The PNW Cruiser’s Guide to Upgrades: POP Board Co. at Seattle Boat Show (Booth North 141)
Santa Ana, United States - January 23, 2026 / POP Board Co. /
For the Pacific Northwest boater, the vessel is not just a vehicle; it is a base camp. Whether anchored in a quiet cove in the San Juan Islands or cruising the intricate waterways of the South Sound, the goal is exploration. However, even the most well-equipped trawlers and sailboats face a common limitation: the transition from the boat to the water is often cramped, slippery, and cold.
This January, POP Board Co. (Booth North 141) arrives at the 2026 Seattle Boat Show with a solution designed to change how PNW cruisers interact with the water. By combining military-grade inflatable technology with a "built-for-adventure" ethos, POP Board Co. is introducing the POP Dock and a rugged line of paddleboards to the Lumen Field Event Center.
"The boating culture here is distinct from anywhere else in the country," says a POP Board Co. spokesperson. "In Chicago or Miami, it might be about the party. In Seattle, it's about the adventure. It's about crabbing, fishing, kayaking, and bringing the dog along. Our mission at Booth North 141 is to show PNW boaters how to expand their square footage, improve safety, and turn their swim step into a fully functional activity center."
The "Cold Water" Challenge: Why the POP Dock Matters Here
In the warm waters of the south, a swim platform is for sunbathing. In the chilly, often chop-heavy waters of the Puget Sound, the swim platform is a utility space—a mudroom, a launchpad, and a landing zone.
At Booth North 141, attendees will discover why the POP Dock has become an essential upgrade for the serious cruiser.
1. The "Floating Mudroom" Concept Cruising in the Northwest involves gear. Crab pots, fishing tackle, muddy boots, and wet dogs. Bringing all that directly into the cockpit or salon creates a mess. The POP Dock, attached to the stern, acts as a massive, stable "back porch" at water level.
- Gear Staging: It provides 50+ square feet of space to prep kayaks, inflate dinghies, or sort the catch of the day before it touches the teak deck.
- Cleaning Station: The durable, PVC surface is easy to hose down, making it the perfect spot to wash off salt and sand before entering the main vessel.
2. The Dog Safety Solution For the thousands of boaters who cruise with pets, the POP Dock is a safety imperative. Getting a Golden Retriever from a dinghy up a slippery fiberglass ladder in 50-degree water is a stressful, dangerous maneuver.
- Low Profile: The POP Dock sits inches above the waterline, allowing dogs to step directly off a tender or out of the water with ease.
- Traction: The EVA foam traction pad provides grip that fiberglass swim steps simply cannot match, giving pets (and owners) confidence in wet conditions.
3. Extending the Trawler Many classic PNW trawlers have small, bolt-on swim steps. A 40-foot boat might only have 18 inches of depth at the stern. By deploying a POP Dock, that space instantly expands to an 8x7 foot or 10x8 foot platform. It effectively adds a "water-level salon" to the boat for a fraction of the cost of a refit.
The Explorer’s Quiver: Paddleboards Built for the Sound
While the dock extends the boat, the paddleboard extends the adventure. Booth North 141 will showcase POP Board Co.’s 2026 expedition-ready SUP lineup.
"In the Sound, you aren't just paddling in a pool," the team notes. "You're dealing with boat wakes, tidal currents, and rocky shorelines. You need a board that is stable and bombproof."
Visitors can inspect the reinforced rails and wider templates of the 2026 touring models. These boards are designed for the cruiser who wants to anchor in a bay and paddle to shore for a hike, exploring shallow inlets where the "big boat" can’t go. They feature ample bungee storage for dry bags, making them true micro-expedition vessels.
Strategic Partnership: Rover Marine Tenders
The PNW cruiser’s biggest headache is often the dinghy. Davits are expensive, towing is a drag (literally), and storage is nonexistent.
