Blue Angels by boat - tips wanted

[Gringo Pescador]

My inlaws are coming to town from Mexico City and my father in law timed the trip specifically so he could see the Blue Angels. I already plan on taking him down to Boeing field one day to see takeoff and landing but I really want to get him out on the lake in the boat one of the days. I am planning to take a day off so we can hit it for Thursday or Friday's practice runs to avoid the Sat/Sun chaos).
Never been on the water for Seafair, always tried to get the best vantage point from land (usually jumping out on I-90 after they close it).
The lake (reservoir) I fish in NE is a part of a training run the military jets use out of CO, I've been in a 12' aluminum in the middle of the lake and had one of those guys buzz us, then come back, circle and wave from the cockpit. Feeling the sound through the bottom of that boat was AWESOME I know we won't get that close on Lake Washington but still excited about having the best vantage point.

My question is, where should I go? Where CAN I go?

[kodacachers]

I did the show from the water two days a couple year back. Most boaters view the show from the north of the pits. Unless you have log boom space, that means north of 520. It was fun, but crowded and pretty rough water. I would not do it in a 12' aluminum, but I'm a chicken.

The second day we saw them from south of Seward Park. This was great for us. Calm water, not a whole lot of boats. Without all the chop we could hold our position pretty well even with out an anchor. The Blue Angels flew right over the top of us! We did not get to see them bank over Leschi, but we liked this vantage much better.

Of course to view you first need to get on the water, which is a challenge. I had a friend that let me keep the boat at her dock, so I launched Wednesday. Unless you have a similar deal its get up real early or wait in line! There may be better options for a small boat--there's a spot over by the slew that you could probably launch in, but I've seen trailers for 22' party barges there at SeaFair.

Even with all the hassles, it was a great experience. Not something I'd do every year, but definitely once!

Good luck!!

[Gringo Pescador]

Thanks for the info! We will in my 20' sled (the 12'-er is in NE). Not doing the whole Seafair thing, just want to get out for the Blue Angels. I live in Shoreline and was thinking of launching either Sand Point or Newcastle. Never thought about the launch lines

[kodacachers]

Many of the launches turn into one-way (all in before the angels, all out afterwards) and both Gene Coulon and Newport shores launches have folks directing traffic so the lines go fairly fast. Parking your trailer will be a challenge particularly if you are going out just for the show. I'd choose a launch with parking in mind--got any friends close by? ;-)

[Bodofish]

Don't say I didn't warn you. Been out on various crafts for the races and days before. Enforcement is extremely ridged, most of the participants are just jack@$$es and the waves and chop are hideous. Enjoy, everybody's got to do it once.

On the other hand the Blue Angels are totally awesome!!!!!!! Don't fall over when the go by, get as close as you can!!!!

[Amx]

Went out there once to watch qualifying after work. Parking was a mile away. BAD back up at the launch putting in and taking out. Waves bad and the woman with me didn't want to 'get on top' of the waves so had to putter back, and she owned her own boat. So find a hill top, park the boat there on it's trailer, have a picnic, and watch the Blue Angels that way.

[G-Man]

Better option is parking at Luther Burbank on Mercer Island and walking\biking out onto the I-90 bridge deck to watch the show. If you're dead set on doing it by boat, going on Thursday or Friday isn't all that bad, just hit the launch in the morning and make a day or it. If your boat can handle the trip from Magnuson, I'd look into launching there. You can take your time running south and check out the progress of the 520 Bridge, the East Highrise is coming along quickly now.

[Jerry H]

We have been going out every year since 2003 (on Friday). We launch by Rainier Beach Highscool. Parking is a problem, usually 3-4 blocks away on residential streets. Make the short run up to the north end of Seward Park (there will be a buoy line that you can not pass until after the Blue Angels fly). If you go east to the Mercer Island side of the channel you will get a better view than on the west side. If you want to anchor you will need 150 - 250 feet of line unless you move in close to the shore line. Drunks running boats isn't nearly the problem it used to be due to high police presence on the water. Return to the launch is always a side show. (Sun, tired people, crowded launch lanes, people that only bring the boat out once a year, no clue how to back up a trailer) great entertainment if you aren't stuck in the middle of it.

Hope you have a good time.