Not-So-Strictly Sail Pacific News

With just under a month until the start of Strictly Sail Pacific, exhibitors received a letter yesterday explaining that the show will no longer be the only all-sailing boat show on the West Coast. Strictly Sail Pacific has merged with the Northern California Marine Association’s Pacific Power Boat Expo and will now be known as Strictly Sail Pacific & Power Boat Expo. The April 15-19 dates remain, and the venue is still Jack London Square, but the format will be a little different.

The new and expanded show will have two boat basins — one for sailboats, the other for powerboats — with a connecting dock between them. On-land exhibitors will be located throughout Jack London Square, with most booths situated in the large tent and surrounding areas at the east end of the Square, while trailerable powerboats will be at the west end.

"The new combined show is a winning proposition for everyone," the letter said. "It will result in a bigger, more exciting event that will attract additional attendees and provide increased value to our exhibitors."

While we’re a little bummed by the news — after all, we’re unabashedly guilty of a pro-sailing bias — the combined show should give us all a good opportunity to convert prospective power boaters!