When: today through Sunday
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. today-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., Hall C, Atlanta
Tickets: Adults ages 16 and older $9, ages 15 and younger free; advance tickets can be purchased online; ticket purchase includes a one-year subscription to Yachting, Field & Stream, Boating, or Cruising World
Contact: 954-441-3227, www.twitter.com/AtlantaBoatShow
Wakeboard Stunt Show
What: Wakeboard pro Parks Bonifay and others to perform stunt show in 30,000-gallon pool. Bonifay to meet fans at Watersports Central/MasterCraft Booth (E-4) at 6 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday
When: 3 and 7 p.m. thursday-Friday, 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday
If the snow on the ground has you longing for those spring and summer days cruising atop Lake Lanier, there's a wintertime balm for your sailor's soul.
The 49th Atlanta Boat Show runs today through Sunday at the Georgia World Congress Center, with exhibits featuring the latest models of craft big and small, new technologies and cool accessories for boating enthusiasts.
The show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the world's largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry.
Among the featured boats are "The Queen," a 42-foot Marquis 420 Sport Bridge yacht making its U.S. debut. It is the newest addition to the Marquis Yacht product line and is designed by the noted firm of Nuvolari-Lenard naval architects of Venice, Italy. The vessel features a sleek bridge and spacious cabin for entertaining and lodging.
Other craft on display include the 47-foot Sea Ray 470 Sundancer, a high-tech luxury cruiser; Bote Paddleboards, which are 29-foot craft that are both paddle board and boat with custom attachments; a modern-day classic, the 26-foot Hacker-Craft Runabout in rich mahogany with first-class upholstery and has an enlarged second cockpit; and the Tupolev 007 Russian rescue boat, a $2 million Cold War artifact that can reach speeds of more than 150 mph, powered by an MP14 aircraft fighter engine, the only one of three produced still in existence.
But not all the boats are high-end models only for the Trump set. The Affordability Pavilion showcases of boats for those with smaller budgets, and includes pricing options and financing for $250 per month or less.
In addition to the boats and accessories for sale, the Boat Show will feature attractions and interactive educational opportunities for new and experienced boaters, including Distortion Boarding-Extreme Rail Jam; appearances by SpongeBob SquarePants; free kids fishing; free daily boating; sailing and fishing seminars; and a daily performance by wakeboard stunt professionals in a 30,000-gallon pool.