01/13 - 01/15 - Seattle Boat Show/C-Brat Convention

I mentioned this to my first mate and she is running with it. From what I am reading here, there is a gathering of the clan the 13th and 14th. Those times will conflict with my Mother-in-law's 80th birthday (nothing she ever does is convenient!), so IF we can make it to Seattle, it will be the weekend before. The Blonde has done a search on last minute fares/hotels and has found something that sounds like downtown for 4 nights. If this works, we'd like to do a couple days at the boat show and then hit some other highlights for a couple days (are there highlights besides boats???).

The only time I have been in Seattle was 15 years ago to pick up an airplane... flew in, caught a cab to another airport, preflighted, and out. It was January and I almost froze to death. I am an island boy who finds it difficult to wear long pants and shoes (besides deck shoes).

We are serious about pursuing a C-Dory and would love the opportunity to see a nice one up close and personal, so...

How cold IS it there this time of year?
Will there be other C-Dory folks at the boat show the first weekend?
Is the weekend something to be avoided (like during the Miami International Boat Show)?
What is the venue for the boat show close to in terms of city layout (I think her checking has been for airline tickets/hotel packages)?
Places to be avoided?
Other things that a small-town boy should know?

She is working fast and furious on this... who am I to question? (No, that's not one of the questions.)

Thanks in advance. I appreciate any help/advice you good folks can offer.
James TX/SD
 
How cold IS it there this time of year?
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If it is clear expect mid to upper 30s to lower 40s and if it is raining expect 45-55.

As for other things to check out in Seattle... Typical touristy type things would be to hit up the Space Needle, Pikes Place Market, Seattle Waterfront, and Seattle Aquarium.
 
JamesTXSD":57tvq5jl said:
How cold IS it there this time of year?
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Gary covered that one and gave a good list of the std. tourist things. I'd add the Seattle Art Museum (the SAM) to that plus I'd suggest you take at least one ferry ride just to see a bit of the sound.
JamesTXSD":57tvq5jl said:
Will there be other C-Dory folks at the boat show the first weekend?
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Probably - I'll be there Sat. the second weekend and will probably onyl attend one day. However, if you simply go to the C-Dory display and hang out for an hour or so, you will likely encounter many C-Dory owners.
JamesTXSD":57tvq5jl said:
Is the weekend something to be avoided (like during the Miami International Boat Show)?
Click to expand...
Not really - it can be busy but not "crazy busy".
JamesTXSD":57tvq5jl said:
What is the venue for the boat show close to in terms of city layout (I think her checking has been for airline tickets/hotel packages)?
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The venue is Qwest field/convention center - the football stadium - that's on the south end of town - You'll drive right past it on your way in from the airport to Seattle. Both the football and baseball stadium are obvious from I-5.

JamesTXSD":57tvq5jl said:
Places to be avoided?
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Not really - Seattle is (relative to other cities) a fairly safe place. I do avoid walking around in the international district late at night (after 11) as there have been a few aisian gang problems but I wouldn't worry too much about Seattle.
JamesTXSD":57tvq5jl said:
Other things that a small-town boy should know?
Click to expand...
That's an open question with many answers - you should know how to change your own oil, tie your shoes etc... but I'm guessing you meant about Seattle.
Here's a couple of links you might find handy
http://www.seattle.worldweb.com/ and The Lonely Planet Guide to Seattle

Best,
Roger on the SeaDNA
 
James: I am unsure if they have gotten the monorail up and running since the last incident but if so, you can board it over by the space needle and take it downtown to westlake center. Westlake center is like a verticle mall. I especially enjoy visiting Restoration Hardware in that mall. Also, while you are near the monorail you might want to take in Paul Allens Experience Music. A pretty nifty place. The aquarium is a really good one as well. And there are some interesting places down on the waterfront. You can take the vintage trolley down there and get around really well. It also takes you close to the boatshow. I sometimes go to the north end of the trolley on the waterfront and take it all the way to the baseball field. Parking is easier.
 
fyi - the Seattle Arts Museum downtown will be closing soon - for over a year to renovate. We visited yesterday - the Tiffany exhibit was pretty good. They are running extended hours 'till they close....
Mac & Linda
 
Made our reservations.
They still have a couple of town houses for those like me that are late to commit.
Get them while you can.

Roger, thanks for settnig this up and for providing all the details.
 
