Seattle SeaFair Show 2015

W

Walt C

New member
Has anyone attended this show in the past as to seeing the Blue Angels fly? Is it really worth the hassle to get into Lake Washington? I'm unsure of how to line up to enter the locks and then when to tie-up or anchor to see the fly overs of the Blue Angels.
I've been to Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, but not to Oak Harbor, any recommends to Oak Harbor? We will be cruising the San Juans for about 10 days starting 7/23 thru early August. I'll be looking for other C-Dory yachts, too.
 
We live in the Seward Park neighborhood, right near where the boat races are held and we make sure we're out of town every Seafair weekend. That being said, the Blue Angels show is great. Boating to the show, especially on the Sunday of the hydroplane races is a complete zoo. I believe the Blue Angels practice on Thursday-Saturday and that's the time to see them. Usually around noon. But I wouldn't try to see the actual show on Sunday, there are a gazillion boats all around with many boaters imbibing. Just my $.02.
 
We did it on our 22 footer a couple of times and like Peter says, it's a zoo. More drunks in overloaded boats than you can imagine. Recently we've gone out on an Argosy cruise boat leaving from downtown Kirkland. It's expensive, about $70, if I recall, but they give you a great buffet and sail right into the heart of things, just north of the I-90 bridge.
 
I've done it a few time and enjoyed it but you do need to know what you are getting into in advance. If you do go, try and watch from inbetween the argosy boats, they always mark the centerline of the show so the jets will be as close to you as possible which is awesome.

Another way i have enjoyed seafair is to grab a buddy and a few beers and sit at the magnuson park boat launch and watch the madness of people with no clue how to launch a boat try. You will see it all!!
 
I love this show and have taken the 22 and the 27. Last year I took a friend in kayaks. We found a place to park early near the 90 bridge and just walked the kayaks down to a very small park to launch. It was South Judkins Street end. ( found it on google map). Paddled out a hundred yards just pass the last boat and had the best unobstructed view of the show. Lots of boats, girls and planes, what could be better. :smiled
 
I always watched them from elliott bay. You can't see it all but you don't have the chaos of the crowds on lake washington either. I wouldn't go anywhere near that mess. There are people that go out and get on the log boom two or three days in advance.

As to oak harbor. It is an okay place but you are a ways from shopping and eating out is limited. And it seems like every time I go there a lot of crud drifts in and attaches itself to the boat. If you need to go shopping there is a bus that comes around periodically.
 
Thanks everyone. I think I'll pass on this event, don't like crowds or heavy drinkers. Sounds like an accident in the making. I'm docked at Oak harbor tonight and as it goes they are having sailboat races today and tomorrow. There are over 90 boats competing and the beer is flowing like the wind. I did enjoy LaConner downtown and the LaConner Pub's Fish & Chips. Will make a return trip there. Thanks for the heads up friends.
 
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