Small Boat Spotlight: Good Things Come in Small Packages!
Small Boats are an accessible way for people to experience our beautiful waterways and the joys of boat ownership. Gig Harbor Boat Works presents daily sailboat rigging & rowing demonstrations at the 2025 Seattle Boat Show.
Small boats are increasingly being recognized as a great way to get out on the water.
They are convenient, eco-friendly, and affordable–with a lower cost of ownership than larger boats. Because of all these factors, and the fact that they are so easy and fun to operate, there is a renewed interest in small sailing and rowing boats.
Gig Harbor Boat Works started exhibiting at the Seattle Boat Show in 1986. Now in their 39th year, this homegrown Pacific Northwest company was recently recognized by SAIL magazine as one of the leading small boat manufacturers in North America. Standing tall in the world of “little boats,” Gig Harbor Boat Works is showcasing the unique appeal of small sailing and rowing boats at this year’s Seattle Boat Show (the largest Boat show on the West Coast)
For the first time ever, daily demos at Gig Harbor Boat Works booth will help interested boaters see how sailing dinghies and skiffs are rigged, allow them to ask questions, and gain a better understanding of why small boats are so special. The demos and Q&A sessions are all free with admission to the Seattle Boat Show.
“Many people are interested in sailing, but don’t know where to start. At Gig Harbor Boat Works, we make sailboats that are great for newcomers because they are quick to rig and simple to operate. Small boat aficionados understand the simpler a boat is, the more time you spend sailing and less time rigging and maintaining your boat,” Explains Katie Malik, General Manager of Gig Harbor Boat Works, who was raised in and around small boats and credits them with fostering an adventurous spirit that endures to this day.
There is also a resurgence of interest in outdoor rowing, as people recognize they can get exercise while enjoying the beauty of our northwest waterways. Whether brand new to rowing or making the leap from a rowing machine to a real-world workout, seminars and Q&As at the boat show will help people understand the benefits and fun that outdoor rowing provides.
“Rowing is an eco-friendly activity that lets you experience nature without impacting the native environment as you’re exploring. It’s a fantastic way to get exercise, reconnect with your body and mind. Not to mention it’s physically impossible to mindlessly scroll on your phone when your hands are busy holding a pair of oars!”says Katie Malik GM of GHBW.
World-record setting adventure rower Jordan Hanssen will be at the show Feb 6-8th in seminars sharing his real-world experiences rowing across the Atlantic (twice) and the entire length of the Mississippi River (twice). A supplemental Q&A, “How to Row Anywhere,” will be offered at the Gig Harbor Boat Works booth for those who are thinking about an adventure row of their own.
The rowboats and sailboats built by Gig Harbor Boat Works are ideal for beginners, but capable enough to grow into. They allow people to experience the freedom and adventure of the boating lifestyle in their own backyard, without a huge financial commitment. They are also great for families, since they are perfect boats for teaching kids or grandkids to row and sail. Each Gig Harbor Boat Works model is built by hand in the U.S.A to exacting standards. Quality modern construction combines with the best of traditional boat styles to deliver small capable boats that are durable, functional and aesthetically pleasing.
“We see a lot of retired folks who get misty eyed when they see our boats at the show,” Malik says. “It brings back memories of similar boats they learned to sail or row in when they were young, and they realize they can give that same gift to their own kids and grandkids. If you teach a child to sail, they’ll carry that knowledge with them for the rest of their lives. And they’ll always think of you when they do.”
Gig Harbor Boat Works presents Daily sailboat rigging & rowing demonstrations and an in-depth seminar series at the 2025 Seattle Boat Show.
Daily Sailboat Rigging Demos (West Hall #37)
Many people are interested in sailing, but don’t know where to start.
Gig Harbor Boat Works daily demos will help interested boaters see how boats are rigged, ask questions, and gain a better understanding of why small boats are so special and so easy to manage compared to many other types and sizes of boats.
BALANCED LUG RIGGING DEMO (on the 17′ Salish Voyager or 12′ Scamp)
Gig Harbor Boat Works’ balanced-lug sailboats are popular for a reason-they offer tremendous versatility, ease of use, and are extremely fun to sail. The quick deploying and simple to use balanced lug rig will impress beginners and experienced sailors alike!
The Salish Voyager’s balanced lug rig is easy for one person to rig and manage.
SLOOP RIGGING DEMO (on the 12′ Point Defiance or 10′Navigator)
See how sloop-rigged boats can be sailed with a single mainsail (cat rig) and then how to add a jib to increase performance and fun.
Rigging a sloop rigged Lobster Boat
Daily Rowing Demos (West Hall #37)
Rowing is a great way to get exercise and experience the water.
Gig Harbor Boat Works daily demos will showcase how ecofriendly human power makes rowing fun and sustainable. Their rowboats are ideal for all kinds of rowing adventures and suitable for all levels of rowers. Competitive rowers that race crew also find the comfort and simplicity of Gig Harbor Boat Works rowboats ideal for both exercise and recreation.
SLIDING SEAT ROWING INTRO (on the 14′ Whitehall or 17′ Salish Voyager)
Learn the advantages of sliding seat rowing, discover techniques that maximize the enjoyment of outdoor rowing. See how to configure sliding seats to best fit different rowers proportions and styles of rowing.
Q&A: HOW TO ROW ANYWHERE with Jordan Hanssen (17′ Salish Voyager)
Dreaming of a rowing adventure? Get practical tips, pointers, and inspiration from world record-setting ocean rower Jordan Hanssen. He has rowed the entire length of the Mississippi river in a GHBW boat, twice! He rowed across the Atlantic using GHBW sliding rowing seats, twice! He continues to crisscross the country with his beloved Gig Harbor Boat Works Jersey Skiff rowboat, Annabelle.
To learn more about the Gig Harbor Boat Works, their events at the Seattle Boats Show or how to get tickets, visit Gig Harbor Boat Show Page.
