The Seattle Boat Show is less than a month away and you can once again find Swiftsure Yachts in our usual place at South Lake Union (booth #39). Also, Swiftsure’s Pete McGonagle and Andy Cross, along with John Neal and Amanda Swan-Neal from Mahina Expeditions, will be giving free presentations at CenturyLink on a host of topics from choosing and outfitting a yacht for blue water voyaging to cruising Alaska. Here’s their 2020 Seminar lineup:
Friday, January 24th 3:00 PM — Shorthanded Sailing Techniques with John & Amanda at Stage #4 Club Level. Valuable tips for setting up your boat plus procedures and checklists addressing the following: safety, overboard prevention, watch standing, electronics for safety, sail handling, weather resources, dealing with sleep deprivation, docking, communications and storm tactics. A handout featuring key points and resources is included.
Friday, January 24th, 5:00 PM — Boat Selection for Offshore Cruising with John Neal & Pete McGonagle Stage #4 Club Level. 22 key points and latest trends to consider when purchasing a boat for extended voyaging, based on their combined 1,460,000 sea miles and 80 years of experience. With their extensive, objective and worldwide knowledge of boats and builders, they’ll quickly allow you to narrow your search. There’s a free handout and a 37-page booklet is available.
Saturday, January 25th, 10:15 – 12:15 AM — Cruising Forum: Discussion with the Experts at Stage #5 Club Level. A comprehensive and fast paced panel discussion, John and Amanda Neal (Mahina Expeditions), Behan and Jamie Gifford (Sailing Totem), Will Curry (Hydrovane) and Andy Cross will draw from years and miles of experience to answer host Sarah Curry’s questions. What should you prioritize when choosing and outfitting an offshore boat? They’ll cover topics from self sufficiency to heavy weather tactics to life changing landfalls. Learn from their mistakes and benefit from expert tips for a safe passage down the Washington and Oregon coasts and to exciting destinations beyond… the freedom to explore the world in this amazing way is yours to realize. Register online to submit your own questions: http://tinyurl.com/2019seattlecruisingforum
Saturday, January 25th, 3:00 PM — Overnight Passage Essentials with John & Amanda at Stage #4 Club Level. Navigating at night is an inevitable part of life on the water and transitioning from day sailor to overnight passage maker can be a daunting task. Join John & Amanda Neal as they guide you through a virtual overnight passage where many scenarios are taken into account. You’re offered plenty of sound seamanship advice enabling you to greet the dawn with a sense of accomplishment.
Saturday, January 25th, 5:00 PM — South Pacific: How to Sail from Seattle to New Zealand with John & Amanda at Stage #4 Club Level. Sail safely through Paradise – uncrowded South Seas isles await where friendly islanders welcome you. Latest information on passage timing & El Nino, new services, safe & secluded anchorages plus provisioning are detailed with colorful images and a free handout based on John & Amanda Neal’s combined 436,000 miles and 64 years of South Pacific adventures.
Sunday, January 26th, 12:00 PM — Ocean Voyaging Preparation with John & Amanda on Stage #4 Club Level. Twenty steps to prepare for sailing to Mexico, the South Pacific, Alaska or the Med. Topics covered include: selecting and outfitting your boat, electrical systems, navigation, galley essentials, insurance, seamanship and communication options. Based on John & Amanda Neal’s combined 732,000 miles and 87 years’ experience. A free handout details this seminar.
Sunday, January 26th, 2:00 PM — Diesel Engine Essentials with Amanda at Stage #4 Club Level. Six essential components of diesel engines plus troubleshooting and preventative maintenance tips based on Amanda’s 43 years of ocean voyaging. Copies of Amanda’s recently-released Marine Diesel Essentials, A Learning and Coloring Book will be available
Sunday, January 26th, 4:00 PM — Anchoring Techniques: From Puget Sound to Worldwide Regions with John & Amanda at Stage #4 Club Level. Six specific techniques and related equipment necessary for easy and safe anchoring whether in the Pacific NW, tropics or high-latitudes are detailed based John and Amanda Neal’s anchoring experience spanning 44 years in 54 countries. A free handout is included and a 20-page text is available.
Wednesday, January 29th, 5:15 PM & Saturday, February 1st, 3:00 PM — 700-miles Downwind to Alaska: How a One Summer Voyage Turned Into Three with Andy Cross at Stage #3 North Hall (Wed) and Stage #6 Club Level (Sat). Setting off from Victoria, British Columbia aboard their Grand Soleil 39 Yahtzee, Andy and Jill Cross’ plan was to voyage north to Alaska for the spring and summer of 2017 with two goals in mind: Sail as much of the 700-mile route north as possible and, once there, explore Alaska to the fullest. Along with their two young sons, they took an unconventional route downwind along the west coast of Vancouver Island, north to Haida Gwaii, and into Alaska, while only sailing upwind or motoring a mere 90 miles. Goal one achieved! Then, little did they know at the time, their summer exploring Southeast Alaska turned into over two years and thousands of miles sailing to Kodiak Island, Prince William Sound, the Kenai Peninsula and wintering in Seward. In this presentation, Andy will take you along for the ride through this unconventional adventure while also offering tips for taking a similar route.
Find out more and purchase show tickets at https://seattleboatshow.com/
SEATTLE BOAT SHOW HOURS January 24 – February 1
CENTURYLINK FIELD EVENT CENTER
Monday – 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday – 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday- 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday – 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Fridays -11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturdays10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday10:00 am – 6:00 pm
SOUTH LAKE UNION
Weekdays – 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Weekends – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm