Fleet of 500 Expected for Boat Show

A racing boat maybe? Something sleek. Powerful. Fast. Slicing through the waves. The salty spray of the ocean stinging your cheeks as “there” becomes “here” becomes “back there”--quickly. What a rush . . .

More than 40,000 seaside shoppers are expected to attend the eighth annual American Boating Jubilee, which begins Friday and continues until Aug. 4 at the Shoreline Village Marina in Long Beach.

The show will feature more than 500 boats for sale, according to the Southern California Marine Assn., which is sponsoring the event. Most of the craft will be displayed on shore, but an in-the-water segment includes free powerboat demonstration rides offered by participating dealers.

In addition, shoppers can browse at 100 or more booths that offer a wide array of boating equipment and services. Boat trailers. Marine navigation electronics. Engine accessories. Generators. Water skis. Insurance. Financing options. Coastal vacation packages. And much more. A whole shipload of seaworthy stuff.

No. A yacht. A floating home. A big one--60-feet at least--to ride out the Big One. Stylishly safe at sea. Churning leisurely around the world. Sipping champagne in the stateroom. Sun tea on the sun deck. Counting stars. Drifting. Cruising. Relaxing. Indulging . . .

The American Boating Jubilee is a good way for prospective buyers to get their feet wet without drowning in red ink. Admission to the show is $5 for adults; children under 12 are admitted free. And free tickets are available for weekdays from members of the Southern California Marine Assn., from many marine retail stores, from participating Kinko’s Copy Centers and at Thrifty Gasoline/Food Stores.

The show will be open to the public from noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Free parking will be available at Pine Avenue and Seaside Way, one block from the show entrance.

Wait a minute. Why not a sailboat? Perfect. No gasoline. No pollution. Environmentally sound. Harnessing the power of nature and turning it to your advantage. Outracing the wind. Conquering the elements. Traditional. Ingenious. Natural. Primal . . .

Of course, one does not have to be obsessed with boating in order to enjoy the Boating Jubilee, says Harry Monahan, advertising director for the marine association. Shoreline Village itself--with the park and the shopping and the dining and the Queen Mary and the seaside beauty--well, that is enough to attract many people, including tourists. Last year, the boat show had visitors from at least 30 states, he said.

There also is a chance to win a one-week vacation for two to Hawaii. Monahan said the trip will be awarded at the end of the 10-day show. The prize includes air fare and hotel accommodations in Honolulu and on Kauai.

And a new addition this year will be parasail rides departing from the show site. For $30 (discounted for show visitors from the regular price of $38), Bill Kimball of Skyrider will tow the two-passenger parasail “sled” in the channel near the Queen Mary. The 10-minute ride offers a sea-gull’s-eye view of the boat show and the Long Beach coastal area.

Oh my. Look at that bank balance. Gosh, that two-person inflatable raft is looking better and better. After a day at sea, just fold it up and stick it in the trunk of the car. Easy to handle. Convenient. Inexpensive. Practical. What a deal . . .