The Seattle Boat Show continues through this weekend. Yes, even on Super Bowl Sunday. So if you haven’t stopped by, make some time available.

And don’t forget the South Lake Union “Boats Afloat” portion of the show; the weather’s perfect. Get out there and take a look at some larger boats in their natural habitat.

But hold on…what’s this?

Allow me to share what I think is the weirdest boat at the show. Actually, it isn’t at the show, which is a shame. But at the WORD Boats display (North 134), you can see material on and talk about the HeliCat 22.

Is it a helicopter? No, it’s a…well, here’s what the website says:

The HeliCat 22 high speed two-person catamaran is great for safe & dry fun, island transport, fishing far away, or day charter. Wrap it with your company logo & photos for eye-catching and fun advertising on and off the water.

The revolutionary new design makes this fast and agile catamaran very easy to navigate, safe in rough seas, and a lot of fun with great fuel economy and low maintenance. It is virtually unsinkable as each of its 22-foot hulls is divided into 6 completely separate watertight compartments.

When using two 60-horsepower 4-stroke outboards the HeliCat exceeded 57 knots (over 60 mph). It is constructed using isophthalic resin, thus eliminating any problems that would occur from osmosis. The HeliCat is manufactured according to ABS rules in Argentina.

Seattle Boat Show Price: $44,500 ready to go with with two Mercury 4-stroke EFI 60-hp engines, and aluminum trailer.

You know, if you lived on one of those non-ferry-served islands in the Salish Sea, and you worked on the mainland, I could kind of see this being your daily commuter.

See, I figure it’s like a motorbike or a subcompact car, for the water. Or maybe it’s more like the personal helicopters we were all supposed to be using by now. This requires more thought…

Pilothouse and “Alaska bulkhead” powerboats in the 20- to 30-foot range are popular here in the Pacific Northwest. Heck, I own one myself.

It’s cold half the year, and it can rain at any time of the year, so being able to close the cabin door and crank up the heat is a necessity for any serious cruising boat, the way air conditioning might be in Florida.

So it’s entirely appropriate that Boston Whaler has chosen to debut the new 285 Conquest Pilothouse at the Seattle Boat Show. In case you won’t be there, you can see a whole slideshow over at Boston Whaler. Let’s see what the press release says…

Boston Whaler Unveils Hull # 1 of 285 Conquest Pilothouse at Seattle Boat Show’s Opening Day, Friday January 27

SEATTLE – Boston Whaler has chosen the 65^th Annual Seattle Boat Show for the world debut of its new 285 Conquest Pilothouse. The boat will be unveiled at a special event – open to members of the media and select invitees – at 5pm on Friday January 27, opening night of the show. Tim Schiek, Boston Whaler’s president, and Kevin Roggenbuck, president and CEO of Lake Union Sea Ray will offer remarks and a champagne toast to mark this milestone. They and other Boston Whaler representatives, including Lenn Scholz, Boston Whaler’s director of product development will be available to answer questions.

“We’re thrilled that Boston Whaler chose the Seattle Boat Show as the launching pad for its cutting-edge new 285 Conquest Pilothouse,” said George Harris, president of the Northwest Marine Trade Association, organizers of the Seattle Boat Show. “Boston Whaler is a well-known and well-loved brand in the Pacific Northwest and showgoers will be ecstatic to be the first boaters to see it.”

The groundbreaking new 285 Conquest Pilothouse features Boston Whaler’s first-ever full-enclosure pilothouse design—ideal for the unpredictable boating weather in the Pacific Northwest. The brand-new 210 Montauk will also be making its debut. The largest Montauk yet, the 210 offers a suite of premium fishing features in a package that allows anglers to boat farther and stay out longer than ever before.

The 285 Pilothouse includes a state-of-the-art integrated windshield-hardtop system, aft bulkhead with door, and a fully enclosed, weather-protected helm offering unprecedented comfort and cover from the elements.

“We can’t think of a better place to launch our new pilothouse design than at the Seattle Boat Show, one of the largest and most prestigious boat shows on the West Coast," said Tim Schiek, president of Boston Whaler.

Navagear will be there! Here’s the more generic press release on the 285 Conquest Pilothouse:

Boston Whaler debuts cutting-edge new 285 Conquest Pilothouse

Edgewater, Fla. (January 24, 2012) – With Boston Whaler’s landmark release of the 285 Conquest Pilothouse, the boatbuilder firmly establishes itself as an industry leader in boating innovation. Featuring Boston Whaler’s first-ever pilothouse configuration, which includes a state-of-the-art integrated windshield-hardtop system, aft bulkhead with door, and a fully enclosed, weather-protected helm, the 285 Conquest Pilothouse offers unprecedented comfort and cover from the elements.

