Northwest boat show sees attendance uptick

The fall boat-buying season got off to a good start in the Pacific Northwest, according to organizers of the Lake Union Boats Alfoat Show, held Sept. 10-14 in Seattle.

Attendance at this year’s show was up 4 percent, to 10,240, compared to the 2007 numbers. The show, presented by the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association and sponsored by Fireman’s Fund Insurance, featured more than 260 power- and sailboats exhibited by yacht brokers and dealers from Washington, Oregon, California, Florida and British Columbia.

“The 2008 Boats Afloat show was one of the best-attended shows that we’ve had in recent years,” said Allen Powell, president of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association, in a statement. “Attendees that we talked to were excited about boating, well-educated on product and upbeat about the economic prospects in the state.

“This is an important bellwether for the recreational boating industry,” Powell added.