2016 STRICTLY SAIL PACIFIC BOAT SHOW IN RICHMOND, CA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2016 STRICTLY SAIL PACIFIC BOAT SHOW TAKES OVER NEW LOCATION AT CRANEWAY PAVILION AND MARINA BAY YACHT HARBOR IN RICHMOND, CALIF. APRIL 7-10

New Sailboats and Luxury Yachts Will Fill the Waterfront In and Out of the Water Along with Seminars and More

Richmond, Calif. (March 29, 2016) – The 2016 Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show, the West Coast’s largest sail boat show, will cruise into its new location, the Craneway Pavilion and Marina Bay Yacht Harbor on the waterfront in Richmond, California, from Thursday, April 7 through Sunday, April 10. This four-day sailing spectacular will feature all that is hot in the world of sailing including new sailboats, gear, accessories, hardware, more than 100 seminars, hands-on workshops, advanced sailing classes, stand up paddle board races, model boat races and more.

From nautical novices to serious sailors, the Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show is the place for people to immerse themselves in the sailing lifestyle, talk to experts, participate in hands-on seminars, learn new sailing techniques, get on the water and have fun. Sailboats of every size and budget will fill the waterfront, both in the Craneway Pavilion and in the water at the Marina Bay Yacht Harbor including sleek racers, catamarans, luxury yachts and dinghies.

An abundance of new sailboats will be on display from Beneteau, C&C Yachts, Catalina, Elan, Dehler, Hanse, Hobie, Hunter, J/Boats, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Laser, RS and more ranging in size from an 8-foot Bic O’Pen to a 55-foot luxury yacht. Attendees will also get the opportunity to test sail some of the latest sailboats on the market including an RS Quest, courtesy of Discover Sailing. (These boats are available on a limited basis at the show, get ahead of the crowd and register online.)

“This new location allows us more space both inside for gear, equipment and seminars, as well as outside in the water to display all the new boats,” said Sail America Association Manager Peter Durant. “This new shoreline access also allows us to add several fun in-water activities including stand up paddle board races, model boat racing, high school sailing team practices and more.”

A packed seminar schedule will offer informative seminars for all levels of sailors, from sharpening their craft to learning something new. The best in the industry will present more than 90 free seminars with topics ranging from Solar Power on Boats to Downwind Sailing Techniques. Additionally, a collection of advanced sailing seminars and workshops includes a U.S. Sailing 4-hour Coastal Safety at Sea Course challenging the more seasoned sailor. Dozens of active on-the-water learning opportunities are also available with certified instructors, courtesy of Discover Sailing.

Check out the latest innovative products and gear from the top names in sailing. Several new products will be making their US and West Coast debuts allowing attendees to be among the first to experience these exciting new products in person. To see a sampling of the products making their West Coast debut, please visit, www.strictlysailpacific.com/new-products.

Additional show highlights include:
• Stand Up Paddle Board Races – Get an early start to the day and enjoy the glassy waters of the bay by joining in on the Stand Up Paddle Board Race on Saturday, April 9, at 8 a.m. right in the Inner Harbor Basin at the show. Bring your own board or easily rent one in advance from 101 Surf Sports to participate. Whether you paddle or just want to watch, it’s a great way to start your Saturday. For board rental or more information, contact 101 Surf Sports at www.101surfsports.com or call, 415/524-8492.
• Model Boat Races – Watch model boat racing in the Inner Harbor Basin at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day of the show. Cheer on these mini yachts as they make their way through the water to claim first place and learn about all the fun of model boat racing, courtesy of the Sacramento Model Yacht Club, the Elk Grove MYC and the North Bay RC Sailing Club.
• Berkeley High School and Sir Francis Drake High School Sailing Team’s Practice – Young sailors will delight Strictly Sail Pacific attendees as more than 30 sailors make their way through the waters for practice in front of the show on Thursday, April 7 and Friday, April 8, from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
• Author’s Corner – Check out the latest books from top sailing authors, chat with the experts, purchase a signed book and hear a tale or two about any number of sailing topics and adventures at the Author’s Corner.
• Dockside “Belly Biology” Program – Join marine science educators and the crew of the Derek M. Baylis sailing research vessel each day of the show, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., for an at-the-dock science based program to learn about the health of San Francisco Bay and our oceans. Participants will collect specimens from the dock and the water and analyze their findings, courtesy of Wylie Charters and the crew of the Derek M. Baylis. (A $15 donation is suggested, but not required.)
• GetMYBoat’s Life Jacket Drive with NFL’s David Casper – Join Hall of Fame member and former tight end for the Oakland Raiders David Casper to promote safe boating with a free life jacket exchange for the first 100 visitors to show up at booth H11 in the Craneway Pavilion on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Casper will share boating stories and participants are encouraged to bring their old life jackets to exchange for a free brand new Type-III PFD, courtesy of GetMyBoat and SailSFBay.org.
• Parties Galore – From Friday evening TGIF fun to the legendary Cruising Outpost Party, there are plenty of opportunities to share good times with like-minded sailing fans.

The show will take place at Craneway Pavilion 1414 Harbour Way S., and the nearby Marina Bay Yacht Harbor, in Richmond, California. The City of Richmond offers some of the best waterfront access in the San Francisco Bay Area, including more than 32 miles of shoreline with access to the San Francisco Bay Bike Trail connecting nearby Albany, Emeryville and Oakland, making Richmond the perfect host destination for all that is sailing. Attendees are encouraged to Boat, Bike or BART to the show. The new location offers guest docks, miles of bike paths and just a short walk from the Richmond BART Station and AC Transit Bus Line #74 (Ford Point Stop). For more information on where to eat, stay and play in Richmond, visit http://visitrichmondca.com.

Show hours are: Thursday, April 7, Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $18 one-day adult, children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult, $28 two-day adult pass and $48 four-day pass. To purchase advance tickets visit www.strictlysailpacific.com.

Follow @strictlysailpac on Twitter and www.facebook.com/strictlysailpacific on Facebook.

About Sail America:
Sail America is the trade association for the U.S. sailing industry and plays a vital role for all companies that are involved in providing sailing-related products and services. Established in 1990 by members of the U.S. sailing industry, Sail America now has over 200 members representing all segments of the sailing market. With a professional staff, a dedicated board of directors, and a team of volunteers and supporters, Sail America works hard to promote the health and growth of sailing. For additional information, visit SailAmerica.com

CONTACT:
DeeDee Taft/Shelbi Okumura
Spin Communications
415/380-8390,
shelbi@spinpr.com
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