“The 285 Conquest Pilothouse represents a bold step forward for Boston Whaler,” said Ron Berman, Boston Whaler’s vice president of product development and engineering. “Along with the fall release of the totally redesigned 285 Conquest, the new pilothouse feature is an integral element in the evolution of our Conquest line. For boaters in more volatile weather regions, like the Pacific Northwest, the 285 Conquest Pilothouse is the ideal vessel.”

The revolutionary pilothouse provides total helm climate control, with a tempered-glass, full enclosure windshield system with electric vent, and a bulkhead with locking door. Windshield wipers with wash system enhance captain visibility, and an optional cockpit diesel heating system keeps the pilothouse toasty in cold weather. Inside the pilothouse, a starboard prep center provides a sink, cutting board, cup holder and handy storage underneath. To port, an elegant and innovative lounge with solid-surface, pull-out table adds to the overall richness of the space. Captains will enjoy a brand-new adjustable helm seat with flip-up bolster and armrests for unprecedented comfort and convenience. And attached to the hardtop, cockpit floodlights, a dome light, a ventilation hatch and rod holders augment the pilothouse’s safety and utility. An available retractable canvas sun shade will provide protection from sun and rain all the way to the aft combing.

But there’s much more to the 285 Conquest Pilothouse than the enclosure itself. A spacious cabin lies below, inviting overnighters with an airy ambience courtesy of warm LED lights, a skylight over the galley, and stunning headroom. Families sleep well thanks to a sumptuous Vberth with filler cushions and plush mid-double berth. The deluxe galley features a refrigerator, microwave, sink with faucet and cutting board, trash receptacle, 110-V outlet, and premium wood-grain cabinetry. Passengers can enjoy total privacy out on the water thanks to a homelike head with VacuFlush™ pumping system, stainless steel sink with pull-out shower, mirror, hanging storage and a shelf for toiletries.

“When we designed the new 285 Conquest Pilothouse, comfort in any condition was of the utmost importance—from the helm to the cabin,” Berman said. “This boat stands out from the crowd in that regard. You will be hard-pressed to find another vessel in its class that provides accommodations that are as generous, even luxurious, as what you’ll find on the 285 Pilothouse.”

The 285’s thoughtful amenities include abundant storage, topside and below. An innovative, three-drawer port storage compartment offers a convenient home for tackle. Four under-gunnel rod racks and four cabin interior rod racks lend anglers more than enough room for their fishing equipment, and dual in-deck fishboxes with drains and pump-outs are perfect for putting fresh catch on ice. The anchor tucks away neatly in a heavy-duty stainless steel anchor roller and is operated by a standard windlass. Additional spacious storage lockers lie beneath the V-berth cushions and in the mid cabin.

For all its convenience and intuitive design elements, it could be easy to forget that the 285 Conquest Pilothouse is also a technological dynamo. Standard dual 225-hp Mercury FourStroke Verado® outboards represent the cutting edge of modern marine power. They come paired with deluxe SmartCraft™ helm gauges, DTS Digital Throttle and Shift, and hydraulic power steering that puts the captain in total command. Available factory-installed Raymarine® electronics provide the latest in navigation electronics technology. A 200-gallon fuel tank gives owners peace of mind for weekend overnight trips or offshore angling outings. Owners have a suite of entertainment tools at their disposal, as well, including Clarion® waterproof speakers (two in cabin, two in cockpit) with iPod and AM/FM/CD functionality.

“Serious boaters trust the Conquest name because it can provide a premium experience for a range of pursuits,” Berman said. “Fishermen will seek out the pilothouse for its rugged angling features and all-weather setup. Families will find first-class amenities throughout for overnight outings and entertaining guests. We’re excited by the possibilities provided by the pilothouse feature. Boston Whaler is dedicated to offering the most gracious on-water experience to its owners, no matter your boating style, and to that end, the 285 Conquest Pilothouse delivers on numerous levels.”

[It’s a letter from Northwest Marine Trade Association President George Harris. —Tim]

Seattle is slowly thawing after the big snow and freeze this past week, and boats are being prepped for move in to the Big Seattle Boat Show, Indoors + Afloat, opening next Friday, January 27 and continuing through Sunday, February 5 at CenturyLink Field and South Lake Union.

Despite the snow and ice around the Pacific Northwest, the Show must go on! With 1,000 boats of all shape, size, type and budget indoors at CenturyLink Field, another 150 world class boats and yachts afloat on South Lake Union, the West Coast’s Largest Boat Show offers something for everyone. For those who wakeboard, waterski, fish, kayak, cruise or race, under power or sail, on boats small or large, or simply want to outfit their boats with new gear or hone their skills at the 200+ boating and fishing seminars, this Show’s for them.

