Yacht Fest Sails into San Diego

  

Spanning the docks of San Diego's Shelter Island Marina and the halls of the Island Palms Hotel, Yacht Fest will feature more than 30 super yachts with price tags teetering at $50 million. With more and more consumers than ever cutting checks for these high-priced sea vessels, you better believe they come fully equipped with the finest amenities money can buy. Just some of the luxuries within these "mini-mansions" include helicopters, hot tubs, workout rooms and wine cellars. Only the most prestigious of luxury yacht builders will be in attendance to showcase their vessels; participating manufacturers range from Christensen and Ocean Alexander to Sunseeker and Northstar Yachts. Also on site will be a crew of sales and charter brokers ready to answer questions pertaining to the sea cruising lifestyle. Dubbed as one of the West Coast's premier yacht shows, Yacht Fest, presented by the San Diego Marine Exchange, is expecting record-breaking attendance.

Highlights of the four-day event entail everything from workshops and seminars to fundraisers and fashion shows. Attendees can take advantage of free seminars where they can talk candidly with captains, crewmembers, engineers, stewards and chefs about their experiences aboard a luxury yacht. On Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m. be sure to attend "Your Career in Yachting," a seminar covering the many facets of today's yachting industry.

Benefiting the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, the "All Decked Out" fashion show will showcase the finest yachting apparel. Models outfitted in attire-suited for any mega yacht millionaire-will make their way down the red-carpeted docks. Tickets for Friday's fashion show at 1 p.m. are priced at $60 or $75 for preferred access admission.

YachtFest will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.