Recreational Boating Information for the Northwest
Covering Puget Sound & San Juan Islands
Seafair
Hydroplanes Races
August 2nd - 4th, 2013
Seafair is the culmination of the month-long Seafair Festival and it is undoubtedly the "Seafair" weekend that thousands look forward to each summer. The action-packed weekend includes the fastest powerboats in the world, the Unlimited Hydroplanes and the Lights class with its high-intensity, deck-to-deck racing.
In addition to the high-speed action on the water that draws thousands of fans to Lake Washington, there are also a wide variety of entertainment options for the whole family on land.
Seafair weekend also provides thrill seekers with the incredible Blue Angels. The Air Show at Seafair will also feature spectacular civilian and military performers, including some new and returning favorites to astound the Lake Washington audience. > Click here to view Patriots Jet Team information for 2013 <
Genesee Park will be filled with food & festival vendors, wine & beer gardens, prime water viewing and live music.
Seafair Unlimited Hydro Race Week-end:
Wednesday:
Blue Angels fly an arrival pratice in the late morning and once again early afternoon. No Hydros - Boaters with logboom passes can start tie-up in the evening.
Thursday:
Blue Angels fly that day but no Hydro qualifying. You may see an Unlimited or Unlimited light test. Logboom is free that day.
Friday:
Testing starts around 8:30 am. Need to be on the boom by noon. Angels will fly around 1 pm. Testing and qualifying start up again then close down around 5 pm. Note- Friday is no longer free on the boom. All boats must have credentials,
Saturday:
Must be on the boom by noon. Track opens at 8:30 am for testing and qualifying. Unlimited Lights run Heats 1A and 1B. Around 1 pm the Blue Angels fly. Unlimited Hydros run Heats 1A and 1B. The track then closes down around 5:30 pm.
Sunday:
Course opens at 8:30am. Must be on the boom by noon. Racing and air show begins around 9am. Angels fly around 1:30. The race course opens up again at 2:30 along with other airshow performances. Final Heat around 5pm
Log Boom Pricing & Information - 2013 prices
A $5.00 transaction fee will be added for all sections.
- Green Section $400 - (Stern Tie up to 23')
- White Section $500 - (Stern Tie 24" to 40')
- Yellow Section $600 - (Stern Tie 26' up to 60')
- Red Section $70/ft, - Broadside 32' Minimum
- Black Section $60/ft - Broadside Charter
Special restrictions and local regulations have been established in order to promote safety of these events for both performers and spectators alike. These boating restriction and local regulations will be enforced by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Boats that tie up to boom must enter under I-90 / Northwest side. Most boaters are stopped and turned away when attempting to access boom from a different location. Some exceptions may be given.
Once you've arrived and have tied off to the boom, you may not leave until the Blue Angels fly. Only exception would be a medical emergency.
If you're attempting to purchase credentials for the log boom, the best way to do it is on-line. If you're purchasing credentials for the first time, get your info. in as early as possible and make sure you have a picture of your boat and now your reg. numbers. (WN XXXX XX).
WARNING TO ALL BOATERS - The police and coastguard do keep a sharp look out for BUI's | DUI's. They will catch boaters and they arrest plenty every year. Boat smart and be safe...
Non-log boom Boater Information:
For those boaters that wish to partake, there are a few things to know.
No boats will be able to enter the area South of the I-90 bridge and North of Bailey Peninsula which includes Seward Park / Andrews Bay and all the way across to Mercer Island.
Note - once the Blue Angels fly that day, you can enter the course area. But there will be restrictions. Read down as we will cover those issues…
Information before the Blue Angels fly:
North of I-90 – The morning of, you may anchor at your own risk - (it gets extremely rough with boat traffic). There will be buoy markers about 300 yards off the bridge. You must stay north of these buoys at all times.
Bailey Peninsula / Seward Park – From the north tip of Bailey Peninsula east to Mercer Island, you’ll be able to anchor. No boats beyond this line. Coastguard, Log boom patrol and police boats will be patrolling. Buoys will mark the line. . No boats will be allowed into Andrews Bay until the Angels complete their show.
Information after the Blue Angels fly:
WHEN ENTERING COURSE AREA – NO WAKE! YOU WILL BE STOPPED!!!
I-90 North – Around 10 minutes after the Angles show is complete, you will hear one of the patrol boats sound their horn. At that time, all vessels may enter the course area. The only way to enter is the eastside overpass of the bridge. (west side in for log boom boats only) A patrol boat will lead the way as every vessel attempts to enter all at once. Be very careful as it gets a little crazy!
Once you’ve made it under the bridge, you may anchor out beyond the anchored buoy lines which are about 100 yard off the log boom. This goes for the entire course. Any attempt to enter the log boom without credentials will be stopped!
A new rule which was started in 2010, boats rafted can only have 5 or less together.
Bailey Peninsula / Seward Park – After the Blue Angels show is over, patrol boats will sound a horn and lead you to the course. At this time, those who wish to stay in Andrews Bay for the day and or night may do so. Be aware you’ll have to leave the next morning by 8am and move around the point.
Once the Blue Angels show is over, you may do it all over again. Andrews Bay is the flight box for their show and no one on the water or shore may be there. You will also notice Seward Park will be completely closed at the same time.
Also be aware, once you decide to leave, there is a no wake zone throughout the area. The no wake zone ends south of Seward Park and North of the I-90 Bridge. You can exit any direction except the west side of the I-90.
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Blue Angels Canceled for 2013 - Details
2013 Air Show Changes: Patriots Jet Team
The Patriots Jet Team has performed at Seafair Weekend in the past,
both in 2007 and 2008. The team was founded in 2003 as a two-ship
formation group and eventually expanded to a six-ship aerobatic team.
The Patriots L-39's electrify spectators with fast-paced formation flying,
choreographed four-ship diamond formation aerobatic maneuvers and
their signature "Tail Slide", where the aircraft actually slides backwards
toward the ground. The team's performances are highlighted by a
computerized red, white and blue smoke system.
The pilots include: lead Dean Wright (#1), right wingman Rob Hutchison
(#2), left wingman John Posson (#3), slot pilot Paul Strickland (#4),
outer left wing Rob Mitchell (#5) and right wing Scott Ind (#6). Their collective backgrounds include experience with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds and Royal Canadian Air Force.
To learn more about the Patriots Jet Team, visit www.patriotsjetteam.com and www.facebook.com/patriotsjetteam.