A common question we hear every year is what fun things are available at the Seattle Boat Show. We’re excited to feature fun activities for all boaters, and some fun kids activities:

Kids Aqua Zone
Fun for the little boaters, the new Aqua Zone features fun kids activities. Kids attending the Seattle Boat Show can enjoy time on the water using the new Aqua Paddlers paddle boats at CenturyLink Field. Life jackets will be provided to all little boaters. Or, kids can spend time building their very own toy boat in the craft area. Craft supplies will be available for parents to assist their child in adorning their very own toy boat creation. Both activities are free with your boat show ticket.

Pitch-A-Fish to win a boat!
Fish tossing is a popular attraction at Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market. At the show the Pitch-a-Fish contest will give showgoers the chance to try it themselves by tossing fish (don’t worry, they’re not real) up to 30-feet through the air into a target for a chance to win a new 16-foot Avalon Eagle Pontoon boat from Tom’s Boat Shop. You don’t have to toss a fish to be entered to win the boat, but give it a try to increase your chances of winning!

In addition to winning a new pontoon boat, showgoers can also enter to win more than a dozen other prizes offered by exhibitors in the show, including a $2,500 West Marine gift card from Allstate Boat Show Insurance, a new Mustang Survival inflatable PFD in the Life Jacket Test Drive, a Scotty electric downrigger from Outdoor Emporium and more! Click here for the complete list of contest and prizes available at the show.

Over the next several days, 450+ exhibitors will be moving in to CenturyLink Field and South Lake Union. We’re excited to put our 65th anniversary show together for all of you in time to open next Friday at 11 a.m. If you don’t already have tickets, you can save time and purchase your tickets online today, and also receive some great added value items like free chowder across the street at FX McRory’s restaurant, a free boating magazine and more!

We are pleased that the Washington State Parks Boating Safety program is a presenting partner of the show again this year, as well as our official sponsor Northwest Buick-GMC dealers.

Stay warm, and I hope to see you at the show!

George Harris
President
Northwest Marine Trade Association

I’ve joined fellow maritime blogger Captain Richard Rodriguez for a delivery down the coast. Forgive me if this blog goes a little dormant for the next couple weeks!

Here’s Richard’s post on the trip at his BitterEnd blog:

Follow me on SPOT for the next 10 days or so – San Diego Delivery Begins Today

On September 12, 2011, in Deliveries, by CaptRR

Maviric

OK, this isn’t the schooner Destiny, she’s still being worked on in Port Townsend.   I’ll be delivering this boat to San Diego beginning later today or tomorrow.

During the next 10 days or so, there will be no regular BE posts unless I can find internet access.

Be sure to follow us on Spot here:  http://bit.ly/hZhZ60

You can also follow us via Twitter Updates here:  http://twitter.com/captrodriguez

The Route

Wish us luck! —Tim

My 2004 Suzuki-manufactured, Johnson-branded 90-hp, 4-stroke EFI outboard motor makes a new noise. A rattling noise that becomes more pronounced the higher the RPMs. I THINK it might be related to the new noise on this video; normally, the prop spins silently in neutral with the engine off. So what is this noise?

Longtime readers will know that I adore a good “Johnson” joke as much as the next powerboater. If you do too, be sure to watch this. Maybe not at work or when the kids are around.

It’s a little unusual for Navagear to take an advocacy position on anything not related directly to marine technology for recreational boaters, but I’m going to make a slight exception this time. Regular readers will be aware that I don’t often speak up on current events, and I remain (publically, at least) neutral on the various hot topics of the day.

Nevertheless, I think it’s important for us, as recreational boaters, to ensure that we’re well-informed on the big picture when it comes to the health of our world’s oceans. This, after all, is the realm to which we devote our recreational time, money, and attention. If our enthusiasm for boating is any indication, we have all demonstrated some degree of love and respect for the marine environment in which we play.

So perhaps many of us will be willing to spend 18 minutes (I know, it’s an ETERNITY when you’re sitting at the computer!) to see what oceanographer Sylvia Earle has to say about it.

Thanks for BitterEnd for the link.

[Bill Liptak is a product engineer at Dometic Marine responsible for the development of the In-Duct Breathe Easy, which won an Innovation Award during IBEX 2010. He’s written this article on the product to help Navagear readers understand the product and what it does. —Tim]

For boaters who spend a lot of time aboard their vessels, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure the best possible air quality below deck. Due to the damp and confined nature of onboard living spaces, they can be difficult to ventilate, which leads to unpleasant smells and unhealthy air.

For us at Dometic Marine, two years of hard work resulted in the development of the In-Duct Breathe Easy™ Air Purifier—an effective air purification system that combines Photocatalytic Nano-Mesh Technology with UV light, silent operation and no production of harmful ozone. Winning the 2010 IBEX Innovation Award in the Mechanical Systems category was a great reward for the engineering team’s tireless efforts which included extensive market research, product design, and independent lab testing.

