img3459Atlantic Sail Expo brings summertime activity to the New Jersey shore in mid-January when this annual rendezvous for sailors returns to the Atlantic City Convention Center. For four days, Sail Expo will transform the halls of the Convention Center into a celebration of sail where showgoers can climb aboard hundreds of new sailboats, meet sailing experts and celebrities, socialize with other sailing enthusiasts, and take part in informative seminars and workshops. Read on for more details on Atlantic Sail Expo, the East Coast's largest indoor display of sailboats and equipment.

Where and When

Atlantic Sail Expo opens Thursday, January 15 and runs until Sunday, January 18 at the Atlantic City Convention Center (One Ocean Way, Atlantic City, New Jersey).

Attractions For All Levels, All Ages

Atlantic Sail Expo is a four-day festival of sailing for all levels: from world cruisers who have crossed oceans to those who have never stepped foot on a sailboat before. The show features special events and over 100 seminars, which are free with the price of admission. A day-long session on Saturday called "Learn to Sail in a Day" will help beginners take their first step into the sport (pre-registration is required). A seminar on how to go chartering will be a valuable primer for sailors of all levels who want to explore exotic corners of the world on a charter vacation. Attractions for all ages are also included: young sailors can head straight to the Kids' Club, with special activities for children, and the indoor sailing pool.

Attend Boatshow U

The Atlantic Sail Expo seminar program gives showgoers a chance to attend Boatshow U for four days. Topics will range from sessions on sailing technique and how-to lessons to entertaining tales of cruising adventure and victory on the racecourse. World-famous racers and voyagers who spend their lives afloat head to Atlantic City each year to share their stories, their passion for sailing, and their expertise. Among the notable cruisers giving seminars are Lin and Larry Pardey, voyagers and well-respected authors who have logged over 180,000 miles over the past 30 years and completed East-about and West-about circumnavigations on boats they built themselves; Bernadette and Douglas Bernon, who will run a session called "Radical Sabbatical" on leaving their professional land lives and shifting to an endless-summer life of exploring under sail; and circumnavigator and author Liza Copeland.

The Price Of Admission Buys You More

A ticket to Sail Expo always gives showgoers good value, including a day of entertainment at this wintertime rendezvous and ample opportunity to learn and socialize with other sailors. But this year, some Sail Expo showgoers will walk away with even more: this year's show includes an exciting new program of prize giveaways. Grand prizes include a sailboat and a charter vacation. Prizes will be awarded daily.

Boats and Equipment

Exhibitors from around the world will bring the East Coast's largest indoor collection of sailing gear and equipment to Atlantic City. Boats on display will range from small one-person dinghies to large cruising boats equipped for offshore voyaging. An international collection of over 200 exhibitors return to this show each year.

Sponsors, Show Producers

Atlantic Sail Expo is co-produced by Sail America and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Sail America also runs Discover Sailing, a national introduction-to-sailing program, and six sailboat shows held each year throughout the United States. Atlantic Sail Expo is sponsored by Yanmar Marine and New Jersey Transit.

Show Hours

Show hours are 11 am to 5 pm on Thursday; 10 am to 7 pm on Friday and Saturday; 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday.

Tickets, More Information

Showgoers can purchase tickets in advance at a 20-percent discount. For more information on tickets and to find exhibitor lists, seminar schedules, and more information on special events such as "Learn to Sail in a Day," visit www.sailamerica.com or call 1-800-817-SAIL (7245).