The weather is sunny and clear this weekend, with temperatures in the 70's... PERFECT for the annual U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, MD., through Monday.
Ego Alley (Left - on a "normal" day, not a busy boat show day) and the City Dock at the foot of Main Street have been taken over by the latest and greatest innovations in sailing, and crowds have descended on the city streets from all over the east coast - in fact, all over the world. More than 50,000 people are expected to be here for the purpose of buying or selling everything from mega-yachts to dinghy's, from nautical charts to radio equipment.
And there's a new addition to the show this year: The Annapolis Nautical Flea Market, where used boats and nautical equipment will be available at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium.
Annapolis is known as the "sailing capitol of the world", and we started going to this annual event as a young couple with no expectation of ever owning a sailboat. Yet we left there one year as proud owners of a little orange day-sailer, which was perfect for our young family.
Words of advice for first-time visitors to the boat-show: Wear comfortable shoes for walking, and be prepared to take off your shoes whenever you board one of the boats or yachts in the harbor. And bring your camera... you'll want to take LOTS of pictures!
Lots of interesting seminars, sponsored by the U.S. Coastguard Association, have been taking place since the show opened on Thursday, but let me give you the schedule for tomorrow, Sunday, October 10, 2010:
9-10:15 a.m. The Weather Briefing - Great opportunity to improve your weather-forecasting skills.
10:30-11:45 a.m. - Cruising the Turkish Turquoise Coast - You might just be inspired, after you hear from someone who recently returned from this adventure.
12:-1:30 p.m. - Co-Captain: A Woman's Guide to Greater Sailing Enoyment. I highly recommend this, having enjoyed the opportunity to sail with other Navy wives, without our husbands. It was a blast!
2-3:30 - Transatlantic Routes - Presented by a veteran of 12 transatlantic passages.
4-5:15 - Cruising the Bahamas - So near, yet so far... Find out what you've been missing.
For a list of exhibitors, site layout, tickets, and more, check out the online program for the 41st annual U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis.
P.S. The Annapolis Power Boat Show will take place next week.
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