Strictly Sail Pacific Sees 15% Increase in Attendance

Strictly Sail Pacific, the largest sailboat show on the West Coast, drew over 15,500 people through its show gates. This represents a 15% jump in attendance, compared to last year's gate, for this five-day sailboat show held annually from April 18-22 in Oakland, CA. Last year's show represented a 9% rise in attendance over the 2005 turnout.

"This was our best show ever, in terms of sales ... Not one segment of our spectrum [of products and services] was left out: from small boats, to rigging, to bow thrusters," said Alex Jordan of Svendsen's Boat Works (Alameda, Calif.). For Jordan and other exhibitors, the strong influx of showgoers not only translated to a larger crowd but to stronger sales. "What is great about this show," said Jordan, "is that people come prepared, ready to buy."

For Don Durant, vice president of Cruising Yachts (Alameda and Monterey), dealers for Hunter and Jeanneau, this year's show was a sales record. The company brought a fleet of 31- to 54-foot boats to Oakland; they sold all their Hunters except one. "This is the first time that has happened at a boat show," said Durant. The record follows what has been a strong year for the company. 
 
Back in her office on Monday after five days of brisk business, Marilee Shaffer, owner of Waypoint/HF Radio On Board (Alameda, Calif.), concurred: "I am just buried," she said, while going through orders. Her company sold communications solutions to sailors, charts, books, and software.

The five-day show, held at Jack London Square, coincided with Earth Day, and show organizers brought a focus to sailing's environmentally friendly nature through individual boats and exhibitors. The message resonated with showgoers, evidenced by the many individuals who flocked to take a look at the Derek M. Baylis—a 65-footer designed by pioneering California naval architect Tom Wylie that gives marine researchers and educators access to the ocean while leaving a minimal footprint on the environment.

Serious cruisers continue to be a mainstay of the Strictly Sail Pacific audience, which was clear this year from the record of sales and seminar turnout. World cruisers John and Amanda Neal of Mahina Expeditions ran a series of seminars for cruisers plotting offshore adventures. "We are always surprised at the number of people at the Oakland show who are dying for their own cruising adventure—whether to Mexico, Alaska, the Caribbean, South Pacific, or Europe," said John Neal. "Their numbers only seem to increase."

Seminars given by other veteran cruisers—including Lin Pardey, Pam Wall, and Charles and Corinne Kanter—were also full. 

Strictly Sail shows are a key venue for Discover Sailing, a national program coordinated by show organizer Sail America to introduce more individuals to the joys of sailing. Discover Sailing's participation at this year's Strictly Sail Pacific show tripled compared to the 2006 show.

For more information about the family of Strictly Sail boat shows organized by Sail America, visit www.strictlysail.com.

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