The 22nd annual Long Beach Boat Show,...

The 22nd annual Long Beach Boat Show, launched by the Southern California Marine Assn., will bring a variety of boats and equipment displays to the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center beginning Friday and sailing through Oct. 28. The event traditionally assembles the largest fleet of show boats and boating accessories in the West, and is the time when many manufacturers introduce new models.

Approximately 475 pleasure boats, both power and sail, from 125 brand-name boat lines, will be featured. More than 300 booths will display equipment, supplies and services for recreational boats. Booths will feature representatives and merchandise from sailmakers, spar builders, engine dealers, communications and navigational electronics, boat trailers, water skis and more.

An educational feature at the boat show will be a panel of experts on long-distance cruising, sailboat racing, fishing and water skiing. They will take turns presenting a series of two seminars a night through Oct. 27. Included on the panel are Gerry Cunningham, columnist for Pacific Boating Almanac and Sea magazine; Bill Gaither, professional tournament fisherman and wildlife artist and writer; Earl Hinz, Pacific contributing editor for Cruising World magazine; Ronnie Kovach, professional fishing instructor; and Scott Gobel, a member of the Kidder professional ski team.

There also will be a drawing at the end of the show for a seven-day vacation for two to Tahiti via Air New Zealand.

The boat show will be open at the center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., from 3 to 10 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $5 for adults, children under 12 are free, and discount tickets are available from Southern California Marine Assn. members, marine retail stores and participating Kinko’s Copy Centers. For more information, call the Southern California Marine Assn. at (714) 633-7581.