Seattle Boats Afloat Show Report and The Launch of the 50

The Show... We arrived back in Anacortes this afternoon aboard Nor'wester. The trip back was uneventful (the best kind) with smooth seas and favorable currents. I love it when you see 13 knots over the ground for extended periods. We even went through the Ballard locks without any delay. This never happens after a boat show. Usually it takes a couple of hours to clear through but today it took us only about 20 minutes.

The show itself was down in terms of both display participants and attendees. The numbers I heard were about 40% less boats than last year and mid-week they were saying that attendees were down about 25%. That's the bad news.....the good news is that those that boarded Nor'wester seemed to be in much better spirits than what we have experienced at recent shows and many were seriously looking at boats to make a purchase in the near future. Nor'wester got the usual ooohs and aaahs, with several people making serious inquiries that may result in sales.

The Launch..... On Friday last, the NW 50 (still unnamed) was launched in La Conner and moved to a slip for final commissioning. This process will take another 3-4 weeks. Below are a few pictures of her before, during and after the launch.

The Trailer Being Backed Into Place.

Almost Ready To Go.....

Leaving For La Conner

Installing The Radar Arch

The Launch

Underway To Twin Bridges

The Commissioning Slip

Stern View

The owners of this boat are having a difficult time deciding on a name. There have several suggestions but so far nothing has clicked with them. If you have any good ideas, either email them to me or leave a comment below. As you can see, the color scheme is the same as Nor'wester with the exception of the caprail, which is a gorgeous burgundy.

If any of you would like to view this boat before she is delivered, please contact me and I will make the arrangements.

More to follow..............