With the Breathe Easy installed in the ductwork of your existing air conditioning system, you can say goodbye to unhealthy, stuffy and smelly air onboard boats of all sizes and enjoy cleaner air, which significantly reduces health risks and unpleasant odors. The unit takes up little space and if retrofitted, will require no alterations to be made to the vessel’s existing air conditioning unit. There is no need for mounting hardware as a section of the A/C ducting is cut out and the circular In-Duct Breathe Easy tube is simply inserted, then the ducting is reattached.

The system should be installed in a section of the ducting that is accessible for servicing because UV bulbs must be replaced annually. Working silently within the ducting, the In-Duct Breathe Easy uses the air conditioning system’s blower to move air through the purifier. This is something we worked very hard on as it was a key priority to ensure that the air purifier operated in harmony with the air conditioning system and did not restrict airflow.

Today, there is a wide range of air purification systems available to boaters, many of which use UV light. We, of course, recommend our In-Duct Breathe Easy, but whatever air purification system you choose, make sure you get a model that fits in the space you have, maximizes the effectiveness of the air purification process, does not produce harmful ozone, and does not restrict airflow of the boat’s air conditioning system.

In any photocatalytic system, UV light sterilizes biological contaminants that pass close to it and it activates the photocatalytic coating inside the purification device so that any contaminants that come into contact with the coating are reconfigured into harmless elements such as water vapour or carbon dioxide.

For safest results, boat owners must be sure that the selected system’s UV light does not produce ozone, which creates free radicals that can irritate lungs, deteriorate rubber seals and impact other surfaces in the immediate environment. To maximize the effectiveness, it is also important that there is as much photocatalytic surface area available as possible for the air to contact.

For example, air passing through a simple screen structure will have less physical contact with the catalytic coating than air passing through a three-dimensional mesh structure. Thus, the In-Duct Breathe Easy Air Purifier has a UV bulb that runs lengthwise, parallel to the air flow, for longer UV exposure time and its photocatalytic structure is made of metalized foam to create 2200% more catalytic surface area than a screen or a flat surface.

Additionally, the Breathe Easy’s catalytic nano-mesh structure runs parallel to the air flow and is curved to create a vortex action that pushes air through the mesh for maximum contact with and subsequent destruction of its contaminants. Scientifically tested and proven by an independent laboratory, this results in up to 100% reduction in mold spores, odors and other contaminants, which means that health risks from biological and chemical contaminants as well as unpleasant smells onboard are significantly reduced.

Already tried and tested on several yachts and superyachts, the In-Duct Breathe Easy is delivering results. A 95-foot yacht built in 2004 had developed a serious mold problem throughout the ventilation system that was making the crew sick. They were complaining of ongoing health issues, such as irritated eyes, sore throats and coughs. To alleviate the problem, the captain had all of the air conditioning blowers and ducts replaced and our In-Duct Breathe Easy air purifiers installed. Within days, the boat’s crew told us that they noticed a significant change in air quality and a much more pleasant environment.

As a specialist supplier of heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, Dometic Marine’s team would be happy to provide advice and support on air purification solutions, including the In-Duct Breathe Easy Air Purifier. For further information please visit www.dometic.com/marine.

Katherine Long has this story in the Seattle Times:

[Dave Friant paddles his cardboard boat, which he says he made for $100, in a pool at the Seattle Boat Show. "This boat gives more smiles per dollar than any other boat in the show," he said. Courtney Blethen Riffkin / Seattle Times photo]

From a $200 plastic kayak to a $7.2 million yacht, the range of options at the 64th annual Seattle Boat Show spanned the broad spectrum of vessels and the people who love them.

But it would be hard to find a more economical way to get out in the water than Dave Friant’s cardboard boat, a do-it-yourself, kayak-like craft that costs about $100 in materials to construct. Detailed plans are in Friant’s book, "The Cardboard Boat Book" ($15 at the boat show or on Amazon.com).

Friant’s boat is one of about 1,000 featured at the show, which is the largest on the West Coast and third-largest in the United States. The show runs through Jan. 30.

After two years of sluggish boat sales nationwide and low attendance at the 10-day Seattle shows in 2009 and 2010, organizers and boat dealers alike said they’re seeing an uptick in the number of people expressing interest in buying a boat.

Read more

I spent an hour wandering the show floor today, taking pictures for your edification and amusement. The big Seattle Boat Show doesn’t open until Friday, but I’m fascinated by the behind-the-scenes setup/teardown process as well.

Special thanks to Jon Hoyt for letting me take his picture as he was giving a Ranger Tug a final polish.