The all-new Pacific Strictly Sail Show was held this year at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California, and it was a huge success. Even rain on Saturday couldn’t keep the sailors from turning out to see what was new in boat equipment, and to attend the many seminars that were part of this great event.
The new venue for the show, the Craneway Pavilion, is a huge, open building right on the waterfront. The water side is completely glass, overlooking San Francisco Bay and the city of San Francisco.
This was the 16th year we have hosted the Cruisers’ Party at the Pacific Show. Our sponsors this year were the Maritime Institute, Sunsail, Ultra Marine West/Quickline, Fortress Anchors, Passage Nautical, Copper Coat, Janberra, and the Educational Tall Ship Foundation. There was a raffle with dozens of prizes, the proceeds going to the building of the new Matthew W. Turner tall ship by the Educational Tall Ship Foundation. We had to move the party into the Assembly Restaurant due to the rain, but it didn’t seem to slow anyone down. There were about 500 people enjoying the free pizza, beer, and great music provided by the Eric Stone Band.
The Craneway Pavilion started life in 1931 as the Ford Company assembly plant. The 525,000 sq. ft. Ford Plant was retooled in WWII to process tanks and jeeps. The building is perfect for the Pacific Strictly Sail Show, with plenty of space for the exhibitors and seminars, and a marina just a short walk down the dock.
Sail America, the show’s producers, did a great job, and we are all looking forward to next year’s event!
Check out the pictures (special thanks to Jodi Mossop for many of them) on our Facebook page: