAILS back in “Sails & Ales!” This annual event at the Seattle Boat Show has always been big on beer, but light on sailing. This year we’re setting out to fix that by bringing in our own great lineup of sailing speakers and stories. SAILING TALK + FREE BEER. What’s not to like?
- 3:15 pm: Rum-Running Cargo on Modern Tall Ships with Jordan Hanssen (Stage 2)
- 4:30 pm: Scamp Balanced Lug Rigging Demo at Gig Harbor Boat Works booth (West Hall #37)
- 5 pm: Q&A and book signing with Jordan at Gig Harbor Boat Works booth (West Hall #37)
- 6 pm – whenever: Sailing Story Swap hosted by Jordan Hanssen, Dave Robertson, and Fred Palmer at Gig Harbor Boat Works booth (West Hall #37). Come out and share your outlandish sailing adventures, humorous anecdotes, and embarrassing lessons you only had to learn once.
Complimentary souvenir glass and a free pour of craft beer are included with a guest ticket from Gig Harbor Boat Works redeemed on Friday, Feb 7th. Contact Us for your free guest ticket!
Of course, what’s a boat show without BOAT SHOW SPECIALS?!
Get exclusive show specials, only available when you order in person at the Seattle Boat Show! And don’t let the cost of admission get in your way… just email us and ask for a free guest ticket and we’ll be happy to send one your way (tickets are digital this year, so it’s easy for us to zap you one you can redeem anytime the show is open). By the way, there’s $5 parking at the Bell Harbor marina location, and a free shuttle to Lumen Field where you’ll find us at booth #37, on the main aisle in the West hall.
We’re all about making this show as accessible as possible, especially for folks who don’t have the budget for a six-figure boat. We’re happy to send you a complimentary ticket so you can join in the fun, and get all your questions answered by experts who’ve been living the dream in their small craft boats. Contact us here for your free guest tickets! (Pro tip: if you come on one of the Friday nights, your ticket includes a free pour of wine (Jan 31) or beer (Feb 7).