Biggest sailboat show on the west coast begins on Wednesday if anyone is interested.
You can get some great ideas re truck conversions from looking at sailboats since sailboats tend to try to use every square inch of available space. Lots of free seminars on sailboating...
Here is the link:
http://www.strictlysail.com/shows/pacific.asp?show=pa
11th Annual Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show Opens in Oakland on April 18
Five-Day Show Features Free Seminars, Extensive Collection of Boats and Gear
Oakland (Calif.) March 6, 2007 – Strictly Sail Pacific, the largest sailboat show on the West Coast, will open at Oakland's Jack London Square on April 18. The 11th running of this five-day boat show will feature over 300 exhibitors and Strictly Sail's trademark mix of an extensive marketplace combined with free seminars and special events for sailing enthusiasts of all ages. The show runs until Sunday, April 22.
"Strictly Sail is all sail, all the time," says Kevin Murphy of show organizer Sail America. "The fleet is diverse"”from small dinghies to cruisers built to go the distance offshore"”and seminars are geared to every level of sailor. Our guiding principle when planning this show is simple: something for everyone."
Exhibitors traveling from around the world will bring a wide-ranging collection of boats and gear"”giving showgoers a valuable opportunity to find the latest developments in sailboat design and equipment all in one locale. And built into that marketplace is plenty of opportunity for inspiration: seminars that are free with the price of admission run all five days of the show.
Experts and bluewater cruisers travel to Oakland each year from ports around the globe to share their expertise. Sessions will be held on planning major offshore cruises, weather forecasting, sail handling, destinations as wide-ranging as Alaska and Vietnam and South Pacific isles, boat surveying, staying fit onboard with yoga, and other topics.
Among this year's seminar leaders are: Lin and Larry Pardey, notable authors and lifetime adventurers who captured the record for sailing the smallest boat around the world's southern capes against the prevailing winds; marine meteorologist Lee Chesneau, who makes his Strictly Sail Pacific debut this year with weather seminars designed to give mariners the tools for independent decision-making in weather forecasting, route planning, and heavy weather avoidance; offshore voyagers John and Amanda Neal, who come to Strictly Sail Pacific to share the knowledge they have gained in 456,000 miles of bluewater sailing with others who also dream of far horizons; and veteran cruiser Pam Wall, who brings fresh cruising insights to Strictly Sail from the deck of her current boat, a Freya 39 she and her husband Andy built themselves.
A fleet of unique vessels are sailing to the show as special attractions:
Lin and Larry Pardey's storied cruiser Taleisin, the 29-foot engineless wooden cruiser they built themselves and sailed over 67,000 miles, will make a rare public appearance at Strictly Sail.
Showgoers can step aboard the 65-foot cat-ketch Derek M. Baylis, operated by the nonprofit group Sealife Conservation, to learn how this unique Tom Wylie design is being used to help conserve our ocean resources.
Visit Pacific Cup racer Compromise, an Elite 37, to learn how to prepare your boat for the Pacific Cup, the classic 2,190-mile offshore race to Hawaii that takes place next summer.
The magnificent 122-foot square top-sail schooner Lynx will appear at Strictly Sail Pacific for the first time to give showgoers a glimpse at what life was like aboard a privateer during the War of 1812. Lynx will also be doing sunset sails from the show.
Discover Sailing is a perennial draw for those who have never stepped foot on a sailboat before. Expert skippers will take showgoers out for half-hour sailing excursions, which are free with the price of admission. This national program travels to events throughout the United States to introduce more individuals to the joys of sailing.
Show hours are: Wednesday, April 18 (12 pm–7 pm); Thursday, April 19 and Friday, April 20 (11 am–7 pm); Saturday, April 21 (10 am–7pm); and Sunday, April 22 (10 am–5pm).
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