Recognizing this, POP Board Co. is partnering with Rover Marine at Booth North 141 to present the ultimate "Cruiser's Tender." The Rover Battle Boat offers the rigidity of a hard hull with the stow-ability of a sleeping bag.
- No Davits Needed: The Rover boat rolls up and stores in a lazarette or on the bow.
- Rock-Ready: Unlike cheap PVC tenders, the Rover is built with heavy-duty drop-stitch floors and reinforced hulls, capable of handling the barnacle-encrusted rocks typical of San Juan landings.
- The Complete System: Attendees will see how the Rover boat, POP Dock, and POP Paddleboards integrate to create a complete "off-boat" ecosystem. Use the Rover to get to shore, the POP Dock to load/unload safely, and the SUPs to explore the coastline.
Why Booth North 141 is a "Must-Visit" at Lumen Field
The Seattle Boat Show is the largest on the West Coast, and navigating the Lumen Field floor can be daunting. POP Board Co. has designed Booth North 141 as an educational hub for the practical boater.
- The "Stability Test": Skepticism about inflatables is common until you stand on one. Visitors can walk on a fully inflated dock to feel the rock-hard rigidity provided by high-pressure drop-stitch construction.
- Rigging Demos: The team will demonstrate how to secure the dock to different styles of vessels—from the high transom of a sportfisher to the swim grid of a Ranger Tug.
- The "Good Life" Vibe: Amidst the technical specs of engines and electronics, the POP booth brings the energy of the destination. It’s a reminder of why we go boating: to have fun, to relax, and to connect with nature.
The Venue: Lumen Field Event Center
The 2026 Seattle Boat Show returns to the Lumen Field Event Center (800 Occidental Ave S), offering a dry, warm environment to explore the latest marine innovations before the season starts.
- Dates: Friday, Jan 30 – Saturday, Feb 7, 2026.
- The "Indoors + Afloat" Experience: While POP Board Co. is located indoors at North 141, the products are designed for the rugged reality of the "Afloat" portion at Bell Harbor. The team encourages visitors to see the big boats at the marina and then come to the booth to see how to upgrade them.
Industry Analysis: The Move to "Modular Marine"
The Pacific Northwest marine market is seeing a shift toward "Modular Marine" solutions. As moorage rates in Seattle and the Eastside skyrocket, boaters are looking to maximize the utility of their existing vessels rather than upgrading to larger ones.
"The trend for 2026 is versatility," explains a marine industry analyst. "A 35-foot boat is a significant investment. Owners are asking, 'How can I make this 35-footer feel like a 45-footer?' The answer isn't fiberglass; it's modular add-ons. Inflatable docks and high-quality tenders allow a smaller vessel to punch above its weight class in terms of usable space and capability."
POP Board Co. is leading this charge. By offering a product that packs down into a bag but expands into a patio, they are giving urban Seattle boaters (who may have limited storage in condos or apartments) the ability to own a "yacht-sized" amenity without the yacht-sized slip fee.
About POP Board Co. Born from a love of the water and a desire to make it more accessible, POP Board Co. manufactures premium inflatable docks, paddleboards, and marine accessories. With a focus on durability, style, and the "Good Life," POP creates gear that stands up to the rigors of the Pacific Northwest while bringing a splash of color to the greyest days.
About Rover Marine Rover Marine builds the world's most capable portable boats. bridging the gap between a soft inflatable and a hard hull, Rover’s "Battle Boats" are designed for explorers who need a tender that is tough, fast, and easy to stow.
Upgrade Your Adventure at Booth North 141
The 2026 cruising season is just around the corner. Before you drop the hook in Sucia or Roche Harbor, make sure your vessel is ready for the "Good Life."
Visit POP Board Co. at Booth North 141 at the Lumen Field Event Center. Step aboard the future of marine real estate and see how a little air can make a massive difference in your boating experience.
Contact Information:
POP Board Co.
301 W. Dyer Road
Santa Ana, CA 92707
United States
Dana Bruce
(888) 978-1503
https://popboardco.com