Hi All .
Trish here from the Hunky Dory of Ronald.
Doug & I have signed up for a room on Saturday night, and we are looking forward to seeing you all there. Is there a dinner on Friday night as well? I must have missed that information. Only thought there was one on Saturday evening.
Can someone enlighten me please. Thank you.
Trish
 
I hope this will help you out....lol.... I have highlighted the friday info so you can't miss it
OK all you boat show brats

here are the details on our motel for the C-Brat "Convention"

the place ----- Hawthorn Suites > same place as last year

the price ------- one bedroom studios > $69.00+tax
-------------two bedroom Townhouse > $79.00 +tax
---------------one time booking fee > $10.00

Fridays Party ---- we have secured the banquet room.
-------------- much larger than last years room and
---------------there will be tables and chairs for us to use.
---------------we will be able to bring in food & drink
the contact --- Travel Desk <> Linda Dreher <> 360/629-4196

We have tentativly booked 20 studios and 20 townhouse rooms.Call Her for reservations .She can also help out with airfare and rental cars for anyone flying in for the occasion
Linda will book the rooms for us and take care of all the logistics with the motel. Linda did a wonderful job for us last year and she was a great asset to making the C-Brat gathering a success. Please thank her for her hard work and we will all be able to meet her at the motel
 
Please post times and locations for the gathering for those of us that are still out of the loop. My apologies for showing my ignorance. Just landed back at home after the last two weeks in the desert. CENTCOMS computer gurus have deemed this an internet chat site which meens I have no access when in the southwest asia AOR so I have been out of the loop for the last two weeks. I'm located in Tacoma so don't need a room etc. Just want to show up for the gathering and the factory party. Did bring a case of good german beer home with me today for the festivities. Sorry that I haven't had time to brew my own lately but the flying schedule kinda screws that up. Really looking forward to meeting a bunch of you folks. Especially Byrdman since we own the only two mid-size classic anglers out there. Have a wonderful day!
Norm
 
Norm... Welcome back CONUS Brother!! :beer Since you are in Tacoma, you can bring the German beer Thursday night.... :mrgreen: :beer :beer :mrgreen: but most folks will not be here until Friday night. I know that Bill, El, (Halcyon), Chris (Green Frog... I can spell that!), Terry from NY, Roger (SENSEI) and myself will be there Thursday night too. Truly looking forward to meeting my 18 Angler bretheren too. In Rancho Santa Fa right now, shifting north to LA today or tommorow after some type of animal gig Sherryl has spotted, then flying into SEATAC on the 8th. See a bit of boat show action on the 8th, then go north to Roger Johnson's family home till Wednesday then return to boatshow/hotel. This will be great and truly looking forward to it.
Byrdman
 
Looks like I can make the Friday party but not the shindig at the factory :( Since it is my wifes BDay I will defer to her wishes and have dinner with the Grandaughter :)
 
Hey Roger, is the attendance list (on the signup sheet) pretty accurate at this point? I wanna know how many of the other C-Brats I'm gonna meet out there next week. We met some of the Left Coasters at the Eastern Shore Gathering last summer but not many of them. Looks about 49 have signed up, not sure whether that's for the gathering, the show or the Factory Tour, or all of the above.

Hope someone's gonna have name tags, mostly so I don't forget who I am :roll: . Will try to remember to bring my hat with my name on it, hope I don't loose it :oops: . Looking forward to it very much. Trying to figure out how to get the boat into the suitcase..... Or which bank to rob so that I can buy a new one.....

Charlie
 
Hey Charlie
I count 64 yes votes on the poll, 49 have signed up on the event signup list, and we have 36 rooms reserved so far at the motel. I feel that we are right on track...lol....there are several on the sign up list that are doubling up on the rooms
as far as name tags goes, I will leave that up to someone else, I have enough on my plate already.

looking forward to meeting a lot of new C-Brats this year
 
I don't know if we need name tags or not, but I am definitely going to print out the sign up list and take it with me along with the addition of the real names (where applicable) of the members (as opposed to avetars and boat names), and note down anything else that might be useful in trying to meet all my friends, old and new, and kinda help keep track of who's who in this rather large party of C-Brats. I guess I'm just a nerd at heart in some ways. But that's not always bad, either. Joe.
 
Hello all...this is Terraplane Tom, owner of Sall's Sister, confirming arrival at Seattle Boat Show..or at least one of the parties.

I have some family stuff to take care of...with people on Vashon Island and will have to devote most of my time to that. But i plan on making the Friday night party or the factory party.

I think i know how to get to each event...will have to go back to Vashon on the ferry however that night.

It will be good to see all of you... Looks like the right coast will be well represented.

Terraplane Tom
